BRAVA Magazine

Middleton Pride 2026
2026-06-13 | Downtown Middleton, WI, 1821 Parmenter St, Middleton, WI, 53562, Select a Country:
Join The Good Neighbor City for its annual Middleton Pride Festival on Saturday, June 13.
This is a family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in the Good Neighbor city.
In 2025, the festival included two Drag Story Hours (from both Kings and Queens), performances from local school ensembles and home-grown DJ Stu, and nearly 30 vendors, area organizations, and Queer-affirming businesses. Expect a similar lineup in 2026 as well as more than enough crafts, games, and love to go around! Stay tuned for exact details as the event gets closer.
Food, Drinks & More:
Middleton has a dozen restaurants within walking distance of Stone Horse Green, feel free to grab lunch and bring it over and enjoy on a blanket or one of the bistro tables. Bring your own blankets and folding chairs, if you like. You can also bring alcohol that is in non-glass containers, such as one of the hundreds of canned beers for sale at Longtable Beer Cafe just across the street.

Centennial Festival Weekend
2026-06-13 - 2026-06-14 | Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State Street, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
Following the conclusion of our 25/26 subscription season, join us for our Centennial Festival Weekend “A Community Gift and Dream — for the Love of Music” on June 13-14, 2026. During this free, two-day festival celebration, MSO musicians and diverse community groups will perform on a rotating schedule throughout various spaces in Overture Center for the Arts. This will also be performances on the mainstage in Overture Hall which include a Family Concert and an Overture Concert Organ Concert on Saturday as well as a Madison Symphony Orchestra Concert on Sunday. We will also have food vendors that will be in Overture Lobby each day from 9:30-4:30 p.m.
All performances will be presented free-of-charge to the public — a gift to the city of Madison and surrounding areas for their support of the MSO now and into the future.

Core and Pelvic Floor Connection: Building Stronger Foundations
2026-06-13 08:30 - 09:30 (America/Chicago) | Ether Wellness, 25 N Pinckney St. Ste 310, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
Reconnect to your core, breath, posture, and pelvic floor through intentional movement designed to help you feel more supported from the inside out. This session focuses on stability, body awareness, and creating a stronger foundation for everyday life.
As part of the Women’s Wellness Series, Core Connection offers its own individual experience while tying into the monthly theme: ⭐️Prep for Success ⭐️
What is the Women’s Wellness Series?
Ether Wellness opens its doors every Saturday from 8:30-9:30am, with the exception of this event, for our Women’s Wellness Series: a rotating blend of movement, reflection, education, and restorative practices designed to support your whole self.
Each session offers a chance to reset, reconnect, and nourish your mind, body, and energy in community. Whether you’re seeking strength, grounding, clarity, or calm, these gatherings give you a meaningful space to grow and feel supported.

Madison Black History Walking Tours
2026-06-13 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-06-18 17:00 - 18:45 | History Maker Space, 1 S. Pinckney Street, Madison, WI, 53703
How Black Communities Shaped Madison Through Time
In the years following the Civil War and into the 20th century, Madison was a growing and dynamic city. Working and living within this changing environment were Black residents who established a vibrant community around the East Dayton-North Blount-East Johnson Streets in downtown Madison—and in doing so, left a lasting and historic mark on the Badger State.
During the Madison Black History Walking Tour—which starts at East Dayton & North Blount and ends at the Capitol Square—you’ll learn firsthand about the individuals, families, and organizations that formed the bedrock of this community and left a powerful legacy for future generations.

Summer Breeze Block Party
2026-06-13 16:00 - 20:00 | Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, 53704, United States
Olbrich Botanical Gardens and Garver Events are teaming up to throw a Summer Breeze block party! Join us for two nights filled with pop-up artmaking activities, classic lawn games, dance parties, and local food cart fare. Sugar Ave, the bike/pedestrian pathway linking the Gardens to Garver, will transform to a free neighborhood block party vibe featuring picnic tables, a variety of food carts, and live music hosted by Garver. Grab a bite, enjoy some live music, and then head into Olbrich Gardens to continue the party!
Support your public garden along with the featured local artists/musicians by paying a nominal admission fee at the Gardens’ entrance – then sip on a cocktail/mocktail as you stroll the Gardens with your sweetheart, play a round of bocce or badminton, encounter pop-up performers, and create botanically based art. The evening concludes with a curated story slam on the Great Lawn surrounded by the lush beauty of the Gardens. Come up soak up the sun, feel the warm summer breeze, and make some memories!

Sunset Games at San Damiano Park
2026-06-14 16:00 - 20:00 | San Damiano, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona, WI, 53716, United States
Sunset at San Damiano Park is one of THE BEST in Dane County. Join us and add a spectacular backdrop to your Sunday evening. The 2nd Sunday of each month, May through October, join us for a peaceful evening on the shores of Lake Monona. Enjoy dinner from the food cart or bring your own. Partake in free lawn games (think bags, bocce, croquet, and giant Jenga) with family and friends. Relax with live music as you take it all in. A different food cart option and live music each month will enhance the enjoyment of this time of day.

Classic Movie: Bringing Up Baby
2026-06-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Hillside Theater, Taliesin, Spring Green, 5481 County Road C, Spring Green, WI, 53588, United States
Experience a classic movie in a historic space! Screwball sparks fly when Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn let loose in one of the fastest and funniest films ever made—a high-wire act of invention that took American screen comedy to new heights of absurdity. Hoping to procure a million-dollar endowment from a wealthy society matron for his museum, a hapless paleontologist (Grant) finds himself entangled with a dizzy heiress (Hepburn) as the manic misadventures pile up—a missing dinosaur bone, a leopard on the loose, and plenty of gender-bending mayhem among them.
First shown at Taliesin in 1956. This film is presented in partnership with the River Valley Film Club.

Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival
2026-06-19 - 2026-06-27 | San Damiano, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona, WI, 53716, United States
Plan your visit for a weeklong lakeside festival of live wood sculpting, Indigenous culture and global artists in Monona, WI.
Make plans to experience the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival, returning June 19–27, 2026, for a unique weeklong celebration of art, culture and community at San Damiano Park in Monona, Wisconsin.
Set along the shores of Lake Monona, this free, open-air festival invites you to watch 13 international artists create large-scale wood sculptures live on-site. It’s a rare opportunity to see the creative process up close and connect directly with artists from around the world.
As the first international wood sculpture festival in the United States dedicated to an Indigenous artist, the event honors Ho-Chunk sculptor Harry Whitehorse. Held on ancestral Ho-Chunk land known as Teejope, the festival highlights Indigenous perspectives while fostering cultural exchange and community connection.
Beyond the carving, visitors can enjoy international food and cultural and educational experiences in a relaxed, lakeside setting. Whether you stop by for a few hours or plan a weekend getaway, it’s an experience unlike any other.
Start planning your visit at harrywhitehorse.com/festival and discover what makes this event truly unlike any other.

Reflection & Connection: Redefining Success
2026-06-20 08:30 - 09:30 | Ether Wellness, 25 N Pinckney St. Ste 310, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
What does “success” actually mean to you in this season of life? Together, we’ll reflect on the pressure to constantly do more and explore how success can feel more aligned, supportive, sustainable, and fulfilling. This session offers space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what feels true in your current season. Through guided journaling and conversation, we’ll explore what success looks like for you and how to achieve that in your life.
As part of the Women’s Wellness Series, Reflection & Connection offers its own individual experience while tying into the monthly theme:⭐️ Prep For Success ⭐️
What is the Women’s Wellness Series?
Every Saturday (8:30am – 9:30am), Ether Wellness opens its doors for our Women’s Wellness Series: a rotating blend of movement, reflection, education, and restorative practices designed to support your whole self. Each session offers a chance to reset, reconnect, and nourish your mind, body, and energy in community. Whether you’re seeking strength, grounding, clarity, or calm, these gatherings give you a meaningful space to grow and feel supported.

Cellist Mike Block: Hillside Theater at Taliesin
2026-06-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Hillside Theater, Taliesin, Spring Green, 5481 County Road C, Spring Green, WI, 53588, United States
Mike Block is a Grammy® Award-Winning multi-style cello player, composer, singer, and educator, with a passion for cross-cultural collaborations. Hailed as “one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene” by Gramophone, he was acclaimed by the New York Times for his “vital rich-hued solo playing”, and “a true artist… a sight to behold” by Salt Lake City Desert News. Mike Block’s solo show offers a rich mixture of classical repertoire, folk music, original compositions and songs that draw inspiration from his diverse collaborations. An admirer of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture since childhood, this performance will include works directly inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesin.

Make Music Day at San Damiano Park
2026-06-21 11:00 - 20:30 | San Damiano, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona, WI, 53716, United States
Join us for a full day of free music in celebration of Make Music Day, a global phenomenon that promotes music of all genres and musicians of all abilities.
11am to 12:30pm Rich Kessler
1 to 2:30pm Idledaze Duo
3 to 3:30pm Paige Kleber
4 to 5:30pm Edward Ford
6:30 to 8:30pm The Periodicals
Food carts will be on site, including The Roost, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, Jolly Frog, Sandwich Hub, Jakarta Cafe, and Curd Girl. Friends of San Damiano will also host a beverage tent, selling beer and other non-alcoholic beverages, including a lemonade stand.
Happening at the same time at San Damiano Park is the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival, so come make a day of it!

Community Potluck Celebrating Madison's Refugee Families
2026-06-21 12:00 - 15:00 | Elver Park, 1250 McKenna Blvd,, Madison, WI, 53719, United States
Open Doors for Refugees will hold its annual Community Potluck Picnic on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Elver Park from 12 to 3 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. It has family-friendly activities, live music, and a potluck luncheon with food from around the world. A celebration of neighborliness, the picnic provides a unique opportunity to connect with refugee families who are making their home in Madison and to reaffirm America’s long tradition of welcoming immigrants.
Children of all ages will enjoy games and activities run by the Madison Children’s Museum and MSCR’s Clay on the Move.
Live music will include traditional Colombian music by Cumbia Cachaca, the dulcimer/ percussive artist Gloria Hays, and the deep blues of Tani Diakite and the Afrofunkstars. Toe-tapping likely. Dancing encouraged!
Open Doors for Refugees is a volunteer organization formed in 2016 after Syrian refugees began arriving in Madison. Our mission is to help refugees make a home here.
Last year’s picnic drew 250-plus people despite the heat. This year we are planning for a bigger crowd yet!
In the current political environment, it is more important than ever to show support for our immigrant neighbors. Please help this effort by letting people know about this free community event.

Camp Aldo Evenings: Tie-Dye at Sunset
2026-06-21 17:00 - 20:00 | Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive, Monona, WI, 53716, United States
Camp Aldo Evenings is your invitation to experience the Aldo Leopold Nature Center after hours—when the prairie glows, music drifts through the trees, and summer feels a little more magical.
Join us for a laid-back evening filled with live music, local food and drinks, golden-hour adventures, and hands-on, tie-dye fun. It’s an event for adults, families, and anyone ready to unwind outdoors
What to Expect?

Cash bar with beer, wild-crafted cocktails, and wine
Food trucks on site
Live music on the grounds
A summer camp-inspired tie-dye activity (pre-registration requested)
Optional on-site childcare (for a fee)
Campfire and s’mores
Sunset trail walks through prairie and forest
Lawn games and activity stations

For our first Camp Aldo Evenings event, staff and volunteers will lead a classic summer camp favorite: tie-dye! Whether it’s a childhood throwback or your first try, come add a colorful summer twist to your wardrobe.
This event is FREE and open to the public. No RSVP is necessary unless you would like to reserve your spot for the tie-dye activity or on-site childcare, as space is limited and pre-registration encouraged.
Visit our event page to pre-register for tie-dye or optional on-site childcare:
https://aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org/event/camp-aldo-evenings-tie-dye-at-sunset
To keep the activity as sustainable as possible, please bring your own 100% cotton white shirt, hat, tote bag, or other item to dye. It’s a fun way to refresh something you already own! Don’t have anything to bring? We’ll have a limited supply of secondhand garments and older ALNC t-shirts available while supplies last.
A $20 suggested donation helps cover tie-dye supplies and supports Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s children’s environmental education programs.
Limited parking is available onsite. Biking and carpooling are encouraged! The Madison Metro Bus line G also has a stop near the Nature Center.
A photographer may be onsite to document this event. If you would not like your photo taken, please advise the photographer. Thank you!

Concerts on the Shore: Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
2026-06-25 17:00 - 21:00 | San Damiano, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona, WI, 53716, United States
Join us for the first Concert on the Shore of the year!
Presented by WVMO, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials will kick off the 2026 Concerts on the Shore series this summer at San Damiano Park. Hosted during the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival, this concert will be one you don’t want to miss.
This event is hosted in partnership with WVMO and only possible because of our community sponsors. Food trucks, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, and opportunities to connect with community partners and one another rounds out this series of events.

Yin Yoga: Creating Space
2026-06-27 08:30 - 09:30 | Ether Wellness, 25 N Pinckney St. Ste 310, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
This Yin Yoga session uses long-held, supported postures to release tension, support joint and connective tissue health, and calm the nervous system. Slow down and create space for rest, breath, and reconnection. Release built-up tension, calm the nervous system, and invite more ease into both body and mind so you can move into your week feeling more supported and centered.
As part of the Women’s Wellness Series, Yin Yoga offers its own individual experience while tying into the monthly theme: ⭐️Prep for Success ⭐️
What is the Women’s Wellness Series?
Ether Wellness opens its doors every Saturday from 8:30-9:30am, for our Women’s Wellness Series: a rotating blend of movement, reflection, education, and restorative practices designed to support your whole self. Each session offers a chance to reset, reconnect, and nourish your mind, body, and energy in community. Whether you’re seeking strength, grounding, clarity, or calm, these gatherings give you a meaningful space to grow and feel supported.
*Each session can be attended individually, or you can join the full four-week series for a deeper experience*
🗓️When: Saturday, June 27th, 8:30am
📍Where: Ether Wellness | 25 N Pinckney St. (Ste. 310) Madison, WI
💜Cost: $18/session or $64 for 4-pack
Learn More Here ->
https://etherwellnessmadison.com/womens-wellness-series/
Register Here -> https://EtherWellnessMadison.buzops.com/WWSYoga

Grow and Gather: Summer Foraging
2026-06-27 09:30 - 12:30 | Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center, 5607 County Rd, Spring Green8, WI, 53588, United States
Explore Phoebe Point Trail and learn how to forage with our Kitchen Gardener, Abbie Lehman. This class will begin by discussing foraging basics at the base of the trail. Then, we will embark on a moderate 1.1 mile loop through Phoebe Point to put our new knowledge to the test, identifying common summer wild edibles along the way. By the end of this course, you will learn why you should forage, where you can forage, how to forage safely and responsibly, as well as key identification techniques and common plant families.

Madison’s LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour
2026-06-27 13:00 - 14:45, 2026-07-23 17:00 - 18:45 | History Maker Space, 1 S. Pinckney Street, Madison, WI, 53703
About the Event
Stride with pride through the streets where Madison’s LGBTQ+ history was written! From bars for socializing to the creation of local organizations to the halls of power, discover the impressive, every day, and unusual spaces where our capital city became a center of activism and advocacy.
Walk in the footsteps of groundbreaking leaders and citizens who shattered barriers—electing some of America’s first openly queer officials and championing landmark anti-discrimination laws along the way. Join us to explore the gathering spots, protest sites, and celebration spaces that transformed Madison into a force for LGBTQ+ rights.

Two Chefs, One Table: Collaborative Dinner with Itaru Nagano
2026-07-07 18:00 - 20:30 | The Deliciouser, 931 E. Main St. Suite 7, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
The Deliciouser welcomes Itaru Nagano of Fairchild for a special collaborative dinner years in the making. A past James Beard Award winner, Chef Itaru brings both exceptional talent and a spirit of collaboration to this one-night-only experience.
After working in the same community for years, Chef Itaru and Chef Patrick are finally joining forces for an unforgettable evening. Built around creativity, seasonal ingredients, and the honorable work of local farmers.
This five-course tasting menu will celebrate the beauty of local ingredients while exploring unexpected approaches to familiar products. Known for his thoughtful and refined cooking at Fairchild, Chef Itaru will venture beyond his usual style for the evening. Bringing his originality and perspective into collaboration with The Deliciouser team. It will be a dinner rooted in curiosity and a shared love of great food.
Bar & Shopping @ 5:30 p.m.
Dinner @ 6:15 p.m.
Tickets: $135
Your $25 reservation deposit will be subtracted from your final bill
We offer a 3% discount on final payment with cash

Poetry Reading: Wisconsin Women's Voices, Part 2
2026-07-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Mystery to Me Bookstore, 1863 Monroe St., Madison, WI, 53711, United States
Join four Wisconsin women writers for a reading and conversation about poetry: Cathryn Cofell, Emilie Lindemann, Wendy Vardaman, and Lisa Vihos. Live event and Livestream: Thursday, July 9, 6 PM at Mystery to Me, Madison. Learn more and RSVP: https://mysterytomebooks.com/events/5402320260709
Part 2 of a two-part event; the first reading takes place Thursday, June 4, 6 PM.

Home Garden Tour
2026-07-10 09:00 - 15:00 | Verona, WI, Verona, WI, 53593, United States
Situated along the Sugar River in the City of Verona, Olbrich’s 2026 Home Garden Tour will showcase specialized plant collections, upcycled art, creative hardscaping, and resourceful DIY gardeners! Navigate the tour route with ease and learn more about featured native plants, by using the Home Garden Tour app, accessible by QR code on the tour ticket. The Home Garden Tour app offers a digital option for exploring the garden tour including GPS features

8th Annual Madison gospel 5K, 10K Run/Walk and Health Fair
2026-07-11 08:00 - 12:00 | Penn Park, 2101 Fisher Street, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
The Madison Gospel 5K Foundation would like to invite you to come and be a part of our 8th Annual Madison Gospel 5K, 10K Run/Walk and Health Fair. The mission of the Madison Gospel 5K Run/Walk is to unite the Madison community in exercising our faith, fellowship, and building a healthier city through the promotion of healthy lifestyles in all its aspects. We look forward to providing a safe, fun, healthy family, and experience for our Madison community. This year’s race is in honor of Ainsley’s Angels for their support and partnership. We wear pink to honor those who roll and the angels who push them. The theme is keeping the faith, keeping the fellowship, keeping the family, and keeping the fitness.

Home Garden Tour
2026-07-11 09:00 - 15:00 | Verona, WI, Verona, WI, 53593, United States
Situated along the Sugar River in the City of Verona, Olbrich’s 2026 Home Garden Tour will showcase specialized plant collections, upcycled art, creative hardscaping, and resourceful DIY gardeners! Navigate the tour route with ease and learn more about featured native plants, by using the Home Garden Tour app, accessible by QR code on the tour ticket. The Home Garden Tour app offers a digital option for exploring the garden tour including GPS features.

Sunset Games
2026-07-12 16:00 - 20:00 | San Damiano, 4123 Monona Drive, Monona, WI, 53716, United States

Classic Movie: Some Like it Hot
2026-07-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Hillside Theater, Taliesin, Spring Green, 5481 County Road C, Spring Green, WI, 53588, United States
Experience a classic movie in a historic space! One of the most beloved films of all time, this sizzling masterpiece by Billy Wilder set a new standard for Hollywood comedy. After witnessing a mob hit, Chicago musicians Joe and Jerry (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, in landmark performances) skip town by donning drag and joining an all-female band en route to Miami. The charm of the group’s singer, Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe, at the height of her bombshell powers), leads them ever further into extravagant lies, as Joe assumes the persona of a millionaire to woo her and Jerry’s female alter ego winds up engaged to a tycoon. With a whip-smart script by Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond, and sparking chemistry among its finely tuned cast, Some Like It Hot is as deliriously funny and fresh today as it was when it first knocked audiences out several decades ago.
First shown at Taliesin in 1958. This film is presented in partnership with the River Valley Film Club.

Meet Your Farmer: An Evening with Mike’s ProtoGreens Farm - July 14th
2026-07-14 18:00 - 20:00 | The Deliciouser, 931 E. Main St. Suite 7, Madison, WI, 53703, United States
Join us for an intimate evening of cocktails, conversation, and connection as we welcome local farmers Brynna and Mike of Mike’s ProtoGreens Farm to the table. This relaxed gathering features a light three-course dinner celebrating the people and produce that help shape our local food community. Spend the evening getting to know the faces behind the farm, hearing their stories, and sharing in thoughtful conversation about growing, seasonality, and the relationships that bring food from field to plate.
Bar & Shopping @ 5:30 p.m.
Dinner @ 6:15 p.m.
Tickets: $75
Your $25 reservation deposit will be subtracted from your final bill
We offer a 3% discount on final payment with cash

Heartland Marimba: Hillside Theater at Taliesin
2026-07-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Hillside Theater, Taliesin, Spring Green, 5481 County Road C, Spring Green, WI, 53588, United States
Join Heartland Marimba at Hillside Theater at Taliesin for an exciting program drawing from their eclectic repertoire they’ve built over the last 10 years of touring. The program will include works by company artists Matthew Coley and Marco Schirripa from the “Dark Skies and Distant Worlds” production, as well as captivating adaptations of music by Bach, Mendelssohn, and Liszt. All the music Heartland Marimba tours with is published by HM Publications and supports their cyclical mission, ensuring a sonorous future for the marimba art form.

Architecture as Dance: Hillside Theater at Taliesin
2026-07-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Hillside Theater, Taliesin, Spring Green, 5481 County Road C, Spring Green, WI, 53588, United States
In a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary performance at Taliesin, award-winning Minneapolis dance company Black Label Movement explores the idea that architecture can move—and that movement can design and construct space. The evening begins with dancers responding directly to the geometry, materials, and atmosphere of Hillside School, transforming Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture into a living choreography and inviting audiences on an immersive journey through design, movement, and community. The performance continues in the intimate Hillside Theater with a dynamic conversation-in-motion between Black Label Movement Artistic Director Carl Flink and University of Minnesota architecture professor Thomas Fisher. Inspired by the idea that architecture is slow choreography and choreography is fast architecture, the two will explore Wright’s architectural principles through the expressive potential of moving bodies in real time. The evening also features striking contemporary dance works from Black Label’s repertoire that echo the spatial dynamism and emotional depth of Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture. The program culminates in the premiere of an original choreography and musical composition inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Work Song, created especially for Taliesin.

National Mustard Day Festival
2026-08-01 | Downtown Middleton, WI, 1821 Parmenter St, Middleton, WI, 53562, Select a Country:
The National Mustard Day Festival in Middleton is a celebration of “America’s favorite condiment” and a day of quirky fun for mustard lovers everywhere. Celebrated the first Saturday of August, thousands join the National Mustard Museum in Downtown Middleton for family-friendly games, food vendors, live music, and of course, MUSTARD!
Middleton takes National Mustard Day quite seriously. As home to the National Mustard Museum and National Mustard Day, it is no wonder why this day is marked on everyone’s calendar.
The next National Mustard Day will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, and festivities include closing Hubbard Avenue downtown in front of the museum and gift shop and filling the street with mustard, brat and pretzel vendors; mustard-themed family-friendly games; kids’ activities like a bouncy house and balloon animals; and a stage with live music all afternoon.
