H 84°, L 66° | Tomorrow: 
H 85°, L 69°An estimated one in four Americans suffers from a mental health disorder, but less than half seek treatment, largely due to societal stigmas surrounding psychological issues. One University of Wisconsin student organization hopes to help change this alarming statistic. UW psychology majors Mary Frances Martinco and Thomas Murphy revamped Active… Read more »
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Recently by Katie Foran-McHale
Student org shows how much minds matter
Willy Street, beyond: Katie empties bucket, says farewell
The dream of the ’90s is alive in Madison — no need to buy a plane ticket to Portland. Instead, just hop on your fixie and pedal away to Williamson Street, located only two miles from campus and what should be a hot contender for the world’s Most Hipster Block… Read more »
Museum’s Adult Swim affords second shot at childhood
I may be 22, but parts of my brain never quite progressed past the age of five. I’m still obsessed with dinosaurs, every time I go to McDonald’s it is the new best day of my life and my little sister and I often speak in gibberish to convey our… Read more »
‘Cabin’ perfectly subverts horror
It’s somewhat rare when a horror movie can appease both horror lovers and haters. But somehow, “Cabin in the Woods” manages to perfectly blend gore, camp and comedy in an unprecedented effort to critique and reflect upon its genre. The film has every single ingredient in the stereotypical horror movie… Read more »
Unorthodox activities may make break
Spring break is upon us once more. After consulting with my bank account I’ll be in town working all week, and I’m good with that. But it got me thinking about what makes the best kind of break — the beach? Road trips? Drunken escapades? Maybe that’s your dream break,… Read more »
Almost new story in almost indie film ‘Friends with Kids’
Boy meets girl. Boy and girl make friends. One time boy and girl have sex and make a baby. And if Hollywood has anything to say about it, naturally, boy and girl are soul mates. That’s the basic gist behind “Friends with Kids,” an indie comedy directed by Jennifer Westfeldt… Read more »
A book with no pages
Bassey Etim, an alumnus of both the University of Wisconsin and The Badger Herald, has an impressive resume. He’s currently the community manager for The New York Times, he published his first book, “The God Project,” late last year and he released an accompanying soundtrack on which he performs. Oh,… Read more »
Bored? Board Metro for total Madison mobility
During the twilight of my sophomore year winter break, Madison felt like an icily lonely place. I’d come back to stay in the dorms after returning from an alternative break to Mobile, Ala., and there was not another soul to be found on my already quiet floor. And as exciting… Read more »
Bars offer fulfillment of karaoke dreams
When the night gets to be not-so-young, karaoke can seem like a good idea. In a somewhat out-of-character move, my first Madison karaoke experience was at Karaoke Kid with a large group of friends last fall. In any other context you would not find me belting R. Kelly’s “Ignition,” but… Read more »
High art and cheap beer
The ingredients for a perfect night out in Madison are fairly standard – cheap booze, good friends and great music. That last item leaves room for subjectivity. But one thing night owls search for is music with energy, whether it be through a thumping bass, driving beat or soaring melody.… Read more »
Bucket list: Ride the Group-X tide; make waves SERF-ing like a pro
This semester, I’m checking off the last remaining items of my University of Wisconsin bucket list. Some things I’m covering I’ve already done but think any student should give a try. Over the past week, I decided it might be fun to attend as many fitness classes as possible at… Read more »
Staying a night at Helen C. White
It’s my last semester at the University of Wisconsin. Before I go, I’m giving one last try to an admittedly cliché endeavor — my UW bucket list. Of course, there are quintessential items that would make anyone’s list: hanging out at the Terrace, going to the outdoor farmers’ market, tray sledding,… Read more »
‘Haywire’ kicks ass, misses lines
On the heels of the successful American version of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” Hollywood shows once again that damsels aren’t always in distress. Some cause it. In “Haywire,” the latest thriller from director Steven Soderbergh (“Contagion”), a highly skilled operative (Gina Carano, “Blood and Bone”) seeks revenge after… Read more »
Jumptown UW goes swinging ’60s
In Madison, the urge to dance the night away might eventually subside after experiencing the beer-sloshing, uninvited grinding of State Street clubs. But Jumptown, an organization dedicated to promoting swing dancing at the University of Wisconsin for the past decade, can put the swing back in your step. Jonathan Jacobs,… Read more »
Absolutely Art is a blank canvas
A two-mile bike, bus or car ride from the Capitol to Madison’s near east side will lead straight to Absolutely Art, the city’s community-based gallery, featuring works by nearly 200 artists. Although jewelry and greeting cards are best sellers, products ranging from paintings and photography to ceramics to furniture are… Read more »
Tchaikovsky at Madison Opera
Unrequited love, regrets, mistakes and jealousy — sound anything like your life now or your dorm floor freshman year? If so, you have a lot in common with Madison Opera’s production of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” which takes the Overture Center’s stage this weekend. “It’s a very passionate story, and there… Read more »
Badgers give BAK: Student-founded group Badger Acts of Kindness does good deeds of all stripes
A University of Wisconsin senior wanted to start a movement that would promote selflessness, happiness and a more positive outlook on life — plus free hugs and high fives. This fall, Brianna Prosser, a biology and life sciences communication major, created a new student organization, Badger Acts of Kindness, to spread these… Read more »
Aussie you can see, taste on culture-filled night
Your closest experience to the real land down under might be late TV personality Steve Irwin’s crocodile hunting or the animated ’90s sequel to “The Rescuers.” If this is the case, get ready to break some barriers (cultural, not reefs) with Taste of Cultures: Discover Australia!, an event sponsored by… Read more »
Heartfelt cancer dramedy ‘50/50’ comes up a winner
Adam (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, “Inception”) seemingly has it all — a hot girlfriend, a solid job, a loyal friend and a supportive mom — until he goes to his doctor to get what he thinks is just irritating back pain checked out. It turns out he has neurofibroma sarcoma schwannoma —… Read more »
‘Idiot Brother’ unique concept, lacks laughs
Unfortunately, nice guys don’t always finish first. That’s the case for Ned (Paul Rudd) in “Our Idiot Brother,” whose unrelenting honesty and good-natured attitude gets him into trouble. After being tricked by a uniformed police officer who wanted to buy pot from him (Ned tries to give it to him… Read more »
Show memorializes pitch imperfect star
An injured bird? A yelping puppy? No, it’s the sound of Florence Foster Jenkins, an opera singer famous for her extreme lack of talent and hilarious attempts at singing. Back by popular demand, the Madison Theatre Guild will present a second run of “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of… Read more »
Store’s values reflected in celebration
After witnessing another year full of Madison spirit — this one filled with tumultuous protests — bookstore A Room of One’s Own will be hosting its 36th Anniversary Celebration Sunday. In addition to a 10-percent discount on all purchases from Friday through Sunday at the downtown bookstore, the celebration will… Read more »
Rockin’ and rollin’ to support a worthy cause
Local musicians and roller derby players will be teaming up to support the tragedy in Japan. Mad Rollin’ Dolls, Madison’s premier roller derby league, is presenting the fundraiser Thursday night at the Majestic, dubbed “Rollin’’ for the Rising Sun.” “It’s part of our league and our culture to give back… Read more »
UT revives ‘Eurydice’ via essence of June Cleaver
The name “Eurydice” likely conjures an image of ancient Greek costumes and art, and a fixation on classical drama. But University Theatre’s production of contemporary playwright Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice” will open Friday, transforming the myth into a ’50s tale of marriage, love and death. “She’s contemporized the story to make… Read more »
Hard to ‘shrug’ off Atlas Improv’s potential
Most of us use improvisation in our daily lives — bumbling over excuses for why we didn’t finish that reading, frantically scribbling a nonsensical answer on a midterm question you know nothing about. But rarely is it fun or entertaining for anyone involved (except for that ping of Schadenfreude when… Read more »
‘Threepenny Opera’ hits thematic chord
A stereotypical vision of “opera” might conjure an image of a pristine, high-class society. If not that, then perhaps you’ll think of elaborate arias, sets and melodrama. But this weekend at the Overture Center, Madison Opera’s production of “The Threepenny Opera” will surely transform any predispositions about the art form… Read more »
Brewers, cheesemongers alike to congregate for annual event
The great state of Wisconsin is well renowned for many things, including this year’s two wildly successful football teams and, perhaps most importantly, beer and cheese. Combining two of the most quintessential items of Wisconsin commerce, the 2nd annual Isthmus Beer and Cheese Festival will satisfy eager consumers at the… Read more »
Bringing eclectic funk to pre-finals frenzy
On this glorious last day of classes, studying on Friday night for upcoming finals sounds like an abysmal activity. Luckily, to aid in your quest for procrastination (or pure fun if you’re already done by then), guitarist Todd Clouser is playing a show at the Frequency Friday night that will… Read more »
Winter Solstice finds natural beauty amid snowy doldrums
If daydreams of snowball fights, tray sledding and winter wonderlands are helping you get through the final push of the semester, put on your winter gear and celebrate the season with the Aldo Leopold Nature Center Friday night. The center will be holding its 13th annual Winter Solstice Celebration, complete… Read more »
Breakin’ some comedy skulls
If you’re looking for something to laugh about amid pre-Thanksgiving break stress, let the Comedy Club be your inspiration. The club will be hosting the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival Wednesday night, offering an hour of comic hilarity and much-needed entertainment. The festival, a national stand-up comedy competition, started last year… Read more »
Humor ‘marries’ with talent in opera
With a four-act favorite, Madison Opera kicks off its 50th anniversary season Friday with Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” “It’s a charming piece, and that’s a nice way to start off a celebration season,” Madison Opera General Director Allan Naplan said. Naplan also announced Wednesday that Nov. 5 has been… Read more »
Latin jazz legend heats up Madison
Temperatures may be falling fast, but Madison will be warming back up Friday night with some hot Latin jazz. As part of the Isthmus Jazz Series, the Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band will perform Friday evening at the Wisconsin Union Theater. Palmieri, a world-renowned, nine-time Grammy award-winning pianist and… Read more »
Jigsaw fails to ‘puzzle’ audiences
The final scenes of “Saw VI” answered nearly every question “Saw” devotees might have been asking since the end of the franchise’s first installment in 2004. A few things were left open-ended (i.e. what happened to the handful of people who survived Jigsaw’s traps over the years by mutilating themselves… Read more »
Buddy Guy highlights positive side of blues
Even a brief listen to Living Proof, Buddy Guy’s new release, shows that the 74-year-old guitarist and singer is still an unstoppable force in the blues world. Listeners unfamiliar with the artist might not have even thought about the artist’s age if he hadn’t opened the album with the track… Read more »
Festivities abound for jazz pioneer
Although she is not a household name like her male counterparts, Mary Lou Williams should be. Her music has transcended and inspired generations. Madison will host a Mary Lou Williams Centennial Celebration this weekend, honoring the year that would have been the renowned jazz musician’s 100th birthday. Williams, who composed… Read more »
Wisconsin Book Festival
Whether it be through impassioned debates about health care, local elections, or the latest Badger game results, one thing is for certain: Madison is a city rich with multifaceted opinions and beliefs. “Beliefs” is the theme of this year’s Wisconsin Book Festival, which kicks off Wednesday night at the Overture… Read more »
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