With summer almost closing in, it’s time to start making plans to hit up music festivals. Below are three of the best festivals the Midwest has to offer, from hip-hop in a Minnesota suburb to dubstep in the woods of Michigan. With factors such as cost and location, choosing the… Read more »

Vampire Weekend may be stuck in a perpetually losing battle to live up to those infamous first impressions left by their self–titled debut. Modern Vampires of the City is more of a confusing journey than an album. Right from the start, the first track, “Obvious Bicycle,” seems intent on lulling… Read more »

Foam pits, face paint and three stages equal one pretty solid Saturday afternoon. Revelry Music and Arts Festival served as an alternative option for student festivities this weekend—but was it successful? With roughly $100,000 to spend on the event, many students were disappointed the festival failed to bring a solid headliner… Read more »

Tony Stark and friends light up the big screen both figuratively and literally in “Iron Man 3.” Director Shane Black has made the Marvel films everything a superhero movie can and should be.  The newest “Iron Man” deals with a popular theme that has hit the entertainment business: terrorism. Some… Read more »

Revelry swept Union South this past Saturday, producing a very strong showing for its first year. All things considered, the lineup was solid and the festival was well-run. The event has the potential for greatness and could definitely become an end-of-year staple for years to come. The event allowed for… Read more »

Zoë Keating is a rock star. Why? She takes the classical sound of a stringed instrument and combines it with modern technology to create densely leveled records unlike anything the world has ever heard. Keating masterfully uses musical production software in her live performances to create the effect of a… Read more »

Delta Spirit By Kevin Kousha Many of the artists at Revelry haven’t been around very long. Some, like Hoodie Allen, have found fame despite their youth and have at least a little experience under their belt. But few of the artists have little fame or records to show. Regardless, each one is… Read more »

The all male a capella group Fundamentally Sound blew audiences away with its Friday night performance in Music Hall. Group members’ quirky attitudes and impressive voices astonished newcomers and veterans alike. Fundamentally Sound’s show “As Seen On TV” presented a storyline of short, humorous clips. The singers also acted out… Read more »

Madison’s streets and sidewalks always seem to be littered with people performing or showing off some skill. Walking up Bascom, math professor Uri Andrews might roll by you on his unicycle. Or you might hear street musicians’ tunes wafting through the air while walking down State Street. Papakobina Brewoo, or Kobby… Read more »

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a new convention in both indie and big-budgeted films. It’s the emergence of a certain character with certain traits. These characters, however layered, all possess the characteristic of being “quirky.” I didn’t know how best to define “quirky” until I visited the website Urban… Read more »

With the craft beer business continually growing, more and more people are coming around to the higher quality beers the industry offers. Those still looking to hop on board and see what all the fuss is about may be intimidated by the sheer volume of choices at the local liquor… Read more »

Merge reggae, funk, afrobeat and a dash of jazz catchiness and you’ve got yourself Euforquestra, a band ready to ignite the dance floor at The Frequency this Thursday. Hailing from Fort Collins, Colo., this tour-heavy band comes prepared for anything. Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, these guys have seen change… Read more »

Thinking about the future is just as natural as sleeping and eating for young adults, who live in limbo between childhood and “real” adulthood. Those thoughts include wondering how everyone from a group of friends is going to turn out, such as who is going to achieve stardom, wealth… Read more »

Last Friday, Netflix released its third original series “Hemlock Grove.”  Based on the book by Brian McGreevy, this supernatural thriller centers on the gruesome murder of a high school cheerleader and the attempts of two young men to solve the mystery. In a day where movies are stuffed with angels… Read more »

It might have snowed on Thursday. Some small patches of ice might still be clinging to the lakes, and weather that everyone can agree is “shorts weather” might still be a couple weeks away. But after Saturday this weekend, I am confident summer is finally around the corner. That’s because… Read more »

“The Place Beyond the Pines” is the last film from actor Ryan Gosling (“Gangster Squad”) for the foreseeable future. Having earned recognition throughout the years with impeccable acting skills in a variety of roles, Gosling recently announced it is time he takes a break from acting. Despite an emotional plot,… Read more »

Since his launch in the hip hop scene, Kid Cudi has proven to be as unique as they come. Dubbed the “Lonely Stoner” early on, Kid Cudi made a name for himself and built a loyal fan base centered on his psychologically complex content and diverse track production. Coming out… Read more »

During a quiet month at the box office, Jackie Robinson baseball biopic “42” brought in a surprising $27.2 million this past weekend. As baseball season starts to kick off, the film’s inspirational story was released just in time for Jackie Robinson Day on April 15.  In reflecting on some… Read more »

The eclectic, innovative sounds of the Minnesotan indie-rock collective Cloud Cult are coming to Madison this Saturday.  Led by environmentally conscious singer and songwriter Craig Minowa, Cloud Cult aims to please you not only with songs and instruments, but also with a full-on music experience that transcends the stage and… Read more »

Just in case the world hasn’t had enough craziness already, K-pop star Psy — famous for his hit “Gangnam Style” that set the world ablaze with the horse dance last year — has returned with his newest single, “Gentleman.” Much like its predecessor, “Gentleman” is a lively dance track,… Read more »

Old school hip-hop has been reincarnated and University of Wisconsin students had the rare opportunity to glimpse its revival last Friday. The revival comes in the form of 18-year-old Brooklyn native Joey Bada$$. His rap collective is The Progressive Era (Pro Era for short), and they, along with fellow Brooklyn-based… Read more »

Big K.R.I.T.’s latest release is a behemoth of thought-provoking, well-produced hip-hop. Consisting of 17 tracks total, King Remembered in Time is not a mixtape to be overlooked. The release goes back and forth between upbeat, speaker-blowing hits and more soulful, thoughtful tracks. Big K.R.I.T., who wrote and produced all but… Read more »

Ah, springtime! That most glorious time of the year! Yes, it is finally here, bringing with it that most beautiful unpredictability of weather patterns. One day, it is sunny and the birds chirp loudly. The next, raindrops fall angrily from the sky and soak the shoes of those who wade… Read more »

Another month, another big beer release. This highly-lauded liquid comes from the fine, heavy metal-loving folks at Three Floyds, the pride and joy of Munster, Ind., which is essentially East Chicago. Three Floyds is constantly regarded as one of the top brewers in the United States and is known for… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin is about to get a taste of hot pink lipstick and fedora. The queens and kings are coming down the catwalk, and it’s going to be fierce. As part of Out & About Month, UW’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Campus Center will be hosting the “UW Drag… Read more »

Tyler the Creator is the Antichrist to pop music. Known for pushing and completely ignoring boundaries with regard to subject matter, his recently released album Wolf does not fail to shock fans and critics alike. Since bursting on to the scene with his hip-hop collective Odd Future, Tyler has launched… Read more »

Netflix gifted its subscribers with a good chunk of childhood memories and more last Friday. Old-school Cartoon Network shows such as “Codename: Kids Next Door,” “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Courage the Cowardly Dog” graced the Recently Added section and set the Internet aflame with nostalgia and excitement as a screenshot of… Read more »

With the return of warmer weather, new trends emerge and bright colors make their way out of our closets. This weekend was warm enough that campus was Ugg-free. So how do we dress for this new season? In Wisconsin it can be hard to remember a season other than winter,… Read more »

For a band standing on the brink of entering the “mainstream,” Los Angeles-based band IO Echo shrugs off any attempt to define itself and its genre. “What is alt rock?” says Leopold Ross, IO Echo’s bassist and programmer. “I think it’s a term coined by journalists to classify music. I… Read more »

The cigarette-smoking, heavy drinking, womanizing advertisers of Madison Avenue are returning once again to capture America’s attention. The critically acclaimed AMC drama set in the 1960s is all prepped and ready for a two-hour season six premiere this Sunday. Behind the face of actor Jon Hamm, this funny and superficial… Read more »

Ever wonder what would happen if the United States were to be attacked by North Korean terrorists? The highly anticipated film “Olympus Has Fallen” gives an idea of the amount of power our government has and how closely guarded it must remain. Director Antoine Fuqua created this far-fetched but suspenseful… Read more »

Everyone recovering all right from spring break hangovers? Good. Want to relive the memories after blacking out? Probably not. Well, have no fear of director/writer Harmony Korine’s “Spring Breakers.” Chances are the film’s version of spring break is nothing like any Badger had to deal with. The film starts with… Read more »

If sarcasm is the lowest form of humor, then film remakes are the lowest form of film. They take the basic ideas of a particularly popular film (or copy it frame for frame) and make it over again. That’s right, you get to see the same characters, same storyline, and… Read more »

I had one or ten drinks the other night. Like most nights out, I wanted something to eat..but not just anything to eat: I wanted something delicious. Something cheesy, meaty, salty and savory. I wanted - no, I needed - a Philly cheesesteak egg roll from Big Red’s Steaks. I… Read more »

Sophomore Caroline Kreul caught my eye this past weekend while I was attending an event at Union South. I noticed her fun patterned shirt paired with a cute blazer, both of which seem to be popular trends on campus. Blazers are a great way to dress up any outfit. They can… Read more »

Justin Timberlake is back. Seven years after FutureSex/LoveSound’s release, Timberlake delivers with an album demonstrating the maturity and sophistication he’s gained throughout all this time. The 20/20 Experience is sexy, not in the brazen, eager, carnal way FutureSex/LoveSounds is, but in the confident manner of an artist artfully demonstrating his prowess. Timberlake may… Read more »

96 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:”“; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Calibri;} College is the time for two childhood pastimes to make a comeback: nap time and the near-universal love for… Read more »

Poetry readings can be both emotional and educational. This was definitely the case Saturday at the Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative, when two local poets shared their works, demonstrating the depth and variety found in poetry and discussing different uses of poetic elements. Poets Ari Banias, currently the Halls Poetry Fellow at… Read more »

Winter was all about covering up. Whether for warmth or aesthetics, fashionable folks found themselves in thick fabrics like wool and velvet, hats on their heads and statement-making makeup on the ladies’ faces. Now, as much as I love my parka and those trusty Doc Martens, spring fever is taking… Read more »

“Space Voyage: The Musical Frontier” brings out the inner geek in audience members of the Bartell Theater. Writers and co-stars Nicholas Connors and Quinn Elmer have been working on the musical together since high school. This alone is impressive, but the fact the musical is shockingly good is altogether out… Read more »

“I’m Shipping Up To Boston” — Dropkick Murphys Kelsey Sorenson No list of St. Patty’s-inspired music is complete without a track from Dropkick Murphys, a Celtic punk rock band from Massachusetts. Their best-known song, “I’m Shipping Up To Boston,” has been featured in the soundtrack for “The Departed” and the… Read more »

“Mary Poppins” delighted audiences of all ages Tuesday night at the Overture Center. The show was different from the Disney film, adding scenes  viewers might have been unfamiliar with but were nonetheless enjoyable. The audience was filled with a plethora of adorable young girls decked out in Mary Poppins costumes,… Read more »

When is a “good” time for a new take on a classic film? Let’s think. The classic “Wizard of Oz” (MGM, 1939) is immortal not only because Judy Garland became the biggest star of the age, but also because it broke ground technically as the first film to use a… Read more »

Late last week, Namco Bandai, known especially for the “Soul Calibur” and “Tekken” series, released their English-language trailer for “Tales of Xillia,” the 13th installment in its“Tales of” franchise. The game was originally released in Japan in fall 2011 and is being released internationally later this year. Before hitting North American… Read more »

Venturing into the world of homebrewing can seem like a waste of time and energy when a good beer is right around the corner. Although pursuing a hobby that produces a plentiful, cheap and delicious beverage may not seem worth it to the average beer drinker, the homebrewers of Madison… Read more »

After a late 2012 tour to promote their then-unreleased album Waking Season, post-rock group Caspian is back on the road again.Caspian’s last tour marked their first in three years. The group has shows booked back-to-back on many of their tour dates, and have been driving around the country hoping to… Read more »

The Minnesota band Cloud Cult released its new album Love earlier this week, capturing both new listeners and loyal fans with its inspiring and uplifting take on today’s indie rock sound. Today many songwriters and artists are focusing on more mellow beats, showcasing slow guitar intros and whispery harmonic solos.… Read more »

Somewhere between Hell and humanity, Carlos Fragoso’s paintings must live a very real existence. The Brazilian artist, now nearly 60 years old, opened an exhibition last Friday at Gallery 1308 in Union South. The exhibition titled, “The Age of Foolishness,” will be on display until April 9.The collection of paintings… Read more »

With the passing of the Academy Awards, a new year of film begins. Although the spring tends to be a generally weak season prior to the summer season of blockbusters, there are a couple of flicks worth a trip to the local theatre.  To kick off the year, fans… Read more »

Cesar Millan, otherwise known as the Dog Whisperer, wowed a crowd at the Overture Center for the Arts Friday night with his extensive knowledge of dog training. He began his talk with his life story, saying he told his mother when he was 13 years old he wanted to be… Read more »

Jayne Jones and Alicia Long spare no juicy details in their latest novel “Capitol Hell.” Jones and Long open a window on Washington, D.C. and reveal all the chaos and absurdity that goes on behind politicians’ closed doors. “Capitol Hell” follows new college graduate Alison Amundson in her D.C. staffer… Read more »

You’ve undoubtedly read the witty slogans written on the chalkboard that greets you from outside of ReThreads’ State Street storefront, or gazed at the pair of Marc Jacobs kitten heels that rests peacefully in the window.Chances are you’ve even wandered in there, sifted through racks of gently-used clothing to find… Read more »

This week’s Friday Favorites theme is “Keep Calm and Jam On.” We hope these songs will get you through midterms and the cold weather as we wait for spring. Enjoy! Truckin’ - The Grateful Dead Phebe Myers While the Grateful Dead could definitely not be called pump-up music, listening to… Read more »

We’re back with the second installment of Live and Local. Hailing from North Dakota, Madison musician Thomas Skibsrud, better known as Lazydeadpoet, channels the players of Delta Blues to make his mark on the Madison music scene. The Badger Herald sat down with Skibsrud to discuss his beginnings, his style… Read more »

The Seattle-based math rock quintet Minus the Bear is stopping by the Majestic Theatre this Saturday on their headlining tour with Rah Rah and Eighteen Individual Eyes in what will be a groove-infused night of rock and electronic tunes. Minus the Bear consists of Jake Snider (vocals, guitar), David Knudson… Read more »

Point by Tim HadickMany college students pirate TV shows. They do so for various reasons, including not wanting to pay for premium cable subscriptions or their favorite shows are not online the day after they air. While anyone could argue that students should budget their finances or watch shows as… Read more »

Earlier this year, the highly anticipated “Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch” was released in North America exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Created by  Level-5, the developers of the popular “Professor Layton” games, “Ni no Kuni” employs many familiar elements from other popular franchises. It employs a battle system with… Read more »

Tower defense games make me anxious. The combination of Tetris-like time limits and impending doom brings out feelings of childhood inadequacy, and the multitasking becomes overwhelming. As soon as I opened “Ivory Tower Defenders,” however, I laughed at the start menu’s satirization of academia. The levity of the game’s premise… Read more »

This weekend marked the final performance dates of the UW-Madison Department of Dance’s annual faculty concert, “Pillars.” The show took place in the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space, a quaint yet elegant setting perfect for the event. Because of its movie theater setup, every member of the audience had the perfect… Read more »

The Great Depression and New Deal occupy a special place in the American historical canon. For one, they mark one of the greatest periods of hardship in American history, and the beginning of a process that would end with the United States becoming the most powerful economic force in the… Read more »

Even in an embittered economy, there is a high demand for movies, television and more recently, online content. Today the world of media is fusing with the Internet ever more, leading to new ways to advertise. Additionally, Internet reviews are being posted straight onto original content, and the world of… Read more »

Beneath all the cheery synths and seemingly upbeat melodies of Passion Pit, there lies something much deeper when one listens to the lyrics. Look at “Take a Walk,” a song from their latest album Gossamer. To a casual listener, the song would seem like nothing more than an electro-pop groove;… Read more »

Foreign Fields is a band teetering on the edge of success. The group, founded by state natives Brian Holl and Eric Hillman, started as two guys making music in West Bend and has evolved into an endeavor that touts a full-length album, tours with bands such as Counting Crows and… Read more »

Sometimes it’s easy to predict who will win Oscar gold. Daniel Day-Lewis will most likely win Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln this year, and Anne Hathaway’s performance in “Les Misérables” outshines everyone else in the category for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. But there are many… Read more »

A story of romance between a widower and a mysterious woman new to town is what many audience members might expect from the movie adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ book, “Safe Haven.” But this movie, well-timed for Valentine’s Day, is definitely not your typical love story. The opening scene shows Julianne… Read more »

With over 300,000 apps and nearly endless possibilities available to iPad users, it can be tough to narrow down the best options when deciding what apps to download. Creative iPad owners can now utilize a relatively new market in iPad apps, which are now capable of seamlessly assisting artists by… Read more »

For the vast majority of people, faces are just another part of our lives. Thousands of them can pass by on a single day, yet they vanish from our minds a second after they disappear - a fleeting moment lost in the everyday shuffle. For artist Claire Huber, a University… Read more »

The Generation Wild Tour, consisting of EDM DJ’s Deniz Koyu, Danny Avila, dBerrie and Mikael Weermets, came to Madison’s Majestic Theatre Tuesday. They’ve been on tour in the U.S. for 12 days and have played eight shows so far, hitting up colleges such as Penn State and performing with Dayglow.… Read more »

Bow down, TV lovers: “Community” has returned for a fourth season. The surprise hit show with a cult following seemed on the brink of cancellation, but, at least for now, “Community” will continue with a 13-episode season. “Community’s” ensemble cast of community college misfits normally gives the show an edge,… Read more »

Danielle Henderson did not enjoy reading feminist theory, yet her career is now based upon it. Henderson is a graduate student in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin and author of the popular blog Feminist Ryan Gosling. She spoke to students and faculty Tuesday… Read more »

Chances are you knew the words to the Oscar Mayer Wiener theme song growing up. Sure, everyone has wished they could be an Oscar Mayer Wiener, but would you want to drive one across the country for 12 months? Well, that’s a job many would “relish.” And yes, using ridiculous puns is… Read more »

The 14th of February might be famous for matters of the heart, but did you know the whole month is dedicated to heart health? February is American Heart Month, bringing heart disease and its methods of prevention into the spotlight. Maintaining a healthy heart is not something that should be… Read more »

Since the late 1990s, the music game genre has slowly grown to be incredibly prominent in the gaming world. It expanded all the way from the arcade to school curricula - it has become an inspiration for fitness games to be a part of education while maintaining its strong fan… Read more »

On its fourth visit to Madison, Big Gigantic is ready to bring back its unique mix of live instrumentals and electronic beats to re-energize a campus in the depths of winter. Big Gigantic is a duo consisting of Dominic Lalli, who plays saxophone and produces the beats, and drummer Jeremy… Read more »

LL Cool J is back for the second year as the host of the 55th Grammy Awards, airing on CBS Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Viewers can expect to be enticed with scheduled performances from Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Sting, Rihanna, The Black… Read more »

Last Thursday marked the end of a comedy era. No more will Liz Lemon’s life lessons and Tracy Jordan’s cries for attention be a part of NBC’s Thursday night of comedy. After seven wonderful years of eccentric characters and valuable life lessons, “30 Rock” has ended. If you haven’t seen… Read more »

Fox has a new crime thriller — ok — starring Kevin Bacon — interested — about a serial killer obsessed with Edgar Allen Poe — now we’re getting somewhere. “The Following” has a new twist on the usual formula for a crime drama. The show pits the former FBI agent… Read more »

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 With the recent marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado and decriminalization emerging in many regions, stoner culture is swiftly returning from the fringe. A new restaurant on University Avenue is looking to take advantage of this growing market as CHeBA… Read more »

Blowing under fading golden sunlight, winter exhales the first frosty gusts of the coming season. Nearby farms rest silently in between the cascading hills of La Valle, Wisconsin. A horse suddenly cracks the stillness, the echoes of its sharp whinnying reverberating off the sides of trees and barns. Barbara Knopf… Read more »

Welcome back to another Hump Day ladies and gentlemen! I have returned to help you with some of your sexual inquiries. Since you were too shy to send your questions this week, today I’ll be writing about an issue that has been very popular in the shout-outs lately. If you… Read more »

Ben Mulhern has a mind for murder. Well, maybe not for committing it, but certainly for writing about it. Mulhern, a 2005 University of Wisconsin graduate and Madison native, recently released his debut e-book, Everybody Wants You Dead. The Badger Herald caught up with him by telephone from his current home in… Read more »

The award season is now in full swing, and this year’s crop of films continues to have audiences racing to the theatre to watch the latest flick. This month has everyone asking one question in particular about two mainstream Hollywood releases: “The Hobbit” or “Les Miserables”? Academy Award-winning director Tom… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin’s student-run a cappella group, Redefined, showcased its talent at its CD release show this past weekend. Performing a phenomenal 16 songs, Redefined captivated the audience with its large repertoire. The co-ed group, made up of all non-music majors, premiered four new songs as well as performed… Read more »

The lights on the ceiling of the Barrymore twinkled like stars over the flannel-decked crowd Saturday night. Spirits were warm as anxious showgoers waited to immerse themselves in authentic rock and roll, something Band of Horses would not fail to provide in this sold-out show. The relaxed vibe was cut… Read more »

Macklemore’s second visit to the Madison area in this up and coming rapper’s relatively short career proved a true reflection of how far he has come. Though he has been recording and performing for some time, Macklemore’s popularity has been on the rise since the viral popularity of his music… Read more »

“I didn’t actually know him before the tour, but I was played a few of his tracks and I was just like, wow, I can’t believe this kid is 19, he’s really, really talented and he’s got his own thing happening. After we started hanging out and just seeing him… Read more »

In an electronic scene where music has been reduced to the letter M and DJ booths have become DJing optional, Canadian-born, San Francisco-bred ill.Gates cuts an unusual figure. Over his nearly 20 year career, .Gates has preferred the term respect to rage, IDM to EDM and music production to theatrical… Read more »

As the holiday season draws near, game companies have begun their big holiday releases. Every one of the three powerhouse companies — Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft — has just released a slew of new games and hardware. Sony has “PlayStation® All-Stars Battle Royale,” a four-player free-for-all fighting game. Microsoft released… Read more »

Wow, November is nearly over already! But you know what that means … World AIDS Day is upon us! Dec. 1 is commemorated as a world-wide day of recognition, awareness and unity for those affected by the human immunodeficiency virus. The easiest way to join the effort in preventing the… Read more »

Sleep is a natural, everyday and seemingly simple phenomenon. Yet a variety of environmental factors can prevent people from getting the sleep they need at night. Among college students, researchers are finding some frightening causes and effects of habitual sleep loss. Sarah Van Orman, the executive director of University Health Services… Read more »

State Street, extending from Library Mall to the Capitol building, is a well-known nexus of fine food, atmosphere and relaxation for University of Wisconsin students. The latest addition to the street’s growing collection of worldwide cuisine comes in the form of Dragon-I, an Asian fusion restaurant specializing in Chinese, Thai… Read more »

Did you hear that? The collective, relieved whisper, “Finally!” from a majority of the population? It’s because we will never again have to deal with the crazed Twilight fans eagerly anticipating the release of another installment. We’re done. Cue the cheers and applause. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 was finally… Read more »

If you’re anything like me, you spent a majority of your Thanksgiving break catching up on all your favorite TV shows. Forget homework and anything productive — it was all about missed episodes, which got me thinking. I might be the only one, but I often find myself watching a… Read more »

With Christmas coming up, we here at ArtsEtc. were sent a few board games to play with to consider for the holiday gift guide we don’t write. We thought it would be fun to assign a not-quite-G-rated game play session to one of our writers. Below is what happened when… Read more »

“Are you guys, like, the new-age Blues Brothers, or what?” a partygoer asked, her voice barely audible over the blaring music. Her question was directed at the DJs. One was wearing turquoise pants, a bright orange vest, a purple shirt reminiscent of the 1970s, a black bow tie and thick… Read more »

Happy Hump Day, fellow Badgers! It’s getting colder, and I’ve found it’s getting harder to make myself venture out to the gym. Some of you may also be having this problem, so here’s a fun fact: Did you know during 30 minutes of active sex, a person will burn around… Read more »

Firstly, it is great to be back in the point-counterpoint groove. Your editors, Allegra and I, have decided not only to recommence writing these columns but also to post them each Thursday night as online exclusives. This gives you, the readers, a chance to take a peek into our thoughts… Read more »

The world’s favorite MI6 agent, James Bond (Daniel Craig, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), returns for a third installment in the most recent Bond cycle. “Skyfall” finally breaks the series away from the odd continuation between “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace” to tell a fresh Bond story. But a… Read more »

For Derek Vincent Smith, sharing is caring. Better known as Pretty Lights, the Colorado-based artist freely distributes his unique blend of electro hip-hop soul music over the Internet for fans to download as they please. Although his Thursday night performance at the Alliant Energy Center’s Exhibition Hall was not exactly… Read more »

Flynt Flossy promised “an experience” in his interview with The Badger Herald, and, man, did he deliver. Four members of Turquoise Jeep performed last night, each bringing full booty-popping power to the stage. Everyone in the varied, eclectic crowd was laughing and jamming each minute of the hour-long set. Openers… Read more »

Bassist Zach Smith of the band Pinback says his life as a musician is all about doing what you love.  “It’s about staying true to yourself and doing what comes naturally,” he said in an interview with The Badger Herald.  Pinback is Rob Crow on guitar and vocals, Zach Smith… Read more »

Recently, life has been a blur for Milwaukee-based folk band Field Report.”Everything seems to be happening pretty quickly,” said Field Report’s front man Christopher Porterfield. Porterfield formerly played with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver until branching out with Field Report, the name of which is an anagram of his last… Read more »

Happy hump day, horn balls! Mega thanks for the shout out last time. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know I’m giving out erections in class. Who is excited for Dan Savage to come to campus!? I know I am! Mr. Savage started off writing his… Read more »

Coming off of a year that has seen a tour by railway, a concert DVD, an appearance on Prairie Home Companion and a new album Carry Me Back, Old Crow Medicine Show has been a very productive bunch. However busy the band might be though, founding member Christopher “Critter” Fuqua… Read more »

Maybe you’ve seen the t-shirts that say: “Flynt Flossy is my favorite rapper.” Maybe you’ve watched “Lemme Smang It” on YouTube. Maybe you’ve heard Childish Gambino’s song “F**k Your Blog.” If any of the above sounds familiar, you’ve experienced Turquoise Jeep, and tonight, you’ll be able to experience them in… Read more »

Over its lifetime, Walt Disney Studios has done amazing things with an enormous range of movie premises. From “Mulan” to “Hercules,” to “Bolt” and “Treasure Planet,” Disney films have spanned the gamut and made the studio famous for being able to make children’s movies from almost anything. With Disney’s latest animated… Read more »

Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, aka RZA, is widely known for his rapping talent as the lead member of the East Coast rap group Wu-Tang Clan. While RZA can spit rhymes with the best of them, his directorial debut resulted in a predictable plot and a film that is mostly notable for… Read more »

On this campus, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wearing sweatpants and a comfy T-shirt to class everyday. I mean, come on; we’re in college. We dress to impress when we go out at night, but no one expects us to look decent in class, and that is… Read more »

Doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll wooed a nearly sold out crowd at the Overture Center Friday night with the Broadway hit “Jersey Boys.” The musical, penned in part by University of Wisconsin alum Marshall Brickman and based on the career of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, brought depth and… Read more »

One-room schoolhouses, log cabins, barns or anything else people think up. These are examples of the many creative Little Free Libraries people have made around the world, and many students have probably seen them around Madison. For those who do not know much about the Madison-based organization, the group’s documentary,… Read more »

As a teenager filled with wanderlust, Chad Stokes started jumping trains. Stokes continued to ride the rails through college and once jumped freight trains across the country with his brother. Between the mountains and prairies of our great American landscape, he found inspiration. “Its just this amazing way to see… Read more »

Conducting an interview with the cast members of 1UP Original Student Stage & Screen Productions was an entertaining experience. Over the course of answering questions, the group could not help but joke around, improvising together. “Funny shit just comes up,” said Matt Huppert, a junior on the team and former… Read more »

One minute you’re a finance major, the next you’re DJing at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. While this may sound like a power lecture daydream to many, such is life for 21-year-old Justin Blau. Blau, or 3LAU as he is billed, was attending school at St. Louis’ Washington University when… Read more »

In May of 1969, Doug Bradley wasn’t expecting Uncle Sam to notice his graduation from college. Nonetheless, the United States Army sent him a letter to acknowledge the event: Graduate school was no longer grounds for military deferment. Now that Bradley was no longer a student, he was eligible for… Read more »

Tonight at The Majestic Theater, Madison citizens are invited to cast their vote for the best players in the local arts scene. RAW:natural born artists is hosting a showcase where attendees can vote on Madison’s best photographer, performing artist, filmmaker and more, ultimately selecting a winner from each of the… Read more »

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another Hump Day. As the days are getting colder, the nights longer and the snow starts to fly, I hope everyone has a fellow Badger cuddle buddy to help keep you warm. Today we’re going to look at some different body-warming, toe-curling sex positions that… Read more »

The lofty, prepossessing film “Flight” tries to be a myriad of things and only succeeds at some of them. Starting off strong and disguising its sly motive, “Flight” follows the plight of addict pilot Whip Whitman, a man of many vices who salvages a seemingly-doomed commercial flight out of a… Read more »

Partially blinded, probably bleeding, definitely sweating and down some hearing ability were the patrons stumbling away from the Majestic Theatre this past Thursday night. Sleigh Bells, a Brooklyn-based noise rock duo and their opener AraabMuzik brought the pain, as promised, in the forms of volume and intense strobe lights. A… Read more »

So, it may be a little early to start talking about the holidays. After all, if Starbucks starts serving their eggnog lattes right after Halloween, why can’t fashionistas get in the spirit too? With holiday parties as an excuse to show off the most festive, luxurious fashions and Santa’s wish… Read more »

The 2012 ‘Reel Love’ Film Festival, focusing on LGBT-centered films and themes, ended its successful run Sunday after four days of non-stop programming. Organized by the WUD Film Committee at the University of Wisconsin, the festival, now in its second year, drew film connoisseurs and LGBT activists alike with its… Read more »

It took Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris more than 18 months to complete his latest album, 18 Months. Although the album’s title likely represents the duration of time Harris took to release all the album’s tracks — from the date of the televised premier of its first single, “Bounce”… Read more »

Supposedly, the end of the world is right around the corner. Perhaps the Mayans are right about the impending 2012 apocalyptic doom. Or perhaps their calendar simply ran out of space. Regardless, Kanopy Dance is revealing its take on the matter in its upcoming show, titled “End Times.” This show… Read more »

The Orpheum Theatre is an historic icon of downtown Madison, though its recent past is riddled with dirty dealings, carelessness and marred friendships. The former owners, likened to soap opera personalities by The Capital Times in a revealing piece in June, brought more drama than harmony to the city during… Read more »

A short while back, yours truly wrote a column on why everyone should give metal a chance, regardless of its apparent inaccessibility lent by the paint-peeling, bowel-churning vocals. As I mentioned then, although the vocals take some time to get used to, they generally impart an intelligent message worth spending… Read more »

Imagine a mysterious disease striking mass amounts of people in the community without warning. There is no knowledge of how it is spreading or who it will hit next. Imagine the chaos, the confusion, the unavoidable sense of loss and helplessness. This is where you’d find yourself in the plot… Read more »

Carts of books, scrap paper notes-to-self and manilla folders outlined the perimeter of Micaela Sullivan-Fowler’s office. In charge of Ebling Library’s historical services department, Fowler has been collecting materials since May for today’s opening reception of the exhibit Fallout: The Mixed Blessing of Radiation & the Public Health. Fowler curated… Read more »

A sultry chirp “Hello?”, comparable to the ringing of the telephone that preceded it, is the first note of The Badger Herald’s interview with Sleigh Bells’ “Sexi Lexi.” Like calling an 8th grade girlfriend from your parent’s land-line, Alexis Krauss of the Brooklyn-based noise rock band giggles at jokes and meanders… Read more »

Basked in colored light, a mixed crowd at The Majestic got personal with The Wallflowers in the intimate concert venue on Monday night. Young and old fans gathered close to the stage to hear The Wallflowers revive their roots-rock sound. The band stopped in Madison on a tour to support… Read more »

I had the opportunity to write about DLux, the new burger joint opened by Food Fight, a few weeks ago and it got me thinking about burgers. They’re just a patty and a bun, right? Sure, maybe at their core, but the styles of burgers have become so varied that… Read more »

The Wallflowers are set to reboot roots-rock melodies tonight alongside material from a fresh album, leaving them energized to rock the Majestic. Featuring songs from their first studio album in seven years, along with old fan favorites, this show is likely to have something for everyone.Glad All Over is the… Read more »

The Infamous Stringdusters made another stop in Madison at the Majestic this past Friday with guests Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. Their performance continued a circuit of bluegrass bands touring regularly through Madison, with the most recognizable being Yonder Mountain String Band. Just last year, The Infamous Stringdusters opened for Yonder… Read more »

Last week, you learned some how to look back to the ’90s to bring your style to the next level. Now this week, we’re looking for inspiration from different countries and cultures all over the globe. Sometimes being stuck in this little bubble we call Madison is limiting in terms… Read more »

Andy Burrows may be better known as the drummer from Razorlight and We Are Scientists, but with his first solo album Company he shows that he has the kicks to step out into the limelight. Despite the lack of attention he received while leading the band I Am Arrows, with… Read more »

Macadelic Mac Miller: Pittsburgh rapper to headline Capitol Stage Not all of us can relate to growing up in Pittsburgh, rapping with Pharrell or releasing a mixtape at age 15. But we can all relate to being 20, smashing bottles of Hennessy and secretly loving Bright Eyes. It is this… Read more »

Madison is no stranger to big-name electronic shows, but Big Gigantic separate themselves from the pack with a unique blend of live instruments, sampling and synthey beats that’ll be pulsating from the Gilman Street stage at Freakfest this weekend. Jeremy Salken, the drummer of the Big G duo, said in… Read more »

The survival-horror genre of video games has been around since the dawn of modern video games, and the “Resident Evil” franchise is a big part of what started it all. Today there are many games of the genre, but “Resident Evil” is still a name above all others. Always including intense… Read more »

“You know, everywhere we go we like to turn places into little road houses,” Ryan Bingham said during the first of a two-night stand at the Majestic Theatre. He lived up to his promise. Bingham, of west Texas, is known for mixing classic country with folk, as evidenced by his Grammy-winning… Read more »

There is garbage on the walls of the gallery. A series of card table-sized prints are screwed along the walls of Union South’s “Gallery 1308.” Desaturated and achromatic, they bring to mind old newspapers matted in a gutter with fall leaves steeping in their orange tea. Galen Gibson-Cornell, a second… Read more »

Happy Hump Day, Badgers! I’m joining the current sex columnists at The Badger Herald to help you get answers about your sexual curiosities and relationship woes. We’ve got a lot of questions that need answers, so let’s just get into it! My girlfriend and I have been having sex now… Read more »

As midterm season ascends on the University of Wisconsin campus, students prepare for the spike in stress levels that accompany the slur of exams, papers and presentations. According to the American College Health Association, nearly 50 percent of all college students nationally reported stress or anxiety as factors hurting their… Read more »

Stephen Chbosky’s film “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” touchingly portrays the lives of less-than-ordinary high schoolers struggling with serious issues in a truly unforgettable manner.The main character Charlie (Logan Lerman) is a quiet, bookworm who begins his transition into high school with little more than hope to find new… Read more »

It’s no secret that college life can be draining. Pulling all-nighters studying for exams, staying up late on the weekends and waking up “early” for 11:00 a.m. kick-offs at Camp Randall can leave little time for sleep. When students need an extra boost, many of us turn to coffee, tea,… Read more »

The moonlit setting in Olin Park overlooking Lake Monona is creepy enough, but then add a haunted house and you’ve got the makings for a spooktacular way to spend the Halloween weekend. If you’re looking for fun, but don’t want to get too scared out of your wits — Horror… Read more »

The crowd was packed, and there was a distinctly eclectic feeling in the Majestic Theater last Thursday as the crowd gathered to see Mayer Hawthorne. And perhaps eclectic is the best way to describe Hawthorne fans, for the divisive disconnect between Hawthorne’s white boy charm and his soulful crooning could… Read more »

Going home for the weekend, I was excited to show off my new fashion finds to my family, and I walked through my front door wearing a white pair of high-waisted Levi’s capris tucked into a chambray button-up. My mom, who usually showers my outfits with compliments, instead greeted me… Read more »

By the time Dinosaur Jr. bassist Lou Barlow returned to the stage to inform a waiting audience there would be no encore, this reviewer was more than ready for the night to be over. “Our drummer’s throwing up,” said Barlow, referring to Murph, the bald-headed slugger who, if ill, did… Read more »

Samuel Beckett is considered to be the playwright of momentary consciousness, expressing emotional attitudes and then letting the audience take what it can from them.  He is also considered to be one of the most famous absurdist playwrights, and University Theater will perform six of his short plays starting Saturday… Read more »

Here at the arts department, we occasionally get sent a package suspiciously shaped like a square Frisbee. Inside these packages are those lovely relics of music’s past: real CDs. Some are from local artists, some come in fancy packaging and some of them never get listened to. Cue Mix Bag… Read more »

Timeflies when you’re having fun — at least that’s what hundreds of short skirt wearin’ fans thought during the group’s appearance on campus this week. This Timeflies Tuesday night, girls dressed their best to hear Cal and Rez rev up the crowd with their eclectic beats. There was no shortage… Read more »

Previously seen in “The Help,” Leslie Jordan introduced himself to Wisconsin via the unlikely route of Los Angeles. Shopping in Nordstrom, he selected a shaving brush for purchase, and when it came time to check out, the bill came to $110. “For a shaving brush?” Jordan said. “[The cashier] said, ‘Oh… Read more »

Audition (1999) by Tim Hadick”Audition” tells the tale of widower Shigeharu Aoyama as he hesitantly reenters the dating world. After some trouble getting started, his friend sets up a fake audition, calling in many beautiful young women for Shigeharu to meet. He falls head over heals for Ms. Asami Yamazaki,… Read more »

Good day, Hump Day readers! The weather is getting chilly and you know what that means. Snuggle season! Ever wonder why there are so many spring babies? Stop by the Sex Out Loud office to check out the Snuggie Sutra from our library from some extra cozy sex position ideas… Read more »

Ben Affleck (“The Town”) released his third directorial film, plunging those old enough to remember into nostalgia, while edifying others on the feuding nations and realities of the Iran Hostage Crisis during the Cold War. Affleck stars as Tony Mendez, a disheveled CIA agent with a shaggy haircut and a… Read more »

I love sushi. While it may not be everyone’s favorite, I consider sushi to be the ultimate eating experience. The unique textures and tastes in each roll form a playground for the senses. But while sushi’s popularity has been steadily rising in the United States, there is a big misconception… Read more »

Some people were sad to see Taco Bell go. For many, the memories were nauseating at best, but a certain die-hard group of fast food lovers lamented the loss of the State Street franchise. Another casualty, too, was Kentucky Fried Chicken. Most people, however, were perfectly happy to see the… Read more »

The list of undisputed stand-up comedy royalty is a short one. Names like Richard Pryor, Woody Allen, George Carlin and Bob Hope will always ring true for comedy fans. Of course, this impressive list should also be augmented with some of the newer greats such as Louis C.K., Chris Rock,… Read more »

The Beach Boys. Bob Dylan. Tech9. Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band. What do all of these musicians have in common? All of them, at one time or another, has had a performance at The Overture Center. Adjacent to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Overture Center has… Read more »

Fall means colder temperatures, yet all you fashionistas out there probably agree that fall is seriously one of the best (if not the best) season for your style. From the colors to the fabrics to the comfort of the clothes, you would have a hard time trying to convince me… Read more »

If you happened to be at the High Noon Saloon at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, you may or may not have expected several things. Swinging guitars? Yes. Chest-thumping drums? Most definitely. Bass so sick it hums the floor? Why not? Electric tunes that you can feel in the very… Read more »

While it might sound like a joke, there are people out there that are really good at carving butter. It’s a substance with a malleable consistency that remains solid when cool; why not use it to make sculptures? Also, why not use it as the premise of a ridiculous movie?… Read more »

Closed beta versions of video games are like test runs distributed to a limited audience, and people with access often think of themselves as the “real” beta testers, but this is not the case. In a closed beta, only a fraction of the bugs remain undocumented, and the company wants… Read more »

When 2 a.m. rolls around in downtown Madison, the streets are filled with shouts of joy from a night on the town and growls of stomachs hungry for something non-liquid. While pizza joints and Parthenon are always available, those who crave something a little less meat and a little more… Read more »

Just more than five years ago, famed British author J.K. Rowling printed the final book of the Harry Potter series, and last summer the series’ final film came out on the big screen. On Sept. 27, Rowling published her first novel since the series, “The Casual Vacancy,” which also marked… Read more »

Psy By now we’ve all drunkenly shown off our best attempts at the pony dance made famous by this South Korean’s “Gangnam Style” music video, and some of us may think we’re pretty damn good. Maybe even good enough to show off our moves in a tuxedo and shades on Halloween. We’re… Read more »

Hello my sexy Badger brethren, this is Katherine, your newest Hump Day columnist! We’re now halfway through the week and I’m here with answers to your most pressing sex questions to help carry you through to the weekend. I’ve got a lot to say this week, so let’s jump right in with… Read more »

Genius or insane? There is a fine line to draw between the two, one that artists have towed since the dawn of self-expression. Yoni Wolf, front man and songwriter for Why?, isn’t helping make any distinctions. Wolf comes off as a literary savant in his writing and delivery with wordplay… Read more »

It’s happened to all of us. You grab that anticipated item out of the fridge only to find that your carton of milk, fresh apple or container of potato salad has spoiled. You toss the offending item into the trash, destined for a landfill. As an advocate for choosing fresh… Read more »

This school year marks the tenth anniversary for the Madtown Breakers, University of Wisconsin’s student organization dedicated to performing the art of breakdancing. A group of UW students founded the group in 2002 due to a common love of breakdancing. What they lacked was a space to practice until they… Read more »

All good things must come to an end. For everything else, we just pray it eventually dies. Then there’s “Jersey Shore,” the raunchy, controversial reality show entering its final season, set in Seaside Heights, N.J.. Full disclosure: I lived in New Jersey for six years and am often bombarded with… Read more »

Crowds at hip-hop concerts are notoriously unenergetic. Oftentimes regardless of an artist’s onstage energy, the crowd will simply bob their heads, carefully avoiding any hip motions or movements that could be perceived as “dancing.” This lack of energy could inherently stem from the genre itself: Rappers often focus on exuding… Read more »

I will never forget when I first walked into my older cousin’s Mifflin Street bachelor pad as a high-schooler. The filthy living room was crammed with a giant ping pong table, plaid couches spilled stuffing out of the upholstery and posters of scantily clad women lined the walls. This got… Read more »

For 30 years, B-Side Records has kept its State Street doors open. Famous musicians — members of the bands The Mekons, Garbage and The Edge — stepped through its doors. Construction jack-hammered State Street’s asphalt in the 1990s. The store’s ownership changed hands. Yet through these changes, Madison’s downtown record… Read more »

Happening upon old home movies can mean hours of enthralling entertainment: the weirder, the better. Awkward grade school recitals, intense backyard wiffle ball games and the vividly red, oversize glasses your mom thought would be a wise wedding fashion statement all bring blushes for those captured on film and laughter… Read more »

The indie rock/progressive band Wook, based out of Madison, is planning to host a benefit concert at the Majestic Theatre to spread awareness about lung cancer in the Madison community. Conceived among school friends in Madison, Wook began as a hobby between like-minded students. “The founding three members went to high… Read more »

Next week, Lifetime will premiere “Prank My Mom,” the newest reality prank show to exploit innocent victims at the hands of a network and bitter yet good-humored offspring. As the title makes explicitly clear, the victims are the mothers of said pranksters. In a sketch format, three mother-and-child pairs hash… Read more »

It’s a little early to discuss candidates for album of the year as it is only October, but I am going to go ahead and throw progressive metal band Periphery’s sophomore effort, the hilariously named Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal, in for consideration. Seeing as the album came out… Read more »

Dear Hump Day, Lately my boyfriend’s been asking me to try anal. I’ve never taken it up the butt, but I might be willing to try. Got any tips for me? Signed, Begging to Understand The Tush Dear BUTT, I’m delighted you asked because so many people are wondering: what’s… Read more »

Mary Newhauser, a junior at the University of Wisconsin, first attended an event at the University of Wisconsin’s interdenominational Christian ministry when she moved to Madison at the start of her college career. Newhauser grew up in Chicago’s suburbs attending a non-denominational Christian “megachurch.” As a person of faith, Newhauser… Read more »

ArtsEtc. Editor Allegra Dimperio live tweeted Tuesday night’s Dillon Francis concert! Dillon Frances in 140 characters or less on Storify.… Read more »

This story is the first in a weekly series of features introducing you to Madison’s music venues.Nestled comfortably on King Street in the shadow of the Wisconsin State Capitol lies the Majestic Theater. From the exterior, the Majestic could be any concert venue. A simple, unobtrusive marquee greets passersby, and… Read more »

Running a restaurant can be a balancing act between trying to put out the best food possible and keeping prices low to attract customers. DLux, Food Fight Restaurant Group’s latest venture, manages to keep its prices low while putting out some seriously good food. DLux is located on Martin Luther… Read more »

Last week, while perusing a popular health magazine for new recipe ideas, I came across an article titled “Five top foods for weight loss (and five that will make you gain).” This in itself wasn’t a surprising title; it seems every other day a new food is deemed a “good”… Read more »

On a chilly, quiet Sunday evening, Madisonians patiently awaited folk rock lord Conor Oberst to roll into town. Good-hearted, flannel wearing folksters of the Midwest gathered at Capitol Theater where the Overture Center for the Arts hosted the beloved, all-American singer-song writer for a night of nostalgic reflection spanning a… Read more »

Daniel Tosh isn’t one to worry about taking it too far — offending people has kind of become his thing. And with his new show “Brickleberry,” which premieres tonight on Comedy Central, he will be doing more of just that. Tosh is the executive producer of the new animated show… Read more »

“God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw the light was good, and he separated light from the darkness. He called the light the United States of America, and the darkness the British Empire.”Throughout the country, this line is recited to crowds of theater lovers… Read more »

The Nightwatchman came running earlier this year when he felt Wisconsin union protesters needed his legendary songs of justice to inject musical life into their movement. Six months later, and two senate seats stronger, the wound that originally brought the frontman of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave to the… Read more »

Next week, two familiar faces will greet “Jeopardy!” viewers — Brad Jutter and Ken Jennings (the two most winningest champions in the history of the show) — and one computer screen with a black, rotating orb on it. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Watson. Watson is the new super computer developed… Read more »

It’s one of those rare songs everyone seems to know the words to. Be it at a karaoke bar, in the privacy of your earbuds or anywhere else, the song holds the same spell over the listener — and can always elicit a no-holds-barred belted out tune, even from the… Read more »

Li Chiao-Ping comments on reliance on technology as a primary communication platform through her choreography. Longtime friend Cynthia Adams joined Chiao-Ping this past weekend to put on several unique performances at the Overture Center for the Arts in downtown Madison.… Read more »

It was the summer of ‘69 when more than 450,00 people flooded into Bethel, N.Y. for a four day musical extravaganza that ultimately became a defining moment in the counterculture movement: Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Forty years later, multiple music festivals around the U.S. have attempted to continue this… Read more »

�On May 2, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art debuted one of its most provocative and moving exhibits to date. Transforming everyday objects into extraordinary, intuitive statements about humanity is no small feat, yet various contemporary artists have managed to do just this in the newest, must-see exhibit, Return… Read more »

For indie-folk music lovers, a melodious gust of musicians is coming in from the West Coast to perform in Madison this week. Horse Feathers, a band from Portland, Ore., will be playing in the Rathskeller tonight for your listening pleasure. In an interview with The Badger Herald, lead singer… Read more »

Portland-based rockers The Thermals invade Madison tonight with hard-hitting punk vigor fresh from the garage. Touring in support of their new record, Now We Can See, the band brings crafty lyricism with an indie-pop formula the scenesters have to respect. The Badger Herald caught up with vocalist/guitarist Hutch Harris… Read more »

With a 35-lb. head, it’s no wonder our dear Bucky Badger acts a little cocky from time to time. The independent film “Being Bucky” gives an in-depth look into the lives of those underneath the sweat-laden Bucky costume. Producer John Fromstein, a University of Wisconsin alumnus, and director Scott… Read more »

Ten talented contestants will sing their hearts out tonight for the opportunity of a lifetime. No, I am not talking about the contestants of the ratings powerhouse “American Idol” — though, you will get to watch an alumnus from the show perform. Nonetheless, if you want to watch the… Read more »

Hey, do you want to know what college is like? What’s that? You say you’re a high school student who forgot what school you applied to after Spencer’s latest blowout with Heidi wiped your mind of all memories in the last week? Hmm. Well, do you want to ride on… Read more »

On Thursday, April 16, singer and songwriter Ellis Paul will perform at Madison’s High Noon Saloon. After releasing 14 albums, a DVD and a book of short stories and poems, Paul returns to Madison for a performance sure to be a memorable foray into folk-music expression. Well-known for his… Read more »

What do giant stuffed pandas, pot cookies, bad hair and college burnouts have in common? They are just a few of the quirky characters featured in one of the most genuinely charming comedies of the year. “Adventureland” may seem like just another romantic coming-of-age story — or the type… Read more »

Introduction The month of April is like film purgatory. You can see the light up ahead where the summer blockbusters and Oscar hopefuls roam, but you are not yet able to attain this celluloid ecstasy. Fortunately for us Wisconsinites, we have the Wisconsin Film Festival to temporarily fill the… Read more »

The general consensus among the female population is that if a guy is a musician, he automatically becomes twice as appealing. Put a guitar and microphone in front of any guy, and suddenly they are full-fledged hotties, capable of turning a group of girls into a hysterical mob (i.e.… Read more »

From Shakira to Hillary Duff, belly dancing is an ancient art form that has recently received due attention in the mainstream media. This Thursday at 8 p.m. the Memorial Union Theater will be spiced up with a taste of some Middle Eastern flavor by the Bellydance Superstars. The Badger… Read more »

Sometimes the love between two people is stronger than anything. And when those two people are men in a “bromantic” relationship, the outcome is usually hilarious. With roots in the never-ending slew of reality (in particular, Brody Jenner’s MTV show), bromance will have its turn on the big screen… Read more »

It isn’t easy to find a children’s film that is as compelling as it is entertaining. Most children’s films today are cottony, cute-infused wads of feel-good, banal optimism. However, Henry Selick’s stop-motion animated “Coraline” stands out because it dares to be more than a series of colorful, action-oriented images… Read more »