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 »

Roch Gersbach looks out the glass of the projectionist’s room down at the crowd of about 50 at the Cinematheque theater, located in Vilas Hall. The crowd, as usual, is made up of primarily older individuals, people who have spent years crafting sophisticated film tastes. The theater is small but… 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 »

Hey, Badgers! Staying steamy? As the weather warms up and the ladies throw on their sundresses, all of our thoughts are starting to turn to our summer plans. Whether you will be taking a road trip cross-country, returning to your hometown or working in Madison, you’re probably concerned about keeping… Read more »

The four-piece rock group Icarus The Owl is stopping through Madison on its 2013 spring tour to play at The Frequency Tuesday. Hailing from Portland, Ore., Icarus The Owl is emerging in the rock scene as they take on the challenges that come with being an independent band. Led by… 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 »

Coming from the great state of New York, Eric Doucette made his way to Madison, where, for nearly the past two years, he has been sharpening his musical chops with the outfit Circus Fires. The band, known for playing around town on numerous stages, is on a brief hiatus from… 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 »

Can you help a gal out? I don’t think I have ever had an orgasm with a guy. Not with a random hookup, not with a friend with benefits, almost once with a boyfriend, kind of, maybe …  I cum when I masturbate if I focus, but I want that… Read more »

As graduation creeps closer for all of us seniors and summer internships and résumé workshops loom on the horizon for Badgers of all ages, the thought of joining the workforce — and dressing accordingly — is a bit intimidating. Considering that I’ve spent a good portion of my college career writing… Read more »

Time to cuddle up, Badgers. It’s snowing again, meaning we must use body heat to stay warm since most of the heating is turned off for the spring. Whether it’s a man and a woman, two women or two men, these artists have come together to light a musical fire… 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 »

Welcome to another Hump Day, Badgers! I don’t know about you, but with the end of the semester coming up, I’ve been hearing my share of concern from people wondering where their relationships are headed this summer. Many don’t want to deal with the long distance and the huge intervals… Read more »

Having skills in the kitchen can be a great asset: Cooking for others is a great way to show love and appreciation, boost self-confidence and even show off a little. Friends often ask me how they can become better cooks. Read on for 10 simple tips and tricks that are… 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 »

It’s been raining for a while now, and it’s time to acknowledge those poor Badger couples that just didn’t make it past spring. Yet, alas, music is an excellent outlet a broken, stabbed or viciously ripped-out heart. So, let it out; have a nice cry or scream to these songs… 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 »

Hayley Williams’ fire-bright hair is back with Paramore’s self-titled fourth album. After a nearly four-year break from releasing albums and without two original band members (lead guitarist and backing vocalist Josh Farro as well as his drummer brother Zac), Paramore changes their sound and takes music lovers by storm, experimenting… Read more »

March Madness has come and gone, and my hopes of putting together a winning bracket were dashed again. I tore up this year’s bracket after round one on Friday – a new record. As it turns out, loyalty is not always the best policy. But even though my craving for… 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 »

Welcome to another edition of Live and Local. This week, The Badger Herald sits down with singer/songwriter, band leader of “Cait and the Girls” and now “Woodson” and caffeine vendor Cait Shanahan to discuss musical beginnings, lying to get on TV and what she is doing to continue the tradition… 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 »

Hello, all of my lovely badgers. Hopefully you all enjoyed a delightful and sexy spring break! Since April is Get Yourself Tested Month, this week’s questions are all about how to get it on while protecting yourself and anyone who gets close to your genitals. Dear Hump Day Ladies, I… Read more »

The lunch hour for a college student is often an unceremonious and rushed affair. Many of us grab the same items week after week from the delis on campus, spending needless amounts of money on items we may not even really like. Packing a cold lunch from home is an… 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 »

Although it’s hard to believe, spring is quickly approaching, and that means the Wisconsin Film Festival is just around the corner. About to enter its 15th year, the festival, which is programmed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arts Institute and the UW Department of Communication Arts’ film studies program,… Read more »

Another Hump Day, another set of awesome questions! Losing my virginity was somewhat traumatic for me. I wasn’t ready and gave into peer pressure. It was really painful and every time I’ve attempted since then has been painful. My partners get frustrated, which makes me frustrated, because I feel like… 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 »

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 »

“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 »

Welcome back to another Hump Day! It seems as though the majority of you are bogged down and overwhelmed this semester, so I’m happy to see from your questions this week that you’re all still finding time to get your hump on. Let’s dive right in and see what we… Read more »

“Fee, fie, foe, fum, when will this movie ever be done,” is the phrase that will persist in the minds of some audience members within the first 15 minutes of being subjected to the overly dramatized, action-packed fairy tale remake “Jack the Giant Slayer.” The most recent film from director Bryan… 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 »

This Friday and Saturday, bluegrass bands from all over the Midwest will perform at one venue, the Majestic Theatre. Though the time has passed to snag a two-day pass, individual tickets for each night are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. As bluegrass is growing in popularity, the… 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 »

Happy Hump Day, readers! You all had lots of questions this week, so let’s just get right down to it, shall we? Last time I had sex with one of my guy friends, he ripped my perineum bad enough that I bled for about two days and it was about… Read more »

Some may describe the James Beard Foundation Awards as one of the highest achievements in the culinary arts. Then again, others might describe them as snobbish or snooty, something like the Oscars for food, where dive bars and holes in the wall – the restaurant equivalent to romantic comedies or… 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 »

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 »

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 »

Hello, my fellow Badgers! I am happy you all found time to read this week’s Hump Day despite midterms being upon us once again. This week, I have responses to some of your pressing questions relating to the world of dating. Here we go: Hey ladies, I’ve recently become single… 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 »

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 »

We asked our writers to contribute songs they consider “epic.” That’s it. So, experience many definitions in audio form. “Changes” by 2pac, Talent Phebe Myers After a debate with my roommate about which 2pac song was more epic (“Changes” or “Keep Ya Head Up”) I went with “Changes,” my original choice. She said… Read more »

To tide fans over until the release of his highly-anticipated new album, J. Cole put out “Truly Yours” last week, an honest, soul-baring mixtape. “Born Sinner,” J. Cole’s next full-length album, was originally slotted for release Jan. 28. But after pushing the deadline back in early January, there has been… Read more »

The holidays have come and gone and the semester is now in full swing. In my opinion, these are the longest months of the year. Before the cold reluctantly gives way to spring, we get caught in a cycle of blizzards, freezing rain and wind. If ever there was a… 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 »

Welcome to another Friday Favorites! This week’s theme: Love (of course). Enjoy this surprise mix of classical romance and heartbreak, and have a Valentine’s weekend to remember. “American” by Lana Del Rey Rachel Rogerson Because I love America and I love Lana Del Rey. Everyone else should too. “Crash Into Me” by… Read more »

Happy Hump Day, Badgers! I hope your week is so far so good, but I know tomorrow is really the day everyone is waiting for — even if it’s because you simply want it to be over with. Valentine’s Day is when you spend way too much money on flowers,… 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 »

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 »

On Saturday, every rock music aficionado with Internet access let out a yelp followed by a few uncontrollable drops of urine. My Bloody Valentine had just released an album. Titled m b v, the album is a nine-song collection 22 years in the making. It is the follow-up to the… Read more »

Seven albums. 2,845,300,514 YouTube video views. 50,885,948 Facebook fans. 33,940,784 Twitter followers. 4.7 million total album sales. 22 minutes to sell out Madison Square Garden.  18-year-old Justin Bieber has already accomplished more in his young life than most musicians who have been in the industry for half a decade. Bieber… Read more »

Politics can be a messy business. Backstabbing, media wars and blackmail are just a few of the common tricks of political intrigue, at least according to the world of Hollywood. Yet, as of late, these ways of Washington have gotten old. The spotlight of quality hasn’t shined on political thrillers… Read more »

Winter is a hard time for fashion. It’s cold, and we really want to stay in bed for those few extra Zs (even more than usual, I mean). This makes it all the more difficult to try and think of a cute outfit. The moment the temperatures drop outside is… Read more »

Welcome to another Hump Day, Badgers! Hopefully everyone had a relaxing break and you are all ready to dive into more answers to your sex-related questions! The theme for this week is noise — or the lack thereof — in the sack. This is definitely an important topic to anyone… Read more »

Spring semester can be a stressful time. Homework, jobs and extracurricular activities pile on and leave the immune system compromised, unable to fight off colds and the flu effectively. If you have bad luck this semester and get sick, it can be hard enough to just get out of bed,… Read more »

Many garage indie bands dream of simply getting out of their parents’ basement. For Madison-based indie band Wook, they’re already well past that stage, having just released their ambitious first album: Glowstick Sidewalks, a culmination of years of work and practice.”Glowstick Sidewalks has been in the studio for nearly three months,”… Read more »

A new semester means less time for sitting back, relaxing and watching a week’s worth of backlogged shows. With current shows starting back up and new shows sneaking in under major shows’ mid-season break, we sorted through the good and the bad to recommend what you should stop watching, keep… Read more »

Our long, luxurious month of break is nearly upon us, but without homework and class to skip, what will we do? At ArtsEtc., we have some ideas. Whether you’re sticking around Madison or venturing off to wherever you call home, there’s plenty to keep you occupied this break, even if… 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 »

If you’re anything like me, you hold the conviction that fashion is fun. There’s nothing better than scrolling through the pages of a fashion blog or trying on the uber-expensive, uber-stylish dress that you will never actually buy. But what does fashion actually say? Is it a creative form of… 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 »

“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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Milwaukee’s own Field Report is a band with a lot to prove. Rarely, though, can a group make its stand as effortlessly as this one did on at Madison’s High Noon Saloon Saturday night.  The group has been out on the road in support of its self-titled album, a record… Read more »

If you are interested enough in fashion to read this article, chances are you have checked out a street style blog or flipped through pages of fashionable pedestrians in magazines like Elle. Street style has been around as long as fashion itself, and can be reflected in the “wild” fashions… 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 »

Since the opening of the Barrymore Theatre in December 1929, the music venue has served different arts-related functions in the Madison community. Its significance for the Madison entertainment scene cannot be underestimated after renowned performances at the theater, including Phish, Green Day and Dave Matthews. Steve Sperling, the theater’s general… 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 »

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 »

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 »

Turn-based role-playing games have been around for a long time. Some of the most well-known being Final Fantasy from Square Enix, and Advance Wars and Pokémon from Nintendo. These games are single player and usually have no way to connect with one another. This is true for two 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 »

As the holiday season starts to set in, the film industry is gearing up for awards season. This month brings a mix of critically acclaimed films and love stories, including “Life of Pi” (Nov. 21) and the finale to the Twilight series, “Breaking Dawn - Part 2” (Nov. 16). Here… 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Last fall, as many of my favorite TV series came to an end, I reverted to my usual skeptic attitude toward the new shows that debuted. Generally, I favor ABC’s lineup, because let’s be honest, Disney throws so much money at its programming that most are bound to at least… 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

The comedy scene has exploded in Madison in recent years, and this Saturday, Madison welcomed one of stand-up’s rising stars to the stage at Barrymore Theater. Hannibal Buress, named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch in 2010,” has continued to rise in the comic ranks achieving success after writing… Read more »

On Saturday night, an army wearing flannel shirts, unkempt beards, designer glasses and skinny jeans invaded the Majestic Theater to welcome an event some hipsters may declare as more important than their weddings: The Dirty Projectors were playing. The general public probably couldn’t care less, but they most likely haven’t… 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 »

Tom Ray started out working for Food Fight Restaurant Group as a bartender at Fresco. Today, he is the general manager and one of the proprietors at DLux. His managing partner, Caitlin Suemnicht also worked at Food Fight before becoming an owner when she was a server at Johnny Delmonico’s.… Read more »

For the untrained or simply uninterested ear, all electronic music has a tendency to sound the same, with Avicii happily chilling in the same boat as Skrillex and Steve Aoki. For those who use “electronic music” not as an umbrella term but as the only term, words like electro house,… 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 »

The latest exhibit to open at the Chazen Museum of Art, “The Golden Age of British Watercolors, 1790-1910,” gives visitors and art aficionados a closer look at one of the defining eras in Victorian art history. The Chazen’s Garfield Gallery prominently displays watercolors of varying hues and sizes. Familiar pieces… Read more »

As Oscar movie season begins pumping out hopeful contenders, there’s always the time around the end of summer that we get the try-hards: movies that try to be Oscar-worthy but fail. With big names galore and production values up the wazoo, first-time director Nicholas Jarecki did a decent job with… Read more »

“Isn’t technology wonderful?” It is no secret that technology has made many great things possible that would not have been conceivable in the past. It is also true that technology has made many of the ways and inventions of the past obsolete and antiquated. Depending on who one asks, these… Read more »

It’s that time of the week again peeps — Hump Day! We’re officially halfway through the work week which means only a few more evenings until there’s enough free time to get back to the hump sessions that keep you pushin’ through. No, is that just me who only has… Read more »

Madison is home to one of the finest universities in the country. But you know that already — otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. What you might not know, or at least fully appreciate, is that Madison is also home to more restaurants than any other city its size, which can… Read more »

A belated welcome back to campus for you from your other fashion columnist for the semester! My name is Emma Austin and I am lucky enough to be back providing you with tips and tricks to channel your most stylish self this year. I wrote for this column last fall,… Read more »

In today’s world, we cannot escape the tentacles of celebrity. From our Twitter feeds to our not-quite-highbrow news sources to our grocery store checkout lines come gossip-mongering, photo shop-abusing, gasp-inducing headlines and graphics, all telling you about Kim’s latest alleged sex scandal or which slighted young Hollywood actor is refusing… Read more »

Whether you buy organic food or not, you have probably heard about it in the news in the past week. Last Tuesday, Stanford University Medical School published findings from a study comparing organic versus conventional food. The media has jumped on this story due to the university’s conclusion that… Read more »

By the time the average person turns 70, they have spent about 3 years of their life waiting — for a red light, for a file to download or for food to be served. On Friday, I spent nearly four hours standing outside in the rain, waiting to win a… Read more »

With a summer of superheroes, talking teddy bears, and male strippers behind us, it’s time to look forward to the most promising fall flicks. Looking at the lineup of September films, audiences have several reasons to visit the theatre and cough up the cash for a ticket that might even… Read more »

Welcome, Hump Day first-timers and repeat offenders. I’m Sam, a senior here at the University of Wisconsin and your resident Herald sex columnist. I enjoy glistening yoga sessions, eating sweet things and being the big spoon. My personal sex goals for this year include mastering sensual oil massage techniques and… Read more »

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 »

“She hates a lot of things that I do but she’s my woman, boy. My woman, and do you know why? Because she needs a man, a real man — not some gutless boy” — “Mudhoney” (1965). Recalling the conflict between an abusive husband and his wife in the film… Read more »

This year, I have done my best to share my knowledge of all things Wisconsin with you, my perceived loyal fan base. From opening up about my family’s shady margarine-smuggling past to detailing proper Packer party etiquette and explaining why Wisconsinites use their hands as maps, I have treated this… Read more »

It is that time of year again at the University of Wisconsin. Seniors are gearing up for graduation, looking for jobs and answering the age-old and eternally frustrating question: What are you doing after graduation? In an interview with The Badger Herald, Madison musician, artist and writer Emily Mills spoke… Read more »

Jack White’s first solo album is basically what longtime followers would expect. But don’t let that turn you away from said effort, titled Blunderbuss. On it, White continues to expand his sound from its stripped-down roots in garage rock to a more rounded style of music. Blunderbuss kicks off with… Read more »

For most college students, throwing back a few beers and talking about the future is a fun pastime, a way to pretend they won’t get swallowed up in the corporate machine like the rest of their classmates. For recently graduated UW alums Jake Gafner and Walker Richardson, however, that fun… Read more »

Fourthmeal adherents still bruised from the aftershocks of allegedly diminished meat content in Taco Bell’s beef offerings received a transfusion on March 8 with what the firm described as the largest product launch in its history. In an attempt to revive sluggish sales, the Shangri-la of late-night food plunked down… Read more »

Podcast host and syndicated columnist Dan Savage recently added a new piece to his advice media empire with the premiere of his MTV series “Savage U.” The show follows Savage and his trusty producer Lauren Hutchinson as they travel across the United States answering college students’ romance questions. During a… Read more »

With the most fitting name in the music business, fun. hopes to bring a great time to the Majestic Theatre’s stage Wednesday night as it stops on its nationwide headlining tour.The band is the combined brainchild of The Format’s Nate Ruess, Steel Train’s Jack Antonoff and Anathallo’s Andrew Dost. The… Read more »

Chiddy Bang, an alternative hip-hop group from Philadelphia, killed it on the stage at the Majestic last night as part of the AXE One Night Only Tour. The group Chiddy Bang is made up of Chiddy, the emcee, and Xaphoon Jones, the DJ and producer. The Badger Herald caught up… Read more »

“The ‘Queen’ is back, the ‘Queen’ is back!” Since the February release of Madonna (Madonna Louise Ciccone)’s first single “Give Me All Your Luvin,’” Madonna fans have been plastering the internet with this proclamation. But the biggest question is “Since when was Madonna ever ‘gone?’” Today marks the release of… Read more »

Before the show began Thursday night at the Alliant Energy Center, I overheard the woman to my right say to her friend, “I saw my first concert here, Sonny and Cher.” It was then that I realized that I would be in the minority as a 20-year-old at an Elton… Read more »

It’s hard to argue that there is a game out there, much less a series, that offers more character and story customization than the “Mass Effect” trilogy. I remember when “Mass Effect” was released in 2007 and blew everyone away. What could be better than assuming control of a spaceship and… Read more »

After months of hard work, the staff of MODA magazine and their co-sponsor Wisconsin Union Directorate Music successfully put together the University of Wisconsin’s first-ever Fashion Week and ended it with a big bang at Union South this past Friday. The Sett at Union South helped wrap up the week… Read more »

There’s no doubt that finals week is a stressful time. While most students were holed up in the library cramming for exams, one ambitious group of University of Wisconsin students was dealing with another set of stresses. UW-Hollywood Badgers spent their finals week filming a movie that was the culminating… Read more »

It’s a familiar story: A woman wants a divorce from her husband. In any American film, the concept would be predictable, commonplace and hardly worth making a movie after. But in Iranian director Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separation,” a familiar story is told in an unfamiliar way. In the film, Samin… Read more »

Everyone knows a pessimist — a lamenter of everyday life that can’t find the bright side of a desk lamp and then asks you to turn it off so it doesn’t hurt his eyes. Generally they are a guaranteed buzz-kill and the last person you want to listen to. Pessimist… Read more »