Culture

There's no denying that Madison is home to its fair share of fun and frolicking, but it would be wrong to overlook the University of Wisconsin campus' affinity for things more cultured, providing a sophisticated air to the Land of Bucky. Those more cultured aspects are worth exploring and are perfect for the individual looking to broaden his or her artistic horizons without leaving the city.

The Overture Center

Freshly constructed, the Overture Center on State Street features an impressive lineup of music, theatre and dance, bringing some of the best of the art world to Madison. This season promises to shine with ballets, musicals like "Hairspray" and "Aida" and performances from Madison Opera. Tickets for Overture Center events can be a little on the pricey side — usually in the $20 to $60 range — but the venue also offers free events like an International Festival in February, "Meet the Artist" events and "Overture After Work," a chance to listen to free jazz, funk and alt-rock in a relaxed setting. Perfect for those who want to see Broadway-caliber performances on a nearby stage, the Overture Center is a must-stop for the arts appreciator.

Memorial Union Theater

Sure, the Memorial Union hosts everything from Open Mic nights at the Terrace to Pat McCurdy, but its theater is also the destination of some of the art world's most refined outfits. Boasting all sorts of film-, music- and dance-related events, the Memorial Union Theater provides students and community members with the chance to see and hear great talent. UW students can usually see performances for discounted rates, and, with events like the Eroica Trio and performances of "Sweeney Todd," the Memorial Union Theater provides an accessible way for students to experience the joys of the stage.

Chazen Museum of Art

The Chazen Museum of Art, formerly the Elvehjem Museum of Art, houses a wealth of artwork from both a permanent collection and visiting exhibitions. Boasting everything from paintings and sculptures to prints and photography, Chazen uses its 26,000 square feet of exhibit space to present some of the best examples of historical and contemporary artwork. The building, in addition to being a museum, is also a learning environment, with various art history and art classes meeting in lecture halls located in the basement. Students can also take advantage of the Kohler Art Library, a quiet place to study and home to hundreds of references about the world's best artists. The Chazen Museum of Art also hosts a series of lectures, demonstrations and concerts called "Sunday Afternoon Live," cosponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio.

Food, Etc.

They call it the freshman 15 for a reason, and with the plethora of delicious food available to UW students, keeping the pounds off can be a challenge. Thank goodness for the University's SERF and Nat! Here are some of the best options for a good meal or quick pick-me-up.

Library Mall Food Carts

A Madison staple when the weather is nice, colorful carts offer a wealth of tasty ethnic and affordable eats on Library Mall. Serving everything from African to Thai to Mexican cuisine, the Library Mall food carts are great options for those looking for a quick bite between classes.

Ian's Pizza

Few things go together better than college students and pizza, and there's no better place to go for a pizza fix than one of the two Ian's Pizza locations. Ian's isn't your normal pizzeria. Instead of the standard toppings of pepperoni, sausage and cheese, hungry customers can enjoy slices of barbeque chicken, tomato pesto or the ever-popular macaroni and cheese pizza. A great option for lunch, dinner or a late-night snack, visitors to UW's campus should definitely stop by and try a unique twist on a college favorite.

Pel'meni

On State Street alone, the number of ethnic eateries available to UW students is overwhelming; however, there is one establishment that, despite its modest appearance, stands alone as a must-visit. Located at 505 State St., the Russian dumpling restaurant Pel'meni serves up delicious meals for dine-in customers or students on the go. For just over $5, patrons can enjoy a cold beverage and fill their bellies with meat or potato dumplings and their choice of toppings — whether it's sour cream, hot sauce or just plain butter, each of which is equally mouth-watering. There is just one small catch: those who seek multiple menu options might be troubled by the lack of variety — dumplings are the only choice. However, for the unskilled decision maker or those seeking a hearty helping of character with their tasty meal on a budget, this is the perfect place to stop.

State Street

Boasting more restaurants than most know what to do with, Madison's State Street offers everything a hungry college student could possibly want. With numerous options ranging from quick bites at Qdoba, Noodles or Fuddruckers to healthier fare at the Sunroom Café, State Street has something for every palette. Featuring great places to take a date — try Wasabi for great sushi or go for Italian at Tutto Pasta — and excellent food from around the world, students can spend four years here and only skim the surface of the plethora of options available. Happy eating!

Coffee

Caffeine is a staple in the average college student's life. Whether you're gearing up for a mammoth study session or soothing the effects of a late night, there's no better place to find the caffeine you need than one of the many coffee houses in and around campus. For example, several campus buildings house delis and cafés that make it easy to grab a quick cup of joe. Both unions, as well as buildings like Ingraham Hall, offer coffee to go. If you're looking for a nice place to sit and study while enjoying your java, take your pick from places like Starbucks, Steep & Brew, Fair Trade or Espresso Royale, all located on State Street. Or venture off the beaten path and check out Indie Coffee on Regent Street or Electric Earth Café on West Washington, both of which are great places to meet friends, grab a quick cup of coffee or get some work done. However you like it, your next jolt of caffeine is only a quick step away.

Other Attractions

The Terrace

Ask any University of Wisconsin student his or her favorite campus hangout, and the answer will be nearly unanimous: the Memorial Union Terrace. With a gorgeous view, delicious Babcock ice cream (or quality beer — those lacking a legit ID need not apply) within an arm's reach and the orange, yellow or green chair of your choice, what's not to love about spending a pleasant night at this spot along Lake Mendota among your fellow Badgers? For those feeling up for a little public humiliation or hankering for a chance to take their shower rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" to a more public venue, Open Mic kicks off every Thursday at 9 p.m., and the non-stop musical party continues through the weekend with tunes for every taste, be it for rock, blues or even Celtic. The Terrace typically plays host to all sorts of events, from Battle of the Bands to World Music Festival and, rumor has it, even Seattle rockers Harvey Danger (yes, as in "Flagpole Sitta") are slated to take the Union by storm Sept. 29. Best of all … it's free! Ah, now that's music to a college kid's ears.

Club 770

Sure, it's kind of a hike from the dorms to Union South, but the atmosphere of Club 770 makes the extended trip worthwhile. For those seeking a substance-free environment, consider Club 770 an entertainment haven — this concert venue is both smoke-free and alcohol-free, freeing up both hands for catching crowd surfers. Union South's premiere "club" typically plays to a more indie or punk audience — Minnesota pop-punks Motion City Soundtrack have been known to make an annual appearance, and other up-and-comers, such as Murder By Death and Quietdrive, have also made pit stops at the UW's alt-music hotspot. Like the Terrace, most shows are free. Others charge a minimal cover of around $5. So lace up those Chucks and head on over to Union South's Club 770 for a rockin' good time.

The Orpheum

Take a stroll up State Street to the just-off-campus entertainment mecca, the Orpheum Theatre located at 216 State St. This classic, artsy theater not only brings great musical acts to its stage, but it also screens movies ranging from popular culture hits to offbeat documentaries to cult classics such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Piano man of our generation, Mr. Ben Folds himself "rocked that bitch" last fall, and the Orpheum lineup this year should be just as amazing. The popular blazer-adorned a capella group UW MadHatters and the Wisconsin Brass Quintet will take the stage Sept. 29 to benefit prostate cancer research at the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center; in addition, Denver rockers The Fray are set to perform Oct 6. For more information on upcoming events at the Orpheum, check out www.orpheumtheatre.net or call the Orpheum Box Office at (608) 263-1677.

Farmers' Market

When dorm food becomes unbearable or your carbohydrate consumption is on overload, take a stroll downtown for a fresh set of options. Flowers in bloom, fresh cheese curds, ripe fruits and vegetables — the selection is nearly endless every Saturday morning when the Dane County Farmers' market takes over the Capitol Square. Starting as early as 6 a.m. and continuing until around 2 p.m., vendors of all kinds set up shop for early risers and sit back as the Madison masses flock to buy fresh produce and savory treats. Be sure to bring along a healthy appetite, and don't miss out on this time-honored tradition, which runs until early November before restarting next spring.

Union Movies

With the demolition of University Square Theatres this summer, the nearest off-campus cinema option is a lengthy bus ride away. But have no worries, the Union provides a multitude of opportunities to take in films spanning the full spectrum of genres. The Memorial Union's Frederic March Play Theater hosts a variety of popular films on weekend nights and afternoons, but try to arrive early because seating is limited and fills up fast. Perhaps best of all, the already low-priced tickets can be purchased using the Campus Cash account on your WisCard! For foreign-film or indie-picture enthusiasts, the Wisconsin Union Directorate Film Committee also hosts International and Starlight Cinema screenings as well as a handful of others, including Midnight Movies at Union South and Lakeside Cinema, during the summer months at the Terrace. The fall cinema lineup is not yet solidified, but for information check www.union.wisc.edu.