Things to do in Madison: GLEAM, Taste of Madison and Dance on the Bike Path | Entertainment
GLEAM comes to the Olbrich Gardens until October 26th.
UNTIL 26 OCT.
Illuminate the possibilities
Water lilies glow, colorful fairy lights connect garden paths and sculptures rotate and dangle from the trees in the SHINEthe annual light show at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave. Door times (Wednesday-Saturday) will be earlier as this magical nighttime show extends into October, beginning at 8 p.m. in August, 7:30 p.m. in September and 6:30 p.m. in October. Tickets are $16 for general admission, with discounts for Olbrich members and children.
olbrichgleam.org
Proud Parents’ farewell performance will take place on August 30th at 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
Proud parents give up
After 10 years, Madison power pop band Proud Parents is saying goodbye. The band will play a farewell show, Proud parents get divorced (tagline: “Think of the Children”), Friday at 7 p.m. at the High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave. The show also includes performances by Cult of Lip and Hottt Probs of Madison, Sex Scenes of Milwaukee and Christy Costello of Minneapolis. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
www.high-noon.com
The Taste of Madison returns to Capitol Square on August 31.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 & SEPT 1
Try the (Madison) Rainbow
The food tasting spectacle will take place again on Labor Day weekend Taste of Madison. Visit Capitol Square on Saturday from 2-9 p.m. or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to purchase small portions from over 80 local food vendors and listen to music from artists such as Royal Bliss, Nonpoint and Chayce Beckham. Admission is free. Schedules and menus are available online.
tasteofmadison.com
The Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw will take place on August 30th and 31st.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUGUST 30-31
You throw what?!
For 50 years, Wisconsin residents have competed to see who can throw a lump of dried cow dung the farthest. Cow patties of the state of Wisconsin is taking place this Friday night and Saturday at Prairie du Sac’s Marion Park on the corner of Grand Avenue and First Street. On Saturday, you can watch the Tournament of Chips Parade (noon), kids’ tossing (9 a.m. to noon), and adult and team tossing (1 p.m.). There will also be food, music, a children’s comedy show, and a craft fair with more than 125 exhibits. Admission is free, but participation costs $2 for children under 16, $5 for adults, and $25 for teams.
www.wiscowchip.com
The Shifting Gears Bike Path Dance Festival returns on September 2nd.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Leave the path
Spend a late summer day outdoors at Dance festival “Shifting Gears” on the bike path. Three parks – Brittingham, McPike and Wirth Court – will host a variety of performers, from flamenco dancers to aerialists to tap and jazz. Learn a little salsa and bachata from Luis Armacanqui or take a special mini-lesson in East Indian folk dance from Swapna Srinivasan. The events will be combined with other activities, such as bike decorating and sidewalk chalk art. Bring whatever you need for shade, snacks, sun and bugs and enjoy this free event.
isthmusdancecollective.org
