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- calendar_today October 21, 2026
Wisconsin Science Festival Events Continue
The annual Wisconsin Science Festival, running October 15–25, continues this week with a variety of events both on the UW-Madison campus and statewide. Among the highlights in Madison are a Crossroads of Ideas panel discussing the future of research funding on October 20 at 7 p.m. and the recurring Sci-prov comedy showcase by Amalgam Improv on October 21 at 7 p.m., both at the Discovery Building. Full event details are available at the festival's website.
Music Performances: Indigo Girls, Heartland Marimba, Tank & the Bangas
Fans of live concerts have several options this week. The Indigo Girls perform at Overture Hall on October 20 at 7 p.m., featuring opener Linda Perry. That same evening, Heartland Marimba brings original and arranged music to the First Unitarian Society at 7:30 p.m. Tank & the Bangas headline at the Majestic at 8 p.m., showcasing songs from their latest album, The Last Balloon, with support from Ariel J. and Zeus. Tickets for all shows are available via respective venues.
Highlighted Art Exhibitions and Installations
Art exhibitions are on full display this week. The Arts + Literature Laboratory presents its ALL 10th Anniversary Retrospective, a group show featuring work from more than 50 artists, running through November 7. Olbrich Gardens hosts GLEAM, an annual light art installation open Wednesday through Saturday nights through October 24, with timed entry starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to GLEAM must be purchased in advance.
Theater Shows and Film Screenings
For those interested in theater shows, The Compass at UW Vilas Hall-Mitchell Theatre offers an interactive performance where the audience acts as a jury in a play surrounding a young person's decision made with AI. Shows take place Thursday, Friday, Saturday (2 and 7:30 p.m., except October 23), and Sunday (2 p.m.) through October 25.
Meanwhile, Madison Public Theatre's staging of Ronald Harwood’s Taking Sides continues at Bartell Theatre through October 24, dramatizing the true story of conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler during post-World War II. Performances are scheduled Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Film enthusiasts can attend a screening of The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg at UW Irving & Dorothy Levy Hall-Room 2212 on October 21 at 4 p.m. The event features a new 25th anniversary restoration and a post-film talk by director Aviva Kempner.
Klez Fest Midwest and More Community Events
Klez Fest Midwest returns October 22–25 at UW Hamel Music Center and additional venues, celebrating klezmer music’s heritage and innovation. The Klezmatics headline at Hamel on October 24 at 2 p.m., while a WORT-FM benefit dance party honoring DJ Dan Talmo takes place at the East Side Club that night. Most events are free.
Other notable community events include the annual Wisconsin People & Ideas Fiction & Poetry Contest Reading hosted by the Wisconsin Book Festival at Central Library on October 21 at 7 p.m., featuring winners and poet laureate Brenda Cárdenas. On October 22, the "Harmonious: A Songwriter’s Showcase" with Andy Moore, Whitney Mann, and JT Spartz is set for Harmony Bar at 6:30 p.m.
Public Talks and Literary Gatherings
On October 20 at the UW Memorial Union-Shannon Hall, the public talk "Covering Today’s America" welcomes Michael Barbaro, host of The New York Times podcast The Daily. He will discuss journalism and civil dialogue in the U.S. with Susan Yackee, director of the La Follette School of Public Affairs.
For a full guide to Madison events and updates, refer to the Isthmus event calendar.
Source: isthmus.com.
