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City Cast Madison

Rob Thomas

Do you know where this slice of pizza is from? (Submitted photo)

City Cast Madison staff

The five Democratic hopefuls vying for the Assembly seat that 

covers much of the Isthmus and the city’s east side

 participated in a forum Wednesday night answering questions on subjects ranging from data centers and housing affordability to funding Wisconsin’s education system.

The Democratic candidates in the running are Democratic legislative aide Isaia Ben-Ami; former Madison alder and legislative chief of staff Juliana Bennett; social worker and WORT show host Tony Castañeda; Madison Ald. Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford; and journalist Zoe Sullivan.

Whichever Democratic candidate wins in the Aug. 11 primary will face Republican challenger Nina Chat. Though,

 according to the Wisconsin State Journal

, Assembly District 76 has never been represented by a Republican, meaning this race will be more or less decided in the primary.

The 76th Assembly District is a safely liberal seat currently held by gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong, who all five candidates endorsed during the forum.

Overall, the Democratic candidates largely agree on policy issues but diverge slightly when it comes to achieving their mission.

City Cast Madison recorded the forum in full. You can listen and read the entire transcript here.

There are five Democratic candidates running to succeed Rep. Francesca Hong in the Wisconsin State Assembly. 

Who's Running For Assembly District 76?

Democratic Candidates Sound Off in Assembly District 76 Forum

What's being decided in Madison City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Madison City Council. 

Madison Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

Juneteenth, also called Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, is June 19, a chance for all Americans to celebrate the end of slavery. Here’s the origins of what some call “America’s second Independence Day,” and what’s going on in Madison to celebrate the occasion.

host Bianca Martin talks about Juneteenth in Madison

 with executive producer Hayley Sperling, and local marketer Liz Boyd as part of our weekly “Good On Ya!” segment. Also, City Cast Madison is going to be off on June 19 for the holiday, so there will be no new podcast in your feed or newsletter in your inbox that day.

Regent Street Redesign, Tourism Boom, and Juneteenth Events in Madison

A combination of “June” and “19th,” 

Juneteenth commemorates a very specific event

 during the Civil War. While President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, about 250,000 slaves in Texas were not freed. It took two years, until June 19, 1865, for Texas slaves to be freed after Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the proclamation.

The first Juneteenth celebrations took place the following year in Texas. As Black Texans moved across the country, they brought Juneteenth with them, and it became one of the oldest African American holidays.

During the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, organizers pushed to have Juneteenth recognized as a federal holiday. President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a holiday the following year.

The Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus will celebrate in the Capitol Rotunda at lunchtime, with a keynote address from Menomonie Ald. Camden Hargrove, the first openly trans Black man elected to public office in Wisconsin.

Fitchburg Senior Center and the Wright Place are joining together to celebrate the day with a mix of musical and spoken word performances, with a keynote address from Dr. Charles Taylor, author of 

“Juneteenth: The Promise of Freedom.”

 The event will culminate with a Juneteenth flag raising at Fitchburg City Hall.

Over the lunch hour, enjoy barbecue, lawn games, live music, and more at this celebration hosted by the Madison Senior Center.

Kujichagulia Center for Self Determination

 are joining together to present this TED talk-style event at the Black Business Hub, featuring a variety of storytellers, creatives and community leaders.

On the holiday itself, the Majestic Theatre is hosting this free late night dance party featuring Flame the Ruler, No Love Monday, Uchi Kinte, DJ Pain 1, and DJ Iron Mike.

 can play all sorts of genres, from Latin to funk to R&B, and they’ll play them all at this special Juneteenth Celebration at the High Noon Saloon. 

The city’s oldest and biggest Juneteenth celebration is hosted each year by the Kujichagulia Center for Self Determination. It starts with a parade at 11 a.m. at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., which will head to Penn Park for an afternoon of music, food and dance to celebrate Black liberation.

The ‘Mingos’ home game at Breese Stevens Field against the New York Cosmos will also be a celebration of Black history and excellence. Last year, the team released a special pre-match top honoring Juneteenth.

June 19 is Juneteenth, the day that America celebrates the end of slavery. But there are events all week in Madison to commemorate the holiday, including a parade on Saturday, concerts on Friday night, and an event at the Wisconsin Capitol.


Your Guide To Juneteenth in Madison

How To Celebrate Juneteenth 2026 in Madison 

Find the best of everything that Madison has to offer.

Madison’s Best

Madison's Best

Hundreds of people lined up on the street on May 6

, the $32 million building at 671 W. Badger Rd.

But the celebration continues long after that grand opening, as the center establishes itself as a Black-led space for gathering, learning, and creating together, with performance spaces, art galleries, and makerspaces.

The center was the brainchild of Rev. Dr. Alex Gee, pastor at Fountain of Life Covenant Church next door, and his sister Lilada Gee. Alex Gee sees the space as sort of the opposite of a Black history museum — while the center would honor the past, it would focus on the future.

The architectural design of the building 

 to create a welcoming and aspirational feeling, and the collaborations and creative sparks that would result from creating spaces for Black Madisonians to come together.

The City Cast Madison team went last week to the center (which has an excellent podcast recording studio, by the way), where 

 about seeing his vision for the space become a reality, and what comes next.

The center will start hosting walking tours following its official opening July 1. Here’s a peek inside the center and all it has to offer Madison and the greater Wisconsin community.

The center features two theaters that can also be used as multipurpose spaces. The larger theater has room for between 191 and 361 people, depending on seating arrangements, perfect for live performances, film festival screenings, cultural celebrations, and more.

A smaller theater can hold between 113 and 239 people, and is ideal for wedding receptions, banquets and corporate events. The building also contains art gallery spaces to showcase Black art.

Membership is required to enter these meeting rooms and co-working spaces, where Black talent and business community members can come together to collaborate and support each other.

This intimate Black-designed lounge is designed for weddings, concerts, and other special events, with access to the center’s Black Porch Deck overlooking Madison.

The center is full of small classroom-style rooms that can be rented for meetings and seminars, as well as maker spaces (also rentable) full of art supplies for people to work together on painting, textile, photography, and sculpture and digital arts projects.

This dedicated space is for seniors to gather for wellness and health events and social activities, including access to a large games library to play together.

This colorful space was created by and for Black women as a place to connect and recharge together.

The Center for Black Excellence and Culture opened its doors last month to much fanfare. The $32 million facility is envisioned as a hub of Black creativity and entrepreneurship. Take a look at everything it has to offer, from theaters to art galleries to wellness spaces.

What's Inside Madison's Center for Black Excellence and Culture

Take a Look Inside the Center for Black Excellence and Culture

Everything to know about Madison neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Madison Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

June is Pride Month, and Madison is a place 

that has celebrated LGBTQ+ culture since the early ‘70s

. The city’s biggest LGBTQ+ gathering, 

, isn’t actually until August, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate this month in Madison.

But how queer-friendly is Madison, really? 

, host Bianca Martin tackles this question with producer Jade Iseri-Ramos and Sanders Weinberg, program coordinator with the Gender and Sexuality Center at UW–Madison.


Hot Takes on Madison's Queer Scene


Here are 11 ways to celebrate Pride Month in Madison.

The theme of June’s Night Market on State Street and the Capitol Square is “Celebrating Madison’s LGBTQ+ Culture.” In addition to downtown retailers and food vendors, the market will feature performances by Wisconsin drag icons and Marvelous Michelle, the Bubble Lady of Madison.

The Power Here is You: Lessons From Milwaukee’s Grassroots Response to AIDS

Historian and educator Vince Tripi will lead this free workshop at Pinney Library, looking at how Milwaukee activists responded to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and identifying strategies that can be applied to today’s community resistance efforts.

Madison’s LGBTQ+ theater company, StageQ, takes over the Bartell Theatre for a weekend of new play readings, one-act plays, and short scenes from new queer playwrights from across the country.

This family-friendly event in Stone Horse Green returns with a day of live music, food and drink, family activities, and queer-affirming businesses.

Atwood Music Hall will host this queer warm-weather event series, featuring live local DJs, drag kings, and more.

The three-day event returns to the Alliant Energy Center with queer artisans, a youth fair, a clothing swap, drag shows, and more. The Friday night event is 18+, while masks are required on Sunday.

Every month is Pride Month when you’re Damsel Trash, the Madison/Brooklyn queer punk duo. They’re celebrating their new album, “Battle Hymn of the Queerpublic,” at the Bur Oak in a joint album release show with fellow punkers Hey Ghost.

Bring your appetite and your dollar bills to the Bur Oak for this all-star lineup that includes host Bianca Lynn Breeze. Anya K Thunderkat, Bambii Banx$, Taaysty C Infiniti, and Aryiah J StKlare will be serving looks while Bur Oak serves pancakes and mimosas.

On the last Wednesday of every month, A Room of One’s Own hosts an open mic in its Reading Room. There are only 15 slots to perform, so get there early if you want a turn at the mic!

The Orpheum Theater transforms into a celebration of Madison’s LGBTQ+ community for this annual event. Get there early for “The Queen’s Court” in the lobby, featuring face painting, magic, and a pre-show soundtrack by DJ Femme Noir.

Then enjoy a high-energy drag show curated by Bianca Lynn Breeze, grab a themed cocktail at the bar, or browse for your next queer-forward read in The Smut Room pop-up bookstore. It’s a free event, although a limited number of VIP tickets are available that include access to the Pride Pit.

Come to Sun Prairie West High School for an afternoon of fun events, including face painting, drag story time and a parade, with the aim of surrounding all kids with love and support.

The city’s biggest LGBTQ+ gathering, OutReach Magic Pride Festival, isn’t actually until August, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate this month in Madison.

How to Celebrate Pride Month 2026 in Madison, WI

How to Celebrate Pride Month 2026 in Madison

Frank Lloyd Wright may be the most famous architect who ever lived. He called Madison home and his influence and artistic eye 

, from our most iconic buildings to hidden gems in residential neighborhoods.

, host Bianca Martin talks to March Sweitzer about Wright’s Unitarian Meeting House, which is celebrating its 

 with an array of events starting this week.

Experience One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Most Influential Buildings

Here’s your guide to some of his architectural feats in and around Madison, from iconic public buildings to private homes.

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

Wright transformed downtown Madison with his vision for Monona Terrace, with panoramic views of Lake Monona and a terrace that leads directly to the Capitol Square. He drafted the plans in 1938, but wasn’t finished until 1997, nearly 40 years after his death. Check out “Inspired by Wright,” a fourth-floor exhibit detailing Wright’s vision for Monona Terrace and for Madison.

 is this gorgeous structure Wright built for his congregation in 1946, whose triangular design is meant to evoke both a farm plow and a pair of praying hands.

Any Wright fans will plan a trip out to the Driftless Region to see Wright’s home and studio on a beautiful 800-acre piece of land near Spring Green.

One of Wright’s visions was to build affordable housing that had an uniquely American aesthetic. His first attempt (made for just $5,000) at “Usonian” (United States of North America) architecture was at 441 Toepfer St. for Herbert Jacobs, featuring natural materials in harmony with the environment and an open-plan interior. Wright would go on to build 140 “Usonian” homes, and his designs influenced ranch home architecture of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Wright won a competition in 1893, when he was only 26, to design this boathouse, featuring two towers connected by an arch. He also designed a boathouse for Lake Monona that was never built, but 

in recent years there’s been a groundswell of interest

This 1903 residence at 22 N. Butler Street was once known as the Rocky Roost, and features an asymmetrical design and a third story roof garden. Its mix of styles lead some to speculate that one of Wright’s employees, Walter Burley Griffin, actually oversaw the design while Wright was immersed in other projects.

In contrast to Wright’s sprawling Prairie homes, this private residence near Camp Randall sits on a hill and is a two-story monolith. Because it’s built across two axes converging on a central fireplace, it’s earned the nickname “The Airplane House.”

It can be hard to find this modest private home at 3650 Lake Mendota Drive, nestled on the shore of Lake Mendota in the Shorewood Hills neighborhood. The design and natural materials blend in perfectly with its natural surroundings, and features floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the lake.

Wright’s passion for affordable Usonian housing for the middle class led to his interest in “prefab” housing packages. This one at 110 Marinette Place was built for a pair of married UW-Madison mathematicians.

Legendary designer Frank Lloyd Wright called Madison home and he left his mark on the city. Here's some of his most famous buildings, from the Unitarian Meeting House to some private homes worth seeing.

Visit Some of Frank Lloyd Wright's Most Iconic Madison Buildings

Your Guide to Frank Lloyd Wright's Madison

Just as the thawing of the lakes is proof that spring is here, the return of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s free outdoor concert series is a sign that summer is back. 

The series kicks off June 24 with a tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John

🎸 This Music Festival Goes ‘TILT’!

At the other end of the musical spectrum is the two-night 

Mad With Power Fest on June 5 and 6 at the Sylvee

. Sponsored by local metal titans Lords of the Trident, it features two days of heavy metal bands and dozens of pinball machines throughout the Sylvee set to free play.

If you’re looking for a page-turner to take to the beach this summer, UW-Madison graduate Joseph Eckert is coming back to town to Lake City Books on June 11 

to talk about his new book, “The Traveler.”

 A father starts jumping forward in time, and his son tries to save him.

🎸 The World’s Skinniest Music Festival

Summer means the return of Madison’s east side neighborhood festivals, starting with the 

Marquette Waterfront Festival on the slender Yahara Place Park on June 13 and 14

. National headliners like Ratboys share the bill with local favorites like Lost Lakes, and there’s plenty of food and drink and activities for the kids.

Author Sara Gruen relied on the archives at Circus World in Baraboo when she was writing her hit novel “Water For Elephants.” So it’s fitting that 

Overture Hall is hosting the Wisconsin premiere of the new musical

June is Pride Month, and now more than ever we need inclusive and joyful spaces to be whoever we are. 

“Live on Queen” is a free event on June 26 at the Orpheum Theater

 that mixes a drag show, live music, and a little bit of magic to create a night to remember.

Does comedian Jay Leno own a pair of white jeans? He’ll need it as the headliner at the 

All-White Party, a star-studded affair June 27 at the Orpheum Theater

 to raise money for Boys & Girls club of Dane County. All-white attire is required, and Tyrese and DJ Spinderella will keep the party going.

Your Guide to June 2026 in Madison

Long before she actually saw the stage production of “RENT,” 

 was a girl listening to the cast album in her bedroom, imagining what Jonathan Larson’s romantic and iconic update of “La Boheme” would be like.

Today, Jefferson is an acclaimed director, serving as associate director for the Broadway productions of “The Wiz” and “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and most recently the resident director of “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.” This summer, she’s in Madison to bring her own vision to “RENT” as director of 

It will play at the Orpheum Theater for just four performances June 5-7

“Capital City Theatre has just been so supportive, and the cast, I couldn't have asked for a better cast,” said Jefferson while taking a break from rehearsals last week. “All of the pieces just seem to be falling into place. It feels almost too good to be true. I’m almost waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

Jefferson talked about approaching such an iconic musical from a fresh perspective.

Do you think you approach “RENT” differently because you heard it well before you saw it?

I was living in New York when “RENT” came out, and I was going to a performing arts school, so I kind of had no choice but to hear it. It was everywhere! My mother was like “You’re not going to see this show as a teenager, that’s a little too young.” So I had that space to dream up what it looks like. Even in my room I’d be singing the songs and thinking, “It looks like this.” “Will I?”, “I'll Cover You,” “Your Eyes” – those numbers just spoke to me, and being able to recreate them this time in my vision? I cry every time.

How would you distill your vision for “RENT”?

My vision for “RENT” was honest. Over the last 30 years, some versions have gotten a little more heightened and theatrical than I would prefer. This was a really nice opportunity to just break it down and make it more about the story. The truth, the honesty, the rawness, the community of it all, the parallels from where we were 30 years ago and where we are now.

Maybe not using as much of that kind of Broadway theatricality of it all, and really just grounding everyone, so the story could be heard as well as felt.

It looms so large in the culture. How much do you owe to people’s perceptions of “RENT,” and maybe their memories of seeing it in the past, versus creating a vision of your own?

There were moments where I was very clear with my design team that I did not want it to look like any traditional version. I don’t want Roger in plaid pants. But then there were moments when I said “Oh, I want to keep this.” Especially because some of those moments are so important to the audience. I don’t want to rob them of that.

Is there something about the play that speaks differently to audiences in 2026 than it did 30 years ago?

Unfortunately not. It’s 30 years later, and we're still talking about housing insecurity and wealth disparity and health care access and gentrification and mistreatment of different communities. All of that is still very prevalent and that is heartbreaking.

I'm hoping that this will kind of hold up a mirror to audiences to just say, "Oh, okay. Where can I show compassion? Where can I recognize the similarities?”

Madison's Capital City Theatre is putting on a bold new version of the Tony-winning musical 'RENT' at the Orpheum Theater June 5-7. For its director, who has helmed "Stranger Things" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" on Broadway, it's the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. 

Broadway Director Helms Madison Production of 'RENT'

How Madison’s Capital City Theatre is Reinventing ‘RENT’

Many people drive by the nondescript two-story brick building on the corner of East Washington Avenue and South Baldwin Street without realizing they’re passing by a piece of rock music history.

Smart Studios was a recording studio that was ground zero for the ‘90s alternative rock movement. Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and studio founders Butch Vig and Steve Marker’s own band Garbage recorded music there.

Filmmaker Wendy Schneider captured the grungy, influential history of the studio at 1254 E. Washington Ave. in her documentary “

.” On the City Cast Madison podcast, Schneider talked to host Bianca Martin

 about her experiences making the documentary

As musicians on the 1980s Madison rock scene, Vig and Marker would often hang out at the Plaza Tavern. When it was last call, they’d declare “Let’s get smart!” and go record music until sunrise.

After several frustrating experiences trying to book time to record at other people’s studios, the duo decided to start their own.

The original Smart Studios actually originally opened across the street

, in what was then the Gisholt Machine Tool warehouse. They invited any and all Madison bands to come record there.

Grunge bands from the Midwest heard the music coming out of Smart Studios and wanted to come to Madison and record there too. As their notoriety grew, Vig and Marker bought the two-story building in 1987 to accommodate all the demand.

When Nirvana came to Smart Studios in 1990

 to record eight songs—one of which, “Polly,” appeared on their “Nevermind” album—Smart Studios was known nationwide as a place to come and record. But Vig and Marker made a point to make sure lesser-known local bands could still book time to record there too.

As Garbage began using the studio more and more to record their own music, that left less time for outside bands to make music there. And as the ‘90s grunge movement faded in the ‘00s and Garbage took more and more of Vig and Marker’s time, the studio’s importance began to fade. The studio closed its doors in 2010.

 and planned to turn it into a combination private residence and short-term rental. But when city rules made it too onerous to convert the downstairs into an AirBnB, she made the entire two-story space her home.

While updated and modernized, the decor of the residence pays homage to Smart Studios musical roots. Walls are covered with framed posters of bands who recorded there, along with pages of the studio’s recording schedules, and other memorabilia that reminds guests of its indie rock legacy.

Why did Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Death Cab for Cutie and other bands want to record songs in Madison? As a new documentary explains, Smart Studios, the recording studio founded by Butch Vig and Steve Marker of Garbage, played a key role in the '90s indie rock scene. 

Smart Studios Turned Madison Into an Indie Rock Destination

How Smart Studios Put Madison on the Musical Map

What Madisonians have been wondering. We break down why things in Madison are the way they are and how they work.

Madison, Explained

You may like pizza, but do you really know pizza? Madison has several popular local pizza restaurants, each serving their own distinctive signature pies. Take our quiz and see how well you know your slices.