📝 Breese Stevens wants to host more concerts

🏫 Meet the Universities of Wisconsin

• The University of Wisconsin System is no more. The collection of 13 universities has announced its new identity as the Universities of Wisconsin. The new name and identity is meant to emphasize the “constellation” of Wisconsin’s 13 public universities. To honor the new identity, Gov. Tony Evers issued a proclamation to mark the occasion as “Universities of Wisconsin Week.”
• “Our new identity aims to broaden awareness of our universities across the state,” President Jay Rothman said. “We believe the Universities of Wisconsin identity is more relatable for students, families, and employers.”
• The new brand will be rolling out over the next few months with the hopes of being fully implemented by the end of the year. UW System will still remain the organization’s official legal name, though. [Universities of Wisconsin]

🍗 Filling a Downtown Restaurant Gap

• A new chicken restaurant called Baked Wings is set to move into the former home of Cosi at 250 State St. The spot has sat vacant for nearly a decade but the restaurant’s owners are hopeful their menu will be a success in the downtown area. [Baked Wings]
• The new restaurant will serve wings (of course) both traditional and boneless. It also offers vegetarian options and items like sandwiches, salads, tenders, tacos, and more. Baked Wings is expected to open in early 2024. [Wisconsin State Journal]

🎸 Breese Stevens Field Wants To Put On More Shows

• The group that manages events at the historic Breese Stevens Field has asked the city to increase the number of concerts allowed at the venue from seven to 12 for next year. The request doesn’t necessarily mean Breese will host 12 shows, but it allows the venue the option. [Wisconsin State Journal]
• The arguments: Event organizers say more dates for shows will allow them greater flexibility when booking and open the door for more big names to come to Madison. Generally, neighbors have supported the venue, but some fear more shows will mean more problems related to noise, parking, and general behavior.

📣 Your Lunchtime Read: Required course teaches incoming UW students ‘hate speech is protected’

• “Among new additions this year were several mentions of the video that became public in May, in which a white UW student can be seen and heard saying violent and racist things about Black people. A spokesperson for UW’s Student Affairs division said the Blk Pwr Coalition, which formed in response to that video, requested those additions.
  
  That video prompted many calls for the expulsion of the student in the video, but the university took the stance that it couldn’t expel her because her racist remarks were protected by the First Amendment.” [Madison356]

Celebrate this Adopt a Shelter Dog Month by bringing a little Hope into your home.

Hope is 8 months old and came to DCHS in September from an overcrowded shelter in Texas. She’s a sweet pup who enjoys receiving pets, playing, and running around the yard. Hope already knows how to sit and has been working with DCHS staff and volunteers on laying down. Hope is looking for a family who will work with her on her positive reinforcement training, continue to build her courage, take her on fun adventures, and spoil her with treats and love.

Hope is a member of DCHS’s Lonely Hearts Club and her adoption fee has been reduced. In honor of October being Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, DCHS is reducing adoption fees for Lonely Hearts Club members even further.

Wednesday, Oct. 11

• 2023 National Coming Out Day Breakfast at Wisconsin Masonic Center
• Brews and Q's Taproom Trivia at Young Blood Beer Company - North Street
• Cat Trivia Night at Lakeside St. Coffee House
• Trivia at Starkweather Brewing Company

Looking for more events?

Here’s Who’s Coming to the WI Book Festival This Year

More than 60 authors, from the nationally famous to the locally beloved (and sometimes both!), are speaking in Madison next week. It’s Madison’s largest celebration of books, and it’s free. This year, most events are in person and take place at the Madison Public Library, at UW Madison and at venues across the city.

We speak with Jane Rotonda, the new book fest director, about why you should be there.