🥵 It’s getting hot in here (again)

🚴 Cyclists Raise $15K For Gaza Humanitarian Aid

• Dozens of cyclists came together Sunday for a six-mile ride to raise money to send aid to Palestinian families in Gaza.
• “Big Ride For Palestine” was organized by the Madison-Rafah Sister City Project to raise money for Middle East Children’s Alliance, a nonprofit that sends humanitarian aid to Gaza, including food and water. Riders decorated their bikes with Palestinian flags and symbols and rode up John Nolen Drive from Olin Park to the downtown area.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: For decades, the Madison Rafah Sister City Project has worked to support Palestinians locally from Madison. [WMTV, City Cast Madison]

🚗 ‘20 Is Plenty’ Gets Into High Gear (Safely)

• All Madison city streets that currently have posted speed limits of 25 mph will be lowered to 20 mph under the “20 Is Plenty” program by August.
• Part of the Vision Zero Initiative, the speed reduction program aims to increase safety on local, residential streets, where drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians most often intersect. “20 Is Plenty” began in 2021 to see how lowering the speed limit would affect safety.
• The Vision Zero Initiative aims to reverse an alarming increase in pedestrian-versus-vehicle fatalities – up 57% nationwide between 2013 and 2022. [City of Madison, Madison Minutes]

🏥 Big Cuts in Store at County Human Services

• Dane County has a new head for its Department of Human Services and a new mission – to guide the $322 million agency through millions in planned cuts and scaled-back services.
• John Schlueter, who became the new permanent director in June, is tasked with cutting $13 million from the department, part of 4% cuts countywide to make up a $31 million shortfall.
• The agency, which makes up 40% of the county budget, contracts with hundreds of community organizations to support behavioral health services, rental assistance, child abuse investigations, and other services. [Cap Times]

You don’t have to go to New York City or London to see world-class theater. You can just head into the woods of Wisconsin.

Since the late ‘70s, American Players Theatre has been staging acclaimed productions of plays by William Shakespeare, Noel Coward, Henrik Ibsen, and more at its 1,075-seat outdoor Hill Theatre and 200-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre, located outside Spring Green. For many theater lovers in Wisconsin, it just isn’t summer without at least one trip up the hill to see APT.

One of those theater lovers is Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians, who makes many trips back and forth between Madison and Spring Green every summer. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin chats with Lindsay about her favorite productions this year and what she’s looking forward to the rest of the season.

But maybe you’re not an APT pro like Lindsay. If you haven’t experienced American Players Theatre yet, here’s some tips and tricks for making the most out of your visit.

How To Get Tickets

Tickets are on sale through the American Players Theatre website, including a calendar that’s an easy way to see which plays are being performed when.

Pro tip: Before the season starts, APT will usually offer early-bird discounts where you can save big money. They will also have occasional promotions during the season, such as last week’s “Founders’ Day” special.

Also, make sure to follow American Players Theatre on Facebook and Instagram. Every Monday, they’ll announce which performances they’re selling half-off “rush tickets” for. (None this week, sorry!)

Which Shows To See

My advice is to buy tickets to a show that you really want to see that you’re familiar with. Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” for example, is a play that seems tailor-made for APT.

Pro tip: And then get tickets to a play that you might be less familiar with, a play that isn’t in the “canon.” I’ve heard that “The Death of Chuck Brown,” now playing in the Touchstone Theatre, is fantastic, and “Fallen Angels,” one of Coward’s lesser-known plays, is a hoot and a half.

The Trip Out There

From Madison, take Highway 14 west, passing through the towns of Cross Plains, Black Earth, Arena, and Mazomanie. The drive usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on where you’re coming from in Madison. So I advise leaving 90 minutes ahead of the start time if you’re planning to go straight to the theater, or add extra time if you plan to picnic beforehand. (More on this later.)

Then take a left at County Highway C about four miles west of Arena. The sign for American Players Theatre is pretty small (I’ve missed the turn more than once), so look for the much larger Spring Valley Inn sign for the place to turn off. Once you get there, parking is free.

Meet Dutch! This 50-pound young adult is energetic and friendly, eager to meet everyone and explore everywhere. He can get jumpy while excited, and needs space to run in play, but can also lay calmly beside you while hanging out. Dutch has lived with other dogs and likes them, but his joie de vivre can be a little much for some pups, and he’d thrive in a home without cats or small critters. Dutch would love a patient and committed family who will work with him on his leash manners and positive reinforcement while also spoiling him with fun adventures, playtime, and love.