
City Cast Madison
🗳️ Crowley and Hong join forces against Tiffany
August 13, 2026 · – Rob Thomas
Good morning, Madison! We’ve got lots of new City Cast Madison Neighbors to welcome! Thanks to Harris T., Pearl Y., Laurel S., Logan R., Ilsa B., Cecilia G., and Dale L. for becoming members and supporting our work!
Join our community and become a Neighbor! You’ll get lots of cool perks — a member-exclusive events newsletter, Neighborhood Shoutouts, invitations to members-only events — along with our undying gratitude for helping us put out a podcast and newsletter every day. Become a City Cast Madison Neighbor today! 🫶

What's CITY Talking About

🤝 Crowley and Hong Embark on Unity Tour: One day after Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley upended expectations and beat state Rep. Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary for governor, Crowley said the two candidates are now on a “unity tour” of the state. The tour will hit stops across the state in the next few days. [Politico]
🙏 Corey Ruiz Will Be Laid to Rest Friday: Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy at the funeral of Corey Ruiz Friday at Fountain of Life Church. Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who is representing Ruiz’s family, will deliver a “Call to Justice.” Madison police fatally shot Ruiz on July 22. [Madison 365]
🚗 The Road Crews Giveth, and the Road Crews Taketh Away: Eastbound North Shore Drive to John Nolen Drive, and the southbound right turn from John Nolen to North Shore have both reopened as construction work has been completed. The northbound left turn from John Nolen to North Shore will remain closed until next spring as part of the John Nolen Drive reconstruction project.
- Meanwhile, traffic on Fish Hatchery Road will go down to one lane in each direction between Catalpa Road and Wingra Drive starting Aug. 17. The lane closures are the result of a construction project to connect the Cannonball Bike Path directly to the Wingra Creek Path, which is expected to be completed next spring. [City of Madison]
🏫 Elvehjem School Will Get One of These Four Names: The committee will recommend either Ada Deer Elementary, Capitol View Elementary, Stephanie A. Bernard Elementary, or Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Elementary to the Madison School Board by Aug. 24.
- The district decided to change the name of the school after learning that Conrad Elvehjem, a renowned scientist and former UW-Madison president, signed a racial covenant in 1931 prohibiting Black people from living in his neighborhood. [🔒WSJ, HNG News]
🎟️ Barrymore Theatre Gets New Frontman: Jared Duymovic has been named to lead the east side Barrymore Theatre. The former director of programming at Overture Center will start at the end of August, taking the reins of the historic theater from longtime general manager Steve Sperling, who is retiring after over 30 years. [Isthmus]
🎸 Dave Matthews Band Will Crash Into Kohl Center: Tickets go on sale Aug. 21 to see Dave Matthews Band perform Nov. 4 at the Kohl Center. Like Phish did in June, Matthews is using the Madison arena as the first stop on his tour. [UW Badgers]

RIP to These Iconic Madison Restaurants

Blackened mahi-mahi from Jolly Bob’s. A morning bun from Ovens of Brittany. A She-meh-neh late-night burrito from Burrito Drive. And, as of last month, the dim sum at Hong Kong Cafe.
These are just a few of the Madison dishes that now live on only in our memories, as the restaurants that once served them are now long gone. On today’s City Cast Madison podcast, the team commiserated about the restaurants, bars, and cafes that we still miss. It’s a healing process, trust me.
We also asked our readers and listeners to share their favorite defunct restaurants, and dozens of you responded. Here are some of your old favorites you just can’t let go of. Thanks to everybody who wrote in!
“Paco’s on State Street. Besides delicious food, there was a great bar that limited their margaritas to three per person, for good reason!” – Elizabeth B.
“Cafe Continental on King St. Nick Schiavo and his family were so wonderful and kind and the place was magic! Really magic! Nick, his mom Rose Marie, and dad Tony and the amazing bar! Simply magic is what it was and I have not been able to find the magic anywhere.” – Danielle V.
“I really miss Lulu’s. It was my go-to spot for working lunches and their hummus was the only I could get without garlic. Their specials were always great and I loved their falafel sandwiches.“ – Molly C.

What To Do
Thursday, Aug. 13
- 🖌️ Artists’ Talk and Reception--Wence Martinez & Roberto Torres Mata at James Watrous Gallery
- ⚡ The Cap Times Power Hour with Josh Glessing at The Edgewater Hotel
- 🎤 Concerts on the Shore at San Damiano Park: The Last Revel at San Damiano Park
- 🎶 Fink at High Noon Saloon
- 🧘 FREE Sunset Yoga at The Edgewater: Jack Johnson + Ben Harper Tunes at The Edgewater
- 🪕 Golden Shoals at North Street Cabaret
- 🧒 Grand Tiny Parade at Madison Children's Museum
- 🇲🇽 Kids Concerts in the Park: Ometochtli Mexican Folk Dance! at Grand Crossing Park in Monona
- 🎥 MMoCA Cinema • Gangsterism at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
- 🍷 Pinots on the Patio at Buck & Honey's
Friday, Aug. 14
- 🎸 American Vanity - 17 Tour at The Annex
- 😆 The Birds & the BS at Crucible
- 🌷 Blooms on the Farm: Blooms, Brews, & Babies at Schuster's Farm (through Aug. 30)
- 🤠 Dale Watson and His Lone Stars at High Noon Saloon
- 🧒 Gabby’s Dollhouse at Madison Children's Museum (through Aug. 16)
- ♻️ Mooveapalooza!: Donation & Recycling Event at Alliant Energy Center
- 🎶 NeuroArts Festival & Sound Garden at Olbrich Botanical Gardens (through Aug. 15)
- 👠 Spirits & Sequins Drag Bingo at Yahara Bay Distillers
- 🎭 Trevor - The Musical at Overture Center Playhouse (through Aug. 22)
- 🪩 Work It! A 90s & 2000s R&B And Hip Hop Night at Majestic Theatre
📰 Extra! Extra! Henry Vilas Zoo had a great “Hump Day” on Wednesday as they welcomed a new camel this week. Quora is a female Bactrian camel who arrived Monday from Minnesota, and will soon be introduced to the zoo’s male camel, Luther, in the hopes of producing some little camels 🐫
Free · Daily
