While this is not an all inclusive list, we hope it provides a representation of events in the Madison area.
January
I Have A Dream Banquet and Ball
Women in Focus annual scholarship fundraiser with social hour, dinner and dancing. $65 per person/$520 for a table of eight. 6-11:30p. Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr. 833-8424. womeninfocus.net/dream.htm
Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Recognition Breakfast
Nearly 200 students from middle and high schools all across Dane County are recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments and volunteer service. 7:30a. 251-8550. ulgm.org
29th Annual Tribute and Ceremony Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The oldest event of its kind in the country and the state's official celebration, the noon gathering at the Capitol Rotunda will be broadcast live on Wisconsin Public Radio and Television with "Higher Ground's" Jonathan Overby as executive producer and emcee.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Service Day
Honors the King holiday through a massive mobilization of youth performing volunteer service projects. MLK Youth Service Day is a collaboration of many Dane County youth-service organizations, including United Way of Dane County, the Dane County Youth Board and the Urban League. 8a-4p. Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr. ulgm.org
Photo Exhibition: "Our Mexico, Our Roots"
A celebration of the culture and traditions of Mexico. Through March 22. Overture Center, 201 State St. More info: mayrarangel@charter.net
February
Kids in the Rotunda
Art Shegonee shares Native American stories and dance. Free arts program designed for children and families. 9:30a, 11a, 1p. Overture Center, 201 State St. overturecenter.com
Tu B'Shevat Community Seder
Jewish holiday celebrating trees and the fruits they produce. Dinner event. 4p. Goodman Jewish Community Campus, 7762 Cty. Hwy PD, Verona. jewishmadison.org
Community GroundWorks at Troy Gardens Celebration
Presentations on Troy Garden's programs and community potluck. Lakeview Lutheran Church, 4001 Mandrake Rd. 6-8p. 240-0409. troygardens.org
International Festival
Family-friendly fun featuring international dance, music, food and crafts. 11a-5p. Overture Center, 201 State St. overturecenter.com
Jones-Robinson Scholarship Dance
Benefit to raise money for students from single parent households who want to further their education. Dancing, DJ and cash bar. The Edgewater, 666 Wisconsin Ave. 8p-1a. More info: Mahlon Mitchell, 698-2333.
April
AIDS Network Red Ribbon Affair
Cocktails, hors d'ouevres, dinner, silent auction and entertainment. New this year is a VIP reception on top of the Hilton. $85. 6:30-10p. Madison Hilton Monona Terrace, 2 E. Wilson St. 252-6540 x21. aidsnetwork.org
Wunk Sheek's 33rd Annual Spring Traditional Pow-Wow
Celebrate with the Native American community at this social gathering and traditional way of connecting featuring Native American dancing, drumming, arts and crafts. Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton St. 715-304-9033. More info: ambowman@wisc.edu
Earth Day Celebration
Interfaith and multicultural ecospirituality event sponsored by Circle Sanctuary. Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, near Barneveld. circlesanctuary.org
El Dia Del Nino
Children's health fair. Entertainment, kids' activities and more. 9a-12p. Oregon Sports and Fitness Club, 155 Braun Rd., Oregon. latinochildren.org
2009 Return to Tradition Pow-Wow
MATC, 3550 Anderson St. More info: vahedo@matcmadison.edu
Celebrate Madison! Festival
A day's worth of cultural performances and children's cultural crafts. MATC Downtown Campus, 211 N. Carroll St. cityofmadison.com
July
2009 National Women's Music Festival
Festival celebrating women musicians. Also includes workshops, crafts marketplace, films, networking and conferences. Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q. Hammons Dr. wiaonline.org
Capitol City Band
For forty-plus years, the Capitol City Band has played the classics. Conductor Jim Latimer leads some of the area's finest musicians a twelve-concert series of hour-long concerts. Thursdays, 7p. Rennebohm Park, 115 N. Eau Claire Ave. More info: Jim or MJ Latimer, 835-9861.
Israel Independence Day Celebration
Performances, dairy potluck and activities. 11a. Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus, 7762 Cty. Hwy. PD, Verona. 256-8361. More info: nglick@uwhillel.org
Wisconsin Capitol Pride Weekend
Annual pride parade and gathering celebrating the LGBTQA community. Alliant Energy Center Willow Island, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way. wisconsincapitolpride.org
DCR Summer Celebration of Diversity
Picnic, potluck dinner and awarding of the Reverend James C. Wright Human Rights Award. 5-7p. Warner Park, 1511 Northport Dr. 266-4910. cityofmadison.com/dcr/index.cfm
MAGNET's Professional Golf Outing
18 holes of golf and networking dinner. Bridges Golf Course, 2702 Shopko Dr. More info: info@madisonmagnet.org
Dane County Fair
Rides, petting zoo, exhibit hall and fair food. Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way. danecountyfair.com
Annual OutReach Awards Banquet
35th anniversary awards are presented to the woman, man, organization, ally and outreach volunteer of the year. 5:30-9p. Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr. More info: outreach@outreachinc.com
Fiesta Hispana
A colorful and joyful public celebration of Hispanic heritage with ethnic foods, music and dancing. 11a-10p. Warner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Ave.
100 Black Men Golf Outing
Golf tournament and banquet. Bergamont Golf Course, 699 Bergamont Rd., Oregon. 100bmm.dojiggy.com
August
ACT Ride
Fundraiser for the AIDS Network. Three-day, three hundred-mile ride through thirteen counties. aidsnetwork.org
Capitol City Band
For forty-plus years, the Capitol City Band has played the classics. Conductor Jim Latimer leads some of the area's finest musicians in a twelve-concert series of hour-long concerts. Thursdays, 7p. Rennebohm Park, 115 N. Eau Claire Ave. More info: Jim or MJ Latimer, 835-9861.
Fourth Annual Kidlinks Africa Alive Festival
Enjoy entertainment for the whole family and an opportunity to help children orphaned by AIDS. 2-8p. Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton. More info: Cristianne Wendler, 658-1772. kidlinksworld.org
Troy Gardens Savor the Summer Festival
Celebrate local abundance at this BYO picnic. Family fun, free food samples, music, tutorials and more. 3-8p. Troy Community Gardens, 3601 Memorial Dr. troygardens.org
The Johnny Winston, Jr. 2009 Streetball and Block Party
Music, youth drill and dance team competition, basketball tournament, free bingo sponsored by DeJope Gaming, pony rides and face painting. 12-7p. Penn Park, 2101 Fisher St. 347-9715. More info: johnnywinstonjr@hotmail.com
Dane Dances
Free Friday night dances held on Monona Terrace's rooftop that celebrate the summer and the diverse musical groups within the city. Groups ranging from jazz ensembles to salsa bands perform. Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr. 5:30-10p. danedances.org
Hava Nagila Jewish Community Picnic
Jewish community information lane, food, hayrides, inflatables, swimming and more. 11a-2p. Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Jewish Community Campus, 7762 Cty. Hwy. PD, Verona. 278-1808. More info: Dina Weinbach, dina@mjcc.net
Africa Fest
Community-based cultural and educational event devoted to grassroots cultural heritage. 10a-7p. Warner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Ave. More info: Aggo Akeya, aggotete@yahoo.com
Bayview Triangle Ethnic Fest
Madison's continually evolving Greenbush neighborhood celebrates its tradition of ethnic diversity with food, music and dancing from around the world. 256-7808.
Dane County Paint-a-thon
Free exterior home painting for lower-income homeowners. Volunteer event. projecthomewi.org
Annual 100 Black Men School Picnic
1,500 students will receive backpacks filled with school supplies and a picnic lunch. Tour the Wienermobile, a fire truck, police car and the Bookmobile. 10:30a. Demetral Park, 601 N. 6th St. 285-6753. More info: Wayne Canty, wcanty@kraft.com
September
2009 ASANA Women's Softball World Series
An event sure to attract Madison's LGBT softball league players and enthusiasts (and many more), the Amateur Sports Alliance of North America's annual tournament will be held for the first time in Madison. http://ssblmadison.com/series2009.htm
Comite Festival Mexicano
Mexicans and Latinos living in Wisconsin will celebrate the 199th anniversary of Mexican Independence with traditional music and food. Warner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Ave. 695-6299. More info: Mayra Rangel, mayrarangel@charter.net
YMCA Activate America
Family-friendly event includes an inflatable obstacle course and many exciting kids' activities. 664-9622 x 1015. More info: Sharon Baldwin, sharon.baldwin@ymcadanecounty.org
Rhumba 4 Rainbow
Madison's premier salsa event and a charity fundraiser to prevent child abuse. Salsa dance contest, spectacular Latin floor show, food and prizes. 7p-12a. $30. Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q. Hammons Dr., Middleton. More info: Sharyl Kato, skato@therainbowproject.net
October
Latino Health Fair
Free adult health screenings and kids' activities. 10a. Oregon Sports and Fitness Club, 155 Braun Rd, Oregon. More info: Fabiola Hamdan, hamdan@co.dane.wi.us
3rd Annual Stomp Da Madness-Stepshow Competition
Stepshow competition featuring Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Zeta Phi Beta, Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Phi Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho. Memorial Union Theater, 800 Langdon St. 262-2201.
December
Ebony Fashion Fair
The world's largest traveling fashion show celebrates its 52nd anniversary, equipped with special effects and hip hop/R&B music. Benefit for Madison Links Student Scholarship Fund. $45. 8p. Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Dr.
Hanukkah Chagiga-Community Hanukkah Celebration
More info: dina@mjcc.net
Interfaith Awareness Week
Exhibits, programs, open houses and other activities. Capitol Rotunda and other sites around the city. http://interfaithsociety.blogspot.com
Winter Solstice Pageant
Music, storytelling, costumed Yuletide characters, charity food drive and world peace meditation. First Unitarian Society, 900 Unversity Bay Dr. circlesanctuary.org/wintersolstice
Fourth Annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration
Come learn the history of Kwanzaa. Musical entertainment and dancing. Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave. More info: Edith Hilliard, 249-7155.
