City Cast Madison

Summertime in Madison is always such a treat, so City Cast Madison wants to maximize our time outdoors by enjoying live music at this year’s Concerts on the Square series on the Capitol Square. This free weekly summer concert series, which kicks off this Wednesday, is organized by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and has been a staple Madison tradition since 1983. Host Bianca Martin sits down with Music Director of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Andrew Sewell to learn more about the programming, best practices, and impact of these concerts for music lovers. Sewell also shares about his most stressful and most memorable concert moment as he celebrates his 25th season as conductor of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. VOTE for us in Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison 2024 awards! City Cast Madison is up for best ‘Local Podcast’ and our newsletter Madison Minutes is up for best ‘Local News Website’.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The City Cast Madison team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and producer Phil Surkis recap Madison’s groundbreaking celebration at the Center for Black Excellence and Culture during this year’s Juneteenth. City Council addresses the complicated issue surrounding the lack of affordable housing with the approval of four new housing projects. Plus, UW-Madison food scientists research the chemistry behind no-melting ice cream.Mentioned on the show:Madison Center for Black Excellence finally breaks ground [The Cap Times]Rev. Dr. Alex Gee reflects on Center for Black Excellence and Culture groundbreaking [Channel 3000]Madison City Council approves Old Sauk Road, Essen Haus, tiny house village developments [Wisconsin State Journal]400-ton Downtown Madison apartment building begins slow trek to new location [Wisconsin State Journal]Housing shortage drives Madison city council approval of new projects [Isthmus]UW-Madison Department of Food Science researches “no melt” ice cream [ Channel 3000]VOTE for us in Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison 2024 awards! City Cast Madison is up for best ‘Local Podcast’ and our newsletter Madison Minutes is up for best ‘Local News Website’.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Especially while reclining on a blanket, enjoying a meal in one of Madison’s over 300 parks. It’s picnic season! But, where to go? What to bring? What about bugs?! Do not worry, City Cast has you covered. Today, we’re talking with a picnic professional!Host Bianca Martin sits down with Elizabeth Morrison of Lizzy’s Picnics to talk about her favorite spots, mitigating “the bug problem”, and her go-to eats. Morrison also discusses her own business where she designs and executes custom picnics! VOTE for us in Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison 2024 awards! City Cast Madison is up for best ‘Local Podcast’ and our newsletter Madison Minutes is up for best ‘Local News Website’.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the things that makes Madison such a special city is the pride that people show when talking about their favorite places to eat, or things to do around town. Since our new City Cast producer, Phil Surkis, is a new resident, we’ve been asking our listeners and the readers of Madison Minutes to give him suggestions on where to go, what to eat and things to do. Well, Phil has been about town, and now is back to report on his findings, along with host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling.Buckle up for our third installment of what we’re calling “Must See Madison”!And, if you have a suggestion for Phil, or the whole City Cast team, please let us know here! Mentioned in this episode The Cardinal Bar Crucible Five Sotto Tavern Nakaya Elvehjem Community Garden Marquette Waterfront Festival El Sabor De Puebla Green Owl Cafe Alchemy Cafe Warner Park International Crane Foundation Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Juneteenth marks the much-anticipated groundbreaking of The Center for Black Excellence and Culture on their new 37,000-square-foot, three story center, scheduled to open in late 2025. The Center plans to offer a cultural and educational space for Wisconsin’s Black communities to tell stories, create, and celebrate their achievements.Last May, host Bianca Martin spoke with Rev. Dr. Alex Gee, the founder and visionary instrumental to bringing this new cultural center to life. Rev. Gee is also the pastor of Fountain of Life Church, the founder and CEO of Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, the host of the Black Like Me podcast.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The City Cast team is here to round up the news of the week. Host Bianca Martin and producer Phil Surkis recap three separate tragic shooting incidents that occurred this past weekend and how Madison was named 2nd safest U.S. city for pedestrians. Plus, Dane County is seeking nominations for its own Underrepresented Communities Historical Markers Program!Mentioned on the show:‘A very violent weekend’: Three Madison shootings in three days [The Cap Times]MPD chief details plans to reduce gun violence in Madison [Channel 3000]Madison Ranked #2 in Country in Pedestrian Safety [City of Madison]Dane County seeks nominations for Underrepresented Communities Historical Markers Program [Channel 3000]MPD is asking anyone who has any information or video related to last weekend’s shootings to contact their department. Information can also be sent to Madison Area Crime Stoppers online or call 608-266-6014.Submit a location for nomination for Dane County Historic Markers program.Don’t forget to VOTE FOR US for Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison 2024 awards! City Cast Madison is up for best ‘Local Podcast’ and our newsletter Madison Minutes is up for best ‘Local News Website’. Vote here. Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After almost 3 decades at the Dane County Farmers Market, Chris & Lori’s Bakehouse is celebrating its last year on the Capitol square. The bakery enjoys a cult-following for its signature scones and cow cookies and has even been named as one of Madison’s most iconic eats by Destination Madison. So why are they leaving? Host Bianca Martin spoke with co-owner Lori Robson about just that. Plus, she got the details about how to score a deal on their leftover scones.Vote for us for ‘Best of’ Madison! [Madison Magazine]Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madisonian’s love to bike. We even have a whole week dedicated to it! So when a Madison Minutes reader introduced us to MadTown BMX, we knew we had to go full throttle into learning more about this Madison gem. Host Bianca Martin spoke with the track’s operator Brian Stouffer about hosting the state championship races, how to join a beginner league, and what makes this sport fun for everyone from 2 year olds to 67 year olds. Follow their facebook for more updates.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madison, like all of us, contains multitudes, so getting to know it is a huge task. Luckily, producer and city newcomer Phil Surkis is up to the challenge. With the help of suggestions from Madison Minutes readers, Phil is trying to visit all of Madison’s must-see attractions. Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling get his thoughts and share their own takes on these Mad Town classics. Mentioned in this episode: Mickey’s Tavern Mikie’s Dairy Bar Alimentari Arboretum Drive The Bounty Gamma Ray Bar Pull Tabs The Sessions at McPike Park Madison Jazz Festival Vote for us for ‘Best of’ Madison! [Madison Magazine]Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekend, some of Wisconsin’s best musicians are playing one of our most beautiful venues in the second annual Dirt Camp festival. Host Bianca Martin caught up with one of the festival’s organizers, Joe Copeland, to talk about who's playing, what to expect, and why they wanted to host a festival at The Vines.Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram! Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices