Concerts on the Rooftop

Enjoy sweeping views, gentle lake breezes and some of the area's best music on Thursday evenings in summer at Concerts on the Rooftop!  The free concerts take place in June and July and offer great opportunities for food and fun with family and friends on the magnificent Monona Terrace rooftop garden!  Sample refreshments from the Lake Vista Cafe, which offers a wide variety of gourmet light fare, as well as assorted drinks, wine and beer. Picnic baskets are welcome. Sorry, no carry in alcohol please.  In the case of inclement weather, please call 608-261-4000 after 2:00 pm for concert location.  Stay tuned for the 2011 program line-up!

Here's what some past participants had to say:

“Fantastic way to spend an evening- great music and views of Lake Monona and the sun setting behind the Capitol.” –Anonymous, summer 2009

Dane Dances

Dane Dances is a community event created to help break down racial barriers and bring people of diverse backgrounds together for a night of FREE entertainment and dancing.  Thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds gather at Monona Terrace each Friday in August to socialize and get down!  In addition to a variety of ethnic food vendors, the Lake Vista Cafe located on the Monona Terrace rooftop will feature menu specials, specialty drinks, beer and wine along with assorted snacks.  DJ Laurie Mlatawou will also perform each evening at 5:30 and 7:30 pm. In the case of inclement weather, please call 608-261-4000 after 2pm on the day of the event for concert location. 

For more information on the 2011 schedule visit the Dane Dances website.

AUGUST - 2011

05     TBD
12     TBD
19     TBD
26     TBD

*Rain backup for this concert is Alliant Energy Center.

Tunes at Monona Terrace

Kick up your heels at Monona Terrace! Tunes at Monona Terrace is a free community concert series sponsored in part by Friends of Monona Terrace. Favored by music fans and dancers alike, “Tunes” audiences enjoy menu specials at the concession kiosk, which also offers soft drinks, wine and beer. Table seating is available. A wooden dance floor is available for the enjoyment of all dancers for all of the indoor concerts. Local and regional bands ranging from polka to Big Band share their music talents in a fun, family friendly setting. Come and enjoy Tunes at Monona Terrace which has now become a Madison tradition!   

Here's what some of our past participants had to say:

6          Don Peachey Band (Big Band, Polka, Latin, Waltz)

3          The Relics (50s & 60s Rock 'n Roll)

1          Clyde Stubblefield Band (Funk, R&B)

Family Concert with Richies House of Jazz

RICHIE'S HOUSE OF JAZZ
featuring Richie Cole & Five By Design
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
7pm Madison Ballroom

Treat yourself to an unforgettable evening with vocal quintet, Five By Design in concert with very special guest...alto sax legend Richie Cole.  Celebrating Richie Cole's 40 year career with Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Eddie Jefferson, Doc Severinsen, Art Pepper, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Nancy Wilson, The Manhattan Transfer and Madison's Ben Sidran, the concert showcases Five By Design's vocal arrangements of seven Cole compositions.

The Minneapolis-based Five By Design features the artistry of four Wisconsin natives including: Lorie Carpenter-Niska, Kurt Niska, Michael Swedberg, and Terrence Niska. The ensemble's fifth member, Sheridan Zuther is originally from North Dakota. Five By Design is entering its fourteenth season as a symphony pops / jazz artist and has performed with 200 symphony orchestras throughout North America, including in-state appearances with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, and Duluth-Superior Symphony orchestras.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Music Educators Association and Monona Terrace, this concert marks the beginning of the annual Wisconsin State Music Conference and is open to the public.  As part of their Madison appearance, Five By Design and Richie Cole will be leading seminars for music teachers at the conference.