Category Archives: Madison Arts & Entertainment

Grampa’s Pizzeria is Open Late

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Grandson to add panache, build brand around bar-born family recipe

Gilbert Altschul is opening Grampa’s Pizzeria in the former space of Larry Gleasman’s Grampa’s Gun Shop.

One of Willy Street’s longtime artisans has quietly retired as Larry Gleasman recently closed his gunsmithing business, Grampa’s Gun Shop at 1374 Williamson Street, after 30 years. Gilbert Altschul, who grew up just a few blocks away, plans to re-invigorate the location and open Grampa’s Pizzeria honoring his own grandfather, using the elder’s pizza recipe that delighted his family for years.

Gilbert’s late grandfather, William VandeHey, first created his hand-rolled pizzas while serving in the Air Force in the 1950s and ‘60s. During that time, he opened a bar and eventually sold the pies out of his establishment for a few dollars apiece. The recipe would live on at family events, and Gilbert learned how to prepare the pizza from his dad, Dan Altschul, who had learned it from William.  Continue reading →

Gateway Sculpture Seeks Support

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Facebook page launched to boost interest and donations

The tree sculpture will be located on the Williamson Street median.

The tree sculpture will be located on the Williamson Street median. Created by Artist Dave Danforth

Driving west on John Nolen Drive sometime in the future motorists will round the corner onto Williamson Street and behold a tall metal sculpture in the form of a tree. The Williamson Gateway Sculpture will be located on the median at the west end of Willy Street as a greeter for the Marquette Neighborhood.  Continue reading →

Green Turret Brings Retail to Mickey’s

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Come down for a beer and maybe that Hay Rake you have been needing

A wide selection of "recycled treasures" available at The Green Turret including some wooden skis and a knife holder.

A wide selection of “recycled treasures” are available at The Green Turret including some wooden skis and a knife holder.

You might not have noticed it, or maybe you have; but since last July there are hidden treasures for sale on the second floor of Mickey’s Tavern. The Green Turret, named for the iconic Victorian-esque architectural feature that gives Mickey’s its unique appeal, deals in what proprietor Marybeth Gaffney says are recycled treasures; not really antiques, but interesting older items.

Passing from the bar area in Mickey’s to the back rooms we have all walked past that stairwell and wondered what was at the top. Was it an apartment for some lucky soul who lived above this hipster haven, not minding the bands late into the night and the lively chatter on the patio in the summers?  Continue reading →

Gallery: Snowmageddon 2012

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Snowmageddon 2012

Images of the Wil-Mar and SASY neighborhoods during and after Snowmageddon 2012, December 19-21, 2012.

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All is calm at the intersection of Ingersoll and Jenifer Streets Thursday December 20, 2012 after the snow had completed its 24 hour assault on the Madison area. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw10.jpg]1690
Residents in the 900 block of Jenifer took advantage of the wet snow during the storm and built this Snow Family. A day later on December 21, 2012 the stand strong in the brilliant winter sun. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw11.jpg]1750
The heavy wet snows bowed many branches and numerous tree arches adorned Marquette Neighborhood sidewalks. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw12.jpg]1480
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B. B. Clarke Beach, a warm weather spot, still looks inviting on the day of the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw14.jpg]1000
B. B. Clarke Beach, a warm weather spot, still looks inviting on the day of the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw15.jpg]840
The unique roof of the B. B. Clarke Beach shelter collects a perfect layer of snow. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw16.jpg]950
A day after Snomageddon 2012, the neighborhood was a veritable Ice Forest, dazzling in the sun of the Winter Solstice. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw17.jpg]800
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Irony...Caribbean style. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw23.jpg]730
All things are equal in the Marquette Neighborhood, even the genders of snow people. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw24.jpg]690
This house endured a serious lashing but endured. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw25.jpg]740
It did not take long for sledders on the Olbrich sledding hill to transform the 13.4 inches of fresh snow into a well groomed run. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw27.jpg]730
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A solitary soul looks toward the sunset in a moment of quiet reflection only minutes before sunset on Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw29.jpg]750
Ice candles are laid out in preparation for the Winter Solstice Celebration put every year by the Friends of Starkweather Creek. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw3.jpg]700
A view up the hill in the 1000 block of Jenifer Street, Thursday December 20, 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw30.jpg]700
The Solstice Bonfire pyre is ready to herald the renewal of the season. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw31.jpg]630
4:26 p.m. December 21, 2012. Official sunset on the shortest day of 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw4.jpg]640
Marquette neighborhood in the hours after Snowmageddon 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw5.jpg]610
Snow people stand sentry in the 900 block of Willy Street. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw6.jpg]570
Willy Street in the hours after Snowmageddon 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw7.jpg]680
Willy Street in the hours after Snowmageddon 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw8.jpg]590
Willy Street in the hours after Snowmageddon 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw9.jpg]590
Willy Street in the hours after Snowmageddon 2012. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw32.jpg]220
Wet snow all day on December 20, 2012 fell mostly straight down until the evening when the wind picked-up and the temperature dropped. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw33.jpg]240
The traffic lights at Ingersoll and Willy soldier on in the face of a snowy gale. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw34.jpg]280
Patterson and Jenifer Streets on December 21, 2012. Even the side streets were relatively passable only 12 hours after the snows had stopped. [img src=http://willystreetblog.com/wp/wp-content/flagallery/snowmageddon-2012/thumbs/thumbs_pw36.jpg]310
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Dreaming of Big Blue. Canoes at the ready for summertime, but a bevy of wintertime activities await once the surface is frozen.
 

Images of the Wil-Mar and SASY neighborhoods during and after Snowmageddon 2012, December 19-21, 2012.

See more from the SASYNA facebook page

Winter Solstice Celebration

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The 10th anniversary of the Starkweather Solstice Bonfire is at dusk (4:30 pm) on Friday, Dec 21 at the Olbrich Park ball diamond.

This is the 21st event (twice a year).  Volunteers are welcome.  No weather postponement date. Contact John Steines is you are available to help with traffic, set up, or as a fire guard.

Winter Solstice 2009

Continue reading →

Politics As Usual

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WSB now features selected stories from the Chay Presents Storyteller Show

Every third Sunday the Chay Presents Comedy Night series features a Storyteller show based on a theme. The stories are told by mostly local comics, but also writers, performers, as well as significant and up and coming figures withing the community.

This Sunday (October 14) is the first Storyteller show at Chay’s new venue in the Atlas Improv space at 609 E Washington Avenue. The timely theme “Politics As Usual”, falls in the thick of the presidential debates. Willy Street Blog has attended the last two shows and  will be featuring selected stories from those performances (the first is linked below), and hopefully more in the future.

Hear the stories from the August 16, 2012 show “One More Chance”

Willy Street Fair 2012 – Sunday

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Fantastic parade kicks off great final day at the Fair

The parade ends with a impromptu street party, the Bubbleman himself, Jim Wildeman can’t help but grin.

I heard it from several people over and over again that the 2012 Willy Street Fair was probably the best in a long time, if not ever. The weather, enthusiasm, and proud traditions combined for a second day as thousands appeared on three blocks of Willy Street to take in music, food, entertainment, and a large amount of vendors.

Almost everyone was raving about the parade, led by the Bubblemobile, that was lively and the probably the largest ever. After the parade had made a lap through the neighborhood it was time for the stretch run down Willy and its traditional finish in the middle of the 900 block; where both parade participants and viewers danced under the balloon banner for an extended period of time.

Continue reading →

Willy Street Fair 2012 – Saturday

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You really missed a great Saturday on Willy Street, parade today

As the sun sets the crowd sways to the music of St. Lucia-based Taj Weekes. Photo by: Thomas Balistreri

While its the people that make the Willy Street Fair so great, the weather was a close second. With a temperature near eighty degrees, thousands came to Willy Street on Saturday (September 15) for Day One of the Fair. Food, drink, and music filled the 900 and 1000 blocks of Williamson Street. The Main, Folk, and Electronic stages were in action with day-long line ups.  Continue reading →

Its Story Time!

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Stories from The Project Lodge Comedy Showcase Storyteller series

The multifaceted Emily Mills talks about the teenage years in Oklahoma, which involved parties in pastures with pickup trucks and punk boys named Adam.

Early one Sunday I noticed a tweet from local Dane101.com writer Emily Mills that she would be appearing at The Project Lodge Comedy Showcase Storyteller show. Immediately my mind thought of The Moth in New York City where incredible stories are often plucked and spun nationally by the radio program This American Life.

Not sure what I was going to hear, I arrived at the venue on East Johnson Street, paid the very reasonable $2 admission and found a seat up front. I left filled with stories about pot-laden midnight drives through Oklahoma, horrifying Burger King experiences, a forgettable mother-daughter trip to Egypt, and a touching narrative about one woman’s first hand job.  Continue reading →

Willy Street Fair is Here!

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Final summer celebration is this Saturday and Sunday

The Willy Street Fair Parade, circa 1985. An earlier incarnation of Jim Wildeman’s Bubblemobile still retains the iconic bubble smokestacks. The author is pedaling furiously in a homemade pedal car. Courtesy: Richard and Judith Guyot.

It is simply the best neighborhood festival in the City of Madison, and as far as I’m concerned the best festival ever. I’m a little biased having grown up with the Willy Street Fair (September 15-16) in my backyard, but i’m sure all will agree this weekend’s event is the best expression of what it means to live, work, and play in the Marquette neighborhood.

We have arrived at the end of a great summer for festivals in the Marquette neighborhood despite the wish for a little more rain and less heat. The weather for this weekend will be sunny and in the mid-70s which will bring throngs of people to the 900 and 1000 blocks of Williamson Street.

Continue reading →