About Madison's State Street

40th Annual Holiday Art Fair Expands at the
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and Overture Center for the Arts
Friday, November 19 · 5-8 pm
Saturday, November 20 · 10 am-5 pm
Sunday, November 21 · 10 am-3 pm

MADISON--The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and Overture Center for the Arts have again joined forces to present an expanded Holiday Art Fair.

The architecturally beautiful spaces of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and Overture Center for the Arts will be the setting for the expanded Holiday art Fair.

The two organizations will celebrate the Fair's 40th anniversary with an increased number of exhibitors; new features, including Friday evening shopping hours and a Patron Reception with signature drinks and hors d'oeuvres; and a revived silent auction. The Fair's favorite traditions will also return this year, including the Gourmet Gallery, the Rediscovered Art & Treasures Sale, holiday refreshments, and music performed by local arts organizations.

The MMoCA website share's a little history of the Art Fair:
"The 2010 Holiday Art Fair, like earlier fairs, is organized in conjunction with the Art League of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. The first "Holiday Open House" took place in 1971 in the gymnasium of the former Lincoln School (720 East Gorham Street), which was then the home of the museum. Early versions of the fair featured small numbers of local artists, as well as fashion shows, rug and antique dealers, and book sales. In addition to artworks, shoppers were able to purchase holiday ornaments, holly, and poinsettias."

The exquisite craftsmanship and quality is the result of a jury selection from from among 250 applicants. Offerings include paintings, prints and photographs along with jewelry, baskets, holiday decorations, clothing, and fine craft.

It will include 89 artists from as far away as Arizona. Here are a few examples of what you will see:

Elisabeth Maurland, Crane Bird Platter. Wheel-thrown white stoneware, 16-1/2 inches.

Lisa Williams, bracelet. Silver, brass and freshwater pearls.

Kaoru Izushi, shoulder shrug. Hand-loomed knitwear with intarsia technique. Material is 100% cotton, wool, alpaca or lama. Photo: Tom McInvaille.

Another delightful for art lovers:

You can preview works by participating artists-and create your own favorites list in advance of the fair-at mmoca.org; just click on Events/HolidayFair/Artists.

Did I mention the Gourmet Gallery? Is there such a thing as too much handmade chocolate? I didn't think so!

Here are some of the elegant food purveyors:

Karin Henning
Tastefully Simple
Classic Appetizers, Everyday Dinners, Wonderful Gifts
Madison, WI
www.tastefullysimple.com/web/khenning

Cher Diamond
Maurie's Fine Chocolates
www.mauriesfinechocolates.com

Maya Madden and Wayne Farra
Bird of Paradise Tea and Chocolate
www.birdofparadisetea.com

Claude and Ellen Marendaz
The Chocolate Caper
www.chocolatecaper.com

Joseph Melli
Melli Chocolates LLC
Hand-Pulled Candy Canes and Fine Chocolates
www.mellichocolates.com

During the holiday season, if the best present you can give yourself is a new home, before you contact any other Realtor, give me a call or a text, and we can chat about buying or selling your home.

October 30, 2010

Madison is bracing itself for the costumed (if contained) chaos that is Freakfest. The city-organized event will be held on State Street on Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at 7 p.m. It drew more than 55,000 people last year. Students will love the musical lineup this year. Acts will play on three stages: at the top of State Street, in Concrete Park on Frances Street and on Gilman Street at Peace Park.

A lot of excitement will be generated with OK Go is the headliner group. They became an Internet sensation due to their fun and funky Grammy-winning treadmill video, "Here It Goes Again" on YouTube video and their White Knuckles video hs averaged a million hits a day since it premiered on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and then posted online on September 20th of this year.

Here is the rest of the lineup:

Little BigTown; Stealing Angels; My Dear Disco; DJ Will Calder

Plus these great local favorites:

Danial and the Lion; Mike Droho and The Compass Rose; Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo; and Mechanical Kids

Need Costume Ideas? You know a little utrageous is the way to go! MTV Awards shows never fail to inspire: From Big Brother, Kesha's Trash Bag Dress and then the now famous Lady Gaga Meat Dress. Then you can always be a Jersey Shore Cast Member: Jersey Shore is going to be huge this year at Freakfest-just you wait and see!

There are all sorts of 2010 Halloween costume ideas and there is even a Lady Gaga Halloween costume that is a replica of the Meat Dress.

Looking for a group costume? How about one guy dressed as Tiger Woods and several of your girlfriends and guy friends in drag strolling down State Street with Tiger?