Thursday, Oct. 5
Stoughton Police Department Presents: Refuse to be a Victim
1 p.m. Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 W. Main St.
The Stoughton Police Department is sharing a monthly series about protecting yourself, with each month focusing on a different topic. October’s session will focus on scams. There are many types of scams and you will learn valuable information to help you identify if someone is trying to scam you. Officer Stachel will ask for ideas from the attendees for future topics. Held in the Annex.
Teen Game Day
3:30-5 p.m., Carnegie Room, Stoughton Public Library, 304 S. Fourth St.
Play video games, eat snacks, make friends! Ages 11-16. No registration required.
Adult Craft Club: Alcohol Ink Coasters
6:30-8 p.m., Stoughton Fire Department Training Room
Long ago, in the time of COVID, we did an alcohol ink introduction craft on paper. This time we’ll do it in-person, so we’ll have many more colors to share! Use alcohol inks to make a pair of cool, non-Covid-times, tile coasters! Materials provided, unless you have some non-permeable things to share. (Think light switch covers and glazed ceramics). Registration is required and will begin Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. Don’t have an email address? Call 608-873-6281 to register. Sign up at stoughtonpubliclibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=98
In concert: Rodney Crowell The Chicago Sessions Tour: Laurel Lewis opens
7:30-10 p.m., Stoughton Opera House 381 E. Main St.
Tickets: $50
Born and raised in Texas, two-time Grammy-winner Rodney Crowell arrived in Nashville in the early 1970s, coming to prominence first as a writer before establishing himself as a critically acclaimed solo artist in his own right. With 15 number one hits under his belt and tracks recorded by everyone from Emmylou Harris and Johnny Cash to Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, it would be difficult to overstate Crowell’s impact on roots music over the past five decades. Produced by Jeff Tweedy, Crowell’s brilliant new album, The Chicago Sessions, is as incisive, engaging, and vital as ever, touching on everything from love and mortality to race and religion as it balances careful craftsmanship with joyful liberation at every turn. For more information, visit rodneycrowell.com.
Stoughton Area School District Board of Education meeting
6:30 p.m., SASD Administrative and Educational Services Center Board Room, 320 North St.
Regular meetings will be held in the Administrative and Educational Services Center Board Room (320 North St.) or other location designated by the board on the first and third Mondays of each month, time to be set by the board. For more information, visit stoughton.k12.wi.us.
Friday, Oct. 6
Rep. Jacobson to hold office hours in Stoughton
9-11 a.m., Wildwood Café, 218 S Forrest St, Stoughton
Meet Assembly District 33 Representative Jenna Jacobson to discuss issues and topics that are important to you. No registration required.
Mandt Lodge – Sons of Norway annual Fall Fish Boil
5 p.m., Mandt Lodge, 317 S. Page St.
There are two options – carry-out pick up from 5-5:45 p.m. and inside seating begins at 6 p.m. The meal is $18/meal for the traditional fish, potatoes, carrots, onions, dessert and beverage. A gluten-free option is available.
Make reservations at signupgenius.com/go/409054CA5A72C7-mandt3. If you have questions, contact Todd Fossum 608-695-1336
In concert: Larry & Joe
7:30-10 p.m., Stoughton Opera House 381 E. Main St.
Tickets: $25
Larry & Joe were destined to make music together. Larry Bellorín hails from Monagas, Venezuela and is a legend of Llanera music. Joe Troop is from North Carolina and is a Grammy-nominated bluegrass and oldtime musician. Currently based in the Triangle of North Carolina, both men are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters on a mission to show that music has no borders. As a duo they perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else they decide to throw in the van. The program they offer features a distinct blend of their musical inheritances and traditions as well as storytelling about the ways that music and social movements coalesce. For more information, visit larryandjoe.com.
Saturday, Oct. 7
Story Time: Apples
9:30-10 a.m., Carnegie Room, Stoughton Public Library
Join Ms. Anna for stories, songs, activities, and a simple craft all about apples! Recommended for ages 2-6, but older and younger children are more than welcome.
Vesterheim annual benefit auction
Noon, Sat. Oct. 7 through 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15
The annual Benefit Auction for Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School items are available to view now at biddingforgood.com/VEST-AUCTION. The auction has 78 items, including one-of-a-kind folk-art pieces by artists working in the Norwegian tradition. There is a tremendous selection of rosemaling (Norwegian decorative painting), beautiful weavings, traditional needlework, Norwegian clothing, and creative woodworking. Many of the pieces in the Benefit Auction are donated by Vesterheim Gold Medalists and exhibition ribbon winners from Vesterheim’s biennial judged competition, “The National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition.” Contact Molly Thompson at 563-382-9681, or mthompson@vesterheim.org, with auction questions.
“Voices North of the Border: Norwegian Immigrant Experiences in Canada”
1-2 p.m., online
In this virtual presentation, after providing a brief overview of Norwegian immigration to Canada, Ingrid Urberg, PhD, will introduce some well-known and lesser-known personal narratives by Norwegian immigrants and visitors to Canada which have been published or recorded over the past century. Urberg is a Professor of Scandinavian Studies on the Augustana Campus, University of Alberta, where she has taught Norwegian language and Scandinavian literature and culture courses for nearly 30 years.
Stoughton Special Olympics spaghetti dinner fundraiser
4-7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, American Legion Post 59, 803 N. Page St., Stoughton
The 12th annual Stoughton Special Olympics Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser is $9 for people 13 and older, $7 for kids aged 5-12, under 5 free, and carry-outs are $9. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/StoughtonSpecialOlympics
In concert: Harp Twins: Camille and Kennerly – Halloween show
7:30-10 p.m., Stoughton Opera House 381 E. Main St.
Tickets: $20
Harp Twins Rockin’ Halloween Concert! You won’t want to miss this all-ages concert full of spooky songs, tantalizing tunes, comedy, and classic rock favorites! The Volfgang Twins will join the Harp Twins on double drums for the exciting finale of the concert! Free meet & greet with the Harp Twins immediately following the show. Identical twin harpists Camille and Kennerly Kitt, known as the Harp Twins, have achieved extraordinary success by taking Electric Harps and Concert Grand Harps to unprecedented levels and smashing boundaries between different genres of music. The duo has amassed over 2.5 million fans across their social media sites and over 150 million views on their YouTube music videos. For more information, visit harptwins.com.
Sunday, Oct. 8
Prairie Work Day
9-11 a.m., Schefelker Prairie at Schefelker Park
Enjoy the outdoors and help our prairies thrive with the Friends of the Stoughton Prairies. We’ll be collecting seed and pulling invasives. Gloves provided, some clippers available. Bring water, wear appropriate shoes. Long pants and hats recommended. All are welcome! Questions? Go to Stoughtonpublicworks.com or call Stoughton Public Works at 608-873-6303.
Monday, Oct. 9
Music Appreciation Series: Allen Christopher, Classical Guitar
3-4 p.m., Stoughton Opera House, 381 E. Main St.
Tickets: General admission – freewill donation
Christopher Allen earned his Doctorate of Music in classical guitar form UW-Madison, where he studied with Prof. Javier Calderon. He is currently the President of the Madison Classical Guitar Society, and teaches for Madison College and Monroe Street Arts Center. His program will consist of Spanish, South American, and traditional classical guitar works.
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Repurposed Art Box Project Class
1 p.m., Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 W. Main St.
Catherine Forde-Quintwill help you take found items like old jewelry to decorate boxes and other containers. Either bring in some of your own treasures or select from hers. A variety of boxes & containers will be available to choose from. Space is limited, please call 608-873- 8585 to register. Cost: $10.
Virtual Author Visit: Travel Tips and Tools with Rick Steves
3-4 p.m., online
Join guidebook author and TV host Rick Steves as he shares the latest in smart European travel. Register at libraryc.org/stoughtonpubliclibrary/34330. A recording will be available if you can’t watch live.
Crafty Kids: G-G-G-Ghosts
3:30 -4:30 p.m., Carnegie Room, Stoughton Library
Drop in to create all sorts of ghost decor. Ages 6-10.
Stoughton City Council meeting
7 p.m. Council Chambers, 2nd Floor of Public Safety Building, 321 South Fourth St. Or live streamed on wsto.tv/live and Spectrum Channel 981 or on TDS Channel 12.
Wednesday, Oct. 11
German American Partnership Program students presentation
1:30 p.m., Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 W. Main St.
German students being hosted by Stoughton High School families will present a program about Germany. Held in the Annex.
Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge Foundation Night Trivia
7 p.m., Mandt Lodge, 317 S. Page St., Stoughton
The lodge is raising money for the Sons of Norway Foundation, which supports members with scholarships, cultural exchange opportunities, providing disaster relief to members in need, and funding community programs that celebrate Norwegian culture and heritage. So … it is Trivia Night! You can come observe the fun for $5 to support the foundation or participate in a team of 2 people for $10, 3 people for $15 or 4 people for $20. There will be questions based on general knowledge as well as some more specific ones sprinkled in about the Sons of Norway and Norwegian culture.
There will be a basket raffle during the festivities as well and a silent auction online that will run from Oct 1-10 to benefit the foundation at 32auctions.com/SNMandtFoundation2023. It opens on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 6 a.m. and closes on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m.. Items can be picked up at Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge on Wednesday, Oct. 11, after 6 p.m. Contact Jens Arneson, Foundation Director, or Darlene Arneson, Lodge President, at arnesonfamily5@gmail.com or 608-873-7209 for more information.
In concert: Shovels & Rope: Bare Bones Tour
7:30-10 p.m., Stoughton Opera House 381 E. Main St.
Tickets: $35
As the Brontë sister wrote, “The ties that bind us to life are tougher than you imagine.” Shovels & Rope, the musical duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, embody that bond. Married for a decade, their covenant extends to blood and beyond: as parents, bandmates, and creative collaborators who can now add the pursuits of festival curators, film subjects, and children’s book authors to that mighty list. Having released four studio albums and two collaborative projects since 2008, Trent and Hearst have built their reputation on skill, sweat, and, yes, blood. Now, with the tough and elegant new record BY BLOOD, as well as their High Water Festival in their hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, “Shovels & Rope: The Movie,” and the picture book “C’mon Utah!”, Shovels & Rope are primed for their biggest year yet. For more information, visit shovelsandrope.com.
Thursday, Oct. 12
Mini Band Fitness Thursdays, Oct. 12 – Nov. 16
9:45-10:15 a.m. or 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 W. Main St.
Cost: $40/6 weeks or $9 drop-in Level Up is bringing their Mini Band Fitness course to the Senior Center! Fit for all levels and backgrounds, the course focuses on improving balance, mobility, and strength. The mini bands are low impact and joint friendly. The routines can be done from a seated or standing position. The class will include several different band tensions and modifications to meet all individual’s needs. Register at 608-873-8585. Located in the Annex.
Livsreise Visit
12:45 p.m., Livsreise, 277 W. Main St.
You are invited to Livsreise for a special afternoon. They will feature two short films from Stoughton in 1939! One is a black and white film going along Main Street – maybe you can help solve the mystery of a building they cannot identify. The other is a color film of Syttende Mai. You can also explore the galleries and their special exhibits. Either walk over with a group from the Senior Center (after Kim’s Thursday Meal), or go directly to Livsreise, 277 W. Main St.
Fifth Annual Stoughton Wine Walk
5-8 p.m., downtown Stoughton
Stoughton offers one-of-a-kind shops and a vibrant arts district. The wine walk is a great way to explore these shops and have a great time with your friends. Only 300 tickets are available. This event also helps raise money for the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Scholarship Fund. For the past 10 years, the wine walk committee has been honored to present a scholarship to a Stoughton High School senior who has demonstrated active volunteerism. This event will help us continue to reward our young active citizens. $40. Must be 21+ to participate. Sorry, no refunds. Designated Drivers are welcome! No need to pre-register. Please arrive with your friends and we will have a separate wristband for you, so you’re able to enjoy the shopping specials and N/A treats along the way. For more information, visit stoughtonwi.com/stoughton-wine-walk.
In concert: Chicken Wire Empire with Golden Shoals
7:30-10 p.m., Stoughton Opera House 381 E. Main St.
Tickets: $22
Since their formation in 2014, Chicken Wire Empire has captivated audiences around the world with their distinct brand of bluegrass and intricate bridging of traditional and modern acoustic sounds. Their high energy shows are ever-evolving, with new music constantly woven into the setlist and improvisational jams leading listeners in new directions with every performance. The band’s ability to cohesively improvise through complex arrangements is a testament to their virtuosic musicianship and years of experience playing together. Fans of bluegrass, jamgrass, and Americana music alike will appreciate Chicken Wire Empire’s innovative approach to the genre and can expect a dynamic and relentlessly engaging listening experience. For more information, visit chickenwireempire.com.
Friday, Oct. 13
Flu shot clinic
8:30-11:30 a.m., Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 W. Main St.
Now is the time to get your flu shot. Stoughton Health Staff will be offering a flu shot clinic at the Senior Center. Medicare B and Medicaid will be accepted. Please bring your insurance card for payment coverage. You must be symptom free to receive a flu shot.
Coffee with the Mayor
10 a.m., Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 W. Main St.
Stoughton Mayor Tim Swadley holds monthly public meetings at the senior center. All are welcome to join in on the discussion of the latest news! Held on the main floor.
Fall Gallery Night in Stoughton
5-9 p.m., E. Main St.
Four fine art galleries will host the 2023 fall gallery night: Abel Contemporary Gallery, 524 E. Main St.; Grand Inspired, 501 E. Main St.; Woodland Studios, 195 E. Main St. and Zovar Fine Art, 143 E. Main St.
In concert: The Cactus Blossoms
7:30-10 p.m., Stoughton Opera House 381 E. Main St.
Tickets: $25
“Hey baby, do you wanna take a trip with me? / I’ve got a feeling there might be a silver lining all around.” So begins ONE DAY, the captivating new album from critically acclaimed Minneapolis duo The Cactus Blossoms. Written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the record explores the tension between optimism and despair that’s defined much of the past few years of American life, examining the power (or naïveté, depending on your perspective) of positive thinking in the face of chaos and uncertainty. The songs here are tender and timeless, with straightforward arrangements centered around brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum’s air tight harmonies, and the performances are warm and intimate to match, delivered with a soulful, ’70s-inspired palette of playful Wurlitzer, breezy guitars, and muscular percussion. For more information, visit thecactusblossoms.com.
Saturday, Oct. 14
In concert: Taylor Ashton
7:30-10 p.m., Stoughton Opera House 381 E. Main St.
“I’ve loved these songs for as long as I can remember,” Taylor Ashton reflects. “Each one has taught me something about love, being alive, and co-existing with other humans on this crazy planet.” When Ashton first moved to New York City several years ago from Canada, it was on the heels of a breakup and the end of his band Fish & Bird. He took up busking in subway tunnels to get by, armed with his banjo and a few dozen covers. “At the end of a night, I’d come home with a banjo case full of $1 bills,” Ashton writes. “I affectionately called these “Pizza Tickets” based on how often I spent them at one of New York’s many dollar slice joints.” Hence the name of his striking new E.P. of covers, Pizza Tickets. Ashton has chosen seven beloved songs by Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Tom Waits, Alanis Morrisette and others, performed on his signature clawhammer banjo with gorgeously minimal folk-pop flourishes. For more information, visit taylorashton.com.
