A full season of free and low-cost outdoor fun — including live music, film screenings, outdoor recreation and art activities — will kick off at the Wisconsin Union’s Memorial Union Terrace.
In addition to classic Terrace programming, this summer, Madison’s 40,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination will host themed music weekends for patrons to enjoy. Outdoor performances as part of the Madison Jazz Festival will hit the UW Credit Union Summer Stage June 14 and 15, an Americana music spread will take place July 4 and 5, a blues funk series is set for July 18 and 19, and country music will be the feature on Aug. 7 and 8.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Union team invites patrons to Union South to join in the first-ever Camp Randall Concert Tailgates, which are pre-concert celebrations taking place steps away from this summer’s stadium performances.
On June 28 and 29, Morgan Wallen concertgoers and fans can enjoy music from DJ Aaron Jai, food and beverages, and more starting at 2 p.m. Coldplay attendees can join in the fun on July 19 before their concert and soak in live music from Madison rock band The N’achos, with food and refreshments available for purchase. All are welcome; patrons do not need a Camp Randall ticket to take part in the tailgate fun at Union South.
“There’s nothing more Wisconsin than a summer spent by the lake, and we’re proud to offer visitors a one-stop lakeside destination for months of summertime fun,” said Susan Dibbell, Wisconsin Union deputy director. “We know that the Terrace is a setting for many priceless memories — from family get-togethers to first dates, vacation gatherings to happy hour hang-outs — and are excited to be a part of many more experiences for a lifetime this summer.”
The Terrace will feature free live music performances Wednesday to Saturday throughout the summer, as well as free Lakeside Cinema outdoor film screenings on Mondays at 9 p.m., starting June 2. All music and film events are planned and presented by the student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music and Film Committees.
Patrons interested in adventuring on Lake Mendota and beyond can visit Outdoor UW to rent low-cost paddlecraft and outing equipment, including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, camping tools and hiking gear. Those looking for a guided exploration of nature can register for outdoor recreation events, including guided hikes, group paddles and family-friendly fun. Patrons can also schedule private group events in advance with Outdoor UW.
Outdoor artmaking comes back to the Terrace with the return of the Wheelhouse Studios’ Terrace Art Zone on June 12, providing patrons opportunities to enjoy free art projects on the Terrace Thursdays through Saturdays from 5-8 p.m. The Wheelhouse team also offers do-it-yourself art kits and handmade works for purchase — including some made by local nonprofit Artworking artists — during that time at the Terrace Art Cart.
Visitors can select from a variety of indoor and outdoor dining options at both Memorial Union and the Terrace, including pub food staples, cookout favorites, frosty treats and more. The Brat Stand opened for the season April 18, and the BBQ Stand will begin selling its pitmaster classics starting May 22.
Starting June 1, the WUD Games Committee will host Sunday game nights in the Rathskeller inside Memorial Union from 4-8 p.m., with different themes each week for patrons to enjoy.
Returning this year, the micro-marathon called the Teeny-Tiny Terrace Trot is set for July 26. The Wisconsin Union team invites patrons to register for this unique 0.26-mile race around the exterior of Memorial Union that the team has built for a variety of ages and abilities.
Tickets will soon become available for a drag brunch and bingo event on Aug. 3, featuring a brunch buffet alongside, performances and rounds of bingo fun.
The Wisconsin Union is a nonprofit organization that does not receive any taxpayer dollars to support its Terrace operations, Terrace season events or year-round patron services. Purchases at Wisconsin Union dining options and online store, tax-deductible donations and membership purchases help make Terrace season, Wisconsin Union experiences and student leadership opportunities possible.
For a complete and up-to-date calendar of Terrace events, visit TerraceSummer.com. The current schedule can be found below. In addition to Wednesday open mic nights, the Terrace season live music schedule includes:
- May 15: Dogtown Hollow
- May 16: Strings to Roam, Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band
- May 17: Birddog Blues Band
- May 22: Evan Murdock and the Imperfect Strangers
- May 23: Dan Maguire, Sista Sensi
- May 24: Rebulú Group, Latin Pride Orquesta
- May 29: Old Soul Society
- May 30: Rafe Carlson, Madtown Mannish Boys
- May 31: BingBong, Nester
- June 5: No Name String Band
- June 6: Ryan Meisel Quartet, Automatic Lover
- June 7: Vehicle6, Sam Lyons, Louie & The Flashbombs
- June 12: The Material Boys
- June 13: Bill Roberts Combo, Betsy Ezell Jazz Sextet
- June 14-15: Madison Jazz Festival performances, presented by the Wisconsin Union Theater and Arts + Literature Laboratory with sponsorship support from The Capital Times
- June 19: The Cajun Strangers
- June 20: Dusty Road, Get Well Now, The Flavor That Kills
- June 21: Black Star Drum Line, Okami Taiko, Toco Beach Steelpan, DJ Ka-Boom!Box, Lynda & the ZEROs
- June 26: The Whiskey Farm
- June 27: Avian Aura, One Beer Please, Wurk
- June 28: STEEZ
- June 29: Eric Chesser, with country swing dancing lessons
- July 3: Cork ‘n Bottle String Band
- July 4: Lochanside, Echo Rays, Brett Newski & the Bad Inventions
- July 5: The Mascot Theory
- July 11: Josh Harty, PHUN
- July 12: The Periodicals
- July 17: The Sorry Mountain Band
- July 18: The Emmylous, The Cash Box Kings
- July 19: Cool Front, Rare Element
- July 20: All That Jazz Big Band, with swing dancing lessons
- July 24: Northern Comfort
- July 25: Eric Ryan-Johnson, Boiled In Lead
- July 26: Krause Family Band, Cribshitter
- July 31: Katie and the Honky Tonks
- Aug. 1: Johnny Chimes, Natty Nation
- Aug. 2: Chuck Lorenzo, Panchromatic Steel
- Aug. 7: Madison Country
- Aug. 8: They Talk TOO Much, SpareTime Bluegrass, Scott Damgaard, Frank Martin Busch and the Names
- Aug. 9: Pat McCurdy, DEEP DIVE, Or Does It Explode?
- Aug. 14: Mad Chad Medicine Show
- Aug. 15: IRIS, Adem Tesfaye
- Aug. 16: Louka Patenaude and Company, Son del Atlántico
- Aug. 21: Damn Tall Buildings
- Aug. 22: Boo Mullarky, The Blue Olives
- Aug. 23: Sit Kitty Sit, Grupo Balança, The Handphibians
- Aug. 29: VO5
Returning this year on July 10 is Lakefront Live, Madison’s opportunity to enjoy a free concert from paddlecraft and watercraft on Lake Mendota. This year, local Americana and bluegrass band Annie and the Oakies will perform facing the lake. Paddlecraft are available to rent through Outdoor UW. Patrons can also use their own watercraft or take in the concert from a sunburst chair on the Terrace.
This summer’s outdoor film titles include:
- June 2: “But I’m a Cheerleader,” R
- June 9: “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” PG
- June 16, “Booksmart,” R
- June 23, “The Birdcage,” R
- June 30, “Bottoms,” R
- July 7, “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” PG
- July 14, “Mad Max: Fury Road,” R
- July 21, “Do the Right Thing,” R
- July 28, “Creed,” PG-13
- Aug. 4, “The Princess and the Frog,” G
- Aug. 11, “Mamma Mia!,” PG-13
- Aug. 18, “La La Land,” PG-13
- Aug. 25, “Pitch Perfect,” PG-13
Filmgoers can enjoy $1 hot dogs, chips and sodas starting at 8 p.m. on Lakeside Cinema Mondays as part of an exclusive film screening deal.
Outdoor recreation events through Outdoor UW include:
- May 16, June 6, July 3: Picnic Point hike and beverage on the Terrace
- May 25, June 28, July 19, Aug. 16, Aug. 31: Paddle to Picnic Point
- May 31, June 15, Aug. 10: Family paddling games on Lake Mendota
- June 20, July 26, Aug. 23: Stand-up paddleboarding and beverage on the Terrace
Events are subject to change. Visit TerraceSummer.com for more information.