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Ladysmith Black Mambazo coming to Barrymore Theatre

Ladysmith Black Mambazo coming to Barrymore Theatre

The South African musical collective, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, will perform at the Barrymore Theatre June 18.

The group has performed for more than 50 years. Its distinctive style combines the harmonies of native South African musical tradition and the sounds of Christian gospel music.

The group was founded by Joseph Shabalala in the early 1960s, taking the names of his rural hometown, Ladysmith; adding a reference to strong oxen, black; and the Zulu word for axe, Mambazo.

Tickets are available online through the Barrymore website.

Living next door to bees: The pitfalls and perks

Living next door to bees: The pitfalls and perks

Madison buzzed last year when urban beekeeping became legal, but not everyone loves living near a hive. While they are relatively few, the city has received some complaints about beekeepers over the last year.

According to zoning administrator Matt Tucker, there are 39 beekeeping licenses out in Madison, and only about three or four have had complaints lodged against them since the ordinance passed in February 2012. This is comparable to complaints about Madison's urban chicken raisers, Tucker said.

He noted the issues that most commonly come up with beekeepers have to do with the personal responsibility of keepers, like hives resting closer to lot lines than the ordinance allows.

Loni Broesch has filed multiple complaints about her neighbor and said she's miserable living next to a beekeeper.

At public forum, residents weigh in on possible Metro route changes

At public forum, residents weigh in on possible Metro route changes

Adjustments proposed for Sheboygan Avenue, Allied Drive   

Around 30 people attended a public hearing Wednesday evening to weigh in on possible changes to Madison bus routes.

The City of Madison Transit and Parking Commission listened to the comments and concerns of about 20 Madison residents. Most attendees focused on the proposed changes to bus routes 14 and 15 at Sheboygan Avenue on the west side, but others had suggestions for routes 9, 10 and 18, among others.

In the end, "30 percent will like [what's changed]; 30 percent will hate it; 30 percent won't care; 10 percent won't realize there was a change," said Transit Schedule Planner Colin Conn. "That’s just standard."

Community center holds 3rd annual spring brunch

Goodman Community Center is offering its third annual all-you-can-eat spring brunch for those looking to celebrate Easter weekend with a local meal.

The center will provide a menu boasting pancakes, eggs, crepes, bacon and other options during three seatings at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Adult tickets are $20, children ages 3-12 are $7 and those under 3 can eat for free. Advanced tickets are recommended and can be bought online at www.goodmancenter.org. Tickets will also be sold on-site.

Proceeds from the brunch will go toward programs offered at the Goodman Community Center, such as the Ironworks Cafe and Working Class Catering, which will be preparing the meal.

Work by deaf artists on display at DHS

Work by deaf artists on display at DHS

Art reflects 'unique abilities'   

Paintings, photographs, sculptures, and other works of art created by Wisconsin residents who have varying degrees of hearing loss, plus artwork by sign language interpreters, is on display at the Department of Health Services building in downtown Madison to commemorate Deaf History Month, celebrated March 13-April 15.

Linda Huffer, director of the Office Deaf and Hard of Hearing at DHS, said the exhibit is meant to give attendees a sense of the challenges of hearing loss.

"These amazing works of art reflect the richness and diversity of people who have a hearing loss and those who work with them,” Huffer said in a news release. 

Secretary-elect Kitty Rhoades invited everyone to come and view the artwork at the DHS headquarters this month.

Man dies from apparent heroin overdose on east side

Man dies from apparent heroin overdose on east side

A 36-year-old Madison man has died from an apparent heroin overdose on the city's east side, according to Madison police, and another man faces charges in connection with the case.

Emergency personnel responded to the 3800 block of Johns Street Wednesday night about 7:45 p.m. for a report of an unresponsive person. When they got there, the man was not breathing and didn't have a pulse.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, apparently due to a heroin overdose.

Police found Travis Hottinger, 35, at the home with the victim. Police arrested Hottinger, who was charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Portrait of a Madison boxer: The rush and the redemption

Former professional boxer Andrea Nelson will be the first to tell you: boxing is a male-dominated sport. That’s OK with her -- she doesn’t consider herself particularly feminine.

“I’m just a physical person,” said Nelson. “I just need that push. I need to always be pushing my boundaries.”

When Nelson first showed up to Ford’s Gym to learn boxing basics in the late 1990s, Bob Lynch -- who later became her coach -- thought she was a man. Nelson, now 46, showed up at the east side gym with her hair tucked back, bearing tattoos and muscular arms. She had already established herself as a champion in Okinawan martial arts.