Union Terrace opens and closes sesquicentennial celebration

The fun begins and ends at the Memorial Union Terrace for the UW–Madison Sesquicentennial Celebration Aug. 21 and 22.

See also: Sesquicentennial Celebration parking tips

It starts with the hot Latin rhythms of the Chicago Samba School and ends with the celebrated homespun sound of “Simply Folk,” broadcasting live Sunday evening.

In between will be food, fun and festivities for all, at the headquarters for summer activity on campus, the Union Terrace.

• Samba music and dancing will kick off the celebration Saturday night. From 8 p.m. to midnight, the Union will resonate with the syncopated sounds of Samba during “Hot Summer Nights Extra Spicy!” which will feature samba dance lessons by Malia Ferron, Union Mini Course instructor, 8 p.m.; Los Leoncitos Capoeira, demonstrating Brazilian martial arts dancing, 9 p. m.; and Chicago Samba School, featuring costumed dancers performing the Brazilian dance of African origin, 9:30 p.m.-midnight.

From music to physics and pottery to canoeing, you’ll find plenty to do at the U on Sunday, Aug. 22 at the Memorial Union and adjacent outdoor areas. Highlights include:

• Capital City Band concert, Memorial Union Terrace, noon-1:30 p.m.
• Free canoe rentals, Terrace Boathouse, noon-6 p.m.
• Pottery lessons with the Wisconsin Union Craftshop, Terrace, 1:30-3 p.m.
• Mini Mini-Courses: Tarot, Storytelling, Harmonica; Lakefront Café, 1:30-4 p.m.
• Samba/mambo lessons with Malia Ferron, Tripp Commons, 1-2 and 3-4 p.m.
• Young Blood Brass Band and Los Leoncitos, music & dancing, 2-4 p.m., Terrace.
• Free Babcock ice cream to the first 1,000 visitors, Terrace, 3 p.m.
• “Simply Folk” performance and simulcast, celebrating its 20th season. Artists include mother-daughter duo Candace Krietlow and Holly Hafermann; Michael Lee Ammons and Pat Kennedy, steel guitar and harmonica and Cuicani: Enrique Rueda, Colombia; Francisco Lopez, Mexico; and Raquel Gonzales, Spain. 5-8 p.m.

“Plenty to Do at the U” is part of UW–Madison’s campuswide Sesquicentennial Summer Celebration Aug. 21-22. Geared to people of all ages, it features a health and recreation fair, including a fun run/walk and free youth soccer clinic, Badger Football Family Fun Day, “Cows and Wows” on the agricultural campus, as well as tours and open houses, great entertainment and much more.

On Sunday, Aug. 22, there will be free parking in all university lots and free shuttle bus service.

For more information, pick up a free publication at local food stories, coffeehouses, bookstores, neighborhood centers, the Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau and the main branch of the Madison Public Library. Or check out the complete schedule by visiting: http://www.uw150.wisc.edu/summer/.