Isthmus 50 Fest Live Music Weekend

Madison’s Isthmus marked its 50th anniversary weekend with a Saturday night bill built around local jazz and brass-band veterans at Atwood Music Hall. (theatwoodmusichall.com) The April 18 show listed New Breed Quintet, special guest Ben Sidran and Mama Digdown’s Brass Band, with doors at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m. and tickets priced at $20 in advance and $25 at the door. (theatwoodmusichall.com) Atwood Music Hall, at 1925 Winnebago St., described the event as part of a half-century celebration for Madison’s alternative newspaper, and Downtown Madison Inc. posted the same date, venue and lineup in a March 16 notice. (theatwoodmusichall.com) (downtownmadison.org) The music booking tied the anniversary to artists with long Madison histories. Atwood said New Breed “built a Madison jazz scene” through weekly downtown jam sessions before members spun off into other groups. (theatwoodmusichall.com) Ben Sidran’s appearance connected the concert to Isthmus’ founding year. Atwood and Downtown Madison Inc. both said Sidran was instrumental in helping launch Isthmus in 1976 and has remained a contributor over the years. (theatwoodmusichall.com) (downtownmadison.org) Mama Digdown’s Brass Band supplied the other half of the bill with a group that has been active in Madison for more than 30 years. The venue’s event page said the band was releasing its 10th album, “Brass Jackson,” this month. (theatwoodmusichall.com) The concert was one piece of a broader Isthmus 50 Fest schedule that stretched beyond live music. Other anniversary events included a Paul Guse trivia night at High Noon Saloon on April 21, with proceeds benefiting Isthmus Community Media. (high-noon.com) Isthmus began publishing in 1976 and started its 50th-birthday programming on April 2, according to Wisconsin Newspaper Association reporting. That made the April 18 concert both a reunion set and a birthday party for one of Madison’s longest-running local media brands. (wnanews.com)