Looking for fun and free ways to celebrate Earth Day this year? From volunteer work parties and nature hikes to film screenings and research lectures, UW–Madison Earth Fest has an event for every interest. Held across campus from April 17 to 23, Earth Fest boasts 50-plus events, most of which are free and open to the public.
Entering its third year, Earth Fest’s mission is to educate, inspire, and motivate attendees to celebrate and safeguard the one resource and place we all share: our world. Central to this year’s collection of events is the theme of motivation — and what better way to find yours than through the arts?
As you plan your Madison Earth Day itinerary, don’t miss these eight arts events at UW–Madison Earth Fest.
Film
Dreams of the Abandoned Daughter
Friday, April 17
5–7 p.m. | Chazen Museum of Art
Imagine a world where humans can communicate with the vast fungi networks running beneath our feet: mycelium! Join us for the Madison premiere of this dance-film that explores the climate crisis, blending social impacts of climate change with Korean myth.
Earth’s Greatest Enemy
Wednesday, April 22
5:30–7:30 p.m. | 1101 Humanities Building
Join us for a screening of Earth’s Greatest Enemy, a documentary combining investigative journalism, striking visuals, and stories from impacted communities to reveal the hidden costs of a global military empire and its planetary consequences. Provocative, urgent, and eye-opening, this is a documentary that will change how you see both the military and environmentalism.
Performance
Melodies of Earth: A Flutist’s Rendition on Climate Change
Friday, April 17
7:30–9 p.m. | Morphy Recital Hall, Mosse Humanities Building
Performed by Abhinay Reddy, this program is inspired by the persisting events of climate change, presenting a journey on nature’s crisis. This recital calls out for us as humans to take action to prevent climate change from worsening even more, allowing us to experience the pathos of immense climate events and learn about climate change in an interdisciplinary way.
Earth Signals
Monday, April 20
7–9:30 p.m. | Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center
Come experience Wisconsin weather through music. We’ll discuss the science behind the weather, listen to weather translated to sound, and hear the world premiere of a new composition inspired by Wisconsin’s weather from composer Christopher Cobley.
Climate Change Theatre Action
Thursday, April 23
5:30–6:30 p.m. | Science Hall
Enjoy an evening of immersive theatrical performance in one of UW–Madison’s most iconic buildings UW theater and dance students will perform a series of short plays throughout Science Hall, culminating in a panel with UW–Madison scientists on climate change and performance.
Books and DIY
Earth Fest Forum: Finding Your Place in Environmental Action
Tuesday, April 21
4–7 p.m. | Discovery Building
The Earth Fest Forum brings together keynote speaker Isaias Hernandez and UW–Madison students for a conversation about how environmental work becomes personal, and how personal work becomes action. Featuring live screen printing, art installations, and more.
Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present and Future of the Self-Provisioning City by with Kate Brown
Monday, April 20
5–6:30 p.m. | L140 Elvehjem Building
Gardeners in cities and suburbs are reclaiming lost commons, transforming vacant lots into vibrant plots, turning waste into compost, and recreating what was once the most productive agriculture in recorded human history while simultaneously nurturing health, hope, and community. Learn about the history — and future! — of urban gardening with author and professor Kate Brown.
Tiny Terracotta Studio
Thursday, April 23
12–3 p.m. | Memorial Union Terrace
Join Wheelhouse Studios out on the Memorial Union Terrace for a drop-in creative experience. To celebrate Earth Fest, you’ll decoupage and decorate your own mini terracotta container. Grab a free seed starter kit and leave with a little green of your own.
For more information and to view the full schedule, visit earthfest.wisc.edu.