Welcome to the Finer Things Club!

I've been thinking about this for a long time. Forming a Finer Things Club to discuss only the classiest of affairs while sipping wine and celebrating culture "in a very civilized way." (This is an homage to "The Office.") Initially it was to be more of a book/art discussion, but as a survivor of several failed book clubs, I wanted this to be a bit different.

It's my belief that finer things exist in high culture, low culture, counter-culture and everything in between. Why not explore the finer things of good old Madison, Wisconsin?

Topics may include but are definitely not limited to the following (let me know if you have any suggestions!):

• Special summer events (Concerts/Art Fair on the Square, Opera in the Park, Jazz at Five)
• Theater (UTA, Memorial Union, Overture Center, Broom Street, StageQ)
• Art shows (MMoCA, Overture, Chazen)
• Concert info/previews/reviews (UW School of Music, concerts at Overture, many other random events)
• Literature (readings at A Room of One's Own, Avol's)
• Lectures (DLS Series, Center for the Humanities)
• Restaurants/locally owned businesses

It'll be eclectic. I'll try to keep things locally based, but certain things that scream for attention might need to be addressed as well (i.e. link below).

This entry is more for induction than exploring finer things, but nonetheless:

1. I saw a woman carrying a parasol on University Ave. this afternoon. Classy.
2. This invention--though perhaps more useful in South Africa than Madison--is brilliant. (To be used for good!)

Unfortunately this is midterms week for the summer session, but hopefully I'll be back with an interesting update soon!