Public art by nature assimilates itself into our surroundings, but 77 Square's Lindsay Christians reminds us that these projects also have compelling origin stories, in this report on Erika Koivunen and the "Gateway Sculpture" she's creating for Willy Street. (For further context on the project, see this post from Willy Street Blog.) 

In case you're wondering whether you can drop $300 to see a show near East Towne Mall on Saturday, 77's preview of Ginuwine's Saturday show at My Buddies Bar has the affirmative answer. It's sure to be the most fabulous '90s flashback to hit Madison since Coolio came to Scatz. 

Portuguese director Miguel Gomes' film Tabu comes to Cinematheque's Vilas Hall screening room on Friday night, and Isthmus' Jessica Steinhoff welcomes it with a review praising its "stunning black-and-white images [that] reference both the silent-film era and the French New Wave movement."

Rob Thomas of 77 Square says Community creator Dan Harmon's live podcast from the Majestic on Wednesday comprised "a loose, improv-heavy 90 minutes of confessional comedy, nerd cultural references, and potty jokes." Speaking of nerd culture, Mark Riechers tracks down how it's grown and diversified locally in an Isthmus piece this week.

77 Square's Andy Downing finds those associated with Justin Vernon's April Base recording studio are a bit publicity-shy, but reports that Madison band Land of Vandals did some recording there in 2011.

Lastly, if you're looking for a smart-alecky preview of Saturday night's A Prairie Home Companion broadcast from the Overture Center, I wrote an Isthmus piece about Garrison Keillor's approach to song.

Image courtesy of the Williamson Gateway Sculpture Facebook page.