Isthmus food writer André Darlington tempted the fates, or at least upped his risk of chronic disease, to report two recent stories. One attempted to round up all the best Reubens in Madison, while another explored what local craft cocktail makers are doing with winter flavors. Darlington returns to the Arts Extract podcast to discuss these pieces and what he’s learned from consuming all that sauerkraut. In the episode’s second segment, the hosts preview venerable comedy troupe Upright Citizens Brigade’s Feb. 15 show at the Memorial Union, plus a few notable music events coming to campus venues.

Producer’s note:
Mark might have been sick this week, but that’s no excuse for being unable to name a single notable comedian that came up through the Upright Citizen’s Brigade. Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh are their most famous improv figures, but UCB touches pretty much every comedian with a sketch comedy background working today.

Also, comedy nerds, be cool. In our excitement, we forgot that Comedy Death Ray, the show that became Comedy Bang Bang, actually started at M Bar, not UCB L.A. But we were TECHNICALLY correct, which is the best kind of correct.

Apologies for the momentary lapses.

This week’s event highlights:

Tonight
Madison's Funniest Comic preliminary 1: Comedy Club, 9 p.m.

2/7
Erin McKeown, Jenn Grant. High Noon Saloon, 7 p.m.

Michael Perry: A Clodhopper Shoots The Breeze. Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 p.m. (sold out)

Cribshitter, Sat. Nite Duets. Great Dane Downtown, 9 p.m.

Big Gigantic, Kill Paris, Manic Focus. Orpheum Theatre, 9 p.m.

As You Like It, The Acting Company, Vilas Hall, Mitchell Theatre, 8 p.m. (through Feb. 8)

Circle Mirror Transformation, Mercury Players Theatre, The Bartell Theatre, 7:30 p.m. ( weekends through Feb. 16)

2/8
Sinking Suns, Larks Tongue, Acoustic Guillotine. Mickey’s Tavern, 10:30 p.m.

Orphan Bloom, Tiny Riots, The Faith Hills Have Eyes, Look I’m Burning. High Noon Saloon, 8:30 p.m.

Charlie Brooks And The Way It Is. Memorial Union Rathskeller, 9:30 p.m.

Cinematheque: Gideon Of Scotland Yard. Vilas Hall, 7 p.m.

Moe. Capitol Theater, 8 p.m.

Madison Symphony Orchestra with Alban Gerhardt, Overture Hall, 7:30 p.m. (through Feb. 10)

Yggdrasil, Kanopy Dance Company, 7:30 p.m. (through Feb. 10)

Gertrude Stein and A Companion, StageQ, The Bartell Theatre, 8 p.m. (in rep through March 7)

Going to Temple, Encore! Studio for the Performing Arts, Mary Dupont Wahlers Theatre, 8 p.m.

2/9
Cinematheque: Sullivan’s Travels. Vilas Hall, 7 p.m.

Duck Soup Cinema: The Lost World. Capitol Theater, 2 and 7 p.m.

Nick Offerman. Barrymore Theatre, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.

The Whiskey Farm, Mark Croft, Adriana Ramos. High Noon Saloon, 5:30 p.m.

The Avett Brothers. Orpheum Theatre, 8 p.m. (sold out)

Those Poor Bastards, Last False Hope, Nellie Wilson. The Frequency, 10 p.m.

Going to Temple, Encore! Studio for the Performing Arts, Mary Dupont Wahlers Theatre, 8 p.m.

2/10
Cinematheque: Castle In The Sky. Chazen Museum Of Art, 2 p.m.

Dietrich Gosser Brunch Time Record Release Party. Tempest Oyster Bar, 11 a.m.

United Way Bluegrass Benefit. Barrymore Theatre, 1 p.m.

Richie Cole with the Dave Stoler Trio. Brink Lounge, 3:30 p.m.

Bes Monde, Pantherz, Cowboy Winter, New Villains. High Noon Saloon, 5 p.m.

Deadstring Brothers. Frequency, 9 p.m.

2/11
C Dill, Cash Moody, Tefman, Michael Medall, DJ Pain 1. High Noon Saloon, 8:30 p.m.

2/12
Dennis Kucinich. Barrymore Theatre, 7 p.m.

West Side Story, Overture Hall, 7:30 p.m. (through Feb. 17)

2/13
Menomena, Guards. High Noon Saloon, 8 p.m.

WUD Film: Sleep Tight. Union South Marquee, 7 p.m.

8: The Gay Marriage Play, OUT!Cast Theatre, The Bartell Theatre, 8 p.m.