Wisconsin 101

Stars of Silent Film

The Ringling Theatre featured many forms of entertainment throughout the years, including live theatrical performances as well as silent films. At the time when the theatre was built in 1915, silent films were becoming more popular because advancements in film technology allowed…

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July 18, 2024

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Baraboo / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Related Stories / 1900-1918 / Sauk County / Region 7 - South Center / Usher Uniform

The Al Ringling Theater

Albert (“Al”) Ringling was the eldest brother of the Ringling family and was credited with both the creation of the famous Ringling Brothers Circus and the construction of the Ringling Theatre. Al also played an incredibly important role within the circus as its program…

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July 18, 2024

Art, Sport & Entertainment / New Object Histories / Baraboo / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Object Histories / Clothing, Apparel & Fashion / 1900-1918 / Sauk County / Region 7 - South Center / Usher Uniform

OBJECT HISTORY: Ringling Theater Usher Uniform

On November 17, 1915, the Ringling Theatre opened in the city of Baraboo, Wisconsin; the newest movie palace in the area at a time, these venues were becoming increasingly popular throughout the United States. Movie palaces were a curated experience, where one…

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July 17, 2024

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Dane County / Madison / Related Stories / 1965-1987 / 1987-2011 / Region 7 - South Center / Smart Banner

The History of Smart Studios

Smart Studios, founded by Butch Vig and Steve Marker, was a recording studio located on Madison’s east side. Over its twenty-seven years of operation, Smart Studios was responsible for producing music for both local acts and world-famous artists in the late twentieth…

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July 13, 2022

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Dane County / Madison / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Related Stories / 1987-2011 / Region 7 - South Center / Smart Banner

Garbage’s Origins in Madison

Out of all the bands and musicians who have roots in Wisconsin’s capitol city, Garbage is perhaps one of the most successful products of the Madison music scene, having sold more than seventeen million albums worldwide over the course of their career.Garbage…

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July 13, 2022

Art, Sport & Entertainment / Viroqua / Object Histories / Music, Theatre & Cinema / Curators' Favorites / Vernon County / 1965-1987 / 1987-2011 / Region 6 - South West / Smart Banner

OBJECT HISTORY: Butch Vig’s Drum Set

When the Beatles performed on the February 9, 1964, "Ed Sullivan Show," teenage girls in the studio swooned and those at home went crazy with excitement. Adolescent boys, however, couldn't keep their eyes off band member Ringo Starr's Ludwig drum kit with…

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July 13, 2022