Free | Ticket required
Winter Wings in Wisconsin: A Family Concert Experience
Take flight on a joyful winter journey as Taya the Goldfinch searches for her lost friend, the Cuckoo Bird. This interactive family concert features live Baroque music performed by the internationally acclaimed ensemble VERITÀ, led and directed by celebrated educator Dr. Zeynep Alpan. Through music, movement, and sound-making inspired by the birds of Wisconsin, audiences of all ages become part of the story.
Pre-concert activities begin at 10 am and include a wing-making station, an instrument petting zoo, and a visit from the Bird Alliance, where families can learn more about Wisconsin’s birds. Coffee and tea will be provided.
The concert begins at 11 am and brings Taya’s story to life through music and audience participation, inviting listeners to listen closely, move freely, and follow musical clues as the adventure unfolds.
Families can also join a community bird scavenger hunt leading up to the concert. Starting January 18, we’ll send out one new clue each day; follow the clues to visit local Madison businesses and collect bird-themed stickers, then bring your completed collection to the concert to claim a special prize (and help reunite Taya and the Cuckoo Bird!).
Free and open to all ages, this playful winter concert is the perfect way to gather, explore, and celebrate music, nature, and community together.
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The 2026 Madison Early Music Festival (MEMF) celebrates over 20 years of excellence in early music while inaugurating a new chapter. Since its founding in 2000, MEMF has been a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s musical landscape, bringing international artists, scholars, and students together to explore historical repertoire through concerts, masterclasses, and community engagement. The 2026 revival honors this legacy while expanding the festival into an immersive, interdisciplinary experience—uniting Baroque music, dance, visual art, and innovation.
