Events in Dodgeville, WI

Families can spend a relaxed morning at Havens Petting Farm enjoying read‑alouds, simple crafts, and plenty of up-close time with the animals. Little ones can color, play in the corn box, try the hay mow swing, and explore more of the farm. The reading portion wraps up first, and visitors are welcome to remain during regular business hours. Admission is $10 per person, with children under 2 admitted at no charge. Designed for young children and their caregivers, it offers a friendly outing to connect, learn, and play outdoors.

Adults 18 and older can take part in a three-day, two-night retreat that encourages participants to unplug, dive into creativity, and explore with purpose. Rooted in the legacy of the Taliesin Fellowship established by Frank Lloyd Wright and Olgivanna Wright in 1932, this immersive workshop offers a window into apprentice life where living, learning, and creative practice were closely connected. The weekend blends guided discussions, hands-on design activities, and time for reflection with opportunities to experience the estate and the surrounding landscape that shaped generations of apprentices. Participants share afternoon tea in the historic Tea Circle, dine in the Hillside Dining Room, and take in entertainment in the Hillside Theater. Enrollment is limited to 10 people for an intimate learning environment, and the fee is $1,800 per person.

Xtreme Hike Wisconsin is a 30-mile endurance trek at Blue Mounds State Park that brings together hikers driven to push their limits while supporting the fight against cystic fibrosis. Participants commit to a suggested minimum fundraising goal of $2,500 that benefits Cystic Fibrosis Foundation research and care programs, and this contribution also covers a comprehensive weekend package. The experience includes lodging, fully stocked rest stops with snacks, lunch, and beverages, on-site medical and first-aid support, and welcome items such as a hiker bag and exclusive event gear. In the lead-up to the weekend, hikers receive guidance through practice outings at locations across Southeastern Wisconsin along with a detailed training calendar to build endurance and confidence. During the event, experienced volunteer guides lead the route across the park’s scenic trails, and enthusiastic volunteers staff rest stops that offer protein-rich snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables, beverages, lunch, and medical support. New touches and improvements are introduced each year, and the event fosters a dedicated community focused on moving closer to a cure for cystic fibrosis. Questions can be directed to Lisa Fero at lfero@cff.org.

Hosted by the Barneveld Music Department at the Barneveld School District, this first annual mattress sale fundraiser features a pop-up showroom with a wide selection of mattresses from brands such as Simmons Beautyrest, Purple, and Malouf at discounted pricing. Many models are manufactured in Wisconsin and built to order after the event, with production and delivery scheduled in the weeks that follow. Shoppers will find all sizes, warranty options ranging from 10 to 20 years, and financing. The sale also highlights adjustable bases and split king sleep systems. The fundraiser runs for one day, and every purchase supports Barneveld music students.

This talk examines how the Driftless Area’s distinctive landscape shaped Frank Lloyd Wright’s approach to design, then connects that story to present-day questions of community resilience and environmental care. The program features Curt Meine, a senior fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Center for Humans & Nature, and an adjunct associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students.

Hillside Theater at Taliesin presents a special screening of Sunset Boulevard, the celebrated Billy Wilder drama that once played at Taliesin in 1951. The story follows a faded silent-film icon who pulls a struggling young screenwriter into her quest for a comeback, a collaboration strained by her consuming ego. Starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson, and Erich von Stroheim, the film is rated TV-PG, runs 110 minutes, and was released in 1950. Tickets are $10. Doors open ahead of the show with introductory remarks before the screening. Presented in partnership with the River Valley Film Club.

Spend three days and two nights focused on sourdough baking with regionally grown, stone-milled grains. Geared to adults 18 and older, this weekend workshop blends instruction and hands-on practice in a small group of only 10 participants, allowing for individualized guidance. Learn time-tested methods for working with sourdough, from mixing and shaping to baking, then sample the results. Participants leave with a sourdough starter, recipes, and practical tips, plus insights into supporting the local grain economy. Tuition is $1,800 per person. The format encourages attendees to disconnect, immerse themselves in the process, and explore the craft in a focused setting.

Learn the art and purpose of saving seeds with Kitchen Gardener Abbie Gale Lehman. The class explores seed saving in both cultivated beds and natural areas, with guidance on climate zones, plant taxonomy, life cycles, pollination, and propagation so you can choose and handle seeds confidently. You will look closely at seed anatomy, tell different seed types apart using knowledge of selective pollination, and consider the steps that carry seeds from harvest to germination. By the end, you will know how to gather, process, store, and even prepare certain seeds as food. Participants receive additional resources for continued learning and take home seeds from Taliesin. Tuition is $35. Instruction and seeds are included. The session may be canceled if fewer than seven people are registered one week in advance. Abbie grew up on a small farm in the Driftless, earned a degree in Geography and Environmental Science from UW-Platteville, and has worked in the farm-to-table movement both on the farm and in the kitchen. She is the Kitchen Gardener at Taliesin Preservation.

Everyone is welcome to a friendly gathering where you can participate, relax and listen, or learn something new. Please note that the kitchen closes before the store.

A lively electric piano performance brings upbeat energy to a fun Sunday. Expect spirited keys and feel-good rhythms that set a cheerful vibe.

This three day, two night retreat at Taliesin welcomes adults ages 18 and up to explore yoga, meditation, and mindfulness in a small, focused setting. Guided sessions span asana for movement, pranayama for breathwork, meditation, and unhurried time in nature, offering fresh ways to experience the historic spaces and surrounding landscape. Days flow from early light into evening with opportunities to reset, rejuvenate, reflect, and connect through shared practice. No prior experience is required. The fee is $1,800 per person, and participation is limited to 10 people for an intimate atmosphere and personalized instruction.

Timeless Farm in Arena, Wisconsin hosts a schooling show that welcomes riders from first strides to advanced, and horses from green to fully made. The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program classes are featured again, and the series includes the long-running Fall Cool Down. Courses are styled after the A circuit, the grounds are attractive with plenty of parking and available overnight stabling, and the Horse Emporium tack shop will be on site for equestrian needs. Spectators are invited to enjoy the action at no charge. Competition ranges from groundpole hunters through jumpers up to 3'6", with all jumper divisions running before the hunter divisions. Jumper classes follow Table II, Section 2b for first rounds with a timed jump-off, and Table II, Section 1 for second classes as a single timed round with faults. A $100 2'6" Timeless Farm Mini Prix is part of the jumper offerings. Hunter sections include options such as cross rails, very green, beginning, special, suitable, and open, with both over-fences and flat classes, and groundpole classes are open to any horse or pony. All classes count either toward Timeless Farm year-end series awards or toward Jockey Club TIP awards, and riders should indicate their choice on the entry form. Thoroughbreds may enter both to earn double ribbons and prizes, and a valid TIP number is required on the entry. Courtesy warm-up rounds are available for an additional class-fee round, limited to one per class and not judged, with sign-up in the show office and notice at the gate. Entry pricing is $15 per hunter class, $20 per jumper class, $25 for the Mini Prix, plus a $20 office fee per horse. Stalls are limited and require prepaid reservation, priced at $40 per day without shavings or $75 per night including one bag of shavings, with additional shavings available for $15 per bag, and stall fees are nonrefundable. The ring is open for schooling until the show begins. Horses must have a current negative Coggins and proof of flu and rhino vaccination within six months, and only healthy horses may attend.

Whether you want to take part, simply listen, or learn something new, everyone is welcome. Please be aware that the kitchen closes earlier than the store.

Shoppers can hunt for unexpected bargains at the Iowa County Humane Society garage sale while supporting animal care with each purchase. Turn treasure hunting into real help for animals and discover items you did not realize you needed.

Spend three days and two nights immersed in the craft of fine chocolate with guidance from Gail Ambrosius. This hands-on culinary retreat for adults 18 and older blends the art and science of chocolate-making, from learning how cacao is cultivated to tasting with all the senses. Participants will create bonbons and indulgent desserts to enjoy and take home. Enrollment is limited to 10 people to ensure a small-group setting with personalized, in-depth instruction throughout the weekend. The experience is priced at $1,800 per person and encourages attendees to unplug, engage deeply, and explore in a meaningful way.

This program explores the kinship between American jazz and modernist architecture, tracing how both reimagined harmony, structure, and purpose to propel culture forward from the 1920s through the 1960s. Moving from figures like Louis Armstrong to Miles Davis and from Frank Lloyd Wright to William Krisel, it highlights how these parallel movements balanced innovation with tradition to redefine form and function. Pianist and vocalist Ben Sidran leads the performance, drawing on more than five decades and 40 albums, including the Grammy-nominated Concert for Garcia Lorca. His sets weave swing, groove, and free-form reflection with wit and seasoned insight. He appears with Leo Sidran on drums and voice and John Christensen on bass. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are $42.

An adults-only Halloween celebration features a dance-ready, spooky-themed reggae set from DJ Kayla Kush, this year’s Wisconsin Area Music Industry DJ of the Year. Begin with drinks and snacks, then venture into the cave as reggae, ska, dub, and other seasonal selections echo through the cavern for a night that is festive and thrilling. Costumes are encouraged, so bring a standout Halloween look and brave the cave in a whole new way.

Hillside Theater at Taliesin presents a special screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca, echoing a 1957 showing at Taliesin. Adapted from Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel, this was Hitchcock’s first Hollywood feature and the start of his collaboration with producer David O. Selznick. Joan Fontaine stars as a newlywed who marries the aristocratic widower Maxim de Winter, played by Laurence Olivier, then moves into his imposing family home where the memory of his late wife casts a constant shadow and strains their relationship. Filmed in evocative black and white by George Barnes, the movie earned Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Cinematography. The film is rated TV-PG and runs 130 minutes. Tickets are $10. This screening is presented in partnership with the River Valley Film Club.

Celebrate the arrival of the sixth ACOTAR book with a themed release ball at the Mineral Point Opera House in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The historic venue will be transformed with a Night Court inspired atmosphere, featuring fae themed cocktails crafted by Pour Decisions Mobile Bartending, along with savory nibbles and sweet treats. Guests can take the stage for dancing and show off their fandom in a costume contest highlighting favorites like Feyre, Rhysand, Nesta, and Cassian, with a special prize for the winner. The night also includes a live, Jeopardy style ACOTAR trivia showdown with four contestants and real prizes. Copies of the new installment will be placed directly into attendees’ hands during the celebration. Capacity is limited to 100 participants to keep the experience intimate. Presented by The Book Bar Experience in collaboration with Republic of Letters bookstore.

Immerse yourself in a three-day, two-night weekend retreat focused on sourdough breads made with regionally grown, stone-milled grains. Designed for adults 18 and older, this intimate experience is limited to 10 participants for personalized, in-depth instruction. Learn time-honored techniques for mixing, shaping, and baking, taste the breads you create, and take home a sourdough starter, recipes, and practical tips. Along the way, explore meaningful ways to support your local grain economy while disconnecting and fully engaging with the craft. The experience is $1,800 per person.

See John Gay at Duke's Brew Pub & Ale House for a performance. Settle in and enjoy the welcoming pub setting while the show unfolds.

A Halloween party is happening, providing a simple way to celebrate the holiday.

Explore the cave on a guided fossil tour that pairs you with geologists to locate and document fossils. Travel roughly 70 feet below ground into a former ocean floor and search for traces of life that predate the dinosaurs. Limestone can preserve ancient organisms, yet fewer than one tenth of one percent ever become fossils, which makes each discovery meaningful. Cave of the Mounds has identified more than 100 fossils so far, including ancient squid, snails, corals, and others. A take-home bag of fossils is included at the end of the tour. All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable. Specialty tours are not available on Easter weekend, Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend, or Labor Day weekend.

Author Katrina Serwe will take part in a conversation with the book group, focusing on her poetry collection inspired by a thousand-mile journey along Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The route moves through singletrack, multiuse paths, bike routes, and quiet roads, pieced together across public spaces, private property, and easements. It grows each year toward the vision of an unbroken off-road corridor spanning more than 1,200 miles of glacial landscapes. Serwe’s verses chart each segment of the trek and listen closely to the trail’s rhythm in every season, weaving reflections and layered imagery with the lingering presence of ancient moraines. Like the glacial till that shaped Wisconsin, the poems guide readers over terrain that is both rugged and gentle, shaped by the energy and ice of long ago. This monthly book group explores a wide range of selections. Copies are available at the library for upcoming discussions. All are welcome, and every viewpoint adds to a lively conversation.

Enjoy a welcoming bluegrass jam where anyone can play, listen, or learn. All are welcome. Please note that the kitchen and the store will close, with the kitchen closing first.

Spend three days and two nights focused on sourdough breads made with regionally grown, stone-milled grains. Designed for adults 18 and older, this hands-on workshop invites participants to disconnect, immerse, and explore in a meaningful way while learning time-honored techniques. Practice mixing, shaping, and baking, sample what you create, and head home with a sourdough starter, recipes, and practical tips. Along the way, discover how to support the local grain economy. Enrollment is limited to 10 participants for an intimate setting with personalized, in-depth instruction throughout the weekend. The fee is $1,800 per person.

Enjoy a monthly acoustic jam that welcomes everyone, whether you want to play, listen, or learn. All are welcome. Please note that the kitchen closes before the store, so plan any food or shopping needs accordingly.

The Golden Eagle presents a Thanksgiving Eve party featuring DJ John.

Enjoy a live performance by John Gay at Dodger Bowl Lanes & Catering.

Experience a monthly bluegrass jam that welcomes everyone. Take part in the music, sit back and listen, or use the time to learn something new. Please note that the kitchen will close first, followed by the store.

Named for the year Wisconsin Badger Camp was founded, the 1966 Event is the organization’s flagship fundraiser that celebrates its legacy and mission to provide meaningful outdoor recreation for individuals with developmental disabilities. The evening includes dinner, live entertainment, live and silent auctions, a wine pull, and other activities. Funds raised support camp experiences that foster friendship, independence, confidence, and lasting memories. Ticket information and additional updates will be shared soon.