Events

‍_{Fire & Wonder Winter Gathering}

_{Friday, February 21, 2025‍‍}

_{4:00 PM to 6:00 PM}

Embrace the beauty of the winter season at San Damiano’s Fire and Wonder Winter Gathering, a free, family-friendly event open to the public. With snow blanketing the landscape, this event promises a true winter wonderland experience. Attendees are invited to come together for an evening of warmth, storytelling, and seasonal festivities on the shores of Lake Monona.

Friends of San Damiano is honored to welcome Janice Rice, a respected member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, retired librarian, and educator with expertise in literature, culture, history, and language preservation. As an environmentalist who deeply values the waters and lands of this region, Rice is excited to share traditional Ho-Chunk stories for an evening of tradition and connection. Storytelling will be offered in small groups at 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30 PM in the Frank Allis House.

Please note that while the Frank Allis House retains its historic charm, it is not currently equipped with accessibility features. However, guests will have the opportunity to enter the house for storytelling and hot drinks, with a capacity of up to 49 people at a time. Access to the house may be limited, and we appreciate your understanding.

Fire and Wonder Highlights:

• Bonfire: Warm up around a roaring bonfire.

• Storytelling: Discover the rich history and culture of the Ho-Chunk Nation through storytelling. Stories will be shared in 20-minute intervals at the times listed below. To ensure the best listening experience and out of respect for our storyteller, we kindly ask guests to enter the house 5 minutes prior to the scheduled storytelling time. Once storytelling begins, access to the room will be restricted.
  • Storytelling Times:
    • 4:30 PM
    • 5:00 PM
    • 5:30 PM

• Warm Beverages: Enjoy hot chocolate and hot cider.

• Winter Serenity: Take a peaceful candlelit walk through the woodland area and stroll the property.

• Sunset Splendor: Witness a stunning sunset over Lake Monona with the Madison skyline as a backdrop.

• Scavenger Hunt: Join in on the fun of a kid-friendly scavenger hunt for all ages.

Parking

Parking is limited to accessible spaces only. We encourage carpooling or walking. You may drop off guests before parking along local roads.

Please do not park in local business lots, and note that Monona Grove High School has an event, so their lot is not available. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

This is your chance to connect with nature, community, and the unique charm of San Damiano. Bundle up, grab your friends or family, and don’t miss this enchanting evening of fire and wonder!

Come visit and stay in Monona!

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AmericInn by Wyndham Madison, South 101 W Broadway, Monona, WI 53716 (608) 467-4791 Website

avid hotel – Madison/Monona, 900 W Broadway Monona, WI, 53716 (608) 957-7600 Website

Country Inn & Suites By Radisson - Madison, WI 400 River Pl, Monona, WI, 53716 (608) 467-0962 Website

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Short Term Rental Sites (Click logo to access website.)

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Join us for this summer's San Damiano Biergartens! Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Monona, these popular gatherings offer breathtaking views of the Wisconsin state capitol and Madison skyline, refreshing beer, food trucks, and live music. It's the perfect setting for a fun-filled evening of community and camaraderie. Don't miss out on the festive atmosphere. Come celebrate with us!

What to bring:

• Folding chairs or a blanket - some picnic tables and Adirondack chairs are available
• Credit card or cash for making purchases - brat fry, food trucks, merch, and beer/beverages

Parking + Access Reminder:
We encourage you to bike, walk, carpool, or park along nearby residential streets. Please do not cut through private residential properties to access San Damiano. Out of respect for our neighboring businesses, we also ask that you avoid parking in their lots. Thank you for helping us be respectful and thoughtful neighbors!

July 10

Progressive Lane All-Stars

Hailing from Monona, Progressive Lane All-Stars are a group of seasoned musicians with deep local roots. Originally formed for a 4th of July neighborhood party, their name pays tribute to a Monona street where some members lived or grew up. Known for their high-energy performances, they bring an eclectic mix of classic hits from Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, The Blues Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more. Enjoy an unforgettable evening filled with live music, delicious bites from food trucks, a classic brat fry, great community vibes, and stunning lake views. We cannot wait to see you.

August 14

Celebrating 10 Years of WVMO with WheelHouse!

Join us at the San Damiano Biergarten as we raise a glass to 10 years of 98.7 WVMO - The Voice of Monona! For the past decade, WVMO has been the hub of our community wheel, connecting neighbors through music, stories, and local voices. What better way to celebrate than with WheelHouse, a nationally touringAmericana and bluegrass powerhouse known for its high-energy performances, rich harmonies, and driving rhythms?

Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Monona, this is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of community, connection, and the music that brings us together. Enjoy a lively night of great company, an eclectic mix of food truck fare, a classic brat fry, and local vibes that make Monona feel like home.

Stop by the 98.7FM swag tent, where WVMO will be broadcasting live, and grab your exclusive 10th-anniversary souvenirs.

Let’s make this a night to remember—because just like San Damiano, WVMO, and WheelHouse, great things happen when the right people come together.

June 12

Lynda & The ZEROs

Lynda & The ZEROs rocked the first San Damiano Biergarten with over 500 in attendance! This high-energy band brought a unique blend of soul, Motown, and funk, echoing influences from Stevie Wonder to Jon Batiste. With a dynamic nine-piece lineup and the powerhouse vocals of Lynda Higgins, they uncovered the young and old grooves in every song, keeping the crowd dancing. It was an unforgettable evening filled with live music, delicious bites from food trucks, a classic brat fry, great community vibes, and stunning lake views.

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Saturday, April 12

10:00 AM to Noon - Clean Up

Noon to 2:00 PM - Volunteer Appreciation Party

Join us for an early Earth Day celebration as we come together to care for the cherished San Damiano property. As spring arrives, it’s time to refresh and revitalize this special space. Roll up your sleeves and help with important seasonal tasks, including picking up litter, freshening up flower beds, spreading mulch, and clearing sticks from the lawn.

Then, as a heartfelt thank-you for your hard work, stick around for a Volunteer Appreciation Party from noon to 2:00 PM! Enjoy food, drinks, and great company as we celebrate your efforts in keeping San Damiano beautiful and welcoming for all. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time volunteer, your contributions make a difference—let’s make it a day of service, community, and fun!

We will provide:

• Disposable gloves
• Trash bags

Bring your own supplies if possible:

• Work gloves
• Yard/garden tools (rakes, pruning shears, loppers, etc.)
• Wheelbarrows or yard carts
• Sturdy shoes/boots for wet conditions and outdoor work

Questions? Please email us.

World Migratory Bird Day 2025

8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities‍

Join us at San Damiano on Saturday, May 10, 2025, for a vibrant morning of nature, learning, and fun as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2025! This family-friendly event is packed with educational and recreational activities for all ages, set against the stunning lakeside and small arboretum of San Damiano.

Start the day with a peaceful bird walk led by Mary Murrell, Anthropologist and Master Naturalist. The Monona Public Library is bringing the fun with storytimes featuring local authors Samantha Cora, Alina Loux, and Tracy Phillippi, along with face painting and hands-on nature crafts in partnership with Sprig Native Plant Nursery. Families can also enjoy bird-inspired, gentle yoga led by the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and explore engaging tools for bird identification while learning how native ecosystems support our feathered friends. Don’t miss special presentations by Ryan Buron, Ph.D. candidate in Wildlife Ecology at UW–Madison, on how migratory birds in Wisconsin are responding to climate change and how cities and suburbs are reshaping bird habitats. Gain insights on how we can make our communities more bird-friendly.

Registration Required for Presentations

‍Due to limited seating preregistration is required and begins on April 15.

‍Register HERE.

9 Ways to Build Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities

Birds play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by pollinating plants, controlling pests, dispersing seeds, and recycling nutrients. As natural scavengers and ecosystem monitors, they help maintain biodiversity and signal environmental health. Protecting bird populations ensures the balance, biodiversity, and sustainability of ecosystems that all life depends on.

Here are nine impactful ways to create safer, bird-friendly cities and communities:

1. Plant Native Plants

• Provide food and shelter for birds while supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
• Native plants are adapted to your local ecosystem, making them sustainable and beneficial for wildlife.
• Attract native bird species and create a healthier environment for all.

2. Combat Collisions

• Millions of birds die from window collisions each year.
• Prevent accidents by adding decals, window films, or curtains to your windows.
• Update existing buildings with bird-friendly materials, and encourage new construction to use bird-safe glass and designs.

3. Turn Off Lights

• Artificial light disrupts bird migration and can be deadly.
• Use shielded, downward-facing lights, and turn off unnecessary lights at night.
• Install timers or motion sensors to reduce light pollution while saving energy.

4. Avoid Pesticides

• Pesticides harm insects, contaminate water, and disrupt ecosystems that birds depend on.
• Choose organic or natural alternatives for your lawn and garden.
• Provide fresh, clean water for birds to drink, bathe, and forage safely.

5. Prevent Plastic Pollution

• Birds often ingest or get tangled in plastic, causing injury or death.
• Avoid single-use plastics, and properly dispose of items like six-pack rings and fishing lines.
• Organize or participate in local clean-up efforts to reduce plastic waste in bird habitats.

6. Keep Cats Indoors

• Domestic cats are a leading threat to bird populations.
• Protect birds by keeping your cats indoors or building safe outdoor spaces like screened porches or "catios".
• These measures also keep your cats healthier and safer.

7. Support Bird-Friendly Coffee

• Choose coffee, grown under native trees using organic, deforestation-free methods.
• Look for the Bird Friendly seal when purchasing coffee to support sustainable farming and preserve bird habitats.
• By drinking bird-friendly coffee, you also fight climate change and help biodiversity thrive.

8. Advocate for Sustainable Urban Planning

• Support policies that create green spaces, wildlife corridors, and "wild" areas within city limits.
• Encourage urban planners to prioritize biodiversity and bird habitats.
• Promote sustainable practices that benefit both wildlife and people.

9. Connect, Educate, & Inspire

• Collaborate with neighbors, schools, businesses, and local governments to create bird-friendly spaces.
• Host events like World Migratory Bird Day to raise awareness and inspire conservation efforts.
• Share knowledge to help build a stronger connection to nature and foster long-term support for birds.

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Friends of San Damiano is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Celebration on the Shore will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Mark your calendar to join us for an unforgettable evening on the beautiful shore of Lake Monona, featuring dinner, silent auction, live music, and a special program under a big top tent.

This semi-formal event celebrates the future of San Damiano Monona and supports the transformative vision of the San Damiano Master Plan. Your participation and sponsorship will help care for this unique 10-acre site, fund community programs, and lay the groundwork for an upcoming capital campaign.

Tickets on Sale Now for 2025!

Reserve your seat or table, today. Click HERE.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now for 2025!

Sponsoring the Celebration on the Shore allows businesses to connect with the community and support a cherished public space. With over 200 attendees, sponsors enjoy valuable brand visibility and the opportunity to engage with a philanthropic minded audience while contributing to the future of San Damiano.

Please partner with Friends of San Damiano:

• Make your sponsorship donation today
• Contact us with questions or for more information at friendsofsandamiano@gmail.com