August 7 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Collaboration Project and the Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation (Upper House Commons) are teaming up to host a night of summer fun at San Damiano Park! Come, gather with other Christians from throughout the county for:

• Live, dance-able music by The Cajun Strangers,
• Food and drinks for purchase from local food trucks or the opportunity to bring your own picnic,
• Yard games and other fun!

Doors and food trucks open at 5pm, and the band plays 6-8pm. This event is free but organizers ask that you RSVP.

Parking is limited on site and should be reserved for folks with accessibility needs, but you are allowed to park at Monona Grove High School, which is about a block and a half from the park.

The post Collaboration Project: Summer Concert appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.

This exciting announcement has been met with tremendous community enthusiasm. Recent press coverage, in the Isthmus, Wisconsin State Journal, and on NBC15, has helped shine a spotlight on the possibilities ahead. Our celebration at the Muskellounge brought together supporters, partners, and neighbors to toast what this moment means for Monona and our community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped bring this vision to life and look forward to sharing more as Phase I begins to take shape. 

Spring has also reminded us just how alive San Damiano Park can be when filled with community. From welcoming families and bird enthusiasts during World Migratory Bird Day, to laughter and connection at our first Sunset Games gathering, to the incredible generosity shown during our Spring Lawn Games: Croquet Classic fundraiser this past weekend, each event has helped activate the park in meaningful and joyful ways. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, and celebrated with us, you are helping build the future of this special place. 

And there is so much more to come. June will be one of the most exciting months yet at San Damiano Park, as we are proud to welcome back the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival, where artists will once again transform wood into works of art along our shoreline. As Loop the Lake participants navigate a detour through the park, we look forward to welcoming many new visitors to experience this scenic space for the first time. On June 21, join us for Make Music Day, a free afternoon of live local music, food carts, refreshments, and lakeside celebration to welcome summer. 

Then, on June 25, we proudly launch Concerts on the Shore, our free summer music series presented by WVMO 98.7, the Voice of Monona, with legendary Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials headlining an unforgettable evening on Lake Monona. With food carts, beverages, and the stunning backdrop of the Whitehorse Sculpture Festival, it promises to be a joyful gathering for the whole community. Be sure to save the date for July 16, when the series continues with Armchair Boogie. 

Thank you for being part of this growing movement. Together, we are creating something truly special at San Damiano Park, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the shore this summer. 

With gratitude,

Cara Erickson
Executive Director, Friends of San Damiano

The post Momentum is Building at San Damiano Park appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.

August 13 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

WVMO Presents an Evening of Americana, Community, and Lakefront Views
at San Damiano Park, featuring The Last Revel!

Known for their heartfelt songwriting and rich vocal harmonies, The Last Revel has become one of the Midwest’s premier Americana and indie-folk bands. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the group’s music reflects the trials, triumphs, and perseverance of pursuing dreams while remaining deeply connected to their Midwestern roots. Their authentic storytelling, thoughtful lyrics, and energetic live performances have earned them a devoted following throughout the country.

Opening the evening, at 5pm, Harmonious Wail will take the stage with their Americana-infused gypsy jazz, offering a lively start to an evening of roots-inspired music. At 7pm, The Last Revel will take the stage pairing emotionally resonant songwriting with the kind of dynamic, harmony-driven performance that has made the band a favorite among live audiences nationwide.

Admission is free, and donations are welcome to support free programming at San Damiano Park,
including the Concerts on the Shore concert series.

Beyond the music, attendees can enjoy local food trucks, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and opportunities to connect with community organizations, while relaxing along the lakefront. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and experience an evening where music meets the lake.

Please plan to park cars at Monona Grove High School and walk the one and a half blocks to San Damiano Park. Additionally, we encourage biking (with plenty of bicycle parking onsite), carpooling, walking, and the use of public transportation. If you do park on neighboring streets, we ask that you be respectful of homeowners and follow all applicable parking restrictions.

Additionally, Lake Edge Lutheran Church (4032 Monona Dr.), Habitat Restore East (4207 Monona Dr.) after 5pm when they close, and Monona Lutheran Church (4411 Monona Dr.) have graciously offered their parking lots as options.

Hosted in partnership with WVMO, this event is only possible because of our community sponsors. Food trucks, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, and opportunities to connect with community partners and one another rounds out this series of events.

Concerts on the Shore is presented thanks to the generous support of our community partners.

Concerts on the Shore Headliner Sponsor

Concerts on the Shore Stage Sponsor

Concerts on the Shore Rhythm Sponsor

Concerts on the Shore Lakefront Community Sponsor

Concerts on the Shore In-Kind Community Sponsor

AmericInn
South 101 W Broadway
Monona, WI 53716
608-467-4791

Avid
900 W Broadway
Monona, WI 53716
608-957-7600

Country Inn & Suites
400 River Pl
Monona, WI 53716
608-221-0055

Use promo code ‘LSAND’
for 25% off your stay at
Country Inn & Suites.

The post Concerts on the Shore: The Last Revel appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.

July 16 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

VENUE UPDATE: This event is now hosted at The Atwood Music Hall (1925 Winnebago Street, Madison)

Presented by WVMO, Armchair Boogie will headline the July date of our free, music series. With opener, Honor Among Thieves, this show will bring blues, rock, funk, and soul energy to The Atwood Music Hall (1925 Winnebago Street, Madison).

Jamgrass, newgrass, funkgrass, whatever you want to call it— Armchair Boogie is rapidly becoming one of the country’s hottest acts. With an unbounded sound, this Wisconsin-based quartet is known for its powerful harmonies, timeless originals, and choice covers, along with unforgettable live performances. Listed as a “Must-See Roots Artists at Bourbon & Beyond” by The Bluegrass Situation who wrote, “We recently caught this jammy Wisconsin outfit at Earl Scruggs Music Festival, where they burnt down their late-night set.”

Honor Among Thieves has been making original music in this city since 1982. And they’re still writing, still performing, still doing it entirely on their own terms. Their sound has been compared to Tom Waits on cocaine and the bastard love child of Captain Beefheart and Muddy Waters, which should tell you everything you need to know about whether they color inside the lines, which they don’t.

Hosted in partnership with WVMO, this event is only possible because of our community sponsors. Food trucks, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, and opportunities to connect with community partners and one another rounds out this series of events.

Food trucks for this event includes Café Costa Rica, Jakarta Café, Naan Stop Fusion, and Curd Girl.

Volunteers needed! Have a few hours to give back? Volunteers are needed in the beverage tent. Sign up here.

Concerts on the Shore is presented thanks to the generous support of our community partners.

Concerts on the Shore Headliner Sponsor

Concerts on the Shore Stage Sponsor

Concerts on the Shore Rhythm Sponsor

Concerts on the Shore Lakefront Community Sponsor

Concerts on the Shore In-Kind Community Sponsor

AmericInn
South 101 W Broadway
Monona, WI 53716
608-467-4791

Avid
900 W Broadway
Monona, WI 53716
608-957-7600

Country Inn & Suites
400 River Pl
Monona, WI 53716
608-221-0055

Use promo code ‘LSAND’
for 25% off your stay at
Country Inn & Suites.

The post Concert on the Shore: Armchair Boogie appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.

October 11 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sunset at San Damiano Park is one of THE BEST in Dane County. Join us and add a spectacular backdrop to your Sunday evening.

The 2nd Sunday of each month, May through October, join us for a peaceful evening on the shores of Lake Monona. Enjoy dinner from the food cart or bring your own. Partake in free lawn games with family and friends. Relax with live music as you take it all in.

Lawn games (bags, bocce, ladder toss, connect 4, croquet, and giant Jenga), along with a different food cart option and live music each month will surely enhance your monthly experience of the best sunset in Dane County. 

In October, join us for Rich Kessler, a classic rock, blues and country musician.

Jakarta Café will vend food. Beverages will be for sale thanks to Friends of San Damiano.

The post Sunset Games in October appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.

September 13 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sunset at San Damiano Park is one of THE BEST in Dane County. Join us and add a spectacular backdrop to your Sunday evening.

The 2nd Sunday of each month, May through October, join us for a peaceful evening on the shores of Lake Monona. Enjoy dinner from the food cart or bring your own. Partake in free lawn games with family and friends. Relax with live music as you take it all in.

Lawn games (bags, bocce, ladder toss, connect 4, croquet, and giant Jenga), along with a different food cart option and live music each month will surely enhance your monthly experience of the best sunset in Dane County. 

In September, join us for Raquel Aleman, a soul, pop, R&B, funk, singer-songwriter.

Jakarta Café will vend food. Beverages will be for sale thanks to Friends of San Damiano.

The post Sunset Games in September appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.

August 9 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sunset at San Damiano Park is one of THE BEST in Dane County. Join us and add a spectacular backdrop to your Sunday evening.

The 2nd Sunday of each month, May through October, join us for a peaceful evening on the shores of Lake Monona. Enjoy dinner from the food cart or bring your own. Partake in free lawn games with family and friends. Relax with live music as you take it all in.

Lawn games (bags, bocce, ladder toss, connect 4, croquet, and giant Jenga), along with a different food cart option and live music each month will surely enhance your monthly experience of the best sunset in Dane County. 

In August, join us for the Ham & Eggers, playing country, blues, and swing of the early 50s & 60s as well as honky-tonk roadhouse fare.

Café Costa Rica will vend food. Beverages will be for sale thanks to Friends of San Damiano.

The post Sunset Games in August appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.

July 12 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sunset at San Damiano Park is one of THE BEST in Dane County. Join us and add a spectacular backdrop to your Sunday evening.

The 2nd Sunday of each month, May through October, join us for a peaceful evening on the shores of Lake Monona. Enjoy dinner from the food cart or bring your own. Partake in free lawn games with family and friends. Relax with live music as you take it all in.

Lawn games (bags, bocce, ladder toss, connect 4, croquet, and giant Jenga), along with a different food cart option and live music each month will surely enhance your monthly experience of the best sunset in Dane County. 

In July, join us for Cece Erling, a youth singer/songwriter on ukelele, from 4:45 to 5:15pm and DeLuca Wallding, a phenomenal young guitarist who is new to the area, from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Jolly Frog will vend food. Beverages will be for sale thanks to the Friends of San Damiano.

The post Sunset Games in July appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.

June 14 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm CDT

Sunset at San Damiano Park is one of THE BEST in Dane County. Join us and add a spectacular backdrop to your Sunday evening.

The 2nd Sunday of each month, May through October, join us for a peaceful evening on the shores of Lake Monona. Enjoy dinner from the food cart or bring your own. Partake in free lawn games with family and friends. Relax with live music as you take it all in.

Lawn games (bags, bocce, ladder toss, connect 4, croquet, and giant Jenga), along with a different food cart option and live music each month will surely enhance your monthly experience of the best sunset in Dane County. 

In June, join us for Eve Levi, an indie, pop, rock artist and Thailand in a Truck. Beverages will be for sale thanks to Friends of San Damiano.

The post Sunset Games in June appeared first on Friends of San Damiano.