Cap Times Idea Fest 2024 program
Sunday, Sept. 15
From paper to stage: How “They Marched into Sunlight” became a dance
Twenty years after David Maraniss published “They Marched into Sunlight,” this session explores how the book became the dance “Into Sunlight” and later a documentary. The documentary will be shown, followed by a talk with Becker, Honsa and Maraniss. Reception precedes the session at 5 p.m.
Moderator: David Maraniss
Location: Wisconsin Historical Society auditorium, 816 State St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
Monday, Sept. 16
How artificial intelligence is changing health care
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way we live our lives. In this discussion, experts share how this technology is changing health care and examine the risks and opportunities for practitioners and patients.
Moderator: Joel Martin
Location: Virtual session
Ticket: Free online registration at captimesideafest.com
Sponsor: Presented by HealthX Ventures
One-on-one with Brandon Johnson
In conversation with the Cap Times’ John Nichols, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson discusses his historic victory and the multiracial, multiethnic coalition that helped elect him.
Moderator: John Nichols
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
An evening with Nancy Pelosi
A discussion with the Speaker Emerita of the House of Representatives about her trailblazing career in politics and the state of the nation before the 2024 presidential election.
Moderator: Karen Tumulty
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Innovation from Crisis: What COVID-19 taught us about medical research
Epic Research developed a two-team study approach during the pandemic to publish research in weeks instead of months or years. This session looks at how that process is now being applied to other urgent medical questions.
Location: Virtual session
Ticket: Free online registration at captimesideafest.com
Sponsor: Presented by Epic
Unlocking Opportunity: How immigrants support education and the workforce
Experts discuss how immigrants can fill needed roles in Dane County and support higher education enrollment. Hosted buffet precedes the session starting at 5 p.m.
Moderator: Valerie Crespin-Trujillo
Location: Madison College, Goodman Campus, 2429 Perry St.
Ticket: VIP, General Admission or free in-person with online registration
Sponsor: Presented by Ascendium
Live theater in a digital age
Theater artists from around Madison discuss live theater’s value, changing relationships to streaming, digital tools for accessibility and the power of gathering people for live storytelling.
Moderator: Lindsay Christians
Location: Overture Center Playhouse, 201 State St.
Ticket: VIP, General Admission or free online registration
“I need space … and money:” Tips from Madison entrepreneurs of color on starting a business
Madison-area entrepreneurs and local experts discuss business ownership among people of color, including access to affordable property, low or no-interest capital and trustworthy advice.
Moderator: Natalie Yahr
Location: Madison College, Goodman Campus, 2429 Perry St.
Ticket: VIP, General Admission or free in-person with online registration
Wednesday, Sept. 18
Unleashing atomic energy on cancer: Moving from Oppenheimer to theranostics
Learn how Wisconsin is becoming an international leader in theranostics, a treatment approach that combines therapy and diagnostics to target tumors with less collateral damage.
Moderator: Howard Bailey
Location: Virtual session
Ticket: Free online registration at captimesideafest.com
Sponsor: Presented by UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center
Has the craft beer bubble burst?
Recent financial troubles at Wisconsin craft breweries have raised questions about the future of one of the state’s signature products. Experts look ahead at what may come next.
Moderator: Chris Drosner
Location: Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave.
Ticket: VIP, General Admission, $5 at the door or free with online registration
One-on-one with Tommy Thompson
Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson talks with John Nichols about the trajectory of the Republican Party and Wisconsin before the 2024 election.
Moderator: John Nichols
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
How can we afford to live in Madison?
Experts discuss Madison’s rising rents and home prices, expected population growth and possible solutions for making housing more affordable.
Moderator: Allison Garfield
Location: Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave.
Ticket: VIP, General Admission, $5 at the door or free with online registration
Sponsor: Madison Community Foundation
A conversation with Doris Kearns Goodwin
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks with David Maraniss about her work, including her latest book about the turbulent 1960s.
Moderator: David Maraniss
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
Thursday, Sept. 19
Cooking with the Cap Times featuring Thony Clarke
Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians talks with Thony “Mangoman” Clarke, owner of Madison’s Café Costa Rica food cart, in the latest edition of the Cap Times cooking series.
Moderator: Lindsay Christians
Location: Furniture & ApplianceMart, 2404 W. Beltline Highway
Ticket: Limited live seating for Cap Times members
Sponsors: Furniture & ApplianceMart, Leopold’s Books Bar Caffè and Hinckley Productions
A Celebration of Journalism with Susan Glasser and Peter Baker
Peter Baker and Susan Glasser talk with David Maraniss about “The Divider,” Donald Trump’s presidency and what may come if Trump wins a second term. Reception precedes at 6 p.m.
Moderator: David Maraniss
Location: Edgewater Hotel, 1001 Wisconsin Place
Ticket: Celebration of Journalism only
Sponsors: Exact Sciences and La Follette School of Public Affairs
Friday, Sept. 20
Midwestern politics and the future of American democracy
Samuel Freedman and Dan Kaufman discuss Wisconsin, Minnesota, Midwestern politics and the state of progressivism heading into the 2024 election.
Moderator: Dan Balz
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
One-on-one with Liz Cheney
Liz Cheney talks with Peter Baker about Jan. 6, her break with Donald Trump and what a second Trump term could mean for the country.
Moderator: Peter Baker
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
Saturday, Sept. 21
Battleground Wisconsin: A strategic view
The heads of the Democratic and Republican parties in Wisconsin discuss strategy six weeks before Election Day and debate where races may land in a pivotal year.
Moderator: Erin McGroarty
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
Why health equity matters in Wisconsin
Experts examine Wisconsin’s legacy of strong health outcomes alongside persistent health inequities and discuss paths toward health equity for all.
Moderator: Michelle Robinson
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
What will happen on Election Day in Wisconsin and the Midwest?
Charles Franklin discusses his latest Marquette Law School Poll findings with journalists from the Washington Post just weeks before the 2024 election.
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
One-on-one with Judy Collins
Judy Collins reflects on her lifetime in music and social activism, including her work in civil rights, antiwar movements and advocacy for abortion rights.
Moderator: John Nichols
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
One-on-one with Heather Cox Richardson
Heather Cox Richardson talks with David Maraniss about the historical precedents for America’s current political landscape and where the country may be headed.
Moderator: David Maraniss
Location: Shannon Hall, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.
Ticket: VIP or General Admission
Have a question or a great idea?
Email Cap Times Idea Fest at:
captimesideafest@gmail.com