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Westgate Art Cinemas is holding a James Bond film festival. -

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Hot dish

Overture Center serves up some classic Midwestern charm an humor with "Church Basement Ladies," a musical comedy inspired by the authors of "Growing Up Lutheran." It will open Tuesday, Aug. 12, in the Capitol Theater and run more than two weeks through Aug. 31.

Jessica Zuehlke and Jim Stowell wrote the script with music and lyrics by Drew Jansen, known for "How to Talk Minnesotan: The Musical." Promotional materials promise "good clean laughs and memorable characters."

"We're trying to do more summer programming," said Overture spokeswoman Abi Kozel. "People were asking, 'Why is that beautiful facility dark during the summer?' "

"Church Basement Ladies" has toured to Kansas City and travels to Chicago after its Madison run. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 2 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday; and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Single ticket prices range from $18 to $35, with group discounts available, through the box office at 258-4141 and www.overturecenter.com.

Maraniss takes home the gold

David Maraniss' new book was an Olympian effort, and he'll be at Borders West on Thursday, Aug. 14, to talk about it.

On the heels of two other successful sports books, the Madison native's latest is "Rome 1960," which spins intriguing tales out of the 1960 Summer Olympic Games. This isn't just for sports fans; Maraniss unearths stories of Cold War intrigue and propaganda, burgeoning television coverage and the emergence of female and African-American stars that helped make the Games what they are today.

Maraniss, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the Washington Post, also penned "Clemente," about baseball star Roberto Clemente, and "When Pride Still Mattered," about Packers coach Vince Lombardi.

Maraniss' discussion will begin at 7 p.m. at Borders West, 3750 University Ave.

The buzz in Stoughton

Even those who don't drink coffee like a break, so the festival this weekend in Stoughton gives everyone something to celebrate.

The Stoughton Coffee Break Festival on Saturday, Aug. 9, honors a tradition that goes back to the 1800s. When a group of Norwegian women were asked if they could help sort tobacco at a local warehouse, they agreed to do it if they could have a break in the morning and afternoon. They needed the break to do things around the house and not to sit around and do nothing, but a tradition was born nonetheless.

This festival isn't about sitting around and doing nothing, either. There's a 5K Java Jog and a one-mile fun run. There will also be a car show, swap meet and arts and craft fair. And yes, free coffee.

The festival is at Mandt Park. For more information, go to www.stoughtonwi.com/coffee.shtml.

A movie's a movie, no matter how big

Grab the kids and a blanket, and head down to the West Campus Recreational Fields, 1500 Highland Ave., for a free showing of the Dr. Seuss movie "Horton Hears a Who" on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 8 p.m. The Friends of the Waisman Center are hosting the event, projecting the film on a giant inflatable screen.

There's a full concession stand and pre-movie activities like craft projects, face painting and balloon sculptures starting at 6 p.m. Free parking is available in lots 82, 60 and 76.

Let's go to the hop

Looking for hot dancing action in air-conditioned bliss? The Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave., will be pushing back the tables and chairs to clear floor space for a swinging night of lindy hop next Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 8 to 11 p.m.

The Madison Lindy Connection is turning these free dances on Wednesdays into a weekly affair at the Brink. They are open to anyone 18 and up. Don't worry if you've got two left feet or no dancing partner -- more info about dancing lessons can be found at www.lindyconnection.com.

Critter creations

Nationally known metal sculptor Miel-Margarita Paredes will open a new show on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Artisan Gallery in Paoli.

Paredes' trophies, which will be exhibited in the alternative space called "The Cooler," feature parts of rodents, goats and rabbits in ornamental settings.

"I use the animal form to interpret the ways humans manipulate the world around us to suit our needs," Paredes said. "Hunters often exhibit their regard for animals as beautiful and noble by nailing them to the den wall."

A free opening night reception will be held from 5-9 p.m. Friday. The show, entitled "Gnaw," runs through Sept. 14 at the gallery, located at 6858 Paoli Road. More information can be found at the Web site, www.artisangal.com, or at Paredes' personal site, www.mielmargarita.com.

License to thrill

If the slam-bang trailer for the next James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace," has you pumped, Westgate Art Cinemas has you covered with its August salute to 007. The theater is featuring a James Bond film festival this month, starting with gorgeous restored prints of the first three Sean Connery films from the early 1960s. Tickets are $5 for each show.

"Dr. No" (in which Bond is so ruthless, he makes Daniel Craig seem like a nice guy) ends Thursday, Aug. 7, and "From Russia With Love," featuring one of the best fight scenes ever filmed, starts on Friday. "Goldfinger" follows on Aug. 15, and the month rounds out with Craig in "Casino Royale." Sorry, George Lazenby fans, you lose out again.