YOU BELONG HERE! STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY YEARS 1873 - 2023 MADISON AREA YMCA FAMILY CENTER 111 Kings Road, Madison, NJ 07940 | 973-822-YMCA (9622) F.M. KIRBY CHILDREN’S CENTER 54 East Street, Madison, NJ 07940 | 973-822-4945 PROJECT COMMUNITY PRIDE 973-845-6480 SCAN TO LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE Y! MADISON AREA YMCA madisonareaymca.org
Photo: Courtesy of Healthy Italia 50 things 1 YOU MUST DO in Madison 2 3 Experience Unparalleled JAZZ Named one of the top 100 jazz clubs in the world by Down- Beat magazine, Shanghai Jazz Restaurant & Bar has been a prominent pillar of Madison’s Main Street for almost 30 years, boasting first-rate live musicians alongside tasty Asian fare. Its newer addition downstairs, Encore Bar & Lounge, is a slightly more secluded destination. The intimate (albeit buzzing) speakeasy boasts romantic lighting, eclectic decor and, of course, topnotch music. Enjoy small plates and cocktails—and keep your ears open for secret, passwordrequired events. —Jennifer Finn 24 Main Street, 973-822-2899; shanghaijazz.com 4 Embrace Your INNER CHEF Even in a place like Madison, which has more than 50 options for dining out, home cooking is a must. So why not improve your skills and have some fun while you’re at it? At Healthy Italia, Cristina Bossini and her team teach cooks of all levels how to make traditional Italian meals ad occhio (which means by eye in Italian). Each class has a theme (such as pasta night or Italian street food) and features individual cooking stations and imported Italian ingredients. Class is followed by a BYO sit-down dinner and dessert. Kids’ classes, camps, and private and corporate events are also available. —Olivia Bardo 53 Main Street, 973-966-5200; healthy-italia.com Get Involved in the ARTS With its sparkling new arts center, top theater companies and more, Madison’s arts scene is vibrant and flourishing. The Madison Community Arts Center, opened four years ago, hosts popular theatrical events and concerts, as well as open-mic nights for poetry, prose, music and comedy. —Jacqueline Mroz 10 Kings Road, 973-245-3493; madisonartsnj.org/mcac HEALTHY ITALIA OFFERS COOKING CLASSES FOR HOME CHEFS AT ALL LEVELS. Enjoy Some Fun and GAMES A Madison-themed board game, Madopoly, debuts in 2023. If you collect games and love Madison, this limited-edition is the perfect purchase. Gift Madopoly to friends and family. Produced by the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, Madopoly has spaces, game cards and currency featuring local landmarks, businesses, and institutions. madisonnjchamber.org Go out and enjoy all that the Rose City has to offer! rosenet.org 5