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"The Big Lebowski" will be shown as part of the Brew 'N View series at the Majestic Theater. - File photo

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Mami Wata Regatta

An afternoon regatta on Lake Mendota from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, kicks off the upcoming Chazen Museum of Art's "Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas."

Come to the Memorial Union Terrace and check out the sails, which were painted by local artists. The regatta, piloted by Hoofer Sailing Club members, will finish with a parade of lighted boats.

The regatta is free; the rain date is Oct. 5. The water deity Mami Wata (pidgin English for "Mother Water") is the focus of the Chazen exhibition that features masks, sculptures, paintings, and other works of art from west and central Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and the United States. The exhibition runs from Oct. 18 through Jan. 11.

Paging all bibliophiles

The Edgerton Sterling North Book and Film Festival runs Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5.

The festival is named after Sterling North, the former Edgerton resident and children's author who won the Newberry Honor for his 1963 memoir "Rascal." The weekend includes a film festival, and features speakers like Jess Lourey, the Minnesota author of a popular "Murder by Month" series; William Drennan, who wrote "Death in a Prairie Home: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders"; and Jean Feraca of Wisconsin Public Radio, who has written a memoir, "I Hear Voices."

All events are free and open to the public. For more information call 608-884-4408 or go to www.edgertonbookfestival.com.

That's just Rude

Madison native Steve Rude started his career as a comic book illustrator right here in his hometown, inking the Nexus superhero comic books for Capital Comics. Rude then went on to work for most of the big comic book companies (DC, Marvel, Dark Horse), drawing Batman, Superman, Spider-Man and a host of other costumed faves.

He's making a homecoming appearance at Westfield Comics, 7475 Mineral Point Road at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Rude has started his own company, RudeDude Productions, and has revived the Nexus character for a new line of books.

Gallery-hopping around town

Dedicate an evening to get to know the galleries in your area -- or explore art in a new neighborhood -- with Fall 2008 Gallery Night.

The twice-yearly event organized by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is Friday, Oct. 3, from 5-9 p.m., when more than 50 galleries welcome visitors for refreshments, tours and various activities. Fine Earth Studio & Gallery on Regent Street, for example, will give a wheel-throwing demonstration and invites families to bring the kiddos. Raw Materials on East Wilson Street will show original paintings and prints and serve complimentary wine. Some of the more unusual venues, like Lakeside Veterinary Clinic and Atwood Acupuncture Center, will show "Animals in Art" and serve wine and chocolate, respectively.

Check the listings at www.mmoca.org/events/gallerynight to get specific information.

Say fromage

With the World Dairy Expo in town through Oct. 5, including the Normande cattle breeding folks holding their international conference here, there's considerable interest in exploring the connections between Normandy, the dairy capital of France, and Wisconsin.

Tri-colored Normande cows, on display at the Expo this week, are growing in popularity among Wisconsin farmers who are finding that the breed's rich milk is an asset in producing artisanal cheeses.

Fantome Farm's Anne Topham -- often called the grand dame of artisan goat cheese in Wisconsin -- was inspired by French cheese 25 years ago, and will give a presentation called

"Exploring Connections: Normandy-Wisconsin" at Grainger Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus Thursday, Oct. 2, at 5 p.m.

Culinary connections will also be emphasized at a number of Wisconsin stores and restaurants. Look for elegant Norman cheeses, cider and other treats at Fromagination, Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier, Nadia's, Morels and Sardine, among others.

'His Dudeness, Duder, El Duderino '

It's been 10 years since the Coen brothers released their film "The Big Lebowski."

It didn't do so well when it first came out, but it's grown to cult status since then.

As part of its Brew 'n' View series, the Majestic is showing the movie next Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. (115 King St., $5). The bar is selling $3 White Russians for the occasion, and host Dane101 is holding a costume contest.

When you're engulfed in laughter

Humor writer and "This American Life" regular David Sedaris is making his annual tour stop in Madison on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Overture Center, 201 State St. For his current collection of essays, "When You Are Engulfed in Flames," Sedaris relies less on anecdotes of his family's wacky hijinks and more on stories culled from the recent past: the travails of quitting smoking, travels in Japan and what it's like living in a French village with his partner, Hugo. His appearances tend to sell out so get your tickets early (prices range from $29 to $50 through the Overture box office at 258-4141 or www.overturecenter.com), and allow enough time to wait in the book-signing line. The wait is absolutely worth it -- Sedaris is charming and will write something funny and original in your book.

WCO opens with Kyoko Takezawa

Barring a conflict brought on by the lack of a new contract with its musicians, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra will open its 2008-09 Masterworks Series at 8 p.m. Friday in the Capitol Theater at the Overture Center, 201 State St.

Under the baton of maestro Andrew Sewell, the program includes The Good Humored Ladies Suite, from a ballet written by Domenico Scarlatti and arranged by the 20th-century Italian composer Vincenzo Tommasini. It closes with Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D Major and virtuoso violinist Kyoko Takezawa playing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor.

Tickets range from $8 for youth to $62 for the very best seats. Find out more about this and future concerts at www.wcoconcerts.org.