Big Beers, Bangin’ Books – Foodie Romance

Join us here at Giant Jones for another round of our Big Beers, Bangin’ Books! This discussion group is for anyone and everyone who loves reading romance books.

Each month we have one chosen romance trope topic; read a book or books featuring that trope and be prepared to share your books with the group when we meet up. Our discussion is lead by our very own Erika Jones & her friend Amy. June’s trope is Foodie Romance!

Suggested Readings:

  • Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron
  • Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
  • Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander
  • Fake it Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley
  • For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa
  • I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram
  • The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
  • Recipe for Trouble by Dylan Morrison
  • The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett
  • Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke

Bike the Barns Fundraiser Team

Giant Jones Bike the Barns Fundraiser Team

Join our Bike the Barns fundraiser team! 

Bike the Barns is Sunday, September 20, 2026, starting in Verona. Bike the Barns is a full-day cycling adventure that embodies the mission of FairShare. Whether you’re a casual rider or a seasoned cyclist, you’ll travel scenic country roads throughout the ride and stop at local farms to enjoy farm tours, gourmet local food, craft libations, and live music.

But Bike the Barns is about more than just the ride – it’s about supporting local farmers and making fresh food accessible to all. Bike the Barns is FairShare’s largest fundraiser, supporting our work and the Partner Shares Program, which helps low-income households afford farm-fresh veggies.

Here’s how to join us in raising funds to support FairShare’s mission!

Join the team!

  •  Sign-up as a fundraiser rider for Bike the Barns
  • Join the Giant Jones online fundraising team through Raisely
  • Each rider must raise at least $80. Our fundraising goal will be equal to or greater than the $80 minimum per rider.
  • Help promote the fundraiser to your own network
  • Help organize and support a team fundraiser event hosted at Giant Jones!

GJ team rider perks:

  • Monthly Saturday or Sunday ride (a casual/social meet up) – Possible ride dates: 6/27 or 28, 7/25 or 26, 8/29 or 8/30Team riders can meet up at Giant Jones before the ride, or come by after the ride to re-fuel. First beer for team riders is on us (for group ride dates).
  • Get to know other riders/community members before the Bike the Barns ride!
  • Team Merch – we’re hoping to get some gear ordered for the team. Team riders will get a discount on any bike gear we order!

Can’t ride? Donate to our team to help us reach our goal!

Samantha Jane Mullen Art Opening

 

Join us for another amazing Art Opening. This month we’re showcasing art from the talented Samantha Jane Mullen entitled You Can’t Have My Party Hat!

Samantha is a self-taught artist whose work explores elements of the natural world recombined in unlikely situations. She uses polymer clay, paper clay and various other mediums to create playful yet shocking narrative sculptures which focus upon our connection to the land, society, childhood and, well, monsters. Her work delves into the weird and the curious, the parts of ourselves we correct and mask and the perceived failures that act as building blocks for the walls we build between ourselves, our community and our planet. Each piece is a love letter to the panic attacked, the shame shadowed, the glittering and tired, the imagination driven dragon seekers and monster lovers, the playful, hopeful, damned but kind.

Samantha Jane strives to build a mythology within her work that invokes a magical realm in which we are all little monsters exploring the unknown together, inviting the beasts within like wolves to the fire and giving them a little treat. “Life is weird. Art helps.”

Make Music Madison at Giant Jones & Market

Make Music Madison is a free, citywide day of music every June 21. We are part of Make Music Day, a celebration that occurs in 1,000+ cities across the globe. Madison began participating in 2013 and now boasts the largest event in the country. Parks, porches, restaurants, shops, worship spaces and more fill with music for all to enjoy!

We’re always excited to host local talent here at Giant Jones. This year we will be hosting the following musicians:

Benjamin Scully at 12pm – Benjamin Scully is a solo singer/songwriter, indie rock artist based in Madison and incorporates a unique mix of covers and originals into live sets. Musical influences include The Lumineers, Colony House, David Ramirez, Michigander, and Matthew Thiessen.

BZ 2.0 at 1pm- Inspired by many artists, Bryan Zoran (BZ 2.0) plays covers by musicians who have influenced him across multiple genres.

ravenswing at 2pm – ravenswing is a band that plays like they’re dancing, weaving together the brilliance of Scottish repertoire with the gritty drive of New England contra dance rhythms. While Abi Sandy and Crystal Zhu grew up playing music across New England and New York, the duo came together in Scotland while traveling with the Edinburgh University Folk and Traditional Music Society, bonding over their shared love for community through music and dance on both sides of the Atlantic. Since then, their joyful arrangements and compositions have energized concert halls and dance floors across New England, the Midwest, and the UK. Their love for the places they have been and the people they have played with shines through every set they play.

Between Two Lakes at 3pm – Between Two Lakes is a pop-rock powerhouse band hailing from the picturesque Isthmus of their namesake, between the lakes of Monona and Mendota. Formed in 2023, this talented group quickly became a sonic force to be reckoned with, captivating audiences with their infectious melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and dynamic performances.

 

In addition to the music outside, we’ll be hosting some local vendors for the “Make Music Market”! From 12pm-5pm you can enjoy a beer, enjoy the music AND shop local. We will be hosting the following:

Bunny Attack Illustration – Art/Prints, Cards, Stickers, Mugs

Juste Che – Accessories, Crochet, Fiber Art, Jewelry

Dappakat – Art/Prints, Cards, Stickers

Crown Glass/ Creative Juice – Glassworks, Jewelry, Plants, Spiritual Needs, Tea/Infusions