Virtual 2nd Black Arts Matter Festival Will Raise Up Black Voices and Art Around the Country

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 26, 2020

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Phone: (608) 262-8862
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu

VIRTUAL 2ND BLACK ARTS MATTER FESTIVAL WILL RAISE UP BLACK VOICES AND ART AROUND THE COUNTRY

MADISON – The Black Arts Matter (BAM) Festival will return to raise up Black voices and art virtually Nov. 5, 12 and 19 with three events curated and co-produced by interdisciplinary artist, slam poet and UW-Madison alumna Shasparay Irvin ‘20 and the Wisconsin Union Theater.

During the first event on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. CDT, spoken word and performance artist Ebony Stewart will perform her critically acclaimed one-woman show, called “Ocean.” The award-winning play includes themes of maternal love, motherhood and womanhood. Stewart will take part in a live question-and-answer session immediately following her performance.

Then, on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. CDT, saxophonist and singer Braxton Cook will perform a live concert, participate in a Q&A, and hold a workshop about looping, which is a short segment of music played seamlessly on repeat. Some may refer to Cook’s music as jazz, but his sound has also been heralded as all its own, combining jazz, soul, R&B, and alternative music.

The Festival will continue on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. CDT with a poetry slam during which eight artists from around the country will compete for cash prizes and the honor of being named the winner of the 2nd Annual Black Arts Matter Festival poetry slam.

Irvin created the Black Arts Matter Festival as a UW-Madison student and debuted the first Festival in March 2019 to hundreds of attendees. She founded the BAM Festival with the mission of building a community around Black artistry by uplifting Black art and Black voices in white-dominated spaces. The idea arose as she observed a lack of diversity in Madison area arts performances.

“I decided to create this festival to prioritize Black voices in a predominantly white space, especially a white-centric arts space,” Irvin said.

The Wisconsin Union Theater joins Irvin in the planning and implementing of this year’s festival in a collaborative effort to raise up Black voices around the country.

“I have such high respect for Shasparay who, when she saw a need for something, created it herself. When I learned about her work in 2019, I knew immediately that I wanted to find a way to support her artistry and her vision even before joining the Wisconsin Union Theater,” Wisconsin Union Theater Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “I’m thrilled to be working with her on the Festival, because it is so aligned with the Theater’s programming goals. We are working to create space for what has been too often absent on stages, including Black art.”

The team aims for all of its spaces, including online ones, to be accessible. Those that need accommodations can reach out to the Wisconsin Union Theater team at wisconsinuniontheater@union.wisc.edu.

The Wisconsin Union Theater has provided a variety of arts events, from music to dance to plays in its more than 75 years on the UW-Madison campus. The student organization, called the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee participates in the planning of many Theater events, including the BAM Festival.

Presenting programming like the BAM Festival reflects part of a lived promise by the Wisconsin Union Theater to take action in standing against racial inequities and in decentering whiteness. For a full statement on the Theater’s stance and efforts, click here.

This series is made possible with financial support from Dane Arts, the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Joel Skornica Fund, the Frautschi Fund, and the Hodgin Fund as well as in-kind support from The Capital City Hues.

For more information about the Festival and to sign-up to receive Festival updates, click here. 

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About the Wisconsin Union Theater

For more than 75 years, the Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a center for cultural activity in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The Theater hosts performances in multiple locations, including Memorial Union, and has an expansive history of remarkable performances. The Wisconsin Union Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more about the Theater: union.wisc.edu/visit/wisconsin-union-theater.

About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee plans and promotes events for the historic Wisconsin Union Theater stages. The student-led committee programs a variety of events to provide a diverse and cultural experience for students, faculty, alumni, community members and visitors. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/get-involved/wud/performing-arts.

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/black-arts-matter.

Madison College: Senior Digital Marketing Strategist, DEADLINE EXTENDED

Madison College is excited to introduce a Sr. Digital Marketing Strategist to our Marketing and Public Relations department.  We are seeking a candidate with strong email campaign, digital analytics and assessment, and SEO experience. This work can be done on campus or from a remote location. If you are looking for a fulfilling career that can display all of these skills, apply now!

Madison College’s dedication to promoting equity, inclusion and diversity is reflected in our Mission, Vision, and Values. Hiring an inclusive workforce that mirrors our student population is more than just a commitment at Madison College—it is the foundation of what we are striving to do. Come be part of our great team!

Read the full job description here

Wisconsin Union Directorate Holding Rise Up Week

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Wisconsin Union
Phone: (608) 262-8862
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu

WISCONSIN UNION DIRECTORATE HOLDING RISE UP WEEK

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) will hold education opportunities on many issues, such as racial justice, during WUD’s first-ever Rise Up Week Oct. 26-30, including some events in collaboration with campus partners.

WUD invites Rise Up Week participants to add their voices to the events and activities and encourages attendees to use their voices and to take action.

Rise Up Week will include a variety of events, including a lecture by a political science expert, a film showing, a photography exhibition, and more.

The full lineup is as follows:

• Oct. 26, 6 p.m., online: premiere of cooking demonstration and discussion on history behind election cakes, presented by the WUD Cuisine Committee
• Oct. 26, 7-8 p.m., online: lecture called “The Power of the Next President” by Vanderbilt University Associate Professor of Political Science Sharece Thrower, presented by WUD, the American Civil Liberties Union Student Alliance, Associated Students of Madison, and the BIPOC Coalition
• Oct. 26-30, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Gallery 1308 at Union South: “We Still Here” protest photography exhibition by Kenechi Unachukwu, presented by the WUD Art Committee
• Oct. 26-27, noon-6 p.m., Wheelhouse Studios at Memorial Union: therapeutic collaging, presented by the WUD Art and Alternative Breaks Committees
• Oct. 26, on-demand, online: streaming premiere of lecture by LaTosha Brown on voter suppression in the 21st century (available to UW-Madison students, staff and faculty only), presented by the WUD Distinguished Lecture Series Committee
• Oct. 26-30, online: Rise Up Week drawing to win a Terrace chair, presented by WUD
• Oct. 26-30, on-demand, online: showing of the film “Resisterhood,” presented by the WUD Film Committee with support from The James
• Oct. 27, on-demand, online: launch of PUBCAST, with an episode addressing the history and issues of voter suppression with student leaders and BIPOC Coalition, presented by the WUD Publications Committee
• Oct. 28 beginning at 4 p.m.-Oct. 29 at 4 p.m., on-demand, online: showing of the film “The Fight,” presented by the WUD Film Committee and the American Civil Liberties Union Student Alliance
• Oct. 28, 6-7 p.m., online: Rise Up with Dr. Lori Lopez: “The Intersection Of Media & Modern Day Social Justice Movements,” presented by the WUD Global Connections Committee
• Oct. 28, on-demand, online: streaming premiere of lecture called, “How to Heal the Nation with Dr. Celine Gounder” (available to UW-Madison students, staff and faculty only), presented by the WUD Distinguished Lecture Series Committee
• Oct. 29, 6-7 p.m., online: discussions on “The Fight” with American Civil Liberties Union Student Alliance at UW-Madison and on rights, presented by the WUD Film Committee and the American Civil Liberties Union Student Alliance
• Oct. 30, 7-9 p.m., online: Rock the Vote concert featuring Disq and Alexander Kain, presented by the WUD Society and Politics, Performing Arts, and Music Committees
• Oct. 30, 2-3 p.m. at Library Mall and 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Dejope lawn: “Rise Up for Environmental Justice,” presented by the Wisconsin Hoofers
• Oct. 30, 4-5 p.m., online: Voter Q&A With Madison Deputy City Clerk Jim Verbick, presented by the WUD Publications Committee
• Oct. 30, on-demand, online: streaming premiere of discussion on sexual and domestic violence survivors’ rights with Amanda Nguyen and Beverly Gooden (available to UW-Madison students, staff and faculty only), presented by the WUD Distinguished Lecture Series Committee

“With the most consequential election of our generation around the corner, WUD decided to focus efforts on covering a wide range of topics, including the pandemic as well as racial and social justice,” Wisconsin Union Vice President of External Relations Pradyumna Rao said. “Rise Up Week will serve as a springboard for many of our education efforts that WUD will continue the rest of the year.”

WUD includes 11 student-run committees and six Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that plan, organize and host a wide variety of programs and events.

For more information about Rise Up Week, visit union.wisc.edu/riseup.

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About the Wisconsin Union Directorate
The Wisconsin Union Directorate is the programming and leadership board of the Wisconsin Union. The Directorate’s student leaders plan, promote and implement more than 1,000 events and activities each year. Learn more about how the Wisconsin Union Directorate creates experiences and leads at union.wisc.edu/wud.

UW–Madison encourages students to be civically active and engaged. The university does not endorse candidates or political parties.

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/news/riseup.

Goodman Center sees record demand for Thanksgiving Baskets

Contact:
Amie Hoag, Asst. Dir. of Communications
Goodman Community Center
149 Waubesa Street | Madison, WI 53704
920-737-2445 | amie@goodmancenter.org 

Goodman Center sees record demand for Thanksgiving Baskets
The Center was forced to close registration two days early 

Madison, WI  Nov. 2, 2020 – The Goodman Community Center has closed registration for its Thanksgiving Baskets two days early, due to higher-than-ever demand. GCC plans to provide 4,000 families with all the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and those registration spots have all been filled. 

“This is bittersweet, really. On the one hand, we’re glad so many people knew about the program and see Goodman as a place they can rely on for help,” said Francesca Frisque, GCC Food Pantry Coordinator. “On the other hand, we worry about the people who weren’t able to register because we had to close. This is an exceptionally hard year for so many, and we truly wish we could provide every family who needs it with a full Thanksgiving meal.” 

As it is, the Center will work hard to provide the 4,000 people who registered with a meal, and they’ll need the help of the community to make that happen. “Achieving our goal feels more important this year than any other,” said Frisque. 

The Goodman Center recommends that community members who would like to help by donating food start gathering items now so that by the time donations are open, they will have a bag or two to drop off. Those who are interested can also host a food drive at their work, place of worship, club or neighborhood. A downloadable kit with tips, posters and shopping lists can be found at goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. 

For those interested in making a financial contribution, the Center has created a virtual fundraiser kit, also available at goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. Or, individuals can make financial donations at goodmancenter.org/donate. 

“We’ve got a big task in front of us,” said Frisque, “but we’ve seen our community come together to help their neighbors year after year. We’re confident we’ll be able to provide a little comfort to 4,000 Dane County families this Thanksgiving, and we’re so thankful for everyone who has already stepped up and who will step up to help.” 

For anyone who tried to register but could not, the Center will hand out left-over full and partial baskets, as well as turkeys on Tuesday, Nov. 24, starting at 10am. No appointment is necessary, and food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the Center runs out. 

About the Goodman Community Center 

The Goodman Community Center is the largest community center in Dane County. The center offers many programs to strengthen the lives of preschoolers through teens, meals and social activities for older adults, a food pantry, a gymnasium and fitness center, catering services and community space. For more information about the Center, visit goodmancenter.org. 

Find Goodman Community Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

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Cellist Camille Thomas Will Kick Off Virtual Fall 2020 Concert Series With Performance From Paris, Live Q&A

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 20, 2020

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu 

CELLIST CAMILLE THOMAS WILL KICK OFF VIRTUAL FALL 2020 CONCERT SERIES WITH PERFORMANCE FROM PARIS, LIVE Q&A

Tickets to fall virtual performance by Camille Thomas now available for purchase

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union Theater’s fall virtual Concert Series performances will begin on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. CDT with a performance from Paris by Camille Thomas, featuring music by Claude Debussy, Nadia Boulanger, Maurice Ravel and Frédéric Chopin, and a live Q&A with Thomas and pianist Julien Brocal on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. CDT. 

Thomas, a Franco-Belgian cellist, says she uses her music to bring people together from a range of cultures and backgrounds. Thomas released her second album, called “Voice of Hope,” with the exclusive Deutsche Grammophon this past June.

Thomas studied with Frans Helmerson and Wolfgang-Emmanuel Schmidt at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, Germany, after working with Marcel Bardon and Philippe Muller in Paris and Stephan Forck in Berlin.

Camille plays the Feuermann Stradivarius cello (1730) with a bow by Eugène Sartory, who is regarded as one of the finest bowmakers in history. Joining her for this performance will be pianist Julien Brocal.

“Camille Thomas’s extraordinary talent makes her one of the most captivating artists of our time, as evidenced by being the first cellist in several decades to be signed by the major record label Deutsche Grammophon,” Wisconsin Union Theater Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “Her ‘Midnight in Paris’ program brings us closer to her roots and reflects the beauty and charm of her personality as well as her musicality.”

The Camille Thomas performance marks the start of the fall Concert Series events, which includes a concert with Jeremy Denk on Dec. 11. Ticket purchase information as well as Thomas’s performance program can be found here. Tickets for this online event are $10 for UW-Madison students, $18 for Wisconsin Union members, and $20 for all other patrons. 

In its 101st year, the Wisconsin Union Theater’s Concert Series is one of the oldest uninterrupted series of its kind in the United States. The Wisconsin Union Theater team presents the Concert Series in collaboration with the student-led Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Performing Arts Committee, which, along with 10 other WUD committees and six clubs, promotes and runs more than 1,000 Wisconsin Union events each year. 

 The Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a cultural center for community members and visitors for more than 75 years. The WUD Performing Arts Committee plans many of the Theater’s events, including the Concert Series.

While usually held in-person and most often in Shannon Hall, the Wisconsin Union Theater team will hold this fall’s Theater events in a virtual format for the health and safety of patrons, artists, and team members in light of COVID-19. The team aims for all of its spaces, including online ones, to be accessible. Those that need accommodations can reach out to the Wisconsin Union Theater team at wisconsinuniontheater@union.wisc.edu. 

The Theater team continues to evaluate what changes may need to occur related to the spring Concert Series events as well as other spring Theater season performances.

The Wisconsin Union Theater has made multiple commitments to take a stand against racial injustice, including being more than allies, being activists; using the arts to create social justice; remembering students are future leaders and must be part of the change; using its voice to influence leadership and being firm in its resolve; and making space, stepping back, and learning how to give up undeserved or unnecessary power and privilege.

For more information about the performance by Camille Thomas, including how to purchase tickets, visit union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/event-calendar/event/camille-thomas.  

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About the Wisconsin Union Theater

For more than 75 years, the Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a center for cultural activity in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The Theater hosts performances in multiple locations, including Memorial Union, and has an expansive history of remarkable performances. The Wisconsin Union Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more about the Theater: union.wisc.edu/wisconsin-union-theater.

About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee plans and promotes events for the historic Wisconsin Union Theater stages. The student-led committee programs a variety of events to provide a diverse and cultural experience for students, faculty, alumni, community members and visitors. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/get-involved/wud/performing-arts.

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/camille-thomas.