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.

WPS Health Solutions donates $20,000 to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness to improve health and reduce disparities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions donates $20,000 to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness to improve health and reduce disparities

MADISON, Wis.—Oct. 16, 2020—WPS Health Solutions today announced a $20,000 gift to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, a Madison-based nonprofit organization that works to eliminate health disparities impacting African American women and their families. The gift will support the Foundation’s health and wellness education and heart disease prevention efforts.

WPS Health Solutions has a long history of investment in local efforts that build strong, healthy communities. The Madison-based company has nearly 4,000 team members throughout much of the United Sates, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Virginia.

“In considering our giving priorities this year, WPS chose to support The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness based on its strong record of work and leadership to improve Black women’s health outcomes, and to drive health equity in Wisconsin where racial disparities are among the highest in the nation,” said Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Established in 2012, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness engages and supports over 5,000 women and girls each year to build healthier lives through education, outreach, support circles, powerful partnerships, and by influencing systemic change. The organization has gained statewide and national recognition for its advocacy to advance Black women’s well-being as a public health priority.

“We are honored and excited that WPS chose us as one of its giving partners and at this crucial time where the need is so great,” says Foundation CEO and President Lisa Peyton-Caire. “As we confront long-standing health disparities compounded by COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black women and families here in Wisconsin and across the nation, never has it been more urgent to support Black women to live their healthiest lives. We look forward to the powerful impacts we will make with WPS’ generous support.”

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for nearly 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

About The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

Established in June 2012, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization committed to mobilizing African American women to pursue and sustain mind-body-spirit wellness, and to raise the visibility and support of Black women’s health as a community and public health priority. To learn more, please visit ffbww.org.

Left to right: Lisa Peyton-Caire, founding CEO and President of the Foundation; Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at WPS; Janine Stephens, Chief Operations Officer of the Foundation; Megan Willauer, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships at WPS; and Alia Stevenson, Chief Programs Officer of the Foundation.

KW2 Announces Account Director Promotion, New Hires

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andy Wallman, President
awallman@kw2madison.com
608-232-2300 

Growing Agency Announces Account Director Promotion, New Hires 

Madison, WI, October 15, 2020 — KW2, a 34-year-old full-service digital and marketing firm based in Madison, announces the promotion of Michelle Sweet to Account Director. She will lead the team with planning, training, hiring and account team mentorship.  

“Michelle excels at this work and I’m so excited to have her step into this role,” says KW2 Vice President and co-owner Jennifer Savino. “KW2 will be even better with of Michelle’s leadership and passion for what we do.”

KW2 also announces five new hires as the Madison marketing and digital firm is continuing their growth throughout 2020. The KW2 team grew quickly since May with the addition of new clients and work from longtime clients.

Longtime ad executive, Kelly Mlsna, has been hired as Account Manager. As veteran a marketer and creative collaborator, she brings deep experience to the agency, and will lead teams on KW2’s public health and business accounts.

Kelly brings big brand experience from companies like Lands’ End, Honeywell, LaCrosse Footwear, Descente, Erbert and Gerbert’s, Glanbia Nutritionals and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

“Kelly’s depth of experience really adds to our incredible team’s skill set,” Savino said. “She will use her 20 years of strategic problem solving in the industry to drive actionable results for our clients. We are very excited to welcome Kelly to the team.”

About KW2
KW2 is a 34-year-old marketing and digital agency in Madison, Wisconsin. We create change that helps public health, higher education and business organizations empower and improve lives. Research-based insights, strategies and creative have driven the agency’s successes for dozens of higher ed and public health clients and businesses like The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison College, UW-Madison, The Wisconsin Technical College System, The City of Columbus, OH Department of Public Health and Zerology. 

Kollath CPA Introduces KollathKares Grant Program for Wisconsin Nonprofit Organizations

https://www.kollathcpa.com/KollathKaresGrant.html

First-day Thanksgiving Baskets registrations at Goodman Center break all previous records

More than 2,200 families registered for GCC’s Thanksgiving Baskets 

Madison, WI Oct. 13, 2020 – On Monday, Oct. 12, the Goodman Community Center opened registration for its annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, and 2,216 families and individuals have signed up to receive a basket. This is nearly 1,000 more registrants than the same time last year.  

“We’ve seen unprecedented levels of demand in our food pantry since the coronavirus hit Wisconsin, so this outpouring of requests early on in the registration process isn’t surprising,” said Francesca Frisque, Goodman Center Food Pantry Coordinator. “Obviously, we wish people didn’t have to worry about where their holiday meal will come from, but we’re also glad that we can be a reliable source of help.” 

For the last 32 years, the Goodman Center has provided Dane County families with everything they need to prepare a Thanksgiving meal at home, and this year, the Center has set a goal of serving 4,000 families.  

The registration period is scheduled to run through Oct. 23, but GCC may be forced to close registration early. This record setting pace has the Goodman Community Center concerned about its capacity to reach everyone and about the state of hunger in our community. 

As in previous years, the Goodman Center has partnered with MMSD social workers to identify families in highest need and ensure they get registered for a basket. The Center has also made the registration process easy, creating a simple online form that is available in three languages: English, Spanish and Hmong. 

Many people still call in to register by phone. “Our registration line was ringing off the hook yesterday, and we expect that to continue,” said Frisque. “We’re so thankful for the volunteers who are willing to help field the calls and answer questions. We’re lucky to have the most supportive community around.” 

The Goodman Community Center is seeking community support by way of food donations, financial contributions and volunteers. It will take a village to provide 4,000 Dane County families with a Thanksgiving feast. People who are interested in helping can learn more at goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. 

How to register for a basket: 

Registration is open to Dane County residents from Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Oct. 23. 

• Register online: goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving 
• Register by phone: 608-204-8018, Mon. – Fri., 12:30 – 6pm.  

How to help: 

• Host a food drive (in person or virtual): We have photos, posters, grocery lists and helpful tips to make your drive successful. Downloadable files are available on our website: goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. 
• Make a financial gift: Funds raised are used to purchase turkeys, perishable items and items needed to completely fill baskets. Donate online at goodmancenter.org/donate 
• Volunteer your time: Many volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Contact GCC Volunteer Manager Mai Lor Yang for more information: mailor@goodmandenter.org or 608-204-8056. 

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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