Category: Member News
Learn who’s growing, changing, moving and more! Stay on top of what’s new with your neighboring businesses. We share news releases and announcements from your peers in the Madison area. Want to toot your own horn? Use our Submit Member News form to share your own stories.
Photo by Richard Hurd
DeWitt Welcomes Two Attorneys to the Firm
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle M. Friedman
262-754-2877 / mmf@dewittllp.com
DEWITT WELCOMES TWO ATTORNEYS TO THE FIRM
MADISON | MILWAUKEE | MINNEAPOLIS – DeWitt LLP announced today that Kierre Elvington and Kimberly Ripp joined the firm. Elvington, an associate in the litigation and business practice groups, will practice from the firm’s Brookfield office. Ripp, a family law partner, will practice from the firm’s Madison office.
Kierre Elvington – Elvington is a first-year associate. He previously was a law clerk with DeWitt last summer. His experience includes an internship at Zendesk and clerking at Church Mutual Insurance Company. He earned his J.D., from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his B.A., in political science and government, from Georgia State University.

Kimberly Ripp – Ripp joins the firm with more than 24 years of experience in the family law arena. In particular, she is well versed in collaborative divorce and interdisciplinary divorce mediation. She serves clients throughout the Madison, Sun Prairie and surrounding areas in all matters related to divorce, custody, support, paternity, post decree issues, marital property agreements and more. Additionally, she offers estate planning advice in relation to wills and powers of attorney. Ripp earned her J.D., from the University of Wisconsin Law School, and a B.A., with distinction, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is an active member of many family law organizations in and around Dane County including the Board of Directors for the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin, Dane County Collaborative Group, Dane County Family Law Group, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. She is also actively involved in the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce and a recipient of the “Best Attorney” award from the Sun Prairie Star.

About DeWitt
DeWitt LLP is one of the ten largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with
an additional presence in Minnesota. It has nearly 140 attorneys
practicing in Madison and Metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis,
Minnesota, in a variety of legal areas and has the experience to service
clients of all scopes and sizes. The firm is known for its work in
several areas, including intellectual property, patents, trademarks and
copyright law, civil rights litigation, construction litigation, corporate law,
employment, environmental, employee benefits, estate planning, family law,
government relations, health care, litigation, real estate, and tax law.
More information is available at dewittllp.com.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Taliesin becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Taliesin Preservation is pleased to announce the inscription of Taliesin to the UNESCO World Heritage list. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) recognizes landmarks or sites for having cultural, historical, or scientific relevance throughout the world.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, an organization based in Chicago, IL has been spearheading this serial nomination of eight major works by Frank Lloyd Wright. The other buildings inscribed together with Taliesin are: Unity Temple (Oak Park, IL), Frederick C. Robie House (Chicago, IL), Hollyhock House (Los Angeles, CA), Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA), Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House (Madison, WI), Taliesin West (Scottsdale, AZ), and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York, NY). These properties are recognized as prominently shaping architecture in the 20th-Century, spanning 50 years of Frank Lloyd Wright’s career.
The nomination, which was originally reviewed by the World Heritage Committee in 2016 and announcement of the inscription was made on July 7, 2019, during the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan. The nomination has been in development for more than a decade with the voluntary participation and cooperation of all of the property owners and site stewards.
The effects of the nomination at Taliesin is primarily an honorary distinction, though it is expected to grow tourism, media coverage, and popularity. This inscription provides protections of the Taliesin property in addition to the National Historic Landmark (1976) protections. Taliesin is the only UNESCO World Heritage site open to the public in the state of Wisconsin.
“We’re elated that Taliesin has been inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This will be a huge driving force for Taliesin, Spring Green, the Driftless Area, and the greater Midwest with increased visitation and visibility to a global audience. The lasting impact of this inscription will drive economic development to our region, to the State of Wisconsin, and beyond.” – Carrie Rodamaker, Executive Director
At Taliesin Preservation we are dedicated to preserving the culture of Taliesin in addition to the built and natural environments that make up the 800-acre estate. Taliesin continues to be a laboratory for individuals to come together for thought exchange, multi-disciplinary learning-by-doing, and leading the next generation to address the human needs of our time. Taliesin Preservation embodies a spirit of innovation and thought-provoking solutions and creating an oasis for guests to experience what it truly means to be human.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Madison Ballet Welcomes Dancer, Choreographer & Arts Advocate Darwin Black
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JONATHAN SOLARI
(608) 210- 1676
jonathan@madisonballet.org
Madison Ballet Welcomes Dancer, Choreographer & Arts Advocate Darwin Black
Reception to be held at Table Wine on July 15th
MADISON, WI — Madison Ballet is proud to welcome visiting artist Darwin Black from Los Angeles. An advocate for equal access to the dance and the arts, Mr. Black’s work as a dancer and choreographer has been celebrated nationally. He will work with students of the School of Madison Ballet for a one-week intensive. A public reception for Mr. Black and a brief performance will be held at Table Wine (2045 Atwood Ave.) at 6 p.m., Monday, July 15th, with a $10 suggested donation going directly to support the work of the School of Madison Ballet.
Darwin Black of Newark, New Jersey started his dancing at the age of 16. In 2006, he graduated from Newark Arts High School under the direction of Ronnie D. Carney & Kim Richardson. Darwin furthered his training under Nancy Turano with the New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble. After a year of training at Alvin Ailey American Dance as a Fellowship Student under the Oprah Winfrey Scholarship, he began his professional career with the Miami Contemporary Dance Company, performing repertory by Ray Sullivan. Darwin later joined The Sacramento Ballet, performing ballets by George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Trey McIntyre and Matthew Neenan. He joined Pascal Rioult Dance Theater, touring throughout the country. Mr. Black danced as a freelance artist for Alaska Dance Theatre, Lustig Dance Theatre, Oakland Ballet, Nimbus Dance Works, Jennifer Muller/The Works, and he toured throughout Europe with Momix. Darwin later joined TU Dance under the leadership of Toni-Pierce Sands & Uri Sands.
Darwin’s first original work as a choreographer, Saint Paul Ballet’s “OFF THE BASE” premiered at The Cowles Center March 2017. October 2018, he Premiered “N.L.I.F” (Never Live In Fear) for Minnesota Dance Theatre.
Madison Ballet continues its growth and commitment to radical access to the arts after the announcement of Jonathan Solari as CEO last month. This year, Madison Ballet has embarked on a $1,000,000 dollar capital campaign, moved to new studios and offices on Odana Road, and hired Mr. Solari.
“Darwin is an artist whose skills have been sharpened with the great companies of our time, but his vision comes from his heart,” said Mr. Solari. “From starting foundations providing opportunities for dancers from single-parent households to choreographing with boldness and strength, Darwin has found purpose in his work on and off stage. I imagine that sense of purpose will be contagious to our students and audiences.”

Photo by Richard Hurd
Agrace Offers Three August Grief Support Groups, Seeks Hospice Volunteers in Dane County
In August, three grief support programs will be offered at the Agrace Grief Support Center, 2906 Marketplace Drive, Fitchburg. The groups are open to the public and free to people whose family member was in hospice care in the past 12 months; fees can be lowered or waived for others, if needed. Call (608) 327-7118 with questions or to register.
Bridges Grief Support Group for grieving adults meets August 7 and 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and August 14 and 28, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. No advance registration is needed, and participants may attend as often as they feel the need for support.
Summer Spouse/Partner Loss Support Group provides support from a trained counselor and other participants who understand the emotional nature of this loss. August meetings are Tuesday, August 13 and 27, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. No advance registration is needed, and participants may attend as often as they feel the need for support.
LGBTQ Spouse/Partner Loss Group is a six-week support group series for anyone who is part of the LGBTQ community and is grieving the death of their life partner. It meets Wednesdays, August 21 through September 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Interested participants are asked to pre-register by August 5.
In addition, volunteers are needed across Dane County to make companionship visits to local Agrace HospiceCare patients in patients’ homes, or in nursing homes or assisted living centers. Agrace also needs volunteers to provide hairstyling, hand massages, music performances and therapy dog visits. A volunteer training for these roles will be held August 19, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Agrace in Madison.
Volunteers can also help in Agrace’s thrift stores, office, kitchen and gardens. A training for these roles will be held August 22, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pre-registration is required for both trainings. Call (608) 327-7163 to complete an application and interview.
Photo by Richard Hurd
LÜM Delivers New Music Streaming and Discovery Experience with Launch of Mobile App
Mobile app sets new precedent for helping millions of emerging artists connect with fans through music discovery and social media platform with launch on the Apple App store.
MADISON, WI – July 1, 2019 – LÜM, the Madison-based tech startup that recently closed their $1.2 million seed financing, today announced the launch of its new app for iOS devices. This announcement, in addition to LÜM’s recent partnership with Frank Productions, one of the largest concert promoters in the United States, illustrates the company’s dedication to building out innovative avenues that drive artist growth.
With less than 1% of all musicians earning any material income from their music, LÜM decreases the disparity between mainstream and undiscovered music by leveraging music streaming with the amplification effects of social media. Artists upload their content and connect with fans on LÜM’s platform. Fans can easily share music with friends and become influencers on the platform by discovering and sharing up-and-coming artists with their peer communities.
“This generation of artists and fans are more than just the sum of their streams,” said Max Fergus, CEO and co-founder of LÜM. “We want artists to use their fans and communities as a catalyst for their growth, and LÜM is really the first platform to provide that connection.”
Over the past year, LÜM has become one of the fastest growing Madison tech-startups, recently winning the 2018 Pressure Chamber pitch competition, one of the largest in the Midwest. LÜM has also secured guidance from an impressive board of advisors and legal counsel, including: lead business advisor Randall Mays (former president and CFO of Clear Channel Communications and current board member of Live Nation) and Gary Greenstein of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (recently named among Billboard’s “Top Music Industry Lawyers”).
With support from strategic partner Frank Productions, LÜM will be hosting a launch concert at the Majestic Theatre in Madison on July 11th. The concert will feature some of the hottest up-and-coming artists around the country. Tickets for the concert can be purchased directly through the Majestic website or through the ticket link HERE.
If you would like further information on LÜM, or you would like to schedule an interview, please contact:
Max Fergus, CEO & co-founder, LÜM
Email: max.fergus@lum.fm
Phone: 608.576.6682
To download the app: https://lum.fm/
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About LÜM
LÜM is a music streaming and discovery application built on a stand-alone social network that enables emerging artists to circulate their music and grow their fan base. The LÜM platform focuses exclusively on emerging artists and increases fan-to-fan and fan-to-artist engagement through the gamification of social music discovery.
Artists upload their content and connect with fans on LÜM’s platform. Fans discover artists and circulate music by discovering, sharing, and engaging with their friends and peer communities. Founded in 2018, LÜM is headquartered in Madison, WI, with offices in Austin, TX. For more information, visit https://lum.fm/.
About Frank Productions
Frank Productions (FPC Live) is a full-service concert promotion company involved in every facet of live events including production, logistics, ticketing, marketing, sponsorships, food and beverage, operations, and merchandising. Frank Productions produces and promotes live entertainment events in arenas, amphitheaters, performing arts centers, clubs, and other venues across the country. For additional information, visit www.FPC-Live.com.
