Wisconsin Union Theater: Black Arts Matter Festival Returns with a Range of Events, Including Art, Comedy, Poetry and Music Nov. 8-12 in Madison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 3, 2023   

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

READ RELEASE ONLINE: union.wisc.edu/about/news/bam-festival-2023

BLACK ARTS MATTER FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH A RANGE OF EVENTS, INCLUDING ART, COMEDY, POETRY AND MUSIC, NOV. 8-12 IN MADISON

MADISON – The annual Black Arts Matter (BAM) Festival returns for a fourth year to Madison, Wisconsin, Nov. 8-12. The BAM Festival will include live music, visual art, stand-up comedy, a vendor market, and a poetry slam competition featuring slam champions from across the United States.

University of Wisconsin–Madison alumna and award-winning poet, actor and artist Shasparay founded the BAM Festival in 2019 and continues to serve as its artistic director. She co-produces and co-presents the BAM Festival with the Wisconsin Union Theater (WUT).

The full lineup includes:

Nov. 8:

• A public welcome reception with DJ Femme Noir, 5:30 p.m. in the Shannon Sunset Lounge at Memorial Union
• Viewing of “Apologetically BLK” exhibition by Mawhyah Milton, 6 p.m. in the Class of 1925 Gallery at Memorial Union, presented by the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Art Committee in collaboration with Shasparay and WUT
• Artist talk with Milton, moderated by Shasparay, 7:00 p.m. in the Play Circle at Memorial Union

Nov. 9:

• Comedy by Emmy-winning comedian Jerrod Carmichael, who has hosted “Saturday Night Live” and the 80th Golden Globes, has three HBO comedy specials and stars in this year’s Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion winner, “Poor Things,”9 p.m. in Shannon Hall at Memorial Union

Nov. 10:

• All-Star Poetry Slam featuring more than a dozen of the country’s top poets, 7:30 p.m. in Shannon Hall at Memorial Union

Nov. 11:

• Live music by New Orleans-based, GRAMMY-nominated R&B band Tank and the Bangas, 7:30 p.m. in Shannon Hall at Memorial Union

Nov. 12:

• The Black Arts Matter Youth Talent Competition, 2 p.m. at Madison Youth Arts (MYArts)
• BAM Art Market, an art and vendor market, 11 a.m. at MYArts

New BAM events include a gallery exhibition, featuring the artist who created BAM’s visuals; a youth talent competition; the BAM Art Market; and the welcome reception where the community is invited to kick off the celebration and try this year’s signature beverage, BAMalicious, which will have a non-alcoholic option and be available in Shannon Sunset Lounge prior to most of the BAM Festival events taking place in Shannon Hall.

The cornerstone of BAM is its poetry slam competition. The All-Star Poetry Slam will consist of three rounds, eliminating half of the poets in each round before a final champion is chosen. Shasparay and WUT will provide additional details at union.wisc.edu/bamfestival closer to the Festival’s start. First, second, and third-place winners will receive cash prizes, and the winner of the slam will open for the Festival headliner, Tank and the Bangas, the following evening.

“The festival is packed this year,” Shasparay said. “We have a mix of local and world-renowned talent that are being brought together in celebration of Black arts and creativity. I am particularly excited to engage youth artists and have a vendor market.”

Shasparay founded the BAM Festival while earning her undergraduate degree in theatre from UW–Madison. She created the festival after identifying a lack of Black arts awareness and platforms in Madison, Wisconsin. Shasparay has a master’s degree from the UW–Madison Wisconsin School of Business and is globally recognized for her performance art, including ranking fourth at the 2022 Womxn of the World Poetry Slam. She has been featured on Button Poetry, in the Huffington Post, and on BuzzFeed. She is currently playing Gilda in “The Wiz” at an arts venue in Madison.

WUT first partnered with Shasparay in 2020 as part of WUT’s commitment to celebrating arts and culture that highlight and uplift diverse identities, stories, and voices with the intention of creating an equitable and inclusive place for all who engage with the Theater, the Wisconsin Union, and UW–Madison.

“This year’s Black Arts Matter Festival combines visual art, comedy, poetry, spoken word, and music,” WUT Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “The performing and visual arts are some of the best ways to express ourselves – sometimes the only way – and the artists featured in this year’s Festival have so much to say and share. Every night is a ‘don’t miss.’”

The BAM Festival is part of the WUT 2023-24 season of what’s next now in performing arts, which features dance, international music, jazz, and chamber music.

The BAM Festival is made possible in part with support from the Wisconsin Union, the Wisconsin Alumni Association, the Evjue Foundation, Dane Arts, the Madison Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Division of the Arts.

Patrons can save 20% on WUT season events through subscriptions, including the brand-new build-your-own subscription options of three to five events for 15% off or six or more events for a 20% discount.

Patrons can purchase tickets to the BAM Festival and other WUT events online, at the Memorial Union Box Office, or by phone at (608) 265-2787.

Patrons can learn more about the BAM Festival and purchase tickets to Festival events at union.wisc.edu/bamfestival.

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About the Wisconsin Union Theater

For more than 80 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 extensive history of remarkable performances. The Wisconsin Union Theater is committed to social justice and works to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive place for all who engage with the Theater’s programming, events, and activities. 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: union.wisc.edu/wisconsin-union-theater.

About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee is part of the Wisconsin Union’s leadership development program for UW–Madison students and supports the Wisconsin Union Theater’s mission of serving students through the performing arts. By helping to program the Theater’s annual season of performing arts presentations, the students learn about program curation, relationship-building, marketing, communications, budgeting, and production. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/get-involved/wud/performing-arts.

StartingBlock Madison: Meet the Madworks Fall 2023 Cohort!

We’re thrilled to introduce the 8 companies in this Fall’s Madworks Cohort. The Madworks Accelerator is a 11-week program, comprising tailored mentorship and building governance acumen. The program is industry agnostic. In addition to connecting companies to entrepreneurial leaders in the community, we ensure that these organizations obtain a foundation in legal compliance, quality board management skills, and financial knowledge.

Meet The Companies

• 1Director / Rianne Lund – All-inclusive software suite for funeral homes to manage their business and allow families to make funeral arrangements from the comfort of their own home.
• Figgy / Rachel Neill & Chris Roepe – Creators of kids play couches that are fun, high quality, safe, and sustainable.
• NOVII CPA / Victoria Thayer – Outsourced accounting solutions, financial preparation services, tax planning and tax preparation, and CFO services.
• Petphoria / Grace Wang – Modern lifestyle brand for pets and their people. Offering a wide variety of premium products for your pet – from delicious dog treats to trendy dog toys.
• Redfox AI / Nick Myers – Voice-activated AI that verbally facilitates and troubleshoots home diagnostics and medical devices helping manufacturers and providers be there at the point of care.
• Soul Mobility / Troy Tesmer – Mobility solutions for the physically challenged to support their independence and well being. The initial product, Power-Flex, wil convert a manual wheelchair to a power chair quickly and with no tools.
• Snow Scholars / Jake Piekarski – Affordable and personable residential snow removal company that employs college students at several college towns throughout the Midwest.
• Spraycision / Dervis Gursoy – Designs and manufactures advanced level sensor systems for orchard sprayers that automatically control nozzles to reduce the chemicals, fuel and water usage and to provide eco-friendly solutions in spray applications.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

• Access to over $1M in prizes and benefits
• $6,500 in grant funding per participating team
• 1 year membership to StartingBlock (24×7 access), with an exclusive space at StartingBlock dedicated to Madworks companies
• Access to StartingBlock member benefits, including 90% discount on Hubspot CRM
• Regular access to Madworks & StartingBlock staff and connections to their network of mentors and experts

New WPS Health Insurance network helps self-funded employers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

New WPS Health Insurance network helps self-funded employers
Companies across Wisconsin now have a more robust network choice

MADISON, Wis.—Sept. 19, 2023—WPS Health Insurance, powered by Auxiant, is partnering with Health Payment Systems (HPS) to create an integrated network of health care providers for employers choosing its self-funded, or Administrative Services Only, group health plans. Group members’ claims will access the HPS network of providers first and, if not in-network, will then go to the WPS Statewide Network, creating a statewide broad network solution.

The HPS Network includes 96 hospitals and 27,000 individual providers while the WPS Statewide Network has 165 hospitals and more than 63,000 individual practitioners. These networks will work together to give employers across Wisconsin even more health care provider choices for their employees.

The new partnership includes HPS’ consumer financing tool, the PayMedix SuperEOB^®. Members who visit an in-network PayMedix provider get credit up to their out-of-pocket (OOP) maximum, regardless of credit history, with the option to pay over time without any interest charges or fees.

“This new network choice gives our self-funded group health customers a better way to meet the needs of their employees and their families,” WPS Vice President of Health Insurance Economics and Business Development Jeremy Ott said. “Our customers will have access to a broad network of health care providers and to the patient financing PayMedix brings. Adding HPS/PayMedix to our network makes getting health care easier for our customers.”

“’We look forward to working with WPS to bring a more cost-effective, statewide health plan that can save employers and their employees money,” HPS/PayMedix CEO Tom Policelli said. “In addition, including the PayMedix consumer engagement and patient financing solution for HPS providers ensures patients aren’t avoiding care due to cost.”

The new HPS Network paired with the WPS Statewide Network will be available to select self-funded group health plan customers for the 2024 plan year.

About WPS Health Insurance^®

As one of the largest health benefits providers in the state, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Insurance) offers a variety of services and coverage with Preferred Provider Organization health plans for individuals, fully insured and self-funded group health plans for employers, and Medicare supplement insurance plans. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, and with employees throughout the state, WPS Health Insurance is deeply committed to Wisconsin and its residents. Visit wpshealth.com for more information.

About Auxiant

Auxiant is an independent third-party administrator with more than 200 full-time employees and offices in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Madison, Wis., and Milwaukee, Wis. Auxiant has been in business since 1982 and is dedicated to providing its clients with the best possible service. Auxiant specializes in customization, cost control, health management, and technological tools for self-funded clients and members. Auxiant is known for its innovation and technology, constantly evolving to meet the needs of its clients.

About Health Payment Systems, Inc.

Health Payment Systems (HPS) is a privately held PPO network in the state of Wisconsin. HPS is the parent company to PayMedix, an EOB consolidation tool that serves all contracted providers and enrolled members. The PayMedix single-statement billing helps families combat confusing and unaffordable medical bills, while its guaranteed payment model eliminates provider collection costs and risk. HPS is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To learn more, visit Health Payment Systems.

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AwardsMall / Total Awards & Promotions, Inc.: Nationwide Trophy Recycling Program Fundraiser on October 7

The Nationwide Trophy Recycling Program is having a fundraiser on Saturday, October 7, 2023. 

They will have hundreds of trophies for sale. Prices range from $3 to $125.

The funds support the operating costs of the recycling program to ensure sustainability.

The program keeps trophies from the landfills while giving them FREE to nonprofits nationwide.

A wide range of trophies from vintage to modern day and all sizes are available.

The fundraiser is from 9 AM to 1 PM at 6670 Odana Road in Market Square, Madison.

MSCR to celebrate Active Aging Month with a variety of free activities!

September 14, 2023

For Immediate Release

Contact: Nicole Graper, MSCR Marketing Specialist, at ngraper@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-3017

MSCR to Celebrate Active Aging Month with a variety of free activities!
Adults 50+ and better are invited to join MSCR for enrichment, fitness and wellness workshops this October.

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is celebrating Active Aging Month with a variety of free activities and challenges on October 1-29. Adults, ages 50 and better, are invited to try a new activity, meet people and stay active by participating in more than 30 activities at several MSCR locations.

Activities include Ask the Trainer, Coloring for Relaxation, Chair One Dance Fitness, Nature Walk, Shopping & Preventing Identity Theft, TRX Yoga and more. Registration opens Monday, September 18 at 12pm at mscr.org. Participants have the option to earn raffle tickets for prizes by completing daily activities.

According to Mindy Vinje, MSCR 50+ Fitness & Wellness Specialist, “The goal of Active Aging Month is to demonstrate that individuals over 50 can thrive in all aspects of life, including physical, social, spiritual and emotional, regardless of age or health status. The month-long event at MSCR provides free opportunities to wellness activities and exercise programs for older adults, with the goal of showcasing age-friendly wellness programs and promoting a positive message of aging.”

In addition to this year’s Active Aging festivities, MSCR is holding a special celebration for caregivers on October 30 & 31. These free workshops are tailor made with caregivers’ needs in mind.

The complete schedule for all these events is available at mscr.org.

MSCR is Madison’s public recreation department and offers a variety of recreation programs for all ages. Please go to mscr.org for more information or call 608-204-3000.

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