Mel Hammond

Oct 11, 2024 | tcj.com | Clark Burscough |Alan Moore |David Calcano |Mel Hammond

A quick note up top, before we head into this week's links, below, that the the Book Industry Charitable Foundation is providing funding to bookstore and comic shop employees and owners affected by the recent hurricanes in the U.S., with a number of publishers giving matched donationsThis week's news. up to a fixed amount - information on donating can be found here.

Aug 19, 2024 | isthmus.com | Mel Hammond

The Music Theatre of Madison’s 2024 summer show is hilarious. It’s heartbreaking. It’s relatable. And at times, it’s difficult to watch — in a good way. Next to Normal, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical that debuted in 2008, is energizing the Play Circle Theater stage at the UW Memorial Union. Directed by Kevin James Sievert, this emotional show provides a powerful and captivating peek into the life of a family dealing with mental illness.

Jul 18, 2024 | isthmus.com | Mel Hammond

Wisconsin ranks spending just 18 cents per capita on the arts. In contrast, Minnesota pays about $9.67 per capita. This lack of funding creates financial barriers for Wisconsin artists — especially women. According to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, 46% of visual artists in the U.S. are women, but they earn just 74% of what male artists do. Madison artists Brenda Baker and Bird Ross set out to help provide much-needed support for women artists in Dane County.

Jul 9, 2024 | isthmus.com | Mel Hammond

Fatigue, brain fog and other symptoms continue to plague more than 5% of Wisconsin residents “It was like somebody flipped a switch,” Tim Gittings says, describing the onset of his long COVID symptoms. “I got nauseous and dizzy and disoriented.

Jul 2, 2024 | isthmus.com | Mel Hammond

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom revived in the public consciousness in 2020 with the release of the Netflix film starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. But a better way to experience August Wilson’s 1982 play is on the outdoor stage at the American Players Theatre this summer.     Directed by Gavin Dillon Lawrence, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom follows celebrated blues singer Gertrude “Ma” Rainey and her four-piece band through a recording session in a 1927 Chicago music studio.