For the first time, LCPD presented “Dolce Stil Novo” — “a feast for the senses” of dance and theater to Madison connoisseurs and newfound appreciators of the arts alike.

LCPD is a Madison based non-profit organization whose mission is “to support, produce and promote original inventive, and thought-provoking contemporary choreography.” Through their Dec. 1 performance, the company continued to fulfill this mission — allowing audience members to reflect on the intention behind each piece of the program.

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Dolce Stil Novo which is Italian for “sweet new style” refers to a 13th-century Italian literature style of poetry where the main themes are love and introspection.

Parallel to the methods of Italian poets, this female-focused show derived its inspiration from contemplating the concept of women and celebrating them in return via a perplexing combination of various art forms.

The multidisciplinary performance featured five acclaimed artists — fashion designer Emily Popp, lighting designer John Frautschy, musician Julia McConahay, visual artist Chele Isaac, and artistic director and choreographer Li Chiao-Ping. In addition to these roles, Popp, McConahay and Chiao-Ping played physical parts in the performance accompanied by several company members, guest artists and student dancers from the University of Wisconsin.

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Because of the knowledge brought from collaborating artist professor Patrick Rumble, the essence and significance of Italian culture were displayed subtly, yet significantly throughout “Dolce Stil Novo.” Rumble specializes in the history of numerous Italian disciplines, including Italian cinema, literature, culture and society at UW.

The first piece represented this Italian connection with musical accompaniment “Mercè, dilette amiche” from the opera “I vespri siciliani” by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi.

But before this song began, complete silence filled the auditorium space as the women who took the dance floor displayed playful, yet powerfully partnered choreography intermixed with featured solos and non-synchronization — setting the tone for the near ninety minute performance.

Lauren John shares a serious look moving across the dance floor.
John Maniaci/John Maniaci Photography

This first dance was followed by UW MFA candidate Emily Popp’s 100 Pound Dress, a garment weighing in at exactly 104.5 pounds which sat on the dance floor waiting to be worn by six people, including Popp. The individuals modeled the dress by walking carefully across the floor, stretching apart at times to show off its various segments to the audience as an audio recorded explanation behind the piece played along.

“The stories are there, but I don’t know what they are. So I can only try to feel them with my body and not necessarily understand with my mind,” Popp said.

The five other models removed themselves from the dress — wrapping Popp in the hefty material, sewn together earlier in 2018, she is still feeling to understand.

Luella Shapiro balances herself well on a table during “Table Tasks v. 1” (2018).
John Maniaci/John Maniaci Photography

Popp’s fashion exhibit was followed by the premiere of a number of distinctive pieces, including “reDress/age” performed by five UW student dancers, “Enchanting Girl,” and “Woman of the Year” featuring audio from “100 Women challenge: Breaking the glass ceiling” by BBC News.

“It sounds like, in many cases, women aren’t just hitting a glass ceiling, they might also be climbing a broken ladder,” the narrator posited. The theatrical aspect of this number was performed animatedly by Liz Sexe who managed to build the ladder back together, stripping away the traditional women’s business clothing and high heels she wore which allowed her to present a newfound sense of freedom.

A similar sense of freedom or liberation emulated from the dances to follow, accompanied by beautifully colored lights which lined the dance floor as well as the wings from above.

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The visual art component of the show developed throughout in “Three considerations before choreographing the End” — a three part video that began to seem more connected as each figure was displayed, being further interpreted and understood by audience members as the final numbers neared.

In the last two premiered pieces, “Endgame” and “Fortuna”, McConahay rocked out on her fiddle as she played musical accompaniment to those dancing while she graced the dance floor — serving as another creative, interactive element to end the show on a high note (literally).

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“At times, we focus on the negative, what is not working, or disappointing, or infuriating. But, let’s focus on the positive: your health, education, home, job, food, and clothing. What good fortune! Dear Fortuna!” Chiao-Ping wrote at the end of her message from the artistic director. This message was well-received from audience members whose approval through applause echoed across the room following each number.

Through the power of movement and dance, LCPD proved how so much can be said without actually saying anything. The earnest performance was joined by moments of comedy which led to such a highly intimate, enamor-filled ending.

For those who missed the real-time, thought-provoking experience of the program, “Dolce Stil Novo” is part of a larger work expected to premiere in the spring of 2020.

The post Dolce Stil Novo performance premiers ‘sweet new style’ with Madison appeared first on The Badger Herald.

With their concert coming soon, I knew the Madhatters would need a new member or two. I decided to get the inside scoop in order to better my chances of admission.

While at the end of the day I was unsuccessful in my quest, it’s certain the fall concert will entertain and delight all without my beatboxing prowess.

The Madhatters fall concert is Friday, Nov. 9th, 7 p.m. at the Capitol Theater. Tickets are $15.

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From the Women’s March, to the March For Our Lives, to protests against Kavanaugh’s confirmation — young people across the country increasingly appear fired up as the midterm elections draw to a close.

Coming off months of demonstrations that celebrated national solidarity while revealing deep cleavages, the country has been rocked by what has been described as the most important election in a generation.

Reflective of that sentiment are voter registration and early vote numbers, which tell a tale of a more engaged and energized electorate than in midterms past.

No exception, young voters are approaching the polls with similar urgency despite their historically low voter turnout.

University of Wisconsin sophomore Emily Bian said she never gave voting a second thought because her parents never did. Now, after coming to college, Bian is participating in her first election, along with millions of voters nationwide Nov. 6.

“Things are crazy. I mean for the past month, I’ve had people approaching me left and right, giving me reasons why I need to exercise my rights and vote,” Bian said.

Voters are also hitting the polls early at higher rates than before – Wisconsin is now one of 22 states that have surpassed early voting rates from 2014.

In Madison, as of Oct. 28, 4,553 out of 7,942 registered voters ages 17-25 live near the UW campus, according to data from the City Clerk’s office. That’s more than half of Madison’s young voting population.

Now, the question for political experts and social scientists across the country has centered on  why people are going to the polls early at record numbers this year, when usually midterms fail to inspire large swaths of the population to show up and vote.

UW has been working to increase voter engagement efforts through a year-long, non-partisan voting initiative called the Big Ten Voting Challenge after reports revealed voting for people under 30 was at a historical low in the 2014 elections.

Efforts included partnering with the Andrew Goodman Foundation’s Vote Everywhere campaign and other organizations on campus, holding early voting at campus buildings and providing free voter I.D. cards.

Nicole Costa, program manager at the Andrew Goodman Foundation, said students are seeing the impact of elections in everyday life in the post-2016 political space. In her years of working in voter engagement, Costa said the resources, energy and efforts students have put forth to mobilize their peers in this midterm election has been unprecedented.

“Organizing around specific issues has been incredibly important in the political space over the last few years and that interest is carrying over to election engagement and voter turnout,” Costa said.

University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald has been tracking voter turnout and argued both Republican support behind the Trump administration, as well as strong opposition from Democrats, has driven both parties to take to the polls faster, Politico reported.

On campus, student wings of the two main political parties have reflected this trend in their own behavior leading up to the 2018 midterms.

Charlie Mueth, chair of UW College Republicans, said he voted early because it is his civic duty to do so — as well as everyone else’s.

“At a basic level, in a perfect democracy, everyone should vote,” Mueth said.

Mueth voted with an absentee ballot both to support policies that reflected his personal interests as well as his moral framework. As a member of Badger Catholic, Mueth said he finds it important to vote in line with his religious beliefs and for candidates consistent with his political outlook.

UW junior and College Republicans political director Mike Kowalski also said he voted for candidates that support issues important to him — citing tuition freezes, taxes and unemployment rates as his main reasons for voting as a college student.

While many students may not realize it, Kowalski said elections have tangible impacts on everyone in the country, so it is important for Americans to vote to keep policies they support and vote to change policies they disagree with.

“[A student’s] voice matters just as much as anybody else’s,” Kowalski said. “Laws have a real impact on their lives.”

Sam Christensen/The Badger Herald

Others see voting as the only way to fight for systemic change.

UW senior and Democrat Charles Allworth voted last Monday for the Democratic ticket. Allworth said he kept in mind those who can’t vote as he went to the polls to fight against policies he believes systematically disenfranchise the economically disadvantaged and people of color.

He stressed that America’s biggest issues lie in affordable health care, public education, the criminal justice system and weak environmental protections — problems which are too  important to be sidelined until the 2020 presidential election.

“This … is the most important midterm election that the country has held in my lifetime,” Allworth said. “Either we don’t take action and see … important programs go away or vote … These problems won’t wait on a new presidency.”

But not all students felt positive about voting in this midterm election.

While UW sophomore and International Socialist Organization member Adam Fendos and UW junior and Socialist Alternative member Matt Cousin both planned on voting in the election, neither believed voting was of utmost importance.

“A vote for either party is still a pro-war vote,” Fendos said. “The two parties will both bail out the banks during the next crisis.”

Fendos ultimately voted in opposition of the current government, not because of his own faith in the Democratic Party, but instead to resist policies and politicians he disagreed with on the political right.

Cousin plans on going to the polls on election day, but he isn’t particularly happy about the ballot this year. The two party voting system fails to allow the working class to influence the government and leaves the country in political gridlock, Cousin said.

The real change, Cousin said, happens through mass movements, like the Civil Rights Movement, that force politicians to concede on key issues, rather than channeling political activity through voting.

“The election is going to be a good snapshot into what people are thinking about, where our consciousness is at,” Cousin said. “A lot of people are going to be looking to this election as a way to fight back against Scott Walker and Trump.”

Cousin thinks students will look to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Evers and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., this election, but only to defend the status quo or out of fear that things could get worse under Walker and state Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, Baldwin’s Senate challenger.

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Organizations like ISO and SA encourage members to get involved in political activity, but do not encourage members to vote for any specific candidates, or at all.

“Involvement in politics doesn’t have to just be voting …” Fendos said. “You have to do more than just vote.”

For members of ISO and SA, organized acts of opposition do more to influence radical change than voting.

But perceived impact notwithstanding, students and student organizations have worked to change the low turnout rates for 17-24 year olds in the campus-area for this midterm election.

Through initiatives like the Big Ten Voting Challenge and Vote Everywhere, as well as encouragement from political organizations on campus like College Republicans and College Democrats, students and community members have created avenues for others to get involved.

“It’s the foundation of democracy to allow people to have their voices heard,” Kowalski said.

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Protestors swamped the Capitol once again, nearly two weeks after high schoolers from across the U.S. walked out of their classrooms to advocate the same message when it comes to gun violence: #NeverAgain.

Saturday’s protest included a diverse group of speakers to rally those of voting age to support candidates with strong anti-gun campaigns in the spring election April 3rd.

“We must never forget [gun-violence victims], but we must honor them with action,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., said.

Riley Steinbrenner/The Badger Herald

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Riley Steinbrenner/The Badger Herald

Riley Steinbrenner/The Badger Herald

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Students gathered in protest of a new meal plan policy that will require students to purchase a meal plan while living in residence halls. The three-tiered plan is intended to help students and families budget for food expenses during the academic year. The minimum plan is $1,400 for nine meals per week.

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To remember the victims, hundreds of people gathered at Library Mall. Speakers ranged from Stoneman Douglas alumni, local high school students, and representatives from organizations including the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort.

Daniel Yun/The Badger Herald

People at the vigil demand change to prevent mass school shooting and gun-law policy.

Daniel Yun/The Badger Herald

2018 Candlelight Vigil
Daniel Yun/The Badger Herald

The event concluded with a walk up to the State Capitol.

Daniel Yun/The Badger Herald

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TEDx’s annual conference featured speakers of all ages and backgrounds. One of this year’s speakers is 14-year-old AJ Carr. He is the owner of “Building Bosses”, a program that teaches youth people the importance of leadership, entrepreneurship, and service.

The post TEDx brings big ideas to the UW-Madison campus appeared first on The Badger Herald.

As commercial theatre AMC replaced independent cinema outlet Sundance, WUD Film’s Marquee theatre becomes one of the only places in town to enjoy a diversity of cinema.

From independent documentaries and Oscar-nominated films to foreign language films and Hollywood blockbusters, WUD films’ strong and unique movie choices come from students who care and love the magic of cinema.

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Can you draw? Or are you someone who avoids Pictionary at all costs? Have your drawings been ridiculed? Don’t let them get you down! Renowned cartoonist Lynda Barry shows that as long as you can write the alphabet, you can make comics!

Doodling along with the video is encouraged!

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Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

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Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Madison Ballet’s production features a giant growing Christmas tree, fog effects, falling snow, a flying loveseat and exquisite choreography from artistic director W. Earle Smith.

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Tchaikovsky’s iconic score is performed live by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.  Performances run through December 26 at the Overture Center.

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

Sarah Godfrey/The Badger Herald

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