MONROE — The Monroe Arts Center’s “Sounds of Summer” outdoor concert series begins at 6:30 p.m. on June 1 with the Angela Puerta Band.
Angela Puerta Band is a 4-piece Latin-rock that combines Colombian folklore and Latin American rhythms with Alternative Rock, Rock en Español, Pop, and Reggae. Angela is a six-time MAMA award winner and Best of Madison 2019 and 2020 Latin Artist bronze and silver star. She is a Colombian singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Madison. The band has been playing steady since its inception in 2019. Members include representation from Colombia, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Jose’s Authentic Mexican Food Truck will be serving up Mexican eats that are as mouthwatering as they are authentic beginning at 5 p.m. at MAC on the day of the concert.
Beth Kille and Michael Tully will perform on MAC’s outdoor stage at 6:30 p.m. June 15. Beth Kille is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Madison who has been performing her original music since 2000. In addition to performing with the Beth Kille Band, she is also a member of the trio Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets and the band Kerosene Kites. When not performing, Beth serves as the Music Director for Girls Rock Camp Madison and the co-founder/producer of Flannel Fest.
Veteran guitarist Michael Tully joined forces with Kille in 2012 and snagged the highly coveted “Guitarist of the Year” honors at the 2014 MAMA Awards. When not playing with the full Beth Kille Band, Tully and Kille blend their guitars and voices for a highly entertaining duo show.
This concert will see The Soil Sisters bring fresh farm-baked goods for sale along with fun “charcuterie cones” from the Community Kitchen Co-op in Monticello also available for purchase and the perfect accompaniment with a glass of wine. The Soil Sisters are a Green County area network of women committed to sustainability and local food and a project of Renewing the Countryside. They will have information on finding fresh, local produce and meat direct from area farmers as well as the Soil Sisters weekend on August 5-7.
All concerts are rain or shine and free of charge. Visit monroeartscenter.com for more information on MAC’s Sounds of Summer outdoor concert series.
Hollywood After Dark at MAC Celebrates Local Talent
MAC’s amazing “After Dark” series continues on June 4, at 7:30 p.m. with another celebration of local vocalists and musicians with an evening devoted entirely to the songs known and loved from Hollywood movies. Featured in “Hollywood After Dark” will be Cindy Blanc, Robert A. Goderich, Krystal Lonsdale, and Luke Smetters.
Blanc holds degrees in music education and performance. She is a freelance theatre music director and accompanist; parish musician and K-5 music teacher; as well as private music instructor. She lives in rural Green County with her drummer husband Peter Minucci and their four cats.
Goderich is a Madison-area professional actor/singer originally hailing from Deer Lodge, Mont. He has performed professionally throughout Wisconsin with various companies, including Skylight Music Theatre, Stepping Out Productions, Capital City Theatre, Boulevard Ensemble Theatre, Four Seasons Theatre and Madison Opera, and has worked with the San Francisco Opera.
Southern Wisconsin is the current home of Lonsdale, after living and working as a professional performer and educator in New York City for nearly 15 years. She is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC.
Smetters is a graduate of Valparaiso University and has sung in choirs throughout his life. He can regularly be seen on community theatre stages in Monroe and in Darlington. Smetters is also the Membership and Community Engagement Director at the Green County Family YMCA.
All tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at monroeartscenter.com, by calling 608-325-5700, or in-person at the box office located at 1315 11th Street.
“Hollywood After Dark” has been supported by MAC Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc. and Season Media Underwriter Big Radio, with additional support from individual underwriters SSM Health Monroe and Lisa Baumann.
‘Taste of Spring’
MAC’s largest fundraiser of the year, “Taste of Spring”, will be held in-person Monday, June 6. The event kicked off with a Silent Auction that will be online until Monday at 32auctions.com/monroeartscenter.
Taste of Spring will be held outdoors on the grounds of the elegant Ludlow Mansion under the stars. The event will begin with cocktails and feature a multi-course dinner highlighting the culinary talents of Chef Scotty Wagner. Wagner embraces a passionate and globally glittered culinary philosophy of “artistic expression” meets “farm to table” using the finest local and organic ingredients.
The tantalizing menu will be featuring appetizers of Champagne laced Honeydew, Proscuitto di Parma, Roth Kase Havarti, Braised Pork Belly, Sweet Corn Tamale, Micro Cilantro, Canela laced Albondiga, Romesco Sauce, and Blistered Cherry Tomato. Following the appetizers will be Stone Bank Farms Organic Greens, Valencia Orange, Shaved Fennel, Pink Peppercorn encrusted La Clare Chevre, Sunflower Seed, Kalamansi-Basil Vinaigrette, and Crostini. The third course will feature deconstructed Paella Sagrada with Bay Scallop, Grilled Gulf Prawn, English Pea, Crispy Meyer Lemon Risotto Cake, Smoked Paprika-Saffron Oil, and Chervil.
The entrée will include Beef Medallion, Locally Foraged Morel, Rioja-Caramelized Shallot Reduction, Roasted Heirloom Fingerling Potato, and Vitruvian Farms Sunflower Sprouts. A decadent dessert of Angel Food Cake, Carnedale Farms Strawberry-Basil Salsina, Orange Blossom Pana Cotta, and Black Raspberry Gastrique will top off this gourmet menu all served under the stars. The cuisine will be paired with fine wines and craft beer. Live music for the evening will be provided by Peggy Miller, Dave Carper, and Tom Salamone.
The virtual Silent Auction is a great opportunity for those who could otherwise not attend to become a part of the MAC family and support the organization. Over 35 items are awaiting bids in the virtual Silent Auction. Items include one-of-a-kind art objects, hand turned wood bowls, furniture, crocheted sweater, gift baskets, and much more. Participants can bid online from the comfort of home through 5:15 p.m. on June 6 at 32auction.com/monroeartscenter. In addition, Silent Auction items may be viewed in person on display located in MAC’s lobby.
Cocktail hour starts at 4:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $95 and tables of eight are $680. For reservations call 608-325-5700. Visit monroeartscenter.com for additional information.
The in-person event will also include a Live Auction that will feature a trip to Barcelona, Spain that is comprised of a 10-day stay in a lovely 3-bedroom condo and a $2,000 flight credit. The trip can be taken during the next 12 months. Among other items, the Taste of Spring Live Auction will also feature a Chicago stay, along with two tickets to a show at the Goodman Theatre.
