LeewardBA Helps to Revitalize and Bring New Opportunities to Madison

Cassandra Lee
Leeward Business Advisors
262.358.4116 x 204
cpolzin@leewardba.com

LeewardBA Helps to Revitalize and Bring New Opportunities to Madison
Private Company Expands into Madison Data Center Market, Brings Business Framework Expertise

MADISON, WI: On February 8th, Leeward Business Advisors is hosting a ribbon cutting event which will include data center tours, a musical performance by The Kissers, happy hour, and a keynote speech from Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.

After the Quality Inn at 4916 E Broadway was abandoned, the area was left to struggle and become a home for crime. Around five years later, Facility Gateway Corporation took over and gave the space new purpose as a modern data center. Leeward Business Advisors ‘checked in’ to the new facility on November 4th as part of their westward expansion plan.

LeewardBA will use the facility to host the newest node of their Stratus Data Center cloud offering. Additionally, they are offering co-location services for other companies to benefit from housing their computer systems in a secure, resilient, and professionally managed data center.

Expanding business means a lot more than hanging a sign on the wall to LeewardBA’s CEO.

“You have to understand we are a new kind of technology service provider and a different kind of company. We put our company resources to work creating new learning opportunities for civic organizations, as well as for-profit businesses. When we show up, we show up to make a difference and create value for the communities that support us.”

Leeward Business Advisors has done a lot to engage with the community in Kenosha, like running coding clubs and business programs for local schools, donating services to local non-profit organizations, and hosting an annual event to drive engagement for nonprofit organizations. Plans are already being made to set up a hackathon, arcade night, STEM competitions, and more in the new space. The goal is to engage the community, start involving young professionals, and offering enhanced education opportunities to youth in the area.

The ribbon cutting on February 8th is open to the public and press coverage of the event is invited. Speakers include Matthew B. Mikolajewski, Director Economic Development Division City of Madison, James McPhaul, Director, WI Small Business Development Center, and Warren Laube, President Greenwoods State Bank. LeewardBA employees will be giving tours of the facility and make introductions to the community. Pre-registration is requested by visiting LeewardBA.EventBrite.com

About Leeward Business Advisors
Recent winners of the Fast Five 2016 Ovation awards, 2016 Lake County Community Impact Award, and KTEC 2016 Partner of the Year – Leeward Business Advisors is a Wisconsin based corporation that provides business strategy planning, business improvement implementation, and full IT operational support. They offer world class Cloud Computing services, Cloud brokerage, Managed IT services, and a full US based Support Service Desk (called Quick Answers). Michael Polzin, CEO has 20+ years of enterprise business and
technology experience gained while working at Allstate Insurance and Microsoft Corporation. Jason Klein, CTO has 15+ years delivering effective and efficient technology to Midwest companies.

About Facility Gateway Corporation
Facility Gateway Corporation, with home offices in Madison, WI, has over 80 years of combined industry experience. They provide professional data center services in all 50 U.S. states. Composed of 4 specialty divisions including Data Center Real Estate, Data Center Design, Critical Power Equipment Sales and Critical Facility Management, FGC is moving towards its goal of being the number one data center management company in the U.S.

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Madison Ballet Presents Three New Works – February 3 & 4

*For Immediate Release*

Madison Ballet Presents Three New Works In Bare:

A Mixed Bill Program At The Bartell Theatre

Friday, February 3 – 8:00pm

Saturday, February 4 – 2:00pm

Saturday, February 4 – 8:00pm

(Madison, WI – January 24, 2017)—Following the success of Madison Ballet’s 2016 performances of The Nutcracker, the company takes the stage again with a very different selection of short works that showcase the diverse talents of the company’s artists. In contrast to the lush setting of the traditional holiday performances of The Nutcracker, “Bare” captures what is eclectic, playful, and new in ballet by presenting three works by emerging choreographers alongside two favorites by Artistic Director W. Earle Smith.

Mr. Smith says: “The intimate Bartell Theatre provides a simple setting for an exploration of the pure joy of dance ‘stripped bare.’ This diverse program is an opportunity to really highlight the talents of Madison Ballet’s dancers and to have fun. We are especially excited to present three new works by choreographers who are like family to Madison Ballet, our dancers, and our audiences. We are proud provide a platform for audiences and artists to experience the breadth of the creativity in dance here in Madison.”

The three new works are: Somewhere Between Grit and Grace by Jacqueline Stewart, a Chicago based choreographer, who returns with her third work for the company; Re-Place by local UW Dance Department professor Jin-Wen Yu, also his third work for the company; and Limelight by Shea Johnson, a favorite guest dancer for Madison Ballet, who is staging his first work here.

The program also features Groovy (2014) and Palladio Pas de Deux (2011): both works by Mr. Smith that have not been performed in Madison since their premieres, and are strikingly different in tone and style. The Palladio Pas is an excerpt from a longer work set to a modern orchestral score by Welch composer Karl Jenkins. This is neoclassical ballet at its best: clean, precise lines, athleticism, artistry, and a minimalist aesthetic that focuses on the music and movement. Groovy is an explosion of color that celebrates the music of the 1960’s. Groovy has the feel of a lively dance party with references to popular dances of the era and the costumes are equally bright—right down to the day-glo pointe shoes.

PERFORMANCE & TICKET INFORMATION

The Bartell Theatre
113 E. Mifflin St
Madison, WI 53703

Tickets
Advance tickets are processed through The Overture Center; tickets are available at the Bartell 2 hours prior to curtain.

Single Tickets: $25 for children and seniors, $30 for adults, $10 day-of student rush.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.overture.org/events/bare or by calling The Overture Center Box Office at 608.258.4141.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Primavera – Repertory Program
*Featuring Two World Premieres
Drury Stage, Bartell Theater
March 31 – April 1, 2017

ABOUT MADISON BALLET

Founded in 1981, Madison Ballet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization based, led by Artistic Director W. Earle Smith. Its mission is to promote appreciation of and access to ballet by providing training and performing opportunities through public performances and educational initiatives.

Now in its 36th year, Madison Ballet is the second-largest dance organization in Wisconsin. Over 12,000 people attend Madison Ballet’s original production of The Nutcracker each year. In addition, Madison Ballet presents a varied repertoire of other performances each season, from intimate mixed-bill programs to elaborate full-length productions. Community outreach programs such as Madison Ballet: Offstage & Personal and Behind the Curtains bring the magic of Madison Ballet to both the young and young-at-heart, providing new perspectives on this timeless art form.

The School of Madison Ballet (SMB) opened in September 2005 and has become one of the most highly respected dance education programs in the Midwest. SMB provides classes and pre-professional training for over 450 students from children to adults. Alumni of the school and studio company have gone on to prestigious companies and schools, such as Sacramento Ballet, Miami City Ballet, School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and Ballet Chicago.

For more information, please contact:
Gretchen Bourg, General Manager
Madison Ballet
gretchen@madisonballet.org
608-278-7990 x672

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Goodwill Offers FREE Tax Prep Help

See attached news release.

Boyz II Men To Make Overture Debut

For immediate release: Monday, January 23, 2017

Contact: Sarah Knab, Overture Center, 608.258.4438 / sknab@overture.org

Boyz II Men Make Solo Stop at Overture Center
Group will join New Kids on the Block and Paula Abdul in May 2017 for ‘Total Package’ Tour

Madison, Wis. – Four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning R&B vocal group Boyz II Men will make their Overture Center debut in Overture Hall on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at 7 p.m. The trio features baritone Nathan Morris alongside tenors Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman.

Formed in 1990, Boyz II Men holds the distinction of being the all-time best-selling R&B group having sold more than 64 million albums worldwide. The group redefined popular R&B with its smooth harmonies and timeless themes delivered through a multi-octave sound and incredible vocal styling. The show will be highlighted by the trio’s biggest hits including “Motownphilly” and “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” mixed with enduring Motown classics, as well as selections from their newest album, Collide.

Tickets start at $45 and are available in person at the Overture Center Ticket Office (201 State Street), online at overture.org or by phone at 608.258.4141.

Boyz II Men is presented by Overture Center as part of the Bell Laboratories Music Series and sponsored by The Burish Group of UBS Financial Services Inc.

About Boyz II Men

The four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning musical sensation is an iconic R&B group with hits such as “I’ll Make Love To You” and “End of the Road.” In 2012, Boyz II Men was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their rise to success is a dream come true made possible by hard work, a brotherly bond and an unimaginable talent and desire to continue improving their live performances, harmonious recordings and musical journey. For the latest news and information about Boyz II Men, visit boyziimen.com.

Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin features seven state-of-the-art performance spaces and five galleries where national and international touring artists, ten resident companies and hundreds of local artists engage people in over half a million educational and artistic experiences each year. Overture.org

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Best of Madison Business: Six leaders who are building up this city

We are watching Madison mature as a city right in front of our eyes. In our case, it’s taken a while—a hundred years or so. What can we say? We’re late bloomers. But we can see it happening. It is, in part, growth. Madison is unlikely to ever be a big city; you see, there’s that whole isthmus thing we’ve got going. But density is no longer a dirty word, and we’re filling out at the edges. And a quarter of a million in population is no small potatoes. But maturity also encompasses our ability to embrace change, take risks and write our own story. In 2017, Madison’s business community and its leaders are doing just that.

What we’re seeing is not just the old transforming into the new, but rather, the two being fused together. And thus, this year’s Best of Madison Business honorees are emblematic of that transformation. Development and construction, retail and recreation, brewing and food-related businesses are all part of Madison’s bedrock. And to our great fortune, players in those fields have deep roots in our region—but are also contributing to its future. It’s not a stretch to suggest that a walk of a mile or so down East Washington Avenue would unveil at least a hint of the influence of the six people we are recognizing this year.

Otto Gebhardt III’s influence is more than a hint. It’s a gigantic skyscape-defining, ever-growing footprint that is, among other things, home for so many of the millennial entrepreneurs, makers, chefs and artists who are creating the Madison of the 21st century. Gebhardt is part of a legacy; his father ran Gebhardt Realty. In 1991 Otto started his own company, Gebhardt Development. So, real estate and development is in his blood. His holdings are spread throughout the city and county, but it’s his work along East Washington Avenue that signifies Madison is a city that’s come of age. He might not have been the first to see the potential in the newly conceived Capitol East District, but when the concept needed someone to step up and invest, Gebhardt was all in. Gebhardt’s investment was crucial and the necessary catalyst to kick-start the East Washington Avenue renaissance. His Constellation and Galaxie developments are the pillars on which the Capitol East District is being built, as well as the Cosmos project, a mixed-use development that will include an entertainment venue and will house the entrepreneurial hub StartingBlock when it’s completed (slated for later this year).

Read more at Madison Magazine