Home Madison Urban League Expects Biggest Urban Cabaret Yet

Urban League Expects Biggest Urban Cabaret Yet

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The Bellhops perform at a previous Urban Cabaret.

The Urban League of Madison will host its annual Cabaret on Friday, Oct. 13 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

Amidst the current national and local political climate, Urban Cabaret organizers are expecting this to be their largest event to date. Upwards of 550 people are expected to attend although tickets are still able to be purchased at urbancabaret.org.

The Urban Cabaret will feature music and entertainment, along with food and refreshments. From 6pm-6:45 there will be networking, music, food and drinks followed by a performance. GigBlender CEO and former Urban Leaguer Mark Richardson will emcee the event.

Around 8 p.m., Urban League CEO Dr. Ruben Anthony will present the President’s Awards to Madison College President Jack Daniels III, journalist Greg Jeschke and Erica Nelson and Michelle Robinson of Kids Forward for their roles in contributing to the community. Anthony will also present the Whitney M. Young, Jr Awards which will be presented to Steve Goldberg and Francis Huntley-Cooper, who have had distinguished service careers in the greater Madison area.

“The Cabaret is one of our biggest fundraisers,” Anthony tells Madison365. “We have employment and training programs so we need the funding to be able to have those extra resources. Every $2,000 we get enables us to train another person for another life-altering career program. Without fundraisers like this, we wouldn’t have the ability to do that. So it’s important to have this Urban League Cabaret and also to celebrate with the community.”

This is the fifth year of the Urban Cabaret and Dr. Anthony emphasized that it is more vital than ever for the community to come together for an event like this.

“I’m really proud to be here at this particular time,” Anthony says. “With the climate of the country, there’s no better time than now for the Urban League to help us through the difficult challenges we face. We are on the forefront of social justice. The public relies on us for justice. We bring balance and logic when things happen but at the same time we advocate for social justice. We are looking for peaceful resolutions and solutions. We help people experience the American Dream.”

This upcoming year will be extra special for the Urban League as it will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

“We feel like we are a tremendous resource and we are thankful for the partnerships we have with our many funders,” Anthony says. “At this juncture, we feel like we’re perfectly positioned to continue to make a difference.”

The Clyde Stubblefield All-Stars, spoken word with Cedric Dale Hoard, jazz dance with the Madison Smooth Steppers and the talents of DJ Chill will be just some of the entertainment on hand during the Urban Cabaret.

Tickets can be purchased at Urbancabaret.org. Ticket purchases are tax deductible and all of the money will go into the programs and services that alter the lives of many in the community.