JustDane’s annual Jazz for Justice fundraiser returns on Thursday, April 30 — a date that also marks International Jazz Day — with an evening of live music, food and community celebration at Atwood Music Hall, 1925 Winnebago Street, in Madison.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with music beginning at 6:00 p.m. Local bands Rare Element and Lynda & the Zeros will perform, with an award ceremony taking place between sets. Hors d’oeuvres will be served from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., and a cash bar will offer cocktails and mocktails.
This year’s event will honor Ascendium Education Group with JustDane’s Partners for Change Award, recognizing the organization’s work to expand education and workforce training opportunities in Dane County.
“Through investments in education, workforce training and career pathways, Ascendium works to ensure that individuals — especially those who have faced barriers to opportunity — can gain skills and credentials needed to build stable, meaningful careers,” said Kathy Eckenrod, JustDane’s development director. “That vision is deeply aligned with the mission of JustDane.”
“Ascendium is honored to be recognized with this award,” said Brett Lindquist, Ascendium’s vice president of communications and community engagement. “JustDane’s education and workforce initiatives make them a great community partner as our organizations share similar missions to help transform the lives of learners so they can achieve their personal goals.”
The event will also present JustDane’s Visionary Award to Betty Banks, Jeanne Erickson and Gaddi Ben Dan, who will be honored posthumously.
“Betty Banks, Jeanne Erickson, and Gaddi Ben Dan have made it their life’s work to build a community that cares for our neighbors across the life span,” said Linda Ketcham, JustDane’s executive director. “They have been solid, consistent visionaries — through their media work with the Madison Times, Ambassador Times, and Voices Newspaper; producing the local Heart and Soul radio show; creating Club Today Not Tomorrow for our children; advancing gun safety programming; leading Project Babies; and serving as the driving force behind the formation and charter of the NAACP of Dane County, just to name a few.”
Ketcham said the three honorees have been a collective force for change in the community. Ben Dan passed away four years ago but will be honored in spirit alongside Banks and Erickson.
Tickets are $100 and can be purchased through Eventbrite at bit.ly/47Hcght. Paid parking is available in lots across the street from the venue. For more information, contact the JustDane office at (608) 256-0906 or [email protected], or visit justdane.org/events.
JustDane is a nonprofit social justice and social service agency founded in 1971. The organization’s programs support individuals returning to the Dane County community after incarceration by working to break down barriers to full community participation.
