Jessica Thompson spent the past four years organizing shows that linked the city's music and visual arts scenes. She also wrote the arts blog Contessa Says. This month, Thompson is moving to Austin to take a job with a marketing firm. Ironically, she was the executive director of FORCE, a nonprofit aimed at keeping Madison artists in Madison.
Madison electronic music artist Samarah has revived her Internet-based record label. The former Belladonna Records will operate as Chasma, a nonprofit endeavor that Samarah says will "embrace the passion of yesterday's rave culture along with today's innovative electronic music across the spectrum through digital releases and events."
Local Celtic rockers the Kissers will kiss their decade-long Madison tenure goodbye next month with a June 7 farewell show at the High Noon Saloon. Husband-wife members Nate Palan and Kari Bethke are moving to New York this summer, so Ken Fitzsimmons has decided it's time to bid the Kissers adieu. (See Fitzsimmons' open letter to Madison at right.)
