2014 UPAF RIDE FOR THE ARTS, SPONSORED BY MILLER LITE
Thank you to the more than 6,000 riders, 600 volunteers and numerous sponsors who helped make this year's UPAF Ride for the Arts, sponsored by Miller Lite, another wonderful event.
One Event, Many Routes
The weather on Sunday, June 1, could not have been any better for the UPAF Ride for the Arts. Beginning at 7:00 a.m., riders lined up to head off on their selected  routes. There was a distance for every type of rider. For more serious riders, there were 66- and 40-mile options heading north with plenty of rest stops. Others selected one of two 25-mile routes, with one route taking in the beautiful views from the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge. And, younger riders and families enjoyed the five and 12-mile routes.
Finish Line Party Fun
All riders, friends and family were invited to join the Finish Line Party at the south portion of the Summerfest grounds for free hot dogs, MillerCoors beer samples and entertainment by I'm Not a Pilot on the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard Stage. The event also offered a team photographer and a children's area with an assortment of activities provided by Ride sponsors and UPAF Member Groups and Affiliates including an instrument petting zoo, jugglers, clowns, jesters and face painters.
Just Rewards
Congratulations to Team Miller Lite for being named the 2014 Team of the Year for the highest percentage increase in team size among the ten largest teams from 2013. Thanks to Erin Feldhausen and Rob Bartels for their hard work for Team Miller Lite, recruiting 144 riders!
 
A Special Thank You
The UPAF Ride for the Arts would not be possible without the generous support of Miller Coors for the past 24 years. Tom Cardella, president and CEO of Tenth and Blake Beer Company at MillerCoors, was again our Honorary Ride Chair. Tom explains why the UPAF Ride for the Arts is a staple of the Milwaukee summer season and why it's critical to the performing arts scene we all enjoy.
 | Tom Cardella, UPAF Ride for the Arts
Honorary Ride Chair |
2014 UPAF Ride for the Arts Pledge Prizes
The UPAF Ride for the Arts offered many exciting prizes based on the pledges raised by riders. Here is our big winner! The top fundraiser with the most pledge money raised was...Maureen McCabe! Maureen wins a bike trip to Boston* for two. The trip includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations for four nights at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, rental car
and two bike tours.
Congratulations to Maureen! Maureen has been our top pledge earner multiple years in a row! Who is going to give her a "run for her money" in 2015?
*Made possible through the generosity of Johnson Controls, Inc.
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WILLIAM "BILL" RANDALL, UPAF FOUNDER, PASSES AWAY
Everyone at UPAF is saddened by the recent passing of Bill Randall, one of the founders and the first president of UPAF. He passed away on Monday, June 23, at the age of 83.  Bill was a driving force behind the creation of UPAF when the new Performing Arts Center -- now known as the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts -- was being completed. At that time a group of community leaders were concerned that if the major performing arts groups were not financially stable, the new center was in jeopardy of being underutilized.
Thus, UPAF was born in 1967 with the mission to help major performing arts groups be sustainable. There was no paid staff during Bill's term as president, so he operated the organization out of his law office. Workplace Giving Campaigns at local companies began during his tenure, which led to a significant increase in the number of donors.
In 2012 UPAF awarded Bill the Maestro Award for his tremendous impact to and lifelong support for the performing arts in Southeastern Wisconsin.
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NEW DONOR BENEFIT FOR SMART CARD HOLDERS
If you have a UPAF SMART CARD, sponsored by Associated Bank, for your $100 or more donation to the 2014 UPAF Campaign, you now get even more value from it! Just show your card to receive a complimentary glass of wine with the purchase of an entree at Water Buffalo and Swig in the Third Ward! Thank you to our friends at Hospitality Democracy for this generous offer!
 
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UPAF PARTNERS WITH GATHERING ON THE GREEN
In honor of its 20 th anniversary, Gathering on the Green is pleased to present some of its best programming yet, featuring a tribute to the greatest rock band of all time, a rock orchestra and light show and a guest appearance from Milwaukee's most famous violinist, all in Mequon's scenic Rotary Park on July 11 and 12.
Friday, July 11, 8:00 p.m.
The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute
Saturday, July 12, 7:45 p.m.
Frank Almond and Mark Wood
...It's classical, it's rock...it's the best of both!
 
Single tickets for adults are $40-45 (reserved) and $20-25 (lawn). Children 12 & under always receive free lawn admission. Group discounts available for 20 or more. The park is open 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday to reserve your lawn spot.
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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:
We Energies Foundation
We Energies, our third largest contributor, has been a true partner to UPAF. We Energies supports UPAF on a number of fronts, including sponsorship of Next Generation UPAF, our important affinity group of up and coming leaders. They also hold one of the most robust Workplace Giving Campaigns with consistent, high employee participation and generous corporate dollar matches.
From Gale Klappa, We Energies chairman, president and CEO:
"We Energies Foundation helps to improve the quality of life throughout our service area. We support education, economic health, arts and culture, and the environment in communities, large and small, across Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
In addition to providing financial support, we're pleased to take an active role with other community leaders and nonprofit organizations in shaping a brighter future for the region we call home."
Thank you to We Energies Foundation for your continued support!
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MEMBER GROUP SPOTLIGHT:
It is with a heavy heart that we say good-bye to the long-time managing director of Next Act Theatre, Charles D. Kakuk. Charles passed away on June 14 at the Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center after a four-year bout with tongue cancer. He was 55. Charles worked alongside David Cecsarini for 22 years, turning a once-struggling small theatre into the thriving company it is today. Charles helped to build a strong, vibrant company that produces an intimate and powerful season of contemporary drama. Their plays are passionate, often bold, sometimes humorous, and always up-close-and-personal presentations of life. A "beer and brats on blacktop" memorial gathering is planned for September 8 at Next Act, 255 S. Water Street, with an outdoor picnic at 4:30 p.m. and a gathering in the theater to exchange stories about Charles at 6:00 p.m. The event is open to all friends and patrons.
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AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT:
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts
The Sharon L ynne Wilson Center for the Arts presents "Starry Nights", a series of free outdoor concerts performed at the Gerlach Outdoor Theater on Friday evenings in the summer. Gather your family and friends, pack your blankets and picnic baskets, and find your perfect spot in the Wilson Center's beautiful backyard! Delicious food and beverages are available for purchase from fine local cafes and caterers. Rockin' Robins (Classic Car Night)
Friday, July 11 @ 6:30 p.m. Iconic hits of the 1950's and 60's  Starry Night Orchestra (Marquette University and UPAF Night) Friday, July 18 @ 6:30 p.m. With the Florentine Opera Company Robert J and The Most Friday, July 25 @ 6:30 p.m. Energetic ensemble with influences of Blues, Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Funk and Pop Wilson Center Big Band Friday, August 1 @ 6:30 p.m. Timeless music of Glen Miller, Count Basie, Nelson Riddle and more
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UPAF Member Group & Affiliate Performances
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UPAF and UPAF Member Groups in the News
This is but a small sample of the numerous recent articles about UPAF and UPAF-funded groups.
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UPAF is essential to the vitality of our region.
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United Performing Arts Fund
301 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 600, Milwaukee, WI 53203
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