PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF COPYWRITE MAGAZINE ISSUE 21 | BACK TO BLACK

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n issue we take a deep dive into the nuances of Black Culture and the rhetoric that it parallels. This is one of the most intimate issues we have ever produced because many of the topics we will discuss have been fostered by conversions that our leadership, /CW Fam [our staff + collaborators], and our friends/family have grappled with in our personal lives. These topics have lived in barbershop debates, under dryers at the hair salon, at the kitchen table at Granny's house, and on the front steps before the age of social media. These are realities that are formed by resistance & resilience, topped with ingenuity and unapologetic joy in being the prototype for authentic exploration for survival [vs. conquest]. These are patterns of existence without erasure.

Featuring: Spill It Card Game, Jonah Denae, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Culture: Between Space & Place

You are invited to LEGACY NIGHT @ The Milwaukee Chamber Theater | Hosted by CopyWrite Mag

/ Milwaukee Chamber Theater/

BLACK PEOPLE IT IS TIME TO TAKE UP SPACE!

INFO FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AT MCT

We invite Black and African American community members to join us for Legacy Night on March 22 at 7:30 pm, a special performance of THE MOUNTAINTOP by Katori Hall hosted by CopyWrite Magazine [THATS US!] dedicated to and celebrating the Black community.

What is Legacy Night?

The intention behind this event is to purposefully create an environment in which a Black audience can experience and discuss this play about a Black leader, created and performed by Black artists, in a space that celebrates the Black Community and centers their perspectives.

Legacy Night is inspired by a similar event created in 2019 by actor and playwright Jeremy O. Harris, where for the first time ever, every seat in Broadway’s Golden Theatre was occupied by Black audience members. We're calling this special performance Legacy Night not only because legacy is one of the major themes within THE MOUNTAINTOP but also to honor and celebrate our Black and African American community and the legacy we hope to create together in Milwaukee. 

What if I'm not Black or African American?

We encourage our non-Black audience members to join us in honoring this initiative by choosing to experience the play at another performance.

We thank you in advance for supporting these artists and MCT as we facilitate an opportunity for a community to come together to enjoy this special event. 

Ticket Options

Legacy Night Tickets are $20 (plus sales tax and box office fees).

Purchase Online

You can purchase tickets online by clicking the button below and using the code LEGACY. You will need to enter the code in the "Promo Code" box at the top right corner of the Broadway Theatre Center ticketing page and click submit before you try to select the date. The Legacy Night performance will not show up until you have submitted code LEGACY.

The Mountaintop Legacy Award | Honoring Milwaukee Change-Makers

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Art by Mikal Floyd-Pruitt

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre is thrilled to share with its community Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall’s celebrated stage play THE MOUNTAINTOP, an inspiring reimagining of the final night of the life of legendary Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 3rd, 1968, after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel, where a mysterious stranger forces him to confront his destiny and legacy. A classic of the modern theater that in humanizing Dr. King suggests that we all have within us the power to be the change we wish to see in the world, THE MOUNTAINTOP will be directed by acclaimed Milwaukee theater artist Dimonte Henning. 

In keeping with its larger mission of bringing its community closer together while celebrating what makes Milwaukee great, and in partnership with CopyWrite Magazine, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, and Zao MKE Church, MCT will highlight Black excellence in Milwaukee during the run of THE MOUNTAINTOP through the Mountaintop Legacy Award. MCT will recognize at each MOUNTAINTOP performance one Milwaukee difference-maker who exemplifies the ideals of unity, equity, and locally led movements highlighted by Dr. King in his final speech, commonly referred to as “The Mountaintop Speech.”

Mountaintop Legacy Award recipients will be selected by a panel of MCT artists and community partners from nominations by the public of individuals who best exemplify Dr. King’s ideals across sectors including but not limited to political, nonprofit, business, educational, art, and tech.  

[INFO PROVIDED BY /CW COMMUNITY PARTNERS AT MCT]

10 Years of #SupportTheLocal [Happy Anniversary to CopyWrite Magazine]

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“This was never the plan, but clearly it was the purpose.” - Lexi

This July [15th] we celebrate 10 years in the game [& 8 years in business] at CopyWrite Magazine. This year we reflect upon our communal impact, our advocacy in the creative industries and our dedication to changing the narrative in the most unapologetic way. We hope that this 10 years inspires other voices to rise up and create their own legacies of service. We all have a super power, ours just happens to be #AllThingsUrban. As always, thank you for helping us #SupportTheLocal. Without our community, there is no us.

A Poetic Note From The Editor

Imagine not having vision.

Imagine not knowing how to feed inspiration.

For me it's unimaginable.

Because every time there was hesitation I imagined the regret of not attempting to do what was called to me. An unavoidable life of lifestyles.

And the snags were rich.

Rich of lessons that needed to be learned and pain that fueled every great fire.

My inspiration was dedicated to survival and stability in the most tumultuous terrain and paths least traveled

And here we are. 10 years later a vision in my own little hell like heaven. It's warm and chilly all at the same time. An uncomfortable comfort I have mastered. This space was meant for me.

A Reminder of resilience, joy, and so much life lived. I made myself a home to share with the unhoused souls. How fuckin ironic.

And for all those who walked the path even if they strayed away or were left to take a different road or could only travel parallel, you are here as inspiration, clarity in the blur of time, grounding every decision in fact filled with emotion. You are the nuance of a narrative indeed changed.

Let us all celebrate the win.

"A dirty river rat for two two in a Dynasty w/ a doll & a muse"[IFKYK]

Love & All Things Urban,

Lexi S. Brunson, Owner / Active Editor-in-Chief /CW

SS23 | A Street Wear Experience - TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

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On April 7th, 2023 from 5:00PM-9:00PM, The Vatofied Experience will be collaborating with the Designers of Marcellus Brand, Platinum Boy Gang Clothing, Views Clothing, and The Set Apart Ones [Yahad Kadash] to offer a dynamic show that presents Black Men in fashion, a more than trendy display on Urban wear, and the ever morphing nuances of modern fashion culture.

Media Sponsorship Provided by: Hyfin, “Connecting The Culture”.

Music On The Beerline - A /CW Pre-Coverage interview w/ DJ Bizzon & Twan Mack

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We Outside! 

[The “improper” syntax is intentional but if you read it right you know exactly what it means.]

The idea of leaving our homes to explore anything social, festive, or communal over the last few years has become risky, anxiety filled, and often polarizing. However, summers in Milwaukee are magical. One might even call them cathartic. Thus, it creates the same atmospheric presence as a well curated sound track, playlist, or mixtape. . . Summers here are just a vibe. 

So what if we told you that you could experience that vibe live? Well, with Music on the Beerline returning for a three event summer series you absolutely can.

On July 15, August 19, and September 16 Riverworks Development Corporation will host a free outdoor performance on the Beerline Plaza performance stage [3350 N. Holton St.] from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Just like the past three years, this 4th year of annual festivities will include food trucks, local vendors, and activities for the entire family to enjoy. The twist is that this year's multiple date series will allow for a diverse line-up of local musicians to perform providing a variety of music genres for all audiences, generations, and vibes.

Because CopyWrite loves music and community so much we are bringing you pre-covarge right before each event to get you “Outside” and in the mix starting with exclusive interviews from July 15th acts, DJ Bizzon & Twan Mack.


It is clear that both DJ Bizzon and Twan Mack are excited to be a part of the Music on the Beerline series. Though both of them are seasoned performers who have a prolific roster of appearances, showcases, and sets [Bizzon just days ago spinning at Summerfest, one of the largest music festivals in the largest music festivals in the world and Twan just coming back from a European tour opening up for 2 time Grammy winners Arrested Development], being apart of this community event still feels major.

When asked about accepting the invitation to perform at Music on the Beerline this year they both gave personal stories of how the event resonated with them.  

DJ Bizzon had previously performed in this space and the opportunity to vibe out in an outdoor setting where noise is not a concern and everybody can hang out in a real inclusive way feels more free. [If you have ever been to a DJ Bizzon set, you know that he is bringing the Yams no matter what the location may be]. Twan Mack emphasized that though he considers himself a product 53206, a segment of his childhood was spent in Riverwest, one of the neighborhoods that the Beerline borders. 

Twan Mack: “It’s the most diverse part of the city in my eyes. So when I got the call to be a part of this I could not turn it down.”

He also mentioned how much he values the work that Riverworks Development Corporation does in the community, and supporting local creative talent is just an extension of that. 

As intentional as the selection of performers are for this series, it comes with noting a need for inclusive happenings that allows for all people to be invested and welcomed. The narrative given for the Music on the Beerline is clear:

“Make real community connections through the collective love of music”.

Across Milwaukee’s Downtown area, the nicheness of Bay View, and Eastside [proper] there are things to do and music happenings but the need for those spaces don’t stop there. They are more like precedent to do more in places that get it the least. 

DJ Bizzon: “So much is happening in these other places. Having a space where all these communities connect is obvious.”

Twan Mack: “It really incompases everything I am about as a performer. My music doesn't have a color on it. Even though it’s coming from a Black man's standpoint, it's really for anybody. I tailor my shows so it can be child friendly as well.”

Merging socio-demographics authentically is something that creativity, especially music does well. This theme also allows for performers to actively address diversity through their sets. Where you can expect a mixture of family friendly vibes from both Bizzon and Twan, they will also be bringing their personas to the stage.

DJ Bizzon’s set will carry a mashup of Funk, Soul, Hip-Hop, and 90’s R&B. Twan Mack will be serving a mixture of social political thought, entertainment, and some education on Hip hop history. 

See? VIBEY!

It’s important to note that beyond being performers both Bizzon and Twan are a part of Milwaukee’s community and as such they are also a part of the audience the series is hoping will enjoy the event. 

When asked about what they were looking forward to the most about Music on the Beerline besides their performing their sets Bizzon mentioned how stoked he is to see the other dope performances and seeing how they create the vibe, in a setting where everybody can come out for good entertainment, gratis. 

DJ Bizzon: “I’m never mad at a free show!”

Twan is looking forward to people coming together, being able to broaden their horizons, and to learn about people they may not really know. 

Twan Mack: “I expect to see all kinds of faces. . . [For this] what you have in your bank account does not matter. Come have a good time. Eat some good food. Share some smiles and bring some positivity to the Summer.” 

So are We Outside?

You better believe it . . . and that means ALL OF US!

Be on the lookout for new music and visuals from Twan Mack (@twanmack24). Plus, his other summer appearances at the Cactus Club and under raps project with The Cooperage [shh we can’t tell you what it is yet but it's going to be good!] 

To keep in the loop with DJ Bizzon (@djbizzon) all you have to do is head to his website https://djbizzon.com/ for events, merch, and more.

See you on the Beerline!

Lexi S. Brunson for /CW