Dear Friends & Family,
Here are some 2024 highlights, some are pictured on my second ever holiday card!
Started knitting a shawl. Ask me in 5 years if it’s finished. I finished it this winter! It only took me 1.5 years!
I performed as a clown with the “other” Stephanie. If you want to know how to have a proper tea party, you can watch this informative video.
I went to DC for work. Twice. Once with the Madison team of John F. Kennedy Center’s Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child network and again for the National Endowment of the Arts Research Labs convening. The trips were energizing for my work to demonstrate the power of the arts and help increase equitable access for kids here in Madison.
Fern and I booked a spontaneous trip to Colorado for a hot springs adventure with Tiffany. We hugged some trees, tromped through mud, stayed in a tiny house, dipped in a freezing river, and soaked.
Luella and I co-produced and performed in Rage, a show benefiting the Wisconsin Women’s Medical Fund which funds abortion. I supported my students in creating an act about supporting people who are transgender, and I borrowed a child to be in an act about parenting and the challenges of body image pressure.
I visited Ophelia in Las Vegas and we did all the things! We hiked at Red Rock Canyon, thrift and outlet shopped ‘til we dropped, had an epically delicious meal at a Bobby Flay restaurant, and saw a Cirque du Soleil show with seats so close that some of the action happened above and behind our heads.
The legacy of Stripes (Sarah), who passed away in July 2023, lives on in my house and life. I’m continually making progress on my financial goals, and my house is proving to be a good source of income.
I continue to work on projects big and small in my old house. I had ductless heating/cooling units installed in the upper apartment which will hopefully pay off in the near future through savings in energy bills and reduce my impact on the environment. Dad and uncle Ken made a trip or two out to help with various odds and ends and I always manage to take them out for a little fun on the town. Mom came to visit and we reupholstered a chaise lounge and took a very hot bike ride.
I went to a few notable concerts. Karen and I went to Milwaukee to see her favorite musician, Iron and Wine, and we were both blown away by the opener, Ken Pomeroy and the shadow puppet artists. Kaisang and I went to see Thievery Corporation on a Sunday night and learned we’re too old for school night concerts! Francis and I watched the Jon Batiste documentary and I immediately bought us tickets and the concert was incredible!
My home continues to be a cozy guest house, and this year I hosted a clown, foot juggler, traveling ER nurse, an Italian engineer, a strong man competitor, a painter, and so many more strangers, some of whom have become dear friends. This winter, I’m lucky to have two amazing women as housemates. They joined my bookclub right away.
I created a beautiful screen dance with artists, Marlon Hall and Aaron Granat. Watch the film here.
I co-produced “Wonder Circus” with the aforementioned “other” Stephanie. It was a beautiful show! We tested out a bunch of outside the box ideas - brought in an artist, Benjamin Domask-Ruh, who we both admire, invited guest artist and my dear friend Natalia Armacanqui, and hosted 3 local schools for a school day matinee followed by try-its. My students and I created an act about the next generation of Poppins and I proudly donned a Mary costume. Karen and I created a duo cloudswing/sling act. Watch the full act here.
I celebrated my 39th birthday with a week of festivities including a group outing to canoe on the Wisconsin River.
My biggest travel adventure this year was a trip to Europe. Dad wanted to visit Johnny, the Danish exchange student who lived with our family when I was in middle school. It was wonderful seeing Denmark and catching up with my brother who we’ve stayed in touch with over the years. Then I took Dad to Paris and we had a magical time despite lots of rain. I met up with friends, Costanza and Marybel for some pizza and lots of walking in Rome, then spent 22 hours in Valencia with Kellie for her birthday. Then I spent two solo days in Portugal staying in my friend Zainab’s cute home in Evora. Finally, I had an overnight layover in London and got to catch up with my first ever Madison friend, Victoria.
Luella and I created Madison Aerial Alliance, performed together at Sessions at McPike Park, and hosted aerial try-its for Parks Alive, a city of Madison effort to share resources and fun in neighborhood parks around the city.
Francis and I produced Summer of Love and Community Connection for the third year in a row. This time, we had a full day of multicultural and multidisciplinary classes and also live music, circus, and dance performances for the whole family. It was a stressful experience and we’re taking a break from it all before discussing future plans for the beloved community event.
Madison Circus Space hosted a second year of circus summer camp but none of my nibblings attended this time. Maybe next summer!?
Natalia Armacanqui invited me to participate in her choreography for Isthmus Dance. Collective’s Shifting Gears Bike Path Dance Festival. It was delightful working with her and I enjoyed pushing my boundaries to explore her movement styles.
Spent hours paddling and introducing friends to Wisconsin rivers. We explored a new stretch of the Mecan and I sacrificed a few items to the river trolls.
The Baby Ruths played a fun spring kickball season and I returned to Mad Bumps for summer volleyball.
My business, Air Craft Madison (.com), turned 1 and has been super successful! I continually learn more about how to support young humans through this incredible art form. Teaching children who are creative, brave, and delightful continues to be a huge joy in my life.
I joined friends for a spontaneous trip to Rock Island and loved it so much that I convinced Karen to do a repeat adventure - bicycle camping in Door County (we did almost the same route in 2020). It was magical!
I hosted a “Mosaic Dinner” where I invited 8 people from various pockets of my life who don’t know eachother. No one is allowed to talk about what they do, only who they are. It was pure magic and proof that I can squeeze 8 strangers at my tiny table.
Still rocking the Audrey Hepburn haircut and found some perfect pieces to up my Halloween costume game.
It’s becoming a tradition - I closed out 2024 as a human ball drop for the Madison Children’s Museum’s party. Countdowns were at 2, 2:30, and 3pm. Who doesn’t love a countdown?
Sending you all love and light as we move into 2025!
<3 Stephanie
