Audiences will have three chances to see this the performance:
Friday April 6th at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday April 7th at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Using its signature low-flying trapezes, Spanish web, silks, and other aerial apparatus, Cycropia will play with gravity and verticality as they dance suspended from the ceiling. Even the transitions between pieces will delight and entertain.

Cycropia has been performing in Madison for over 20 years, creating a favorite Madison community dance tradition. Club CEO Michael Johnson is thrilled to have Cycropia perform at the Club. If you haven't seen a Cycropia production, you're in for a totally unique experience. This performance is a great way to kick off your spring!

To learn more about Cycropia, visit www.cycropia.org

Cycropia Aerial Dance Presents "Luminaerial" Aug. 25 and 26 at the Orton Park Festival

Cycropia Aerial Dance proudly presents its magical blending of modern dance and circus arts in an evening of spectacular works, as it brings "Luminaerial" to the Orton Park Festival. Audiences will have two chances to see this free performance, Thursday August 25th at 7:45 p.m. and Friday August 26th at 8:45 p.m.

Using its signature low-flying trapezes, Spanish web, chains, and other aerial apparatus created specifically for this performance, Cycropia will play with gravity and verticality as they dance under the canopy of one of Orton Park's majestic oak trees. Even the transitions between pieces will delight and entertain.

Cycropia has been performing at Orton Park since the mid-90's, creating a favorite Madison community dance tradition. "The 7:45 p.m. Thursday night show will be a nice option for families with small kids," states festival director Bob Queen. "If you haven't seen a Cycropia production, you're in for a totally unique experience." New this year, the Thursday show will be preceded by creative activities for kids including hoola-hooping, dancing, and art workshops from 5:30-7:30, plus a parade, so get there early! This performance is a great way to cap off your summer.

To learn more about Cycropia, visit www.cycropia.org

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138432532911482

"Luminaerial" is funded in part by a grant from the Madison Arts Commission, with additional funds from the Wisconsin Arts Board.

High-resolution press photos and video of past performances are available here:
GALLERY 1: http://tinyurl.com/3pt65uj
GALLERY 2: http://tinyurl.com/3aw8s9r
CYCROPIA MATERIAL: http://www.cycropia.org/sh​owcase/

• Mal and I went to Orton Park Festival to see Cycropia perform (#65) and graduated intro to low-flying trapeze and am now officially an ongoing flyer! (#12)



• My lovely roommate in Paris was kind enough to lend me her book for my flight home with the promise that I would mail it back. Though long overdue, I finally mailed Jorden's package (#75), and have another note on the way!


• I made a lovely new bathing suit for myself (#16) and even made the pattern 


• My lovely vintage bicycle (found by my Dad on the side of the road during "Hippie Christmas") has been fully restored, complete with a brooks saddle and wire rear baskets--Perfect for collecting my CSA and groceries! (#17)


• I prepared several locavore meals (#45--see local challenge entry)


• Pole dancing lessons definitely brought out a side of me I tend to suppress, but really I'm not sure how much I need to let that out. I would highly recommend the class to anyone! (#40)


• I traced a line all around Lake Michigan during a summer solo adventure from Madison, through Chicago, to Grand Rapids, through the upper peninsula, camping in Manistique, and back to Madison (#48).


• My record player is set up my record player (# 49) and I'm happily accruing vinyl to charm the ears of every listener.


• A date took me on a slow vacation (bike ride) around Lake Monona (#53)


• I had a fair share of fun on all of my work trips (Albany, DC, Worchester, Boston, Cincy--#61) and have another trip to Boston for a few more adventures


• Following a Saturday morning bike ride to Mickey's Dairy Bar (#79) I took my first ride on the Cap City Trail.


• Another date taught me how to make sushi (#81) now I'm hooked ;)

• 37. Ice skate at Tenney park


• 80. Acquire cross-country skis (done) and do a moonlit trail

In Progress:

• 54. Learn how to make quiche (done in pie size and muffin size) and tart--need some help here


• I completed my first semester as a master's student in Population Health Sciences (#82). I'm slated to have a couple letters following my name in May 2012.

Here's the full list with updated checks and progress notes. I have 15 items to add.

1. Go wind surfing
2. learn how to sail
3. Kayak on lake mendota
4. take a trip to the Boundary waters
5. go sky diving
6. take a Bachata class (April)
7. take a Meringue class
8. take private ballroom lessons with john or other instructor
9. Take a swing dancing class with Mal
10. Take a ballet class
11. Take a tango lesson
12. Trapeze dancing or other circus class with Sarah (summer '10)
13. Paris underwear show (fall 2010?)
14. Europe trip (fall 2010?)
15. Latin trip (Costa Rica with Chandon?)
16. Make new swimsuit (summer 2010)
17. Fix my vintage bike (trade with Merrick)
18. Take a textile course
19. Reprodonkadonk underwear line (winter 2010)
20. Finish all my unfinished sewing projects (progress)
21. Bike tour of vineyards in France (2011?)
22. Visit WI dells (with Mallory)
23. Learn how to make Marie's chocolate pudding
24. Finish Dostoyevsky's Brothers Karamazov
25. Learn about a new (to me) religion
26. Get dance shoes (immediately)
27. Dance in a performance or competition
28. Be on time for everything for a week
29. Make a new outfit/dress
30. Fill in the photo book that Katelyn made me for Christmas
31. Babysit once a month for jen and George so they can have a date (paying for a sitter counts)
32. Summer camping trip with ladies
33. Stay out dancing all night at least 6 times a year (progress)
34. Dance every day (even if just for a moment)
35. Go to a flea market (with Mal)
36. Go to a climbing gym (with Mal)
37. Ice skate at tenney park
38. Have a girl's day in Chicago (Mal)
39. Go parasailing
40. Take pole dancing lessons (Mal)
41. Wine tasting at a vineyard
42. Purchase a new serger
43. Go to a waterpark
44. Cleanse or fast for 2-3 days
45. Prepare an only local meal
46. Make a loaf of gluten-free bread
47. Make something with ruffles
48. Drive through the upper peninsula
49. Set up my record player
50. New music purchases must be only digital or vinyl if it they are available (progress)
51. Finish my fabric frames project (progress)
52. Trade underwear for art (Sarah Scott)
53. Bike around lake Monona
54. Learn how to make quiche and tarts
55. Make Mousse au chocolat
56. get a frisbee
57. morel hunting
---- (added more)
58. play tennis during my lunch break

59. fix/repurpose grandma's costume jewelry

60. Make dinner for the Timmers every other week for a while
(Progress)
61. Add a personal fun time on all my work trips (Albany, DC, Worchester, Boston, Cincy)

62. Share the best bite

63. Take Myles to the botany building for a field trip

64. Bicycle picnic trip

65. Don't miss Orton Park festival
----- (added more)
66. Make baklava

67. Go to Turkey

68. Learn how to do a cartwheel
 (progress)
69. Bicycle tour Europe 

70. Compete in a mud race

71. Be a part of a secret performance
--- (added 6/16/10)
72. Watch Dirty Dancing
73. Finish reading The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm
74. Watch La Bamba
75. Mail Jorden's package
76. Visit Alaska
77. Visit Rome
---
Added more (Jan 3, 2011)
78. figure 8 bike ride (lake mendota and monona)
79. Go to Mickey's Dairy Bar
80. Acquire cross-country skis and do a moonlit trail (progress)
81. Make sushi
82. Get my master's degree (progress)
83. Make a sale on etsy
84. Bike the trail from Madison to Illinois with Mom and Lucie (Summer '11)
85.

 a little overdue...

Some of my favorite meals and snacks and farms and flavors:

• French boule is a super versatile dough that I use to make bread, pizza, and quiche. It was a staple in my local diet (the exception made here is flour--impossible to source both locally grown and locally milled--lame).
• Tomato sandwiches (homemade bread toasted, homemade mayo, bucky badger horsheradish, thick sliced heirloom, sprinkle of sea salt and fresh cracked pepper)
• Pizza--roasted veggies, local cheeses, sauce with fresh tomatoes, bacon.
• Quiche (leftover roasted veggies, local eggs, etc)
• Beef--best local protein! Black Earth Meats, you can tell the difference. I made a huge roast with potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic. Throw it all in the crock pot and eat for a week. Summer sausage (with cheese and bread or crackers)--way better than a lunchable.
• Pears--thank you Future Fruit Farms for growing beautiful pears to satisfy my fruit craving!
• Tea--Four Elements grows really special herbs which make lovely tea blends (and are used in skin care products too)
• Melon--I dare you to compare a fresh local melon to any you could purchase in the store. Doesn't even come close.
• Maple syrup in my locally roasted coffee
• Cheese--ahhh life in Wisconsin
• Tomatillo salsa--Luna Circle farm sells the pack of tomatillos, onion, and hot pepper. All you have to do is peel and blend.
• Eggplant--do I even need to tell you how much I love eggplant? Below is the aubergine stuffed with black earth ground beef, bell peppers, 1 hot pepper, onions, and garlic. topped with a sour cream sauce!

• Labne--a creamy cheese made from locally prepared yogurt with a sprinkle of mint from my friends at Well House

• Sprouts--add a bite and a crunch to anything
• A to Z--the cookbook that made this a whole lot easier.

My exceptions

• Cocoa crispies (the organic version)
• Anything that was already in my cupboard or fridge (because I don't like to waste)
• Free food or food made for me

Here are some of the highlights coming out of my kitchen:

Breakfast:
1. Omelet with eggs, cherry tomatoes, sweet onion, goat cheese.
2. Sautéed pattypan squash, cherry tomatoes, and swiss chard with a fried egg.

Snack:
1. Homemade french boule with goat cheese and strawberry jam (my sister made it with Michigan strawberries)
2. Fresh salsa with Milwaukee made tortilla chips (the chipotle sour cream ones)

Beverage:
1. Bloody mary with heirloom tomatoes, steamed and juiced, bucky badger horse(horsh)radish, milwaukee kosher pickles, and other non-local hot stuff and liquor.

Dinner:
1. Black Earth steak, hot cabbage slaw with bacon, cucumber salad with tomato, onion, and balsamic vinegar dressing
2. Roasted tomato soup with eggplant (see recipe below--Thanks Mal!), fried zucchini, steamed sweet corn, and fresh bread with goat cheese and jam.

Roasted Tomato and Vegetable Soup With Tasso Ham
Serves 4-6

2 pounds fresh tomatoes
2 small zebra eggplants or one medium regular eggplant
1 head of garlic, cut in half
4 small vidalia onions, cut in half
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2-4 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
fresh basil
olive oil or tea seed oil, avocado, walnut or pumpkin (optional) (I used sunflower oil from Driftless Organics)
1/2 cup diced tasso ham or thick cut/slab bacon, cooked and drained (omitted)

Preheat the oven to 450F. Slice the tomatoes and eggplants and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Place the garlic and onions on a separate baking sheet and drizzle with 1-2 teaspoons olive oil (if you have room left in the first pan, skip that step and add the garlic and onion to the tomatoes and eggplant). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place both baking sheets in the oven and roast the veggies until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.Peel the garlic off its skins and place with the rest of the vegetables, saving a few tomato slices for garnish, in a food processor. Add about 1 to 2 cups of water and puree until smooth. Add enough water to reach your preferred consistency. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved tomato slices, drizzle of your favorite oil and some basil. Add some tasso ham as desired and serve.

The List

• I went to a swing ball and learned how to swing dance (#9).

• I found a sweet old cruiser thanks to hippie Christmas so #17 is no longer relevant. All I had to do was oil it, adjust a hand-me-down brooks saddle and install baskets. I finally have a grocery getter!
• I am almost a trapeze 101 graduate and considering enrolling in a 4 month class with Cycropia 
• I went camping with a crowd of friends and their beautiful children. This almost counts for my ladies trip (#32) because the dads I know happen to be the coolest dads and dudes around.
• I completed Intro to Pole Dance and now can, with a little grace, demonstrate 10 swings (#40)
• Thanks to the Corner Record Shop I am now listening to vinyl all the time (#49). My collection so far includes (in order of acquisition): Iron and Wine, Nedelle, Abba, The Carpenters, Dolly Parton, Michael Jackson, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, a split with Lake and The Old Believers, Breathe Owl Breathe, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Mirah, Thao, (#50)
• I finally mailed (#75) Jorden the book I borrowed from her before we both left France. I miss her.

I signed up for an intro to low flying trapeze class at the Goodman center (#12). I had a delicious canolo in Boston where I spent the day with my co-worker and my pseudo sister (#61). I met up with former colleagues at a conference in Washington D.C. and visited Old Town and U-Street where Anna and I had some excellent meals (#61). I made a new dress (#29) which I wore on my 2nd work trip to Boston where I bought chocolate and started reading "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabi (Gabriel Garcia Marrquez) upon recommendation of a writer friend (#61). I bicycled around Lake Monona (#53) with writer friend. I shared the best nacho bites (#62) with Kaisang at King and Mane, a new gastro-canina near my apartment. I rode my bicycle to several picnics (#64). And danced a good tune at the James Brown dance party (#33).

New items on the list:
66. Make baklava
67. Go to Turkey
68. Learn how to do a cartwheel
69. Bicycle tour Europe
70. Compete in a mud race
71. Be a part of a secret performance

see the full list here

Looking forward to May and a summer of living it up!

Here are a few additions to the list:
58. play tennis during my lunch break
59. fix/repurpose grandma's costume jewelry
60. Make dinner for the Timmers every other week for a while
61. Add a personal fun time on all my work trips (Albany, DC, Worchester, Boston, Cincy)
62. Share the best bite
63. Take Myles to the botany building for a field trip
64. Bicycle picnic trip
65. Don't miss Orton Park festival

1. Go wind surfing
2. learn how to sail
3. Kayak on lake mendota
4. take a trip to the Boundary waters
5. go sky diving
6. take a Bachata class (April)
7. take a Meringue class
8. take private ballroom lessons with john or other instructor
9. Take a swing dancing class with Mal
10. Take a ballet class
11. Take a tango lesson
12. Trapeze dancing or other circus class with Sarah (summer '10)
13. Paris underwear show (fall 2010?)
14. Europe trip (fall 2010?)
15. Latin trip (Costa Rica with Chandon?)
16. Make new swimsuit (summer 2010)
17. Fix my vintage bike (trade with Merrick)
18. Take a textile course
19. Reprodonkadonk underwear line (winter 2010)
20. Finish all my unfinished sewing projects (progress)
21. Bike tour of vineyards in France (2011?)
22. Visit WI dells (with Mallory)
23. Learn how to make Marie's chocolate pudding
24. Finish Dostoyevsky's Brothers Karamazov
25. Learn about a new (to me) religion
26. Get dance shoes (immediately)
27. Dance in a performance or competition
28. Be on time for everything for a week
29. Make a new outfit/dress
30. Fill in the photo book that Katelyn made me for Christmas
31. Babysit once a month for jen and George so they can have a date (paying for a sitter counts)
32. Summer camping trip with ladies
33. Stay out dancing all night at least 6 times a year (progress)
34. Dance every day (even if just for a moment)
35. Go to a flea market (with Mal)
36. Go to a climbing gym (with Mal)
37. Ice skate at tenney park
38. Have a girl's day in Chicago (Mal)
39. Go parasailing
40. Take pole dancing lessons (Mal)
41. Wine tasting at a vineyard
42. Purchase a new serger
43. Go to a waterpark
44. Cleanse or fast for 2-3 days
45. Prepare an only local meal
46. Make a loaf of gluten-free bread
47. Make something with ruffles
48. Drive through the upper peninsula
49. Set up my record player
50. New music purchases must be only digital or vinyl if it they are available (progress)
51. Finish my fabric frames project (progress)
52. Trade underwear for art (Sarah Scott)
53. Bike around lake Monona
54. Learn how to make quiche and tarts
55. Make Mousse au chocolat
56. get a frisbee
57. morel hunting
---- (added more)
58. play tennis during my lunch break

59. fix/repurpose grandma's costume jewelry

60. Make dinner for the Timmers every other week for a while
(Progress)
61. Add a personal fun time on all my work trips (Albany, DC, Worchester, Boston, Cincy)

62. Share the best bite

63. Take Myles to the botany building for a field trip

64. Bicycle picnic trip

65. Don't miss Orton Park festival
----- (added more)
66. Make baklava

67. Go to Turkey

68. Learn how to do a cartwheel
 (progress)
69. Bicycle tour Europe 

70. Compete in a mud race

71. Be a part of a secret performance
--- (added 6/16/10)
72. Watch Dirty Dancing
73. Finish reading The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm
74. Watch La Bamba
75. Mail Jorden's package
76. Visit Alaska
77. Visit Rome
---
Added more (Jan 3, 2011)
78. figure 8 bike ride (lake mendota and monona)
79. Go to Mickey's Dairy Bar
80. Acquire cross-country skis and do a moonlit trail (progress)
81. Make sushi
82. Get my master's degree (progress)
83. Make a sale on etsy
84. Bike the trail from Madison to Illinois with Mom and Lucie (Summer '11)
85.

Parisians are... well, they're a lot of things, but I guess they are just exceptionally french-- beautiful, fashionable, not slow necessarily--they just know how to enjoy life. Les parisians savent profiter de la vie!

I'm made for this kind of life--the kind where you can have espresso, good bread with cheese and jam, and fresh fruit juice for breakfast, sitting at a sidewalk cafe on the bank of the canal, watching beautiful people cruise around on rollerblades, bicycles, and smart cars.

Ways of living which I intend to bring home, well... if I come home (see below):

• Gastronomically related

Bake bread

Incorporate breakfast into my routing

Learn how to make quiche and tartes

Admit that the aubergine has always been my favorite food and eat it more often

Espresso instead of coffee

Potatoes chips with goat cheese

Mousse au chocolat

• Lifestyle related

Get a Frisbee, a tennis racquet, and dancing shoes (thanks to this book)

Set a schedule so I can take a decent lunch break

No worries! Ne vous inquiétez pas! I have a dentist appointment on October 13th, so I have to come home. I'm grateful to be here and grateful that I have things to return home to. I watched these videos of our center director speaking about the work we do and feel pretty passionate about it. Though Kellie says passions are transferable...

Some thoughts.

street, metro, and cafe musicians/performers
if you look or listen too long or take a picture, you're expected to hand over some coins. I want to give these people more than money. i want to give them my heart.

the no smiling thing
i kind of get and i kind of don't. greg's parisienne mother who has lived in the states for the last 25 years, and I discussed this and how smiles in the morning are an especially good way to start the say. here, smiles mean more than a casual friendly greeting, but this means they aren't given out for free. it's kind of like the warm fuzzy, cold prickly story except without cold pricklies. the french are nice and hospitable, you just have to make an attempt.

the best way to see the city
river boat tours are alight, but i've got that beat. i've had the pleasure of riding double on a bicycle through the streets of paris at night, and on the quai along the seine by day. Although this isn't the most comfortable way to cruise, it is a fabulous way to see the city.

Here are some pictures (for all the photos from my trip, go here)

View from the top of the Eiffel Tower

my roommate, Jorden and I at the top of the Eiffel Tower

Montmartre
View from the top

View of the Sacre-Coeur

another beautiful place to spend a Sunday afternoon- Le Jardin des Plantes

le petite fer a cheval (horseshoe)- Thanks to Nick and Sally for the recommendation! This plat du jour (plate of the day) was fabulous- the fennel side was super tasty!

Greg and I overindulged on magnificent pastries

goofing off at the Louvre

best friends in Paris

A few observations about the pace of life in Paris

There are neither social rules nor sanctions for walking in metro tunnels, stairways, or sidewalks--no such thing as slow traffic on the right. It's as if the French ares saying, 'life is not in a hurry and you shouldn't be either'. I'm learning to be more than ok with this.

Service is slow to come, decent when it's present, and they never rush you. You have to ask for the bill if you want it.

Women wear heals all the time. It's kind of inspiring.

Paris knows how to make public space beautiful. Parisians know how to appreciate it. Despite how narrow the parks might be and how many trees might obstruct your badminton game, the space is incredibly adequate.

People don't smile freely. I've had to restrain to hold a straight face more than once a day. French men generally dress really well, wearing pants that fit, and this something to smile about.

On a more personal note...

*My French is improving gradually, with 6 hours/day in a classroom it should be. I'm in the most diverse classroom I've ever been in, with students from Turkey, Germany, Denmark, China, Taiwan, Iraq, Poland, US, and Thailand. Our common denominator is French which is a 2nd (3rd or 4th) language for all of us except the instructor (who is not allowed to speak English in the classroom). This is a fabulous way to learn.

* My host family living arrangement is great- great food, fun roommates (that graciously translate for me so I can understand our host mother), adorable space, and comfortable sleep.

* I love it here even when it rains (or maybe even more).

* I'm looking forward to exploring the music and art scene with recommendations from a local frenchie (thanks to Ross for the connection!), exploring the textile district for fabric and frills, studying french/ people watching in sidewalk cafes, finding a healthy balance between French food and walking long distances, and trying to be fully present in my paris life!

Here are some visual highlights

rigatoni with cream and truffle

BFF together in Paris

Le Catho (Catholic Institute of Paris) where I'm studying French

The Eiffel Tower of course

The metro

inspiration

And much more to come!

Love,
Steph

make it happen
Some people have reacted to my trip with envy or amazement and I just say, "you can make it happen, too." seriously. I decided to do this trip less than 2 months ago when I was in a bad spot. I remember sitting on the couch at my friends', probably in tears, feeling trapped and not very capable. Then something flipped and, "f- it, I'm going to Paris!" It took a little searching, socially engineering some systems, planning, loan getting, etc. Sure I'm fortunate to have an incredibly flexible job, a decent credit score, and an attitude, but I still think you can make it happen.

Not coming back
I have had several friends, co-workers, and complete strangers say, "you're not coming home." The plan is for me to return September 27. I guess that's all I have to say about that.

I'm actually looking forward to coming home to Madison. Maybe it took taking a large leap for things to come together for me here. I have good work, new friends, and a special underwear release party to come home to.

Tacky on the inside
I just finished the gift for my host mom. Creating a gift without having any sense of the person on the receiving end is a little bit stressful. The suggestions were- modest, practical, and unique to your area. I hope it works.

Back to whittling down the suitcase. Catch ya'll on the Paris side!
Steph

I'm going to Paris for an entire mont and I leave next week. I cannot quite express my excitement, beyond thrilled really. I think my life is shifting and I feel as prepared as one should be.
I intend to blog about my experiences here and am excited to share this time with you!

Cordially,
Steph

I ride the bike path all the way to work.

ok I'll stop emphasizing how great madison is and just say, Grand Rapids, get with it. what's the hold up?

I have a nightmare living situation, but have plans for a better one and an outlook that will get me through this in the meantime. I've met some sweet people and found a place where I can take my bike to avoid dirty hands.

I'm working on my etsy to sell underwear and make spending a huge portion of my income on rent possible.

more on life in madison to come...