About the Site:
Contessa Says is an online
magazine promoting and supporting the local creative talent of
Madison, WI. Each
week, the magazine covers what is happening in both the local music
and art scenes here in Madison. Everything from what bands are
playing to when the next art reception will be is discussed. In
addition to music and art, other creative interests are supported
such as comedy and theater through Contessa’s Weekly Highlights. Each week, events (big or small) are determined to be the
best things in Madison to check out. These events range from large
scale events such as the Madison Area Music Awards and Art Fair on
the Square to concerts, plays, and art receptions put on by local
individuals.
On a larger scale, each month different local artist and music
talents are featured (one from each category). These features
consist of full length articles on the artist and music talent that
remained spotlighted for the entire month. The magazine then puts on
a monthly ‘Contessa Says Showcase’ that highlights the talents of
these individuals. A venue is chosen and both music and art are
combined into one event. An art show occurs at the same time as
music performance. The pairings of music and art talent, as well as
the venue for the event, are carefully calculated in order to
orchestrate a seamless and highly entertaining experience for all
whom attend.
Contessa Says is a weekly magazine publication. There is not a print
version for several reasons. In this age of technology, the internet
has become a very powerful resource in finding everything from
airfare to homes to shopping needs. It has also become a large
reference guide for people to find out what is going on in the city
they live. By creating a strictly online magazine, Contessa Says is
keeping with the continuing evolution of the internet as a key
player in the general public’s perception of where to find their
latest information. In the wave of PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant)'s and wireless, people are checking their technology
devices for what’s happening in the city around them. Contessa Says
fits right along side that trend.
Creator and Owner of Contessa
Says, Jessica Thompson is a 28 year old resident of Madison, WI.
In addition to continuously working to promote the local musicians
and visual artists in and around the city, Thompson is also
volunteering for the 2007 Madison Area Music Awards and will be the
head coordinator of the 2007 Madison Area Open Art Studios.
She also serves on the board for Art Partners (a subset of the
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art), as well as serving on the CDBG
Commission for Dane County. Named one of InBusiness Magazine's
40 under 40 in 2006, Thompson works to give back to the community in
which she lives and strives to create a creative cultural scene in
which the local talents can get the appreciation and respect that
they deserve.
Special Thanks: Dan Clark for creating "Contessa", The MSB for being my first featured band and playing my launch, Paul Hendrickson for being my inspiration to start this all to begin with, Melinda Gustafson for name collaboration, Patricia Montana for marketing advice, and Josh Smith for technical and friendship support. And very special thanks to my parents, Tim and Vicky, my sister and brother-in-law, Jen & Rory, my niece Kendra, Xacho & Sadie, and to all of my great friends that have loved and supported me in my vision!
Any comments, questions, or suggestions can be emailed to contessasays@gmail.com