For The Culture Night is August 15th on the 100 Block of State Street (Madison, WI) from 8PM – 11PM!

Hosted by The Laugh Master featuring Chairman Allen, Bliz Gee, G Stylez, JEXIZIS, Mane, Lil Nija and DJ G Money.

Vendors: Queen P’s Throne, Zuri’s Furry Friends, Blessed Divine Creations, DeVine Grilling

Visual Artists: B.Denae Artistry, Sirena The Flower, Brianna Cole

Chairman Allen

Musician

Chairman Allen of Healthy Hood Chicago, is an artist and community unifier from Long Beach, CA. Since moving to Chicago in 2011, he has continued to create with intention to illuminate powerful messages through music and art.

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Bliz Gee

Musician

Bliz Gee is a rapper from Madison, WI. Bliz got his start by appearing on multiple mixtapes in 2005, 06 and 09. Bliz released singles “When It Rains” Feat. Psyde FX of Psychodrama (Nov. 2012) and “Say Wut” (June 2013). After gaining early momentum Bliz’s career was put on hold due to uncontrollable circumstances. He has worked with national artists like: Psychodrama, The Snypaz, Chicago Dbo, Chef Boy Ching, D. Star, Original Breeze, Bo Beezy and many more. Bliz’s latest single W.A.R. (Building 7) Feat. Bobby Kennedy is currently available on all platforms.

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G Stylez

Musician

G Stylez is a musician, stylist, colorist, barber and educator in Madison, WI. Entering the year with an energetic single titled “I wanna keep you”, G Stylez will be bringing a modern R&B groove to the 2025 Mad Lit Event Series!

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JEXIZIS

Musician

Jexizis is a 19 year old artist from Madison, Wisconsin. He started rapping in 6th grade when his math teacher disrespected him and Jexizis responded with a diss track against the school. Jex has came a long way since then landing a hip hop and urban arts full tuition scholarship to UW Madison, Leading a Madison based rap collective, selling out shows, and becoming a Major player of a growing alternative rap scene in Madison. Jexizis is also the youth poet laureate of Madison and frequently performs under the title “Justin Festge Russell.” Jex has also opened with music stars such as Bone Thugs N Harmony , DAVE EAST, AND has even received a co-sign from PESO PESO.

This is JEXIZIS—An Anti hero mind with a heart of gold.

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Mane

Musician

Mane Thompson is a Country/Soul singer, from DeForest, Wisconsin, locally based in Wisconsin. Mane is a 13 year old coming in at 6’2, and is a multiple sport athlete.

Mane has been in a news article for the Wisconsin State Journal, made community papers, and has won multiple leadership awards.

Mane first started singing at a young age around 6 when he started performing Michael Jackson, Mane no longer walks around in a shiny white glove, with a fedora hat or Penny loafers. Mane went back to his roots, so you’ll now most likely see Mane in a pair of boots, jeans, and a cowboy hat.

Lil Nija

Musician

Lil Nija returns for their second Mad Lit performance! Lil Nija is a youth Hip-Hop artist in Madison, Wisconsin. You won’t want to miss their set!

DJ G Money

DJ

Governor House aka DJ G-Money is a hard working entrepreneur who is a professional, local and traveling DJ from Madison, Wisconsin. G-Money has been DJing since 2016 after growing interest as a teen from watching local DJs in the community and also coincidentally actors Martin Lawrence who played a DJ in the movie House Party and Jamie Foxx who also played a DJ in the movie Players Club!

In 2016 G-Money learned to DJ by taking notes from local DJs, and watching tutorials on YouTube. DJ G-Money is a father of four children who are his motivation to strive for greatness as a DJ! Not only his kids but his whole families love and support is what keeps him going and motivated!

DJ G-Money is a versatile DJ who has experience with private events, public events, concerts, weddings, festivals, sporting and school events and has played for just about every age from 1-100. He takes pride in being able to read crowds and play relatable music! Known as one of Madison’s favorite DJs, DJ G-Money has also been booked to DJ in Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Illinois, and Minnesota.

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The Laugh Master

Host

Get ready to enjoy For The Culture Night with Madison, Wisconsin’s Laugh Master!

Queen P's Throne

Vendor

Queen P’s Throne specializes in handcrafted, customizable wood and acrylic items, from stunning earrings to unique signs. Queen P’s mission is to empower women, especially Black women, with quality products that inspire self-expression and confidence.

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Zuri's Furry Friends

Vendor

Zuri’s Furry Friends is a local family business bringing the joy of creating stuffed animals to events!

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Blessed Divine Creations

Vendor

Paquita Purnell is the visionary founder of Blessed Divine Creations, a custom gift and event planning business specializing in personalized gift baskets, fragrance body oils, candles, and unique handcrafted creations designed to inspire joy and connection. She is also the founder of The Divine Solutionist, where she equips purpose-driven entrepreneurs with faith-fueled strategy, foundational business skills, and bold coaching. Making history as the first African American speaker for WHEN Stories, Paquita shares her powerful journey of overcoming domestic trauma, and depression. Through her work as a motivational speaker, she transforms trauma into triumph—empowering others to heal, rise, and boldly walk in their divine purpose.

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B.Denae Artistry

Visual Artist

Madison, WI native, Brooklyn Doby is a visual artist, muralist, and entrepreneur.
She is passionate about creating art that represents women of color and highlights African American beauty. Her work reflects her love for acrylic paint and abstract portraiture. She creates and sells original paintings that also become unique images for home decor, daily wearable items, drink carriers, stickers and more. At B.Denae Artistry, you’ll discover artwork that uplifts you.

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Brianna Cole

Visual Artist (Wish Room Ambassador)

The Wish Room provides visitors with a dedicated space for reflection and hope. Participants are invited to record their wish on an official Wish Slip, submit it through the Wish Room desk, and receive a keepsake token in return. All submissions are catalogued and preserved in the ongoing Wish Room Records, a continually expanding archive documenting a wide spectrum of hopes, aspirations, and personal reflections.
 
As Wish Room Ambassador, Brianna Cole oversees each installation and safeguards the archive. Every pop-up offers a rare moment of connection and peace amidst the woes of life. Whether whimsical or heartfelt, each wish becomes part of a growing collective record of hope.

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Sirena The Flower

Visual Artist

Sirena The Flower is an Afrolatina artist activist, healer, and entrepreneur. Check out Sirena’s work during For The Culture Night!

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DeVine Grilling

Food Vendor

Experience DeVine Grilling during For The Culture Night! — DeVine Grilling is not just another food trailer, it’s a Divine culinary experience on wheels.

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Maverick Global Distribution has become the latest sponsor of the 2025 Mad Lit Event Series!

Latin Night hosted by Megan Diaz-Ricks featuring La Combi, Rey Cruz and DJ Chamo.

Vendors: Muskuy C&E, Artesanias Nuestra Cultura, Creations for Deities

Visual Artists: Angelica Contreras, Kimberly Giselle, Rodrigo Carapia Art

DJ Night hosted by Cooper Talbot featuring DJ Andre, DJ Ree Maniac, DJ Lyriks and DJ Shauty.

Vendors: Oh-She-Cute, Ivy Up Creations, DéAdore Collections, Boogie’s Backyard Barbecue

Visual Artists: LivingOutUnrealDreams, Poisoned Huny, Dripsphere

Games: Spades with Eubanks Solutions

R&B + Spoken Word Night hosted by Cupcake featuring Cookie & Co., Isaiah Oby, Keena Stay Flyy Atkinson, Deep Thought The Lyricist, Lature and DJ Dee Franko.

Vendors: MosesSista LLC, Ancestral Tribe Custom Apparel, Unique Hair Accessories & More, Taco Sunrise

Visual Artists: Jessica M. Guiterrez, Roots, Lashay The Artist

For The Culture Night hosted by The Laugh Master featuring Chairman Allen, Bliz Gee, G Stylez, JEXIZIS, Mane, Lil Nija and DJ G Money.

Vendors: Queen P’s Throne, Zuri’s Furry Friends, Blessed Divine Creations, DeVine Grilling

Visual Artists: B.Denae Artistry, Sirena The Flower, Brianna Cole

DJ Night #2 hosted by Mark “ShaH” Evans featuring TreatYoSelf, DJ PAIN 1 and special guests!

Vendors: Crash Box Therapy, Wild Wind Organix, Not Your Average and Issa Slay Boutique

Visual Artists: Dani RAD

2025 Mad Lit Interest Forms are currently open!

Are you interested in participating in Mad Lit as a vendor, visual artist or volunteer? If so, fill out our form to let us know!

The 2024 Mad Lit Impact Report is here!

Thank you sponsors, musicians, visual artists, vendors, crew and staff for making the fourth annual Mad Lit Event Series possible!

Download and share our 2024 Mad Lit Impact Report with your colleagues or view the equity-first research that guides our work.

2024 Sponsors

Urban Community Arts Network
info@ucanmadison.org

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