Ático Takes Over Thursdays With Rooftop Vibes and DJ Driven Dinner Energy

Madison keeps raising the bar when it comes to food and nightlife, and Ático Lounge is the latest proof the city knows how to mix a great meal with a real nightlife feel. Sitting on the eighth floor of the Moxy Downtown Madison, Ático delivers Latin American inspired cuisine, elevated cocktails, and downtown skyline views in a rooftop setting made for staying awhile, sipping slow, and letting the night build naturally.

Starting this week, Thursdays at Ático are no longer just about grabbing a bite before heading out. From six to nine pm, Celebrations Entertainment presents Beats and Treats, a weekly DJ driven dinner experience designed to turn the early evening into a vibe. The idea is simple. Come hungry, stay energized, and let the music guide the mood before concerts, games, and late night plans take over downtown.

The DJ lineup rotates weekly and features some of the best selectors in the city including DJ Andre, DJ Fabulust, DJ Ree Maniac, Geoffrey Sandler, and DJ Fusion. Expect Latin flair, bounce, and smooth transitions that elevate the dining experience without overpowering it. This is the sweet spot where good food, great music, and conversation all meet.

Ático offers a chef created dining menu, handcrafted cocktails, wine, beer, and mocktails, plus quick picks for guests heading to shows at The Sylvee or events at Breese Stevens Field. Late night bites round out the experience for those who decide to keep the night going.

Located at 823 East Washington Avenue on the eighth floor, Ático is locally owned, stylish, and quickly becoming one of the most talked about lounges in the 608. You do not have to stay at the hotel to enjoy it, but if Thursday night turns into an extended stay, the convenience is unmatched.

Thursdays at Ático are officially the move.

#MadisonNightlife #608Eats #RooftopVibes #LatinFlair #FusionAfternoons

Community and Culture Inside Out Opens the Mic for Black History Month

As Black History Month approaches, Community and Culture Inside Out is once again creating space to highlight Black excellence across Madison and the surrounding area. This ongoing feature was built to celebrate Black owned businesses, community leaders, and organizations that are shaping the culture and strengthening the 608.

Since the launch of the segment, more than eighty local Black owned businesses have been featured on air, giving listeners a chance to hear the real stories behind the brands they support. From entrepreneurs building from the ground up to established business owners creating jobs and opportunity, Community and Culture Inside Out focuses on voices that deserve to be heard.

For February, the mission is to connect with twenty new Black owned businesses that have not yet been featured. This is a free opportunity designed for long term exposure, not a one time shout out. The interviews are conversational, authentic, and focused on passion, purpose, and impact. The time commitment is minimal, but the visibility can make a lasting difference.

To be eligible, businesses must have a valid business license and either a physical brick and mortar location or a functioning website. Home based businesses and unsafe operations cannot be featured. These standards protect both the audience and the integrity of the platform. Businesses featured more than two years ago may be reconsidered for a new video interview.

Community and Culture Inside Out airs Monday through Friday just after 6:30 pm on 93.1 JAMZ. During Black History Month, the segment expands with three daily airings in the morning and afternoon, increasing reach and impact. The segment is proudly powered by the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce.

If you are a Black owned business in Madison ready to share your story and grow your visibility, this is the moment. Learn more and get connected at madtownjamz dot com slash ccio.

#BlackExcellence608 #SupportBlackBusiness #MadisonWI #CommunityVoices #FusionAfternoons

A recent New York Times report offers a disturbing look at how perception and ego may have influenced US military decision making toward Venezuela. According to the article, frustration inside the Trump administration intensified after Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro continued making public appearances marked by dancing and visible defiance. Those moments were reportedly interpreted as deliberate mockery during rising tensions between Washington and Caracas.

The report states that Maduro’s continued dancing and relaxed demeanor helped persuade some within the Trump team that he was dismissing US threats and calling what they believed to be a bluff. In response, the White House allegedly decided to follow through on military threats. If accurate, this means symbolism and personal perception played a meaningful role in escalation toward war.

This matters because war is not supposed to be driven by embarrassment or ego. The Constitution places war powers with Congress precisely to slow down emotional decision making and force debate. Avoiding Congress because leaders might disagree or leak information undermines that safeguard entirely.

Supporters of intervention often point to Venezuela’s long history of authoritarian rule as justification. No one disputes the suffering of the Venezuelan people. What deserves scrutiny is the timing and motivation of US action. Venezuela has held the largest proven oil reserves in the world for years. That fact did not suddenly emerge alongside concern for human rights.

The credibility problem deepens when viewed next to Trump pardoning a convicted international drug trafficker tied to similar crimes less than a month earlier. That decision undercuts claims of moral clarity and exposes a pattern where legality and ethics bend when profit or power are involved.

It is possible to condemn Nicolás Maduro while also condemning reckless foreign policy. The New York Times report does not portray a careful humanitarian intervention. It portrays a dangerous moment where pride optics and perception helped steer decisions with global consequences. When dancing becomes justification for war the issue is not Venezuela alone. It is the stability of the system making those choices.

When policy is shaped by perception instead of principle, credibility erodes. The cost is paid by civilians abroad and service members ordered into harm’s way. That is the conversation worth having.

#GlobalPolitics #VenezuelaCrisis #PowerAndProfit #AccountabilityMatters #FusionAfternoons