Ken Lonnquist: From the Crossroads to the Rotunda

From his decades-long activity on the Madison singer-songwriter scene to the early days of Kids in the Crossroads at the Madison Civic Center and his continuing involvement with Kids in the Rotunda at Overture Center, Ken Lonnquist has created a career of community, creativity and cherished memories.

Nurturing talent

Lonnquist began writing songs at the young age of 7, influenced by the sounds of his seven older siblings who filled the house with rock, folk and musical theater classics. “The Beatles were very inspiring to me,” he recalls, reflecting on how those early experiences shaped his passion for songwriting and performing. As he got older, Lonnquist continued his passion, performing at open mics during his college years in the 1970s. By the early 1980s, Lonnquist was well known in the singer songwriter community, from his years singing about nature and environmental issues for Wisconsin's Environmental Decade (now Clean Wisconsin), to musicals written for Children’s Theater of Madison, to weekly appearances as a topical singer on WORT 89.9FM. 

Civic Center years

When Madison Civic Center began Kids in the Crossroads, Lonnquist joined the lineup in the early years of the program. Back then, the theater was called the Crossroads because the stage was situated between two sets of steps in front and to the sides, with the performer being surrounded by the audience. “One of the cool things about that venue was the way it felt to perform in the swirl of people,” he recalls.

Kids in the Rotunda impact

When Kids in the Crossroads transitioned to Kids in the Rotunda in 2004 with the creation of Overture Center, Lonnquist was in the lineup from the very beginning. He sees Kids in the Rotunda as invaluable for the community, offering a rich array of programming that ranges from musicians to jugglers to magicians. “There’s no other opportunity for kids to be exposed to such diversity of musical styles and stories in such a beautiful space,” he explains. This commitment to artistic variety not only cultivates an appreciation for the arts starting at a young age, but also fosters an early love and connection to Overture Center itself

A generational fixture

Lonnquist’s performances are a special experience for the whole family. “I love seeing parents bring their kids to the shows, especially when those parents grew up watching me perform themselves,” he shares. Last fall during a Rotunda show, a set of grandparents came with their daughter and her two kids, each of whom had seen Lonnquist’s performances when they themselves were younger. “It’s a very lovely thing to be a generational fixture in this program at Overture,” he muses.

Appreciation and support

Overture Center and the Kids in the Rotunda series is ever evolving, always bringing in new acts and groups. Reflecting on Overture Center’s 20th season anniversary, Lonnquist admires how Overture has always been appreciative and supportive of the acts that have been loved for many decades, including his and others from his generation. “I know Overture thinks deeply about programming” Ken says. His continued connection with Kids in the Rotunda and Overture makes him feel appreciated as an artist with an ever-evolving, joyful body of work.

Lonnquist will perform his most popular kids' songs, including favorites like "Nattie Of The Jungle" and "One Speed Bike." You might also hear tunes like "The Alligator Rag," "Tobacco" and "I Sold My Cat To The Circus," at Kids in the Rotunda on Saturday, Nov. 9.

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