Puzzlepalooza’s second annual event did not disappoint

When Madison Public Library approached me to provide music for their first competitive jigsaw puzzle event in 2025, the initial idea was for me to play polka. But I asked if they would give easy listening records a chance.

My pitch was that I had a growing collection of “elevator music” that would be the perfect, Muzak-y background for a cozy, winter day spent in the library doing puzzles. They trusted me enough to say yes.

It went so well, they asked me back for their 2026 event on January 10.

In 2025, event organizers were surprised to see their 500-piece puzzle completed by the first table in just over 20 minutes! Not having done the event before, I saved all of my favorite songs and fast-tempo tunes for the end, assuming the puzzlers would be active for most of the three-hour event.

This year, not only were the 1000-piece puzzles from I’m Bored Games and Family Fun shop more challenging, I used last year’s lessons to play the fast songs while the leading tables were nearing the puzzles’ completion. The music added drama while videographers for PBS Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Life documented the action of the day for an upcoming special on people who are passionate for puzzles.

I was thrilled when a woman, whom I recognized from last year’s event, came up to say hello and tell me that despite missing the registration for the competitive tables, she still came with a friend for the groovy, jazzy easy listening music. It’s great to meet other folks who appreciate orchestral pop and Ameriachi like I do.

You can call it kitsch. I call it cool. Before Beyoncé put a ring on it or there were Tik Tok dances, there Gwen Verdon did Bob Fosse choreography to the perky Mexican Breakfast number by Johnny Mandel on The Ed Sullivan Show.