Spring has undoubtedly arrived in Madison, marked by the return of the four day celebration of cinema that is the Wisconsin Film Festival. There's much more fun to be found around town this weekend, though, including: the Wunk Sheek Pow Wow, UW Science Expeditions, and an Etsy Trunk Show; the opening of a Wisconsin Watercolor Society show; a production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and performance by Doug Stanhope; and live music by the MSO, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Lotus, The Cemetery Improvement Society with Revolving Doors, Wavves, O Trem Dos Tres, and Heiruspecs.
Friday 4.3
NOTEWORTHY: Windy City voters elect Jane M. Byrne as Chicago's first woman mayor, 1979.
BIRTHDAYS: Olympic gold-winning Alpine skier Picabo Street, 1971.
The 11th annual event runs April 2-5 in downtown venues, with series showcasing, among other things, farming, Asian American voices and homegrown efforts. For complete listings visit Wisconsin Watercolor Society
State Street Gallery, through April 25
Work is displayed by more than 40 artists who 1) are from Wisconsin and 2) work in watercolors. What could be better? The question at tonight's reception (6-9 pm) is whether they'll all fit in one room.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Middleton-Cross Plains Area Performing Arts Center, Middleton High School, 7:30 pm. Also Saturday, April 4, 2 & 7:30 pm
Middleton Players Theatre presents its own version of a work by the Reduced Shakespeare Company: a madcap condensed parody of Shakespeare's plays performed by three actors.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Saturday (8 pm) & Sunday (2:30 pm), April 4 & 5
John DeMain conducts the ensemble in Wagner's "Prelude to Parsifal" and Brahms' "Second Symphony" -- one of the first pieces the maestro conducted as a professional, back in Texas -- as well Saint-Saëns' second piano concerto, featuring the inimitable André Watts on the ivories. At this event the symphony takes part in the national Orchestras Feeding America food drive, so bring nonperishable food items (visit here to learn what they're looking for).
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
UW Memorial Union Rathskeller, 9 pm
The indie-pop group was quiet on the album front for several years after its 2005 debut, Broom. It stops in Madison to lend support to last year's Pershing, plus a 2008 split with the band Puzzle. Drew Danburry and Arto open.
Annex, 9 pm
The former host of Comedy Central's The Man Show is crude and lewd and determined to offend with his standup act. Enjoy. With local rockers Droids Attack.
Majestic Theatre, 9:30 pm
Lotus' hybrid of electronic dance tracks, world music and instrumental post-rock first flourished at a Mennonite college but has become a favorite among jam-band fans from here to Boulder, Colo. Telepath opens.
The Cemetery Improvement Society, Revolving Doors
Frequency, 10 pm
The weirdo electronics of the Cemetery Improvement Society and the instrumental experiments of Revolving Doors both arrive on new albums this week. Also playing: the Moment and the Bilderberg Group.
Saturday 4.4
NOTEWORTHY: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated, 1968.
BIRTHDAYS: Literary lioness Maya Angelou, 1928; actor Heath Ledger, 1979.
UW Stock Pavilion & Microbial Sciences Building, noon-4 pm.
The UW invites budding scientists of all ages to a free afternoon of discovery. Programs include "The Wonders of Physics" and "Fusion Science Theater." For more, including info on the UW entomology department's 100th birthday celebration, visit science.wisc.edu.
Genna's Lounge, 4-7 pm
On the website Etsy, makers of handmade crafts, sell their wares to you, the people who want to buy handmade crafts. There are Madison-based crafters on Etsy, including Little Dandelion Studios, Bare Tree Apparel, Whimsy House and Little Diva Shop, all of whose wares you can check out at this gathering.
Project Lodge, 7:30 pm
Riding the wave of pastiche and cassette culture, Wavves blends everything from '60s doo-wop to crust punk in a way that's distinctly SoCal. Vampire Hands and Nuclear Woods open.
Mediterranean Hookah Lounge & Café, 8 pm
What's better than a freewheeling night of hookahs and Mediterranean snacks? A hookah, some snacks and a free concert of salsa and bossa nova by this talented local three-piece.
UW Memorial Union Rathskeller, 9 pm
Though the Twin Cities hip-hop group is known primarily for its energetic live performances -- so much that the mayor of St. Paul declared Dec. 22 Heiruspecs Day in 2007 -- it's also got a new self-titled album to share. Stink Tank and Phonetic One open.
Sunday 4.5
PALM SUNDAY
BIRTHDAYS: Prolific B-movie director Roger Corman, 1926.
Wunk Sheek Spring Pow Wow
Kohl Center, 1-10 pm
The annual celebration of Native American culture features music, a traditional feast and hundreds of dancers in full regalia.
