Madison emerges from its winter intersession lull this weekend with the two-night FRZN Fest at the High Noon, the Wedding Planner & Guide Bridal Show, a Mad Rollin' Dolls bout, and the MadFest Juggling Extravaganza. The calendar also includes: the Chele Issac & BA Harrington installation at the James Watrous Gallery and Tierra y Libertad! exhibition at MMoCA; productions of On the Corner of Clark and Vine, Talking Out of School, You Name It!; a performance by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra; the Wobble: Fan Appreciation Edition and the '80s & New Wave Rave dance parties; and, live music from Kyle Henderson's Blue-Eyed Soul, Icarus Himself, Cedarwell, Marbin, The Arkoffs with Sons of Atom, Zvoov, Ladyscissors, and Eddie Rivers.
Friday 1.13
NOTEWORTHY: James Joyce dies, 1941.
Overture Center's James Watrous Gallery, through Feb. 26
Combining video, sound and sculpture, the artists' installation, Inferior Mirages and Incidental Detours, is based on their road trip out west. They followed Route 66, the Santa Fe Trail and other famous routes as they visited truck stops, historic markers and the like. Talk with them about the endless sky at tonight's reception (5:30-7:30 p.m.).
Tierra y Libertad!: Revolution & the Modernist Mexican Print
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, through April 15
MMoCA's new show looks at Mexican printmaking through the lens of that country's 1910-1920 revolution. Prints from MMoCA's permanent collection, by artists like José Clemente Orozco and Diego Rivera, address Mexico's triumphs and ills. Check out the art at this evening's MMoCA Nights event, featuring a gallery talk and music by the Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm. Also Saturday, Jan. 14, 8 pm
True Endeavors' inaugural winter music fest kicks off with atmospheric performances by Chairlift, Dom, Class Actress, Polica and Squarewave, then settles into an indie-pop groove on Saturday as S. Carey, Peter Wolf Crier, Caveman, Carter Tanton and Juniper Tar hit the stage.
On the Corner of Clark and Vine
Broom Street Theater, 8 pm. Also Saturday & Thursday, Jan. 14 & 19, 8 pm
The east-side theater company presents a play about strangers who meet. It's the Broom Street debut of playwright, director and actress Autumn Shiley.
Bartell Theatre, 8 pm. Also Thursday (7:30 pm), Saturday (8 pm), Sunday (2 pm) & Thursday (7:30 pm), Jan. 12, 14, 15 & 19
Mercury Players Theatre presents 13 short plays written by Wisconsin teachers in collaboration with local playwrights. The one-acts, some of which are political, explore various aspects of life for teachers in the public schools.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 8 pm
Music director Andrew Sewell's ensemble is joined by Israeli-American cellist Amit Peled, a natural showman who draws strong sonorities and compelling tone from his instrument. The program includes music by Haydn, Douglas Lilburn, Luigi Boccherini and Mark Kopytman.
Encore Studio for the Performing Arts, 8 pm. Also Thursday (7:30 pm) & Saturday (2 & 8 pm), Jan. 12 & 15
Encore Studio presents an original rock musical about support providers for people with disabilities. Encore, a theater company for people with disabilities, has a knack for finding emotional truths, and the music is always lively.
Wobble: Fan Appreciation Edition
Electric Earth Café, 9 pm
Mr. Alexander, Landology, Just Elmo and other artists from the Shatterbox Productions DJ collective honor their groupies with a fete full of techno beats and other electronic fare.
Kyle Henderson's Blue-Eyed Soul
Harmony Bar, 9:45 pm
The soulful star of 1980s New Wave notables the Producers unveils Life Goes On, a new album shaped by his post-stardom existence in Madison (see Music).
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
To kick off 2012, Nick Whetro, Karl Christenson and Brad Kolberg showcase their recently released Career Culture, an electro-psych-folk effort filled with hints of Deerhunter, nods to Kurt Vile and some bitchin' Omnichord jams. With Sat Nite Duets.
Saturday 1.14
NOTEWORTHY: Today show debuts on NBC, 1952.
Wedding Planner & Guide Bridal Show
Alliant Energy Center's Exhibition Hall, 10 am-5 pm. Also Sunday, Jan. 15, 11 am-4:30 pm
Attention brides: With the U.S. economy still fumbling along, our only hope is for you to spend, spend, spend on flowers, clothes, food, booze, music and all the rest. So find your ideally matched vendors at this expo.
"I Have a Dream" Scholarship Banquet and Ball
Monona Terrace, 6 pm
This soiree is presented by Women in Focus, a Madison nonprofit that provides college scholarships to students of color (see report). Dane County District Attorney Ismael R. Ozanne, a scholarship recipient, speaks, and there will be dining and dancing.
Alliant Energy Center's Coliseum, 6 pm
With the season's second bout, Madison's roller derby league opens the skating up to inter-city competition. The visiting Manic Attackers, of Chicago, take on the Unholy Rollers, and the Reservoir Dolls battle the Quad Squad. Teams score points when jammers pass blockers. But you probably knew that already.
Wisconsin Union Theater, 7 pm
The annual spectacle draws object manipulators from far and wide, some silly and some stunning. It's a variety show for the whole family, and the best part is you never know what's coming next. The show is part of the free MadFest Juggling Festival held at Madison Area Technical College-Truax Campus (Jan. 13-15), with beginning workshops, games and competitions open to all.
Redamte Coffee House, 8 pm
This trio of Sheboygan, Wis., natives swathe their acoustic pop tunes in wintry nature imagery and several layers of flannel. With the Damn Choir.
Brink Lounge, 9 pm
Founded in Israel, Marbin is the Chicago-based jazz duo of saxophonist Danny Markovitch and guitarist Dani Rabin. They've played all over this land, and their lively original music has drawn admiring notices from .
Crystal Corner Bar, 9:30 pm
The lo-fi masterminds of Kind Turkey Records have organized a show to promote the release of a new Arkoffs cassette and a freshly pressed Sons of Atom CD. The Hussy and Bad Cop fuel the celebration with some messy yet mesmerizing garage-rock ditties.
Frequency, 9:30 pm
Whether you call their oeuvre math rock, post rock or jazzy stoner metal, this instrumental trio from Brooklyn, N.Y., impresses audiences with dark, subtle guitar lines that have earned comparisons to Slint's. With Full Vinyl Treatment, Perverse Engineer and Tiger Clutch.
Majestic Theatre, 10 pm
Though many consider raves a relic of the 1990s, the Majestic breathes new life into electronic-music parties with 1980s pop and New Wave selected by local DJs Nick Nice and Lizzy T. Tracks. The music will likely range from dance-friendly tunes by David Bowie and Michael Jackson to smoldering hits by Blondie and Madonna.
Ladyscissors, Stephanie Rearick Jr.
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
Local songstress Rearick showcases the many facets of her creativity, beginning with the loops-and-keyboards project Stephanie Rearick Jr. and progressing to the drum- and vox-fueled stylings of Ladyscissors. With Scarecrows.
Sunday 1.15
NOTEWORTHY: Green Bay Packers beat Kansas City Chiefs 35-10 in Super Bowl I, 1967.
Tricia's Country Corners, McFarland, 4 pm
Beaver Dam native Rivers is pedal steel guitarist for the legendary country music outfit Asleep at the Wheel. Two-step as he coaxes wit and sorrow out of his wondrous instrument.
