Friday 5.4
5-9 pm
The semiannual showcase for Madison's visual-arts scene includes special events at 50-plus galleries, museums and businesses, including demonstrations and artist receptions. Highlights include the Wisconsin Triennial at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; acrylic paintings by April Lehman at Fanny Garver Gallery; and paintings by Denise Presnell-Weidner at Grace Chosy Gallery.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, through July 15. Reception: 5:30 pm
MMoCA's statewide survey of contemporary art features 43 artists and three collaborative teams, covering everything from painting to assemblage to video. It's the first Triennial in the museum's new space, offering an impressive backdrop for some of the state's best artists.
Annex, 6 pm. Also Saturday, May 5, 6 pm
The portable music fest/contest continues with sets from Missing Tomorrow, Polydream, Wait for Yesterday, Sophia's Revenge and many more acts.
Wisconsin Union Theater, 7:30 pm
The UW's coed group gives the a cappella treatment to everything from "Love the One You're With" to Taylor Hicks songs.
Bartell Theatre, 8 pm. Also Thursday (7:30 pm) & Saturday (4 & 8 pm), May 3 & 5
Strollers Theatre closes its season with Matthew Barber's romantic tale of four women who find new life while vacationing in Italy.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Overture Center's Overture Hall, 8 pm
The world-class ensemble will give Overture Hall's acoustics a workout with Brahms' tender and gently sorrowful "German Requiem," with Kent Nagano conducting. A major event.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 8 pm. Also Saturday, May 5, 8 pm
The Madison Bach Musicians give J.S. his props with two cantatas and excerpts from "The Well-Tempered Clavier" featuring harpsichordist Trevor Stephenson.
Orpheum Theatre's Stage Door, 8 pm
Since composing the music for the Broadway hit Spring Awakening, the alt-pop refugee could probably afford to leave his '90s hit "Barely Breathing" off the set list. Though he probably won't. He gets help from a string quartet and Madison expat Holly Brook.
Addict Records 10th Anniversary
Inferno, 9 pm
Milwaukee-bred electronic experimentalist and Addict mastermind Doormouse performs in the duo Doormanonymous at this all-night celebration of his decade-old label.
Cafe Montmartre, 9 pm
The Minnesota import ambles through a portentous American landscape in the new Good-Bye, Woland!, a by turns weird and weirdly earnest mix of country, 19th-century folk and atmospheric art-rock.
Club Tavern, 9 pm
The sardonic, likable roots-rocker has spent decades entertaining in clubs throughout the land. He knows exactly what beery nine-to-fivers need to let loose. Trinity James & Big Bad open.
High Noon Saloon, 10 pm
The inventive locals haven't been bringing their hybrid rock/hip-hop show around much lately. Here's a chance to find out how they're manipulating the beat these days.
Saturday 5.5
400-500 blocks of Mifflin Street
The annual party began as a political rite back in the Vietnam era and is now just an excuse to have fun. Nothing wrong with that, as long as everyone behaves.
UW Library Mall, 2 pm
This free party emphasizes community involvement with speakers, live music and information tables galore.
Oakwood Village West Auditorium, 7:30 pm. Also Sunday, May 6, First Unitarian Society, 2 pm
In a concert called "Convergence," the local chamber ensemble performs works by Louise Farrenc and Eric Ewazen, converging in trios, nonets and quintets.
Overture Center's Overture Hall, 8 pm
The witty singer-songwriters harmonize on subjects that a mature female audience can relate to, including the yearning for Botox. Their current satirical revue is called "Hormonal Imbalance: A Mood Swinging Musical Revue."
UW Choral Union and Symphony Orchestra
Mills Hall in the UW Humanities Bldg., 8 pm. Also Sunday, May 6, 7:30 pm
The combined ensembles -- 225 strong -- give the deluxe treatment to Poulenc's "Gloria" and Verdi's "Four Sacred Pieces."
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
Tony Brown & the 608 Riddim Section play soul-stirring reggae, and the genre-blending Rob Dz Experience provide live hip-hop at this well-deserved celebration of the beloved High Noon's third anniversary.
Pupy Costello & His Big City Honky Tonk
Crystal Corner Bar, 9:30 pm
Tonight Pupy and company are honky-tonkin' for a live recording session. Come down and be part of aural history.
Harmony Bar, 9:45 pm
Milwaukee singer-guitarist Wilson is turning heads with a polished sound that draws on everything from gutbucket Chicago blues to Hendrix. He also plays the Brink Lounge on May 3 at 7 pm.
Sunday 5.6
Brink Lounge, 2 pm
Madison-based jazz violinist Harrison celebrates the release of his new trio's CD debut. An eclectic affair, it bears the influence of everything from klezmer and Middle Eastern music to Astor Piazzolla tangos.
UW Music Hall, 6 pm
Madison's Four Seasons Theatre presents music from the new show But I'm a Cheerleader, composed by artistic director Andrew Abrams. It's currently being considered for an off-Broadway run.
