Esperanza Spalding
Autumn cool is infusing Madison as the season conclusively shifts this weekend. The calendar includes: the MadCelt Festival, the Essen Haus Oktoberfest, and the Dog Jog; productions of Across a Distance and True West; a Wizard of Oz sing-along; stand-up from Louis C.K.; performances by Marilyn Crispell and Esperanza Spalding; and, more live music from John Prine, Cornmeal, Tech N9ne, School of Seven Bells, Colour Revolt with Pomegranates, Human Aftertaste, The Gaslight Anthem, and Dax Riggs.
Friday 9.17
NOTEWORTHY: Miss New York Vanessa Williams is first African American to be crowned Miss America, 1983.
BIRTHDAYS: Aussie filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, 1962; rapper Doug E. Fresh, 1966.
UW Vilas Hall's Mitchell Theatre, 7:30 pm. Also Saturday (7:30 pm), Sunday (2 pm) & Thursday (7:30 pm), Sept. 18, 19 & 23
University Theatre begins its season with this world premiere of an ambitious work, starring soprano Julia Faulkner and deaf actor Robert Schleifer, that assembles operatic and multimedia elements. In the allegorical story, a singing woman and a signing man bridge the communication gap.
Overture Hall, 8 pm
Bob Dylan has called Prine's songwriting "pure Proustian existentialism," but his country-folk tunes are tales for the common man as well, as fans of "Illegal Smile" and "Angel from Montgomery" are well aware. Sample songs from albums old and new, including his Grammy-winning 2005 release Fair & Square. With Pieta Brown.
827 E. Washington Ave., 8 pm. Also Thursday (7:30 pm) & Saturday (8 pm), Sept. 16 & 18
The Bricks Theatre, one of a couple of companies that rose from the ashes of Madison Repertory Theatre, presents Sam Shepard's 1980 play about a screenwriter and his wastrel brother. Sibling rivalry, we learn, strikes deep.
Brew & View
Promenade Hall, Overture Center, 8 pm What's better than Judy Garland singing "Over the Rainbow"? Nothing, actually, but don't let that stop you from crooning along with her at this Brew & View event, a preview of the Oz-themed musical Wicked, which opens at Overture next Wednesday.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
A lot of bands are into roots rock these days, but few put on a live show as solid as Cornmeal's, which takes cues from both traditional and progressive bluegrass forebears. With Pert' Near Sandstone.
Saturday 9.18
YOM KIPPUR
NOTEWORTHY: Britney Spears marries Kevin Federline, 2004. BIRTHDAYS: Sopranos star James Gandolfini, 1961 seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, 1971.
VFW Post 8483, 5737 County Road CV, 10:30 am-midnight
The annual event features Celtic music, a sheepdog demo, storytelling and a bit of blarney for the whole family. Performers include An Blas, West Wind, Stone Ring, Green Tea and the Pints.
Essen Haus, 2-8 pm
Fall is nigh, so it's time to truck to the city's only dedicated polka venue for food, fun and, lest we forget, beer. The bouncy music comes courtesy of Eddie Blazonczyk & the Versatones, Madison Männerchor and Brewhaus Polka Kings.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm
Along with Kansas City headliner Tech N9ne, a smattering of topnotch artists from independent hip-hop label Strange Music (Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun and Big Scoob) will take over an unlikely venue -- the fancy-pants Capitol Theater -- to kick out the jams. A few other big-name rappers, including E-40, Jay Rock and Glasses Malone, will strut their stuff as well, making this a not-to-be-missed night for fans of groundbreaking rhythms, rhymes and remixes.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Distortion-laced dream-pop is this trio's specialty, and their new album, Disconnect from Desire, is the perfect tool for introducing fans of conventional pop rock to something more gauzy and mysterious. With Active Child.
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
Two indie rock bands, one from the Midwest (Cincinnati's Pomegranates) and one from the South (Mississippi's Colour Revolt), will compete for your affections and show off their new albums.
Frequency, 10 pm
The crude and flashy Iowa City rock band is obsessed with canned meat, outlandish costumes and making audiences' jaws drop. They've also released a bizarre new movie about their exploits (Triumph of the Taste: A Film of Epic Flavor), which should be available at the show. With the Horde, Hay Perro and Wife.
Sunday 9.19
BIRTHDAYS: Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons, 1948; skinny model/actress Leslie "Twiggy" Lawson, 1949.
UW Parking Lot 60, 801 Walnut St., 10 am
Bring the faithful hound to this two-mile run/walk, which benefits rescued animals. Heel!
Farley's House of Pianos, 4:30 pm
The pianist's avant-garde résumé includes a long stint with Anthony Braxton, as well as work with Joseph Jarman and other forward-looking jazz musicians of the first rank. She'll rearrange your notions of the keyboard in this solo concert.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm
The edgy standup comedian appears regularly on late-night TV and these days stars in the FX comedy Louis. He's raw and honest and savagely self-deprecating.
Majestic Theatre, 7:30 pm
The New Jersey quartet are known for adding a folksy, Springsteen-inspired twist to their Bouncing Souls-inspired punk, but their new album, American Slang, delves into blues-rock with passion and much praise from critics. Check out these tunes -- and some fan favorites from their earlier recordings -- at this show. With the Menzingers and Fake Problems.
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
The acclaimed jazz singer, composer and bassist -- chosen by President Obama to perform at his Nobel ceremony -- melds jazz and classical influences with her latest project and album, Chamber Music Society.
Frequency, 9 pm
The frontman of 1990s sludge band Acid Bath and, until recently, the swampy indie-rock band Deadboy & the Elephantmen has a tremendous voice and some killer songs from his new solo recording, Say Goodnight to the World. With Those Poor Bastards.