Jazz at Five celebrates its 20th anniversary this week with a special set of performances by Gerri DiMaggio. The calendar also includes: a book reading by Patty Loew; the opening of the Token Creek Chamber Music Festival; and, more live music by The Westies, Sleepy Kitty, Leo J., The Queers with The Dwarves, and Gang Cult with Thee Dang Dangs.
Monday 8.19
NOTEWORTHY: Paris rises against German occupation in World War II, 1944.
Tuesday 8.20
The Westies
High Noon Saloon, 7 pm
Featuring Michael McDermott on guitar and vocals, this crew lace songs about betrayal and redemption with fiery fiddle and mando solos. Sample their first crop of songs, many of which will appear on their debut album this fall.
Sleepy Kitty
Frequency, 8:30 pm
Though Jack & the Bear are this show’s headliners, Sleepy Kitty are poised to steal the spotlight with their arty combination of '80s-inspired post-punk and looped vocals that reference the '60s girl-group tradition while celebrating reverb-loving experimentalists like Deerhoof. With Hewn and Old You.
Wednesday 8.21
NOTEWORTHY: Mona Lisa stolen by Louvre employee, 1911.
Jazz at Five 20th Anniversary Celebration
100 block of State Street, 5 pm
After a 4:15 pm performance by high school tunesmiths, Gerri DiMaggio will honor the free outdoor series' 20-year run by sharing memories from the early years and vocal jazz that ranges from soothing standards to exciting Latin numbers.
Token Creek Chamber Music Festival
Festival Barn in DeForest, 8:30 pm. Also Thursday, Aug. 22, 5 pm; through Sept. 1
Boston's VocalJazz joins the Token Creek House Band for an opening program that highlights vocal jazz compositions by Harry Warren, including lesser-known gems like "This Heart of Mine."
Thursday 8.22
Patty Loew
Wisconsin Historical Museum, 7 pm The former Wisconsin Public Television host celebrates the release of the revised edition of Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal. New chapters are devoted to discussions of urban Indians and the Brothertown Indian Nation.
Leo J. The Queers, The Dwarves Gang Cult, Thee Dang Dangs
Redamte Coffee House, 8 pm
The host of
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
As you can probably tell from their names, these punk bands revel in sarcasm and transgressive humor. The Dwarves are the most shocking, gaining notoriety in the '80s for onstage fights and outrageous antics involving bodily fluids. The Queers have put a smirk on Ramones-esque pop-punk for more than two decades with songs like "I Only Drink Bud." With Masked Intruder and Jetty Boys.
Mickey's Tavern, 10 pm
Swim in raw, psychedelic surf-rock from the other side of the Mississippi as Denver and Seattle bands visit Willy Street. With A Haircut and Aminals.
