August is almost over, believe it or not, and there's not much time left to enjoy summer. The calendar includes: live music by Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Lou Barlow & the Missingmen, Loverboy, Unsane, and The Paul Collins Beat; Jazz at Five; a performance by Tom Mullica; and, a celebration of the 90th anniversary of women's suffrage.
Monday 8.23
NOTEWORTHY: Sacco & Vanzetti executed, 1927.
BIRTHDAYS: Singer Linda Thompson, 1947; Strokes vocalist Julian Casablancas, 1978.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm
The Colorado four-piece's 1993 album, Sister Sweetly, produced one hit single after another, including "Bittersweet" and "Circle." However, their most notable recent accomplishment came in 2008, when "Blue Sky" was chosen as the theme song for Hillary Clinton's presidential bid.
Tuesday 8.24
FULL MOON
NOTEWORTHY: UW's Sterling Hall bombed, 1970.
BIRTHDAYS: Actress Marlee Matlin, 1965; actor Rupert Grint, 1988.
Frequency, 9 pm
The lo-fi pioneer from Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh and the Folk Implosion arrives with songs from Sentridoh III, his new solo EP. He'll be joined by the guitarist and drummer from the Missingmen, the band Minutemen bassist Mike Watt fronts these days. Find out more in this week's Tour Stop. With Wye Oak.
Wednesday 8.25
NOTEWORTHY: National Park Service est., 1916.
BIRTHDAYS: Singer/songwriter Elvis Costello, 1954; filmmaker Tim Burton, 1958.
Suzanne Grzanna Quartet, Madison Meliphonium Jazz Orchestra
100 block of State Street, 5 pm
The free outdoor series Jazz at Five continues with Grzanna, a Milwaukee native who sings and plays saxophone; and the Madison Mellophonium Jazz Orchestra, a 23-member group that will perform selections from Stan Kenton's thrilling version of West Side Story.
Thursday 8.26
NOTEWORTHY: Krakatoa explodes, 1883.
BIRTHDAYS: Garbage singer Shirley Manson, 1966.
Stoughton Opera House, 3 & 7:30 pm
The Branson-based comedian performs a tribute to Red Skelton, a TV funnyman from your grandparents' generation known for extravagantly silly characters like Clem Kadiddlehopper and Freddy the Freeloader.
Samba Grill 5:30 pm
Wisconsin became the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Wisconsin NOW and the Wisconsin Women's Network celebrate the 90th anniversary with talks by State Rep. Terese Berceau, feminist scholar Elizabeth Galewski and others. The site of the event -- the Women's Building, which now houses Samba Grill -- was a center of suffrage activism.
Scatz Sports Bar & Nightclub, 8 pm
With the recession in full swing, many people have been claiming "Working for the Weekend" as their theme song -- if they're lucky enough to have work to take home. Check in with the Canadian group that spawned that hit in 1981, as well as other guilty pleasures like "Turn Me Loose" and "Heaven in Your Eyes." With Cherry Pie.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
After taking a break from 2000 to 2003, the noise-meets-metal outfit has been releasing albums at a steady pace, including the heavy, experimental Visqueen in 2007. They must be about ready to release a follow-up, but don't expect any hints at this show since they'll perform 1995's Scattered, Smothered & Covered. With Today Is the Day and Keelhaul.
Frequency, 10 pm
After frontman Paul Collins' previous band, the Nerves, penned "Hanging on the Telephone," which became a mega-hit for Blondie in 1978, L.A. power-pop band the Beat (now known as the Paul Collins Beat) started performing with the Jam, the Police, Pere Ubu and other legendary acts. Check out the show to see if the recently re-formed band measures up to the original. With the Honey Slides and the Sleepwalkers.
