Outdoor concerts in downtown Madison switch to the opposite side of the Capitol Square this week with Jazz at Five. The calendar also includes: live music from The Ragbirds, Driftless Pony Club, Totimoshi, Megitza Quartet, and The Demix; a talk by photographer Carl Corey; and, an edition of The Dan Potacke Show with Broom Street Theatre.
Monday 8.8
NOTEWORTHY: President Richard Milhous Nixon delivers resignation address, 1974.
BIRTHDAYS: U2 guitarist Dave "The Edge" Evans, 1961; Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary Windsor of York, 1988.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Celtic jigs, gypsy stomps, African drums and Latin tangos dominate the dance floor when the Ragbirds bring their globetrotting folk-rock to town. Learn more about the band and its sound from this week's Tour Stop. With Amy LaVere.
Tuesday 8.9
NEW MOON
NOTEWORTHY: Manson Family slaughters Sharon Tate, Steven Parent, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger & Voyteck Frykowski, 1969.
BIRTHDAYS: Actress Melanie Griffith, 1957; singer/reality-TV star Whitney Houston, 1963.
Wednesday 8.10
NOTEWORTHY: Chicago incorporated, 1833.
BIRTHDAYS: Jethro Tull singer/flutist Ian Anderson, 1947; actor/model Antonio Banderas, 1960.
Jazz at Five
100 Block of State Street, 5 pm
Though he's served as a sideman for Madonna, Ringo Starr and Wynton Marsalis, guitarist Frank Vignola's true passion is jazzy, Django Reinhardt-style gypsy swing. Don't be surprised if he mixes in a bit of bluegrass or a dash of pop as well. Celebrated local gypsy-swing purveyors Harmonious Wail will share their own stylish tunes as well.
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
These four Chicago-dwelling UW-Madison alums tap the guitar-rock legacy of Modest Mouse and the Pixies to form their own breed of indie rock. Expect the show to highlight their recent release, Buckminster, which contains at least one reference to a geodesic dome. With the Faith Hills Have Eyes and Dr. Dolphin.
Frequency, 8:30 pm
Shaped by the Melvins, Black Sabbath and Shellac, this hard-rocking San Francisco trio earned a thumbs-up from Pitchfork and Tiny Mix Tapes for its 2008 release, Milagrosa. With Romero and Sleestak.
Thursday 8.11
NOTEWORTHY: Watts riots erupt in L.A., 1965.
BIRTHDAYS: New York Times pontificator David Brooks, 1961; college-loving rapper Asher Roth, 1985.
Mickey's Tavern, 6 pm
Photographer Corey talks about his new book, Tavern League: Portraits of Wisconsin Bars, which documents the easygoing pleasures of the corner tap. And where better to talk Wisconsin bars than in a fine old Wisconsin bar?
Frequency, 7 pm
Potacke, the nightclub persona of local comedian (and Isthmus cartoonist) Alan Talaga, hosts another evening of laughs and lively conversation. Tonight's guests are the director and cast of Broom Street Theater's The Lamentable Tragedie of Scott Walker, as well as comedian Chris Waelti.
Brink Lounge, 8 pm
Guitarist Andreas Kapsalis, a familiar face on local stages, brings his multicultural bass, drum and bayan ensemble to Madison for an action-packed live performance.
Frequency, 9:30 pm
Dark, avant-garde electronics from the basements of Milwaukee seep into the Madison scene when the Demix brings his creepy film soundtracks and crazy beats to local clubs. Homegrown trio Control will cast a spell on the audience with their chant-like vocals and experimental rock textures, which hint at the oeuvre Fugazi pioneered. With Man Mantis and Fambly Fun.