Hometown Sweethearts
Songs of longing and love set the soundtrack to this week with a production of West Side Story and a Valentine's Day show b the Hometown Sweethearts. The calendar also includes: a talk by Dennis Kucinich; the Get Your Buzz Up Showcase and Generation Wild Tour; and more live music by Gallo, SHEL, and Menomena.
Monday 2.11
NOTEWORTHY: Nelson Mandela released from South African prison, 1990
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
The Frequency has stopped booking hip-hop shows due to the unfortunate actions of a few people in the crowd. And that's made local stages even harder to come by for MCs and DJs. Show your support for homegrown beats and rhymes at this show, where C Dill, Cash Moody, Tefman, Michael Medall and DJ Pain 1 will compete for a prize package that includes studio time and other perks.
Tuesday 2.12
NOTEWORTHY: San Francisco begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, 2004
Kucinich in Madison: Shut the Chamber!
Barrymore Theatre, 7 pm
Join former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, "the fighting progressive from Ohio," for this pro-worker, pro-environment rally to launch the national Shut the Chamber! Campaign. It's targeting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its state affiliate, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Wednesday & Thursday, Feb. 13 & 14, 7:30 pm; through Feb. 17
A touring company presents Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, set on the streets of gangland New York. With dazzling choreography and timeless songs like "I Feel Pretty" and "America," you will be entertained.
Frequency, 8:30 pm
Kinski and Rodax Gallo, the Mexican-American brothers from L.A. band Monte Negro, have formed this new, multilingual project that fuses electro-worldbeat grooves with hints of punk and disco. The show will focus on their recent trilogy of albums: Fuego, Phoenix Rising and Mamawe. With Prisms.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Four dynamic young DJs and producers -- Deniz Koyu, Danny Avila, dBerrie and Makael Weermets -- will fill the Majestic with trendsetting EDM as photographers roam the venue snapping slick shots of the revelry.
Wednesday 2.13
NOTEWORTHY: Last "Peanuts" comic strip appears, 2000
Brink Lounge, 6:30 pm
Though these gals adore vaudeville performers and steampunk-inspired fashions, their songs are just as influenced by such pop greats as Harry Nilsson and the Beatles. With Beth Kille and Lucas Cates.
Genna's Lounge Anniversary Party
Genna's Lounge, 7 pm
Celebrate this nightspot's move to the Capitol Square 20 years ago with drinks, dancing and plenty of reminiscing. Neil MF Diamond, Cowboy Winter, DJ Radish and singers from Mad Cabaret will provide the soundtrack.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
This experimental rock duo compose almost all their songs over email, using improvised riffs and a meticulous process of cutting and pasting. But their cerebral tendencies don't interfere with their emotions. Their 2012 album, Moms, explores their memories of their mothers with an abundance of heart. With Guards.
Thursday 2.14
NOTEWORTHY: Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issues fatwa against author Salman Rushdie, 1989
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
Let this beloved local band romance you with covers of tender hair-metal ballads and crush-worthy renditions of power-pop classics. For more Valentine's Day concert ideas, see Music.