Madison's clubs are making for a lively late winter week with shows by Dark Time Sunshine, Signal Path, Suite 709, Sevendust with Lacuna Coil, Judgehydrogen, Foghorn String Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Conspirator with Break Science, and A Fragile Tomorrow. The calendar also includes: talks by Timothy Sneeding, Giulio Tononi, and Aron Ralston; and the RAW: Discovery show.
Monday 2.18
NOTEWORTHY: Snow falls in Sahara Desert for first and only time, 1979.
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
The hip-hop duo's latest release, ANX, adorns pop-tinged electronica with vibrant breakbeats and lyrics delivered with calm confidence.
Frequency, 9 pm
This Denver project fights cabin fever by layering live instrumental performances atop rhythmic remixes of songs by acts like Shabazz Palaces and Sleigh Bells.
Tuesday 2.19
NOTEWORTHY: Georgia approves first literature censorship board in U.S., 1953.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 7 pm
The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters presents a lecture on "The Enduring Effects of the Great Recession." Smeeding, director of the UW Institute for Research on Poverty, discusses the recession's implications for employment and inequality.
High Noon Saloon, 7 pm
The Austin band heats up the stage with dance-friendly pop and R&B that features sultry scat singing.
Majestic, 7:30 pm
Headbang your way through late-'90s memories as two tenacious metal groups share the stage.
Frequency, 9 pm
The local artist explores apocalyptic themes through ambient music that ranges from coarse to contemplative. His song "A Body of Water" recently appeared in Sinister, a horror movie starring Ethan Hawke that will be screened at the show.
Wednesday 2.20
Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, 7 pm
In a free talk, the UW professor delves into the mysteries of consciousness: how it's generated inside the brain and how it relates to the world around us.
Varsity Hall, UW Union South, 7:30 pm
Ralston is the author of Between a Rock and a Hard Place and the subject of the film 127 Hours, which chronicled his experience of being pinned by a boulder in a Utah canyon for nearly a week. He speaks as part of the UW's Distinguished Lecture Series.
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
These roots-music enthusiasts' pure and simple vocals balance fiery fiddle solos and warp-speed mandolin-picking.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
The Michigan five-piece hosts bluegrass parties that owe as much to modern jam bands as they do to old-fashioned hootenannies.
Thursday 2.21
High Noon Saloon, 7 pm
The local branch of the artists' organization RAW presents a night of film, fashion, music and photos.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Conspirator, Disco Biscuit Marc Brownstein's dubstep-loving side project, will flaunt their new EP, Unleashed. NYC duo Break Science will use real, live instruments and booming bass lines to unite the worlds of hip-hop and glitch.
Frequency, 9 pm
Fresh off tours with Matthew Sweet and the Bangles, this power-pop group will show off Be Nice Be Careful, a new album of their own.