Baseball returns to the Duck Pond as the Madison Mallards host their home opener this week. The calendar also includes: a book reading by John Nichols; and, live music by the Eric Tessmer Band, David Bazan, Lipbone Redding & the Lipbone Orchestra, Red, El Valiente, the Capitol City Band, Midnight Groove, Steez, and Afro Zep.
Monday 6.6
NOTEWORTHY: Allied troops storm the beaches at Normandy on D-Day, 1944.
BIRTHDAYS: Comedian Sandra Bernhard, 1955; visionary record producer Jimmy Jam, 1959.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Described as a "guitar prodigy [who] plays like a man possessed" by the Boston Globe, the front man of this Austin, Texas, trio marries rock and the blues with jaw-dropping technical skill. With the Pinch.
Tuesday 6.7
NOTEWORTHY: French King Louis XIV crowned at Rheims, 1654.
BIRTHDAYS: The Artist Formerly Known as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince but Now Known Once Again Known as Prince, 1958; Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes, 1963.
Warner Park Duck Pond, 7:05 pm
The local baseball franchise kicks off its home season with a game against the Wisconsin Woodchucks, of Wausau. Ducks never die.
Annex, 8:30 pm
Catch this show to get acquainted with Strange Negotiations, the former Pedro the Lion front man's brand-new album of indie rock (see Tour Stop). With Cotton Jones.
Wednesday 6.8
NOTEWORTHY: Milwaukee Braves hit major-league record four consecutive home runs vs. Cincinnati, 1961.
Goodman Community Center, 7 pm
The progressive journalist reads from his new book, The "S" Word: A Short History of an American Tradition...Socialism. We were worried he was going to say the "S" word is another American tradition, Snooki.
Lipbone Redding & the Lipbone Orchestra
Brink Lounge, 7 pm
Lipbone stands for "lip trombone," a nickname the artist earned for his spot-on imitations of brass instruments in New York City's subway tunnels. Boggle your mind by catching him with his madcap orchestra.
Annex, 7:30 pm
The hard-rocking five piece won the hearts and allowances of churchgoing teens and mainstream MP3 downloaders this year, topping Billboard's Christian chart and reaching the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 200 with their new album, Until We Have Faces. With the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Me Talk Pretty and Oh No Fiasco.
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 8 pm
The Terrace will morph into the soundtrack of a spaghetti western film when El Valiente bring their dark and beautiful post-rock to the stage. With United Sons of Toil.
Thursday 6.9
NOTEWORTHY: Lake Delton empties into Wisconsin River, 2008.
BIRTHDAYS: Actor Johnny Depp, 1963.
Rennebohm Park, 7 pm
The John Philip Sousa-style band begins another summer of rousing concerts. The ensemble is filled with local professionals adept at waltzes, polkas and patriotic tunes.
Monona Terrace Rooftop, 7 pm
Pack a picnic and hit the rooftop for a free concert of smooth, dance-friendly tunes by Midnight Groove. The show is part of Monona Terrace's summer Concerts on the Rooftop series.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Self-proclaimed creepfunk purveyors Steez kindle the Majestic's summer series of free Thursday-night shows for the third year in a row. Expect to sip lots of cold brewskis this season, as local sudsmakers Ale Asylum have joined the celebration. With Evergreen Grass Band.
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
These Chicago-based music-makers unite several times each year to perform Led Zeppelin tunes, Afrobeat-style. See if they can pull off "D'yer Mak'er" in the style of Fela Kuti. With Seneke Ensemble.