Here is this week's critics' choice calendar. The Guide provides an extended listing of events in and around Madison.
Friday 4.25
NOTEWORTHY: The Human Genome Project completed, 2003.
Conference on the Public Humanities
UW Union South-Varsity Hall 1, 9 am-12:15 pm, Central Library, 1-6 pm
This free, intellectually meaty session on "The Public Good" features workshops ("Humanities on the Radio"), roundtable discussions ("Engaging Madison: Ten Years of the Public Humanities Exchange") and a talk by UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, through May 4. Gala preview: Thursday, April 24, 6-9:30 pm
In this biennial event, design teams create fabulous rooms inspired by artwork from MMoCA's permanent collection. Related events this weekend include a chance to consult with interior designers (Saturday, 2-5 pm) and a meet-and-greet with Design MMoCA participants (Sunday, 2-4 pm).
Quality Inn & Suites, Fitchburg, through April 27
Tickets are going fast for the Madison Jazz Society's annual celebration of traditional jazz. At press time you could still get seats for Bob Schultz with the Vagabond Reeds (Thursday, April 24, 7 pm) as well as four-band sets on Friday (6:30-11 pm) and Sunday (11:30 am-4 pm).
Overture Center Playhouse, 7 pm. Also Saturday (2:30 & 7:30 pm) & Sunday (2:30 pm), April 26 & 27
Children's Theater of Madison presents the classic musical, in which a family struggles to maintain Jewish traditions in turn-of-the-century Russia. If the irresistible songs, the unforgettable characters, the comedy and the pathos aren't enough for you, there's also Brian Mani of American Players Theatre filling the outsized role of Tevye.
Kohl Center, 7:30 pm. Also Thursday & Saturday, April 24 & 26, 7:30 pm
Conductor Mike Leckrone celebrates 40 years of Varsity Band concerts with fireworks, aerial stunts, trumpeter Mark Pender from the Conan O'Brien band and Broadway star Tom Wopat. Yep, these guys know how to put on a show.
Overture Hall, 8 pm. Also Sunday, April 27, 2:30 pm
Madison Opera presents the acclaimed Jake Heggie adaptation of Sister Helen Prejean's book, which chronicles her journey as a spiritual adviser to death-row inmates. Elements of jazz and gospel make the work distinctively American, but it also honors European grand opera (see Classical Music). Heggie and Prejean speak at First Congregational Church on Thursday, April 24, at 7 pm.
Red Dragon TV Studios, 7 pm
Shoshkes founded the '80s indie pop band the Cucumbers, and now she's a solo artist. Before this live webcast check out her ridiculously catchy new album, Rock River.
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
These honky-tonk musicians look to rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson as a role model for their retro-Western swing.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 8 pm
Two New York a cappella groups -- M-Pact and Duwende -- pay tribute to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, whose bodies of work sound good in any musical setting.
Broom Street Theater, 8 pm. Also Saturday & Thursday, April 26 & May 1, 8 pm
Eric Holz's comedy explores the effects of rapidly changing technology. Believe it or not, this is one performance at which you'll be encouraged to keep your cellphone on.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Brown is one of Detroit's most critically acclaimed hip-hop artists of the past several years. Rolling Stone named his track "Grown Up" one of the 50 best songs of 2012. With Lucki Eck$ and ZelooperZ.
Barrymore Theatre, 9 pm
This indie rock band built a strong fan base in the early 2000s with their album Danse Macabre. Add their new track "Help in the Head" to your pre-show playlist. With the Hussy and Digital Leather.
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
The English psych-rock band's debut album, Sun Structures, has already made fans out of the Smiths' Johnny Marr and Oasis' Noel Gallagher. With Drowners and Squarewave.
UW Union South Sett, 9:30 pm
Check out this alt rock act's "San Francisco" for a taste of their infectious musical joy, which is likely to please fans of the band fun.
Saturday 4.26
NOTEWORTHY: Nuclear reactor accident in Chernobyl, 1986.
Monona Terrace, 10 am-5 pm
Isthmus' free event is a one-stop shop for your sustainable-living needs. Green Day addresses a wide range of environmental topics with exhibits, workshops, kids' activities, demos, entertainment and eco-friendly products. The keynote speakers are filmmaker and activist Shalini Kantayya (noon) and urban theorist Naomi Davis (2 pm), a leader in sustainable economic development for communities of color. See isthmusgreenday.com.
Capitol Square, 10 am
The eight-kilometer run/wheelchair race and two-mile walk benefits the UW Athletic Department and the Clean Lakes Alliance. The post-race celebration at Camp Randall Stadium features music for anyone with energy left to dance.
State Street, 1-3 pm
Two dozen local musicians will station themselves on every corner of State Street to benefit the Literacy Network. Give generously of your Washingtons and Lincolns.
Mystery to Me, 2 pm
Madison-based children's author Kevin Henkes won a 2014 Newbery Honor for The Year of Billy Miller, a novel that gets right into the head of a second-grade boy. In this joint husband-and-wife appearance, illustrator Laura Dronzek celebrates the release of her instant-classic picture book It Is Night, featuring painterly images so evocative they seem to have come out of your own dreams.
Stoughton Opera House, 3 & 7 pm
Brickman's piano and songwriting mastery has made him the most charted performer in the "adult contemporary and new age" category.
South Madison Center for Culture & Community, 4 pm
This producer battle shows off Madison's hip-hop talent. Prominent guest judges include Jimi Kendrix, DJ Pain 1 and Godxilla, with rapper Tefman hosting.
Common Wealth Gallery, through May 2. Reception: 6-10 pm
Talented local photographer Audre Rae Krull kicks off an exhibition of photographs documenting the work of the community development nonprofit Seeds of Africa. You can also enjoy prints by students from the photography classes she led during her trip, plus recordings of Ethiopian music by DJ Asumaya and pour-overs of Ethiopian coffee.
Majestic Theatre, 7 pm
A soul singer-songwriter from the Twin Cities, David competed on The Voice in 2012. With Dizzy Joan.
UW Humanities Building-Mills Hall, 8 pm
The ensemble tackles Rachmaninoff's challenging and rarely heard "Vespers," an a cappella work based on the all-night vigil ceremony of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Barrymore Theatre, 9 pm
The son of reggae icon Bob Marley, Stephen has received five Grammy Awards as a solo artist, lately venturing into EDM territory while retaining his reggae roots. His son Jo Mersa will open. (See Tour Stop.) With Wayne Marshall.
Segredo, 10 pm
The trance producer began as a drummer in a metal band but began experimenting with electronic music when he got tired of his bandmates being late for practice. With T-Mass.
Sunday 4.27
NOTEWORTHY: First South African general election in which blacks can vote, 1994.
Dobhan, 7 pm
Performing Rajasthani folk and Sufi music, the Barmer Boys have been featured artists on MTV India. Catch them on their first U.S. tour.
High Noon Saloon, 7:30 pm
Mulvey, a Milwaukee-based folksinger, honed his songwriting skills in Boston subway stations early in his career. He'll be joined by Delmhorst, another gifted singer-songwriter from the Boston folk scene.
Monday 4.28
Overture Hall, 8 pm
These classic-rock legends are one of the best-selling rock bands of all time, with 21 top-10 singles, including "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" See if their musicianship has stood the test of time.
Tuesday 4.29
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
This garage ragtime and blues act has quite a resume. In addition to performing at the Austin City Limits festival, they've toured with Willie Nelson. With Joe Fletcher.
Segredo, 9 pm
This electronic act has built a global following with its transcendental house music. With Minnesota, Teknicolor, and Swagu.
Wednesday 4.30
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
This "Japanese action comic punk" act puts on wild shows that feature intense audience participation. Plus, the musicians will tell you they're from the planet Peelander. With Downtown Brown and Sparklefuck.
Thursday 5.1
NOTEWORTHY: Barack Obama announces Osama Bin Laden's death, 2011.
Williams has delighted folk fans with her sweet vocals and witty, wistful lyricism for decades. Chances are good that she and her guitar will make an appearance at a Solidarity Sing-Along or May Day event.
UW Jazz Orchestra and Honors Band with Brian Lynch
UW Music Hall, 7:30 pm
Lynch is a Grammy-winning trumpeter from Milwaukee who has performed with jazz royalty, including Art Blakey and Horace Silver, as well as distinguishing himself as a leader in straight-ahead and Latin styles. He has a virtuoso's technique and an artist's soul. At this Isthmus Jazz Series event, he'll be backed by the UW's finest.
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
Based in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, this roots act has become a fixture on the folk fest circuit since its 2010 breakout album, Red Wing.
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
Underground hip-hop icon Aesop Rock and indie pop artist Kimya Dawson (of Moldy Peaches fame) each have a major cult following. Together, they're the Uncluded, and their chemistry is enormously engaging. With Toki Wright & Big Cats and Charles Grant.
Edited by road warriors
