Spring break at the UW and MMSD schools makes for a fairly quiet scene around Madison this week. The calendar includes: live music by Alejandro Escovedo, Into It. Over It. with Koji, and High on Fire with Priestess; an exhibition by the Harlem Globetrotters, and a performance by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
Monday 3.29
NOTEWORTHY: Junk-bond icon Michael Milken indicted for racketeering, 1989.
BIRTHDAYS: Aussie actress/Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Elle MacPherson and Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre, 1964; warrior actress Lucy Lawless, 1968.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
After almost losing a battle with hepatitis C in 2003, the celebrated alt-country singer-songwriter has bounced back both physically and musically. His 2008 album, Real Animal, inspired by his recovery experience, is gutsy, powerful and undeniably rockin'. With Megan McCormick.
Tuesday 3.30
FULL MOON
PASSOVER BEGINS
NOTEWORTHY: Two police officers, press secretary James Brady & President Reagan wounded in assassination attempt, 1981.
BIRTHDAYS: Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist/deity Eric Clapton, 1937; Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Tracy Chapman, 1964.
Wednesday 3.31
NOTEWORTHY: President Lyndon B. Johnson announces he will not seek reelection, 1968.
BIRTHDAYS: Schoolboy-uniform-wearing AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, 1959; Aussie actor Ewan McGregor, 1971.
Project Lodge, 7:30 pm
Chicago-based musician Evan Thomas Weiss channels old-school emo and a bit of Death Cab for Cutie when he performs as Into It. Over It. Koji's pleasant indie-pop blends a breeze of alt-country with a je ne sais quoi reminiscent of David Gray. With Marty Finkel and Fighting Aurora.
Thursday 4.1
APRIL FOOL'S DAY
NOTEWORTHY: U.S. forces launch Okinawa invasion, 1945. BIRTHDAYS: Filmmaking twins Albert & Allen Hughes, 1972; fabulous MSNBC news babe Rachel Maddow, 1973.
Alliant Energy Center's Coliseum, 7 pm
The venerable basketball showboats dribble into town for their annual Coliseum appearance. Expect fancy passes, trick shots and the kind of full-court comedy that never goes out of style.
High Noon Saloon, 7:30 pm
Sludgy stoner-metal trio High on Fire has a new studio album, Snakes for the Divine, that's received a thumbs-up from almost every music critic who has reviewed it, even the indie-rock aficionados at Pitchfork. Canuck metalheads Priestess also dive deep into the contents of their newest album, 2009's Prior to the Fire. With Black Cobra and Bison.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm
The contemporary dance troupe draws from an eclectic bag of styles -- jazz dance, modern dance and ballet -- to form a high-energy hybrid all its own.
