Overture Children's Arts Festival
Friday 4.11
Kris Delmhorst
High Noon Saloon, 6:30 pm
The whip-smart indie singer-songwriter wafts between the atmospheric folk and indie-leaning rock contained on her fine new disc, Shotgun Singer. Meg Hutchinson opens.
Jimmy Cheatham Memorial Jazz Jam Session
Best Western Inn on the Park, 7 pm
Longtime local jazz fans remember the late Cheatham as a 1970s UW music professor. This jam session will accept donations to the Jimmy Cheatham Black Music Education Fund.
The Laramie Project
Bartell Theatre, 7:30 pm. Also Saturday (7:30 pm), Sunday (2 pm) & Thursday (7:30 pm), April 12, 13 & 17
Madison Theatre Guild presents the play based on the brutal murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in 1998. Based on interviews with townsfolk, it chronicles Laramie's reaction to the crime.
Jesse Malin
Majestic Theatre, 7:30 pm
The former D Generation front man mines nearly as many styles as his buddy Ryan Adams. He's just released a spirited, at times punked-up album of covers by rock 'n' roll luminaries from various eras. De Novo Dahl and Freshwater Collins open.
Compleat Female Stage Beauty
Bartell Theatre, 8 pm. Also Saturday (8 pm), Sunday (2 pm) & Thursday (8 pm), April 12, 13 & 17
Mercury Players Theatre presents Jeffrey Hatcher's deliciously bawdy examination of gender identity. It's based on the true story of a male performer famous for playing female roles during the Restoration.
Lila Downs
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
The Mexican singer performs both traditional songs and original compositions. She brought down the house at 2005's Madison World Music Festival.
MadHatters
Overture Center's Overture Hall, 8 pm
The UW's male a cappella ensemble offers luscious harmonies and energy to spare.
Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen
Wil-Mar Center, 8 pm
During his long career, Gillette's penned songs for John Denver and Garth Brooks. His duo with wife Cindy Mangsen concentrates on both country-folk and material influenced by Cindy's Appalachian upbringing. Lou & Peter Berryman open.
Victor Wooten
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
On his own, the ambidextrous Bela Fleck sideman gives a veritable clinic on electric bass. Hot Buttered Rum open. Jam band alert!
Airbourne
Annex, 9 pm
Missing AC/DC? Airbourne thrust and parry nearly as well as their hard-rocking fellow Australians. Endeverafter, Stonerider and Zetus Deamos open.
Cloud Cult and American Music Club
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Eco-aware Cloud Cult have their charms, but don't miss veteran tragedians American Music Club. Their sardonic leader, Mark Eitzel, still cuts to the quick with his deceptively smooth vocals. The Forms also appear.
Saturday 4.12
Children's Arts Festival
Overture Center, 9:30-5 pm
The festival features free performances by such groups as Opera for the Young, Madison Youth Choirs, Playtime Productions and the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras. Kids can meet authors Fabu Carter Brisco and Arthur Geisert; visit "participation stations" to learn about art and music; and join a printing workshop at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Madison Ballet also offers a ticketed performance of Peter Pan at 2 pm in the Capitol Theater.
Literacy 24/7
Borders Books West, 10am-10 pm
This reading marathon benefits the Madison Area Literacy Council. Each hour features a short reading by a local notable, followed by silent reading by folks who've raised pledges.
Peter Pan
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 2 & 7:30 pm. Also Sunday, April 13, 2 pm
Madison Ballet puts its own spin on the story of the boy who won't grow up, with choreography by artistic director W. Earle Smith and accompaniment by the Madison Symphony Orchestra.
Wisconsin Teen Poetry Slam Finals
Orpheum Theatre, 7 pm
Young poets from Madison and Milwaukee sling sounds and ideas, hoping for a spot at this summer's Brave New Voices National Youth Poetry Slam in D.C.
Doug Stanhope
High Noon Saloon, 7 pm
The former host of Comedy Central's Man Show is crude and lewd and determined to offend with his standup act. Enjoy.
Hanson
Barrymore Theatre, 7:30 pm
Rock and soulful pop reminiscent of Michael Jackson are now the preferred territory for former teen phenoms Hanson. But don't worry, their biggest juvenile hit, "MMMBop," still finds its way into the set every night. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers and Kate Voegele open.
Second City
Overture Center's Overture Hall, 8 pm
Chicago's legendary improv comedy troupe cultivated the talents of Bill Murray, Mike Myers and countless other comic geniuses. The latest fresh-faced stars-on-the-rise perform skits and songs in a show called "One Nation Under Blog."
Dale Watson
Club Tavern, 9 pm
The great honky tonk revivalist channeled both Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to excellent effect on last year's From the Cradle to the Grave. No doubt he'll rock this joint front, back and sideways.
Bitch & the Exciting Conclusion
Orpheum Theatre's Stage Door, 9 pm
Singer/violinist Bitch unleashes a mighty art-rock sound as front woman of an anxious trio that makes the most of its three pieces. Prince Myshkins open.
Von Ehrics
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
The hard-driving Texas cowpunks top this high-decibel after-party hosted by the Mad Rollin' Dolls. You can bet someone will be spittin' blood, and it just might be the band.
Sunday 4.13
