Cloud Cult
Friday 8.31
Dane Dances
Monona Terrace Rooftop, 5:30 pm
The family-friendly event offers its last groove-fest of the summer. But it's a doozy, featuring pop from the Eddie Butts Band and Latin jazz from Madisalsa.
Storis & Limpan Band
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7:30 pm
Sweden's Tomas Lindberg and Magnus Holmström are major players in the Scandinavian roots-music movement. Lindberg strums the mandola, guitar and Swedish buzoki, and Holmström is a three-time world champ on the nyckelharpa.
Crustacean Records Showcase
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
Madison-based Crustacean begins filming a live DVD of some of the standout noise and punk hybrids that call the label home. Screamin' Cyn Cyn & the Pons, Ouija Radio, the Gusto, Droids Attack and Things Fall Apart are all scheduled to perform.
Bobby Bryan & the Original Downtown Players
Brink Lounge, 9 pm
Funky grooves, lowdown struts, soulful slow ones - singer-guitarist Bobby Brown can do them all. He cut his teeth on the competitive L.A. blues scene and transcends the usual bar-band stereotypes.
Pearlene
Annex, 9:30 pm
The Kentucky-bred garage blues/Southern psychedelia purveyors make a joyous noise that'll appeal to pretty much anyone who prefers dirty guitars, rollicking keyboards and twangy vocals. Mad Trucker Gone Mad, the Wildbirds and Karmella's Game open.
Saturday 9.1
Taste of Madison
Capitol Square, 2:30-8 pm. Also Sunday, Sept. 2, noon-7 pm
The annual food fest features 67 restaurants serving delectable samples. They set up booths around the Capitol and practically dare you to overeat. (Word to the wise: Pace yourself.) Helping you transition from crab Rangoon to Italian sausage to jerk chicken are dozens of bands on strategically placed stages.
Josh Harty
Cafe Montmartre, 9 pm
The local singer-songwriter has committed his smoky Midwestern vocals and powerful blues-based guitar playing to a new CD. His frequent gigging partner Blake Thomas and Justin Roth open.
Cloud Cult
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
The Minnesota mavericks ventured into terra incognita when they first melded expansive, prog-influenced music with a plainspoken, eco-centered philosophy and live action painting. Now mainstream outlets like The New York Times and National Public Radio recognize their uniqueness. Pale Young Gentlemen and Jeff D. Johnson open.
Trombone Shorty
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
New Orleans' Trombone Shorty was a horn player to be reckoned with before he captivated TV audiences with his poignant rendition of "O Holy Night" on Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Now he's a bona-fide phenom. His band's funk- and hip-hop-flavored grooves are the perfect salve for those heavy end-of-summertime blues.
Sunday 9.2
Monday 9.3
LaborFest
Madison Labor Temple, noon-5:30 pm
Workers of the world unite over food, live music and kids' activities at the annual celebration, sponsored by the South Central Federation of Labor.
Karp Family Opening Concert
Mills Hall in the UW Humanities Bldg., 7:30 pm
The UW School of Music's traditional kickoff concert features the Karps, Madison's musical dynasty. Brothers Parry and Christopher, along with their parents Howard and Frances, perform works by Joel Hoffman, Ernest Bloch and George Enescu.
