Winter is entering its home stretch, and Madison serves up seasonal faves this weekend with Orchid Quest, Terrace Town, Souper Bowl XVI, and the Frostiball. The calendar also includes: the opening of Compendium 2012 at the Chazen; shows by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the UW Dance Department; standup by Jeff Ross; the Funk Winterfest, a Kids Rock! benefit, and the Bob Marley Birthday Bash; the Rock and Worship Roadshow; sets by DJ Chrissy Murderbot with DJ Diamond; more live music from Jonathan Jones, Chikamorachi, VO5, Deleted Scenes, Zion I, and Radar Eyes; and performances by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Con Vivo.
Friday 2.3
NOTEWORTHY: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & Jake "Big Bopper" Richardson die when their plane crashes in Iowa snowstorm en route to Fargo, 1959.
Chazen Museum of Art, through April 1
The University of Wisconsin presents its quadrennial show of works by dozens of faculty members, staff members, affiliates and emeritus faculty. Paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, video and much more are on display; gallery talks and demonstrations will take place throughout the show's run. Meet the artists at tonight's reception (5:30-7 pm) and browse the work.
Redamte Coffee House, 7 pm
Though he's best known as the singer of defunct alt-rock band Waking Ashland, Jones is a consummate pianist and an avid surfer. At this solo show, he showcases his ivory-tickling prowess, but crowd-surfing is out unless the venue's espresso machine springs a massive leak. With Gabe Burdulis & the Daze, Max Dvorak and Geoff Wood.
Audio for the Arts, 8 pm
After a recent tour of Russia, Poland, England and Japan, bassist Darrin Gray and percussionist Chris Corsano display their improvisational wizardry in one of Madison's most revered new performance spaces. With the Polipnick/Powers Duo.
Overture Hall, 8 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. On the program are "Three to Max," a collection of Ohad Naharain works, as well as Sharon Eyal's "Too Beaucoup."
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
Comedian Ross is Roastmaster General of the New York Friars' Club, which means he is good at saying mean, hilarious things right to people's faces. He's a staple of the Comedy Central Roasts, having zinged Charlie Sheen, Joan Rivers, Donald Trump and Flavor Flav in recent years.
UW Dance Department: Latitudes
UW Lathrop Hall's H'Doubler Performance Space, 8 pm. Also Thursday (8 pm), Saturday (8 pm) & Sunday (2:30 pm), Feb. 2, 4 & 5
The dancers and choreographers of Lathrop Hall present their annual faculty concert, featuring guest artist Guy Thorne, who wowed in Chris Walker's "Dubwise" last year. There's also work by Marlene Skog, Li Chiao-Ping, Kate Corby, Karen McShane-Hellenbrand, Collette Stewart and Walker.
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Three styles of funk, including Steez's electronics-laced creepfunk, Tani Diakite's Malian export and 4th Coast's jam-tastic variety, fill the High Noon with grooves that would make James Brown sweat.
UW Memorial Union Rathskeller, 9:30 pm
Though they're named after a line of hair products, this local band are all about the booty -- shaking it, that is. Hustle, swim or polka to their dance-friendly disco tunes at this free show. With Sunshine for the Blind.
DJ Chrissy Murderbot, DJ Diamond
UW Union South Sett, 10 pm
Sleazetone Records' Chrissy Murderbot describes his oeuvre as "booty-rave-jungle-house-bass-ghetto-garage-core," a frenzied fusion of urban dance music from the past, present and future. He is joined by fellow Chicago sample-jammer DJ Diamond, who blends soul, funk and classic hip-hop with a double-dose of Kanye West songs.
Saturday 2.4
NOTEWORTHY: FDR, Churchill and Stalin convene at Yalta conference, 1945.
Alliant Energy Center's Exhibition Hall, 10 am-5 pm. Also Sunday, Feb. 5, 10 am-4 pm Madison's Orchid Guild puts the petal to the metal in this show and sale.
Monona Terrace, 10 am-4 pm
On Feb. 3, local schoolchildren set up small-scale model cities in Monona Terrace, making use of sustainable principles. Today the public can tour Terrace Town for a glimpse of our architectural future.
Kids Rock! Madison Children's Museum Benefit
High Noon Saloon, 1 pm
Pint-sized music fans can boogie to the sounds of Ken Lonnquist & the Kenland Band and strengthen their crooning muscles during Kiddy-oke with the Gomers during an afternoon filled with magic shows, face painting and crafts galore.
West High School, 2 pm
In this fundraiser for the UW's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, your $15 contribution (or $35 for a family of four) buys a bowl made by a local artisan, plus a meal. Bowls by prominent potters will be sold in a silent auction. Music is by the UW Marching Band, Pitches and Notes, UW Brass ensembles, the West High School Jazz Band, and Daniel and the Lion.
Alliant Energy Center's Coliseum, 6 pm
Christian acts MercyMe, Tenth Avenue North, Sidewalk Prophets and others join forces in a pop-music salute to the Almighty.
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
Formerly known as the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, this ensemble of New York City studio musicians has swathed ears in swing and syncopation for 45 years and nabbed a Grammy for its recent release, Monday Night at the Village Vanguard (see Music).
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
Local reggae stalwarts Natty Nation join the DJs of Tropical Riddims Sound System and R.A.S. Movement, a Milwaukee-based band fronted by recent American Idol finalist Naima Adedapo, to celebrate the man who brought island sounds to Madison's icy isthmus and numerous landlocked locales.
UW Union South Sett, 9 pm
This D.C. four-piece play finely crafted art-rock that explores a range of complex emotions. Learn more about the band and their new, Pitchfork-praised album, Young People's Church of the Air, in this week's Tour Stop, and hear it live at this free show. With A Lull.
Overture Center, 9 pm
Once a year, Madison puts on its fancy duds for this benefit for Downtown Madison Inc. Your pricey ticket includes hors d'oeuvres, desserts, drinks, live music and fast company.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Based in the hip-hop haven of Oakland, Calif., this duo whirls live instrumental performances, futuristic samples and life-affirming lyrics into dynamic sets that flirt with the boundaries of dub and roots reggae. With Taki Allstars and DJ Samrock.
UW Memorial Union Rathskeller, 9:30 pm
Pop hooks overflow from this Chicago band's spacey noise-rock, which ranges from dreamy to anthemic during their live performances. Check out songs from their self-titled debut album at this show. With Bad Omens.
Sunday 2.5
NOTEWORTHY: National Wildlife Federation est., 1936.
First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2:30 pm
The local chamber ensemble performs "Mid-Winter Romance." On the program: Brahms' String Quintet in F Major, Op. 88; Alexander Zemlinsky's Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Cello, Op. 3; and Max Reger's "Fantasy on Ein Feste Burg."
