Lynn Lau
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School
Friday 1.18
Rachel Davis
Edgewood College's DeRicci Gallery, through Feb. 1
Davis has exhibited her artwork nationally since getting an MFA at the UW 10 years ago. "Animals Without Backbones" features layered paintings inspired by a field guide to shells.
Fred Astaire Dance Studio
7701 Mineral Point Rd., 7 pm
Peter and Linda Goethche arrive from Milwaukee (by way of Europe) with many dance competitions under their belts and a yearning to help Madisonians perfect their steps. Their grand-opening party includes free exhibitions and lessons.
Baby Bash
Wisconsin Union Theater, 7 pm
Is he a rapper? An R&B artist with a gift for rhythmic hooks? Baby Bash hits the Union Theater after shaking up half the nation with "Cyclone." Meech and Profound join the party.
Fever Marlene
Majestic Theatre, 7 pm
Even though the Milwaukee alt-rockers pilfer portions of their '80s-inspired pop tunes and Brit-pop analogues from the original sources, we're inclined to forgive 'em their trespasses. They're that polished. The Debut opens.
AVP Hot Winter Nights
Alliant Energy Center Coliseum, 7:30 pm
Top pros compete in an indoor beach volleyball tournament, with two-person teams in a round-robin tournament. The 200 tons of trucked-in sand will make Wisconsin seem practically tropical.
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 8 pm
The WCO performs Mahler's arrangement of Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" and Shchedrin's "Chamber Suite" for strings. Guest artists Judith Ingolfsson (violin) and Mark Kosower (cello) team up for Brahms' "Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A Minor."
The Pillowman
Bartell Theatre, 8 pm. Also Saturday, Wednesday & Thursday, Jan. 19, 23 & 24, 8 pm
Mercury Players Theatre presents Martin McDonagh's play, in which a series of murders resembles an author's collection of horror stories. McDonagh's wonderfully twisted theatrical sense ups the ante with every scene.
The Maple Bluff Mystery
Broom Street Theater, 8 pm. Also Saturday (8 pm) & Sunday (2 pm), Jan. 19 & 20
In Scott Rawson's comedy, a woman mysteriously disappears in Maple Bluff. The production marks the debut of Broom Street Theater's comfortable new seats.
Mad Cabaret
King Club, 9 pm
With the King Club changing format, the cabaret's cheeky cast offers a fun, bawdy farewell to one of its regular downtown haunts.
Pale Young Gentlemen
Cafe Montmartre, 10 pm
A string quartet and Michael Reisenauer's antic take on Coldplay's Chris Martin are two reasons why the Gents are getting notice beyond the frozen tundra. Time Since Western and Crochet'd Machete open.
Houses in Motion and Devoid
High Noon Saloon, 10 pm
Nostalgic for late '70s and early '80s New Wave? Talking Heads tribute band Houses in Motion and Devo re-creators Devoid are sure to bring back fond memories of "Dallas" and the Cabbage Patch Doll.
Saturday 1.19
Kids in the Rotunda
Overture Center Rotunda, 9:30 am, 11 am & 1 pm
In a free performance, Magic Morgan & Liliana put a spell on the kiddie audience.
David Landau
High Noon Saloon, noon & 2 pm
The local picker presents his annual "Kids Day at the High Noon Saloon," giving new meaning to the term "all-ages show." Bring the wee ones for an afternoon of songs and (if they're wearing cowboy boots) half-price root beer.
Madfest Juggling Festival
Wisconsin Union Theater, 7 pm
The annual gathering draws object manipulators from far and wide, some silly and some stunning. It's a variety show for the whole family, and the best part is you never know what's coming next. This year's special guests are the Passing Zone, who've been known to juggle audience members; and New York's Sean Blue. MadFest is part of the free Juggling Festival held at the UW Field House (Jan. 17-20), with beginning workshops, games and competitions open to all.
Alum-Nation
Orpheum Theatre, 7 & 9:30 pm
Middleton's Alumni Boardshop screens a skateboarding video featuring local teams grinding and kickflipping through Madison. The Crest and Vedarone perform after the second show.
Craig Morgan
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
With "International Harvester," the country trad type pays tribute to hard-working sodbusters everywhere. Pat Watters opens.
Those Poor Bastards
King Club, 9 pm
The sardonic, confrontational goth-country duo put some sting in the King Club's final live show. .357 String Band and Mario Matteoli & High Lonesome are also on the bill.
The Walkmen
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
The Walkmen's rerecording of Harry Nilsson and John Lennon's Pussy Cats was one of 2007's most unexpected musical happenings, earning the song-oriented New Yorkers plenty of style points. Openers White Rabbits' fresh, fey, Caribbean-inflected dance pop has nearly as much indie juice. White Denim also appears.
Sunday 1.20
Madison Youth Choirs
Mitby Theater at MATC-Truax, 1 pm
The young singers apply their heavenly voices to songs about memory, hope and home. The performance also includes real-life stories from local homeless families.
Cajun Strangers
Waisman Center, 1 pm
The local Cajun band plays a special show for kids, offering a taste of French-flavored, Louisiana-style dance music.
Fabu
Madison Public Library-Central, 1:30 pm
Fabu has taken over as Madison's poet laureate from Andrea Musher. You can celebrate her appointment with a reception and (what else?) poetry reading.
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School
High Noon Saloon, 2 pm
The monthly life-drawing event allows artists of every skill level to sketch in a debauched cabaret-style setting, complete with drinks, contests, prizes and slinky MC Olive Talique. This month's theme is tropical isle, with Miss Lychee and India Oleander serving as models.
Women's Authors
A Room of One's Own, 2 pm
Wisconsin writers Lori Devoti (Guardian's Keep), Isabel Sharpe (Woman on the Edge of a Nervous Breakthrough) and Kathy Steffen (First There Is a River) offer the inside scoop on writing and selling women's fiction.
Latin Night
Monona Academy of Dance, 6 pm
This fund-raiser for Dance Wisconsin features dance, drinks and dessert, along with Latin dance lessons.