Winter heats up this weekend with the Super Bowl and an avalanche of other parties marking the summit of the season. Don't just watch TV and eat, though, celebrate the sports holiday with Souper Bowl XIII and the Mad Rollin' Dolls "Super Roll Sunday" bout and after party. There's much more on tap for fun, including: Orchid Quest; Frostiball and The Fire Ball; productions of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters; a new Chinese textile exhibit at the Chazen; a new indieQueer Discotech; and live music by Vic Chesnutt, Iguanas, Dietrich Gosser, the Ancora String Quartet; Leon and Katherine Jacobson Fleisher, Caustic, SitA and NBS, and Sexy Ester & the PMS.
Friday 1.30
Noteworthy: Tet offensive begins, 1968.
Birthdays: Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 1930; vice-presidential puppet master Dick Cheney, 1941.
Writing With Thread: Traditional Textiles of Southwest Chinese Minorities
Chazen Museum of Art, 6 pm (talk), 7 pm (reception)
This exhibit gathers 500 splendid jewelry and textile creations from southwest China, works that represent that region's stunning ethnic diversity. Tonight's events include remarks by curator Angela Sheng and a reception with performances by Madison's Hmong Keng Players and Hmong Sisters dance group.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
MATC-Truax's Mitby Theater, 7:30 pm. Also Saturday (7:30 pm) & Sunday (2 pm), Jan. 31 & Feb. 1
The smash off-Broadway revue examines modern courtship rituals -- dating, marriage, sex -- in a series of musical sketches. Representative tune: "Cantata for a First Date."
indieQueer: DJs Sammy Bananas, Willy Joy, Diamonds and OCD Automatic
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
The indieQueer Discotech dance party has been going strong for two years thanks to some of the best dancing -- and company -- in the city. Four DJs join forces to make tonight's edition a quadruple shot of joy.
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Folk-rocker Vic Chesnutt is a musicians' musicians who, thankfully, has gained a larger following with the help of famous friends such as R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, who produced his first two albums in the early '90s. This week he visits Madison to spread the gospel about his 2008 release, Dark Developments. Also playing: Elf Power, Whatfor.
Harmony Bar, 9:45 pm
The Iguanas travel up from the Crescent City to fill your plate with a little Tex-Mex and New Orleans-inspired roots rock.
Cafe Montmartre, 10 pm
Chicago-by-way-of-Madison singer-songwriter Dietrich Gosser writes tight, affecting songs with minimalist guitar lines but full-bodied melodies. Also playing: the Daredevil Christopher Wright, Riot Riot.
Saturday 1.31
Noteworthy: U.S. launches Explorer I, 1958.
Birthdays: Sex Pistols/Public Image Ltd. singer Johnny Lydon, 1956; actress Minnie Driver, 1971.
Alliant Energy Center's Exhibition Hall, 10 am. Also Sunday, Feb. 1, 10 am
Madison's Orchid Guild puts the petal to the metal in this show and sale.
Madison West High School, 3 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.
First Unitarian Society, 7:30 pm
The ensemble, whose history dates back to 2000, kicks off '09 with selections from Haydn, Shostakovich and Beethoven.
Leon & Katherine Jacobson Fleisher
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
After pianist Leon Fleisher, 80, lost the use of his right hand, he spent an inspiring 42-year career performing the left-handed repertoire, as well as conducting. The Kennedy Center honoree returned to two-handed playing after successful therapy in 2007. Tonight his wife, pianist Katherine Jacobson Fleisher, joins him for a program including works of Schubert, Brahms, Ravel and Dvorak.
Inferno, 9 pm
Industrial music isn't dead; it's very much alive at the Inferno thanks to bands like Caustic, which is releasing a CD tonight. Also playing: DJ Acucrack, GlassGhosts.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
There's no midwinter existential crisis that burlesque and belly dancing can't chase away. Enjoy performances by Foxy Veronica's Peach Pies, Tashar Dance, Madtown Hellcats and others at this benefit for Mercury Players Theatre and StageQ.
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. Don't worry, you can wear the Packers jersey tomorrow.
Sleeping in the Aviary, National Beekeepers Society
UW Memorial Union Rathskeller, 9:30 pm
Sleeping in the Aviary and National Beekeepers Society are the poster children of Madison bands. Catch them in their element amid the student crowd and big cups of beer at the UW's Rathskeller.
Sexy Ester & the Pretty Mama Sisters
Frequency, 10 pm
With all of the post-this, post-that being bandied about, it's nice to hear a good, straight-ahead classic rock outfit every now and then. Sexy Ester starts with influences such as the Who and Neil Young, then adds a big swig of the blues. Sample the band's sound via this week's MadTracks feature. Also playing: Rivalry, Gladstone.
Sunday 2.1
Noteworthy: Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunctions during Super Bowl half-time show, 2004.
Birthdays: Punk harpy Exene Cervenka, 1955; famous daughter Lisa Marie Presley, 1968.
Alliant Energy Center's Coliseum, 1 pm
More fun with skating and sharp jabs to the ribs as our hometown derby squad plays a second bout in its fancy new Coliseum digs. In a first, a non-Madison team skates in a regular-season bout: the Chicago Outfit, who battle the Unholy Rollers as the Quad Squad takes on the Reservoir Dolls.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 1 pm
Bring the kids to this production by Dallas Children's Theater, an African-inflected telling of a Cinderella story, based on the Caldecott-award-winning book.
Mad Rollin' Dolls Afterparty: The Wild Animals
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
Take in some wild, garage-flavored rock from Iowa's heartland, the perfect wind-down after a gritty roller derby bout. Also playing: DJ Jake Shut, Krank Daddies.
