The summertime festival season really outdoes itself this weekend with a series of celebrations that includes WaunaFest, the Clean Lakes Festival, Froth Music Fest, the Disability Pride Festival, Greek Fest, and Atwood Summerfest. The calendar also includes: the closing exhibit at Grace Chosy Gallery; the Voices of a People's History fundraiser; the Rock 'n Roar and Blooze Krooze benefit shows; Live on King Street with Eric Hutchinson; and, more live music from Caitlin Timmins, Paul Geremia, Ideamen, Bon Squad, Whiskey of the Damned, Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba, Nappy Roots, Gregory Alan Isakov, Seabird, Netherfriends, and Kelley Hunt.
Friday 7.26
NOTEWORTHY: President Harry S. Truman signs Executive Order 9981, desegregating the U.S. military, 1948.
Centennial Park, Waunakee, through July 28
It's another town festival, and why not? Madison's neighbor to the north offers kids' activities, carnival rides, sports tournaments, a parade and music. You know, the works.
Live on King Street featuring Eric Hutchinson
King Street, 5 pm
The summer's second free, outdoor block party on King Street features Hutchinson's folk-laced pop-rock, plus sets by Milwaukee singer-songwriter Willy Porter, Austin alt-rockers Alpha Rev and local DJ Nick Nice. Around 10 pm, DJ Phil Money will launch an Animal House-inspired toga party with '60s funk and soul cuts.
Broom Street Theater, 7 pm. Also Thursday (7 pm) & Saturday (2 & 7 pm), July 25 & 27
For its annual fundraiser, Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative stages monologues drawn from Howard Zinn's classic alternative history book, A People's History of the United States.
Redamte Coffee House, 8 pm
Though she draws inspiration from artists like Adele and Sara Bareilles, the Berklee student and Fitchburg native has developed a distinctive voice of her own, winning the ASCAP Bart Howard Songwriting Award last year. With LouRah and Corinne McKnight.
Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, 8 pm
Geremia is such a steadfast supporter of acoustic music that he hasn't brought a single electric guitar to the studio since he began his recording career in 1968. Hear him play tunes from Love My Stuff, his 2011 ode to America's rural blues tradition.
Inferno, 9 pm
These Chicagoans definitely rock, but they don't roll in a typical fashion. Their live sets often feature oodles of balloons and creative fusions of Beatles, Radiohead and Pantera songs. With Felix, Kill Jr. and Sky Road Fly.
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Cheer on High Noon owner Cathy Dethmers as she rocks out in Bon Squad, and local celebs the Hussy as they shred and thud their way to psych-punk bliss. With the Skintones.
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
Punk, gypsy music and traditional Celtic sounds converge in this Milwaukee quintet's songs. With the Kissers.
Alchemy Cafe, 10 pm
Fronted by a Senegalese griot and kora player who now calls North Carolina home, this act highlights dance-friendly West African music that's heavy on polyrhythms and improvisation. With Tani Diakite & the Afrofunkstars.
Segredo, 10 pm
The Southern rap group best known for the 2002 chart-climbers "Po' Folks" and "Awnaw" recently dropped "These Walls Revisited," a single featuring contributions from Kanye West and Renzo Charles. Chances are good that the song will appear on the evening's set list.
Saturday 7.27
NOTEWORTHY: Researchers at University of Toronto prove that insulin regulates blood sugar, 1921.
Law Park, 9 am-9 pm
This year's celebration of all things H2O makes a big splash with morning waterski lessons, boat tours, a Loop the Lake bike ride, watercraft rentals, Betty Lou Cruises, lots of kids' activities, a floating music stage and more. Come on in, the water's fine!
Froth House, 9 am-6pm. Also Sunday, 10 am-6 pm
The music-loving coffeehouse near West High will host two full days of performances by acts such as Dana Perry and Karen Wheelock.
Brittingham Park, noon-5 pm
This fest shines a spotlight on the extraordinary abilities of people with disabilities during performances that range from musical to theatrical. The event includes the desert-blues stylings of Tani Diakite & the Afrofunkstars, folk tunes by the Sweetness of Gone, a percussion set by Temple Grandin Award recipient Ricardo Vasquez, and poetry by former UW professor Jim Ferris.
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 3-9 pm. Also Sunday, July 28, 11 am-6 pm
The gods will be angry if you don't get yourself over to Greek Fest, which features food, traditional music, kids' activities and tours of the lovely Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.
2000 and 2001 blocks of Atwood Avenue, 2-9 pm. Also Sunday, July 28, 2-7 pm
This year's benefit for the Goodman Community Center will pair the scrumptious scents of freshly prepared food with equally delicious sounds from two music stages. Saturday's lineup includes Piper Road Spring Band (3:10 pm), Mojo Radio (6 pm) Cris Plata & Extra Hot (7:50 pm) and VO5 (7 pm). The Sunday schedule features Kate Scullin Band (3 pm), Sexy Ester (4 pm), American Dead (6 pm) and many others. See goodmancenter.org for the full schedule.
Grace Chosy Gallery Closing Exhibit
Through July 31. Reception: 5-8 pm
Grace Chosy director Karin Ketarkus is closing the venerable gallery, and we're mighty sad to see it go. In the closing reception, you can share some memories, see some great works by gallery artists, and maybe even make a final purchase.
Vilas Zoo, 7 pm
This fundraiser for the zoo's new Arctic Passage exhibit features carousel rides, refreshments and dancing. Dressing in white is recommended, to get into the Arctic spirit.
Frequency, 9 pm
The Daytrotter alum will perform thought-provoking tunes from The Weathermen, a new album about meteorologists' ability to predict the future. With Jeffrey Foucault.
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
These indie rockers have landed songs on TV shows like Pushing Daisies. This performance centers on their Kickstarter-funded album Troubled Days, which contains the newest songs they're pitching to Hollywood's soundtrack makers. With Mike Droho.
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
Last week SPIN dubbed this Chicago artist's pop-hop track "Uptown Boys" a "narcotic gem" that showcases his skills as a beat maker. With Land of Vandals.
Sunday 7.28
NOTEWORTHY: Nine workers trapped in Pennsylvania's Quecreek Mine rescued after 77 hours underground, 2002.
East Side Club, 9 am-8 pm
This benefit for Project Home's low-cost house-repair programs has a vintage car show, a flea market, and music by Paul Filipowicz, Primitive Culture and others. It's a good cause, and the cars look pretty cool.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
The fiery singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist reaches deep into the musical traditions of Kansas City and New Orleans to craft soul-stirring tunes that have been featured numerous times on A Prairie Home Companion.
