1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson, Wisconsin National Guard
Rhythm & Booms
Rhythm & Booms will reflect and echo off the waters of Lake Mendota as Madison holds its premiere Independence Day celebration this weekend. The calendar also includes: the National Women's Music Festival; the summer closer of the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society series; piano recitals by Stanislava Varshavski and Diana Shapiro; the Wayne's World and Majestic Metal Mania double feature; more live music from Louka Patenaude, The Company We Keep, Rigel, The Daredevil Christopher Wright, Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons, The Selfish Gene, The Stanleys with The Motorz, Yellow Dubmarine, The Promise Ring, The Lonesome Savages, and Left Lane Cruiser; standup by Kevin & John Farley; and, APT productions of Richard III and Skylight.
Friday 6.29
NOTEWORTHY: U.S. Supreme Court declares capital punishment unconstitutional, 1972.
National Women's Music Festival
Marriott Madison West, Middleton, through Sunday, July 1
Eighteen music and comedy acts -- including bold and bluesy singer-guitarist Toshi Reagon, soulful vocal powerhouse Summer Osborne, classical-and-jazz pianist Mary Watkins, folk singer-songwriter Chris Collier and Big Gay Sketch Show alum Julie Goldman -- will join forces at this annual celebration of female creativity.
Terrace at UW Memorial Union, 5 pm
Though Patenaude's first guitar was an air guitar, he quickly learned to wail on a more palpable form of the instrument. Though many fans know him from the New Breed jazz jam at Cardinal Bar, this concert will unfold amid the brews and breezes of the Memorial Union Terrace.
Loft at Goodman Community Center, 6:30 pm
Composed of musicians from Motion City Soundtrack and the Receiving End of Sirens, this band is almost a pop-punk supergroup. The X-factor is vocalist Amy Brennan, a newbie with some impressive pipes and a penchant for making YouTube videos. With Bars of Gold, Maps for Travelers, Under Waves and Surfaces.
Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm. Also in Overture Center's Playhouse, Saturday, June 30, 7:30 pm; and at Taliesin's Hillside Theater, Spring Green, Sunday, July 1, 2:30 & 6:30 pm The wry chamber ensemble winds up its cocktail-themed series with two programs. Tonight (and Sunday afternoon in Spring Green) it's Kir Royale, with music of Haydn, Schubert and Franois Couperin. Saturday at Overture (and Sunday evening in Spring Green): Old Fashioned, with music by Couperin, Bach, Brahms and Stravinsky.
Stanislava Varshavski, Diana Shapiro
Farley's House of Pianos, 7:30 pm (sold out). Also Sunday, July 1, 4 pm
Pianists Varshavski and Shapiro tickle the ivories of two Steinway grands recently restored by the magic hands of Farley's House of Pianos (see Music). Music of Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and Gershwin is on the docket.
Comedy Club on State, 8 & 10:30 pm.
Chris is the most famous comedian to come out of Madison's Farley family, but brothers Kevin and John Farley also work the funny business, with numerous film and television appearances between them, as well as a jointly maintained podcast.
Claddagh Irish Pub, Middleton, 8 pm
Named after one of the sky's brightest stars, this local Celtic band shimmers with Cape Breton-style fiddling and bluegrass-inspired guitar playing.
Wayne's World Brew 'n' View / Majestic Metal Mania
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
Party on with Wayne and Garth at 8 pm, then headbang till bar time as DJ Nick Nice teases hair-metal masterpieces out of his vast record collection.
The Daredevil Christopher Wright
Frequency, 9 pm
Over the course of two Daytrotter sessions, these Eau Claire folksters befriended the blog-meets-recording studio's cofounder, Patrick Stolley. Stolley lends his engineering talents to the group's sophomore LP, The Nature of Things, which the band will unveil in the Frequency's cozy confines. With Icarus Himself and Midtown Dickens.
Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons
Terrace at UW Memorial Union, 9:30 pm
Esquire praised this Appleton-bred folk-rock band a few days ago, declaring their slow jam "I've Been Accused" a must-listen track for this summer. With Stolen Silver.
Saturday 6.30
Warner Park, 5 pm
Before fiery bursts fill the heavens at dusk, live music will kick off Madison's Fourth of July fete at the Triple M stage. Here, near a newly refurbished Statue of Liberty replica, visitors can enjoy roots-pop by former BoDeans member Sam Llanas, blues-rock by Project M songwriting contest victors the Family Business, and reggae-rock by Natty Nation. The music and dancing will continue after the fireworks. Early birds can get patriotic at a series of morning events, including a 5K run-walk (8 am) and a children's bike parade (9 am). Note: Due to dry conditions, some fireworks-related events may be canceled; check the event websites for up-to-date information on this and other Fourth of July celebrations.
American Players Theatre, Spring Green, 8 pm
APT acting favorite James DeVita directs Shakespeare's powerful tragedy, in which a greedy nobleman destroys everyone in his path to the throne.
Redamte Coffee House, 8 pm
After becoming SPIN's Artist of the Day in May of 2007, this trio of local rockers won Isthmus' Band to Band Combat competition in 2009. With Shady Grady & the Nobodies, Whisky War Mountain Rebellion and Ida Jo.
Frequency, 9 pm
Punk and power-pop will converge at this concert featuring local rock stalwarts the Motorz and out-of-town guests the Stanleys, a trio composed of two Aussies and a Norwegian who met through a mutual love of pop hooks and the social-networking powers of MySpace. With the Type and Baristacide.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Using a recipe of dub and reggae, this septet extracts hints of island flavor from the Beatles' Abbey Road.
Terrace at UW Memorial Union, 9:30 pm
One of the most popular and poppy emo bands of the '90s, this recently re-formed quartet will drop by from Milwaukee to perform fan favorites such as "A Picture Postcard" and "We Don't Like Romance."
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
Though Dead Luke and Max Elliott used to flaunt their dark and synthy side as Zola Jesus' backing band, they now make bluesy, punk-laced lo-fi rock in the Lonesome Savages. With Apache Dropout and Trin Tran.
Sunday 7.1
American Players Theatre, Spring Green, 6 pm
In David Hare's contemporary drama, Greta Wohlrabe, who was an APT apprentice last year, plays a woman who encounters the man with whom she had an affair.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
A slide guitar, a drum kit and a soulful harmonica fuel this blues-rock band's live performances. The show will revolve around Junkyard Speed Ball, their 2011 release. With the Family Business.
