Friday 11.9
Cinefest
UW Memorial Union Play Circle and Orpheum Theatre's Stage Door, Nov. 8-11
This year's festival emphasizes Cuban films and hip-hop, with appearances by spoken-word artists and musicians. Films include The Hip Hop Project and Los Hijos de Baragua.
Madison Pop Fest Celtic Woman Kálmán Balogh & the Gypsy Cimbalom Band Ronnie Davis & the Pocket Band Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles Leon Russell
Nov. 8-10, UW campus
This year's free festival features films, panels, a lecture/convocation with Andrew W.K. and live sets from La Bruja, Bill Harvey, Baby Teeth, Bon Iver, Murder By Death and many more local and national acts. See
Alliant Energy Center Coliseum, 7:30 pm
Celtic Woman's pristine contemporary Irish sounds have gotten a surfeit of exposure thanks to a heavily rotated TV commercial. Can the real thing possibly live up to the video hype?
UW Music Hall, 8 pm
Balogh is Hungarian master of the cimbalom (a kind of hammered dulcimer), and his Gypsy swing sextet combines European folk traditions with ecstatic jazz rhythms.
Cardinal Bar, 8 pm
Davis was a key member of the Itals, one of reggae's great vocal groups. He's backed here by roots-reggae hybrid the Pocket Band.
Café Montmartre, 8 pm
Borges' rocked-up country and folk-rock was meant for clubs and barrooms. The Boston singer's musical attraction to the young Elvis Costello helps differentiate her from the alt-country hordes.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
In some ways, the 65-year-old Russell qualifies as the original Americana artist. Rock 'n' roll, blues, gospel, folk, country -- the soulful singer/pianist has played them all, both in sessions with major stars like Eric Clapton and as a leader.