The Very Best
The isthmus neighborhoods of Madison may be in the throes of Moving Day this week, but evening offers plenty of opportunities for a respite. The calendar includes: a Madison Public Library concert and picnic; a book reading by Julie Kramer; the RAW: Radiate arts bash; the second week of Jazz at Five; a Wilma's Fund benefit concert; and, more live music from Kevin Greenspon, The Wooden Sky, Masked Intruder, Ronny Cox, Tina & Her Pony, The Giving Tree Band, Santah, Tornado Wallace, The Very Best, and Chandeliers.
Monday 8.13
NOTEWORTHY: East Germany seals border between East and West Berlin, 1961.
Project Lodge, 7 pm
This L.A. musician collages ambient sounds, harsh noises and guitar drone to form backdrops for songs that read like stories (see Tour Stop).
Tuesday 8.14
NOTEWORTHY: Thoreau jailed, 1846.
Madison Public Library Concert and Picnic
Olbrich Gardens, 6:30 pm
At this free celebration of the library's Summer Reading Club, guests of all ages can admire plants, scurry through bubble clouds or boogie to the kid-friendly tunes of Ken Lonnquist & the Mighty Kenlandos. Families are invited to bring picnics, and all children in attendance will receive a complimentary gift.
Frequency, 8:30 pm
This Toronto quintet specializes in country-flavored indie rock about ramblers and gamblers crossing battered landscapes that symbolize their troubles. With Melissa Simonson.
Dragonfly Lounge, 9:30 pm
This quartet of ski-masked men don't want to burgle pearls or cats. They want to steal ladies' hearts but haven't figured out how. After a string of comical blunders, they're on the right track: Alternative Press just premiered their newest pop-punk single, Teenage Bottlerocket invited them on tour, and Red Scare tossed them a red-hot record deal. With Nothington August.
Wednesday 8.15
NOTEWORTHY: Woodstock begins, 1969.
100 block of State Street, 5 pm
Madison Jazz Orchestra, Lynette Margulies and the Jane Reynolds Quartet will make State Street sizzle with a selection of vibrant jazz tunes. Free!
Booked for Murder, 6 pm
The former TV news producer has attracted notice with her mystery novels about Minneapolis TV reporter Riley Spartz. Kramer reads from Shunning Sarah, in which Riley investigates a murder that involves the Amish community.
Brink Lounge, 7 pm
The guitarist from Deliverance's famous dueling-banjos scene will swing by the Brink with original tunes that range from sidesplitting to tearjerking. He may also bring his new book, which glimpses behind the scenes of the classic 1972 thriller.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
RAW -- an organization that curates under-the-radar art shows in more than 20 communities -- will host a ritzy bash flush with film screenings, music performances, fashion shows and visual-art displays by local movers and shakers.
Frequency, 8:30 pm
Using off-kilter lyrics and unusual instruments such as tenor ukuleles, this Asheville, N.C., duo highlights a little-seen side of Appalachian music. With Yid Vicious.
Thursday 8.16
NOTEWORTHY: Russian parliament confirms Vladimir Putin as prime minister, 1999.
East Side Club, 6 pm
After hearing this folk-rock seven-piece's cover of "Brown-Eyed Woman," the Grateful Dead's management used it as an aural appetizer at more than 500 screenings of footage from the Dead's 1989 concert at Alpine Valley. Act out the song's lyrics by sampling some gin, whiskey or grenadine from the tiki bar. With the Whiskey Farm.
Five Nightclub, 7:30 pm
Seven unassuming men will morph into gorgeous, witty women to raise money for Wilma's Fund, a charity that helps homeless LGBT individuals find shelter and support. With Wilma Flynn-Stone, Trina Lynn, Contessa Piranha, Miss Queen B, Ava Stone, Danielle Avalon and Bella Donna Avalon.
Frequency, 8:30 pm
This quintet of Daytrotter alums bathe their indie pop in autumnal vibes to create the musical equivalent of a Hipstamatic photo. With Little Legend, Sam Pace & the Gilded Grit, and Kane Place Record Club.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
This enigmatic Aussie producer blends '90s-inspired techno with ultramodern dub to create an electronic sound all his own. With Tinhead and Slow Stars.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
This Malawian vocalist and British DJ-producer duo make electronic Afro-pop that's earned kudos from Pitchfork and Rolling Stone. Polyglots will rejoice when frontman Esau Mwamwaya sings in Chichewa, Swahili and Portuguese. With Seye, Asumaya, and Tani Diakite & the Afrofunkstars.
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
After leaving several art-rock bands, these Chicagoans started fresh by crafting breezy electronic soundscapes inspired by Can and Kraftwerk. With DJ Tolerance.
