Overture Center teemed with touring Broadway jukebox musicals this year, a run that wraps up this week with Rock of Ages. The calendar also includes: book readings by Russ Feingold, and Jim Draeger with Mark Speltz; the Movember Mustache Bash and Rick Tvedt's Birthday Bash; and, more live music from Chris Head & the Honchos, Reignwolf, Jessica Fichot, Halestorm, Branson on the Road, Silversun Pickups, and DJ Shadow with Man Mantis.
Monday 12.3
Verona Public Library, 7 pm
How happy is Wisconsin's former Democratic senator after recent wins by Tammy Baldwin and Barack Obama? Gauge his mood as he discusses his book While America Sleeps: A Wake-Up Call for the Post-9/11 Era.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
Mustachioed attendees gain free admission to this funk and soul dance party featuring the Big Payback and DJ Vilas Park Sniper. That's because each sprig of facial hair helps Movember and the LIVESTRONG Foundation raise awareness about prostate cancer and funds to help fight the disease.
Tuesday 12.4
NOTEWORTHY: Father Jacques Marquette founds mission on shores of Lake Michigan, which later becomes Chicago, 1674.
High Noon Saloon, 6 pm
This Milwaukee-area band builds country-rock earworms using songs by Drive-By Truckers, Big Star and Cheap Trick as inspiration. With Rodeo Bums.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Wednesday & Thursday, Dec. 5 & 6, 7:30 pm; through Dec. 9
The 1980s come to life in this touring Broadway show, a goofy 2009 paean to hair metal that recently spawned a Tom Cruise film. Packed with songs by Poison, Whitesnake and Night Ranger, it tells the story of a small-town girl who meets a rocker in 1987 Los Angeles.
Frequency, 9 pm
If you close your eyes, you'd swear that Reignwolf is an entire city of guitarists rocking out onstage. In reality, it's just Jordan Cook, a firebrand who cooks up hot blues licks, sizzling power chords and mandolin solos The Stranger has likened to "a cherub humping a harp in rock 'n' roll heaven."
Wednesday 12.5
NOTEWORTHY: Rosa Parks and E.D. Nixon lead Montgomery Bus Boycott, 1955.
Cardinal Bar, 5 pm
The authors of Bottoms Up: A Toast to Wisconsin's Historic Bars & Breweries host an event at one of the iconic bars featured in their book. At this "End of Prohibition Party," they'll discuss the effect of Prohibition on Wisconsin taverns while a live band plays for dancers. Period dress is encouraged.
Brink Lounge, 8 pm
This Paris-raised chanteuse and accordionist sings chansons, folk songs and gypsy-jazz numbers in French, Chinese and Spanish. Get to know her exotic new album, Le Secret, at this show. With Harmonious Wail.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Though this sibling-led quartet's latest visit to Madison will revolve around their hard-rocking sophomore album, The Strange Case of..., they just might pull a cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" from their 2011 ReAnimate EP. With In This Moment and Eve to Adam.
Thursday 12.6
NOTEWORTHY: Thirteenth amendment of Constitution ratified, banning slavery, 1865.
Stoughton Opera House, 3 & 7 pm
These merry Missourians pair country-fried fiddle, banjo and slap-bass solos with rhinestone costumes and rockabilly renditions of Christmas carols during their traveling yuletide show.
Rick Tvedt's Birthday Bash and MAMAs Fundraiser
High Noon Saloon, 7:30 pm
The Getaway Drivers, the Sigourney Weavers, Venus Williams, Aaron Williams and Sunspot will celebrate the birth of Madison Area Music Association founder Rick Tvedt with a lineup of original songs.
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
In from L.A., this quartet of distortion-loving indie rockers will show off Neck of the Woods, a new album produced by Jacknife Lee, who also serves as Crystal Castles' secret weapon in the studio. With Morning Parade.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Hip-hop producer and former Madisonian Man Mantis will warm up the crowd for DJ Shadow, whose debut album, Endtroducing..., was the first to be made entirely from samples of other people's recordings (see Music).
