A new era in American history is beginning with the inauguration of Barack Obama, and it's likely that the biggest plans of the week for most folks involve a TV on Tuesday. There are plenty of opportunities to go out and celebrate too, though. Along with inaugural parties headlined by Things Fall Apart and Dumate, there is more live music from Alison Margaret, Trapper Schoepp Band, Garnet Rogers, Bobby McFerrin, and The Disco Biscuits, along with a little counterprogramming in the form of standup by Larry the Cable Guy.
Monday 1.19
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BIRTHDAY (OBSERVED)
Noteworthy: 12.6-inch snowfall sets one-day Madison record for January, 1995.
Birthdays: Motels vocalist Martha Davis, 1951; actor/comedian Shawn Wayans, 1971.
Tuesday 1.20
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION DAY
Noteworthy: Iran frees 52 American hostages after 444 days, 1981.
Birthdays: Visionary director David Lynch, 1946; Politically Incorrect TV commentator Bill Maher, 1956.
Restaurant Magnus, 7 pm
Margaret's honey-smooth voice sweetens up almost any style of music, from jazz standards to funky blues numbers; plus she's a whiz at the piano. Check out her solo act this week -- or catch her jazz ensemble later this winter -- in the Magnus' intimate bar room.>{?
Frequency, 9:30 pm
Local four-piece Things Fall Apart isn't so much about the literature of Yeats and Achebe as the sounds of punk and metal. Green Bay's Kildrifter and local punk bands the Transgressions and the Gusto round out the bill for what should be a most rocking evening.
Wednesday 1.21
Noteworthy: President Jimmy Carter pardons most Vietnam-era draft evaders, 1977.
Birthdays: Tall Oscar-winning actress/Olympic-caliber archer Geena Davis, 1957; Baby Spice Girl Emma Lee Bunton, 1976.
Annex, 9 pm
The local hip-hoppers salute Barack Obama with what's being billed as the Day After Change. Also on the bill: AD (of Crest fame), DJ Vilas Park Sniper, DJ Double D.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
Despite the fact that the group's members are still in their teens, the folky rock of Milwaukee's Trapper Schoepp Band has an eerie level of maturity to it -- and at times a resemblance to David Gray's style of delivery. Read a review of the band's debut album, A Change in the Weather. Also playing: Josh Harty, Marty Finkel.
Thursday 1.22
Noteworthy: U.S. Supreme Court hands down Roe v. Wade decision, 1973.
Birthdays: Craggy-faced actor John Hurt, 1940; actress Diane Lane, 1963
Brink Lounge, 7 pm
The Madison Folk Society brings Canadian singer-songwriter Garnet Rogers to town. Since he's visiting Wisconsin, he'll probably play fan favorite "Garnet's Homemade Beer," a story of homebrewing gone awry -- and a parody of "Barrett's Privateers," which his brother, folk legend Stan Rogers, made famous.
Alliant Energy Center Coliseum, 7:30 pm
The standup comedian has ridden his redneck act to fame and fortune, proudly reveling in lowbrow humor. So pay your money and git-r-done. Did we just say that?
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm
The nonpareil vocalist is best known for the smash 1988 single "Don't Worry, Be Happy," but that sunny track is uncharacteristic of his inventive, jazz-inflected repertoire (see preview).
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
Looking for a new jam band to call your own? Philly's Disco Biscuits have expanded their vision of the genre with some spacey new electronic soundscapes and a recent collaboration with Matisyahu. Future Rock opens.
