Actors will take on roles both spontaneous and timeless on Madison's stages this week with Are We Delicions? Ensemble Theatre at the Bartell and Madison Shakespeare Company's Antony and Cleopatra at Breese Stevens Field. The calendar also includes: book readings by Ted Anton, and John Nichols with Bob McChesney; a new Concerts on the Square; the American Battle Live concert and the SummerJam party with People Brothers Band; and, more live music from Venus in Furs, The Loneliest Monk, The Landsharks, Dale Watson, Dirty Dancing, A Hawk & a Hacksaw, and Birthday Suit.
Monday 7.22
High Noon Saloon, 7 pm
American Talent Hunters, a new reality TV series, is hosting a nationwide battle of the bands, and local groups the Blue Olives, Catch Kid, Colorphase, One Last Run, the Picture Perfect, Sexy Ester and WheelHouse are in the running. Watch them duke it out in front of talent scouts and TV cameras.
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
Surf-rock, punk and disco slam-dance together in this local group's tunes, which can turn a quiet Monday night into a party to remember. With Brown Bottle Flu.
Tuesday 7.23
NOTEWORTHY: Fascist government bans use of foreign words in Italy, 1929.
A Room of One's Own, 6:30 pm
The science writer discusses The Longevity Seekers, his book about scientists' ever-more-fruitful search for the fountain of youth.
Are We Delicious? Ensemble Theatre
Bartell Theatre, 7:30 pm. Also Wednesday, July 24, 7:30 pm
The local troupe writes, rehearses and performs a show in one week, hoping to strike sparks with the tight deadline.
Wednesday 7.24
Breese Stevens Field, 6:30 pm. Also Thursday, July 25, 6:30 pm; through July 28
Madison Shakespeare Company is a community theater troupe that formed last year to present the Bard in an outdoor setting. Antony and Cleopatra is a complex tragedy featuring one of the greatest female roles in world theater.
UW Memorial Union's Tripp Commons, 7 pm
The local gurus of politics and media will discuss their new book, Dollarocracy: How the Money and Media Election Complex Is Destroying America. Find out how unbridled campaign spending may signal the end of our democracy. Yipes.
Capitol Square, 7 pm
Love will be in the air as Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien, Debussy's Clair de Lune and other works that reference romantic tales. Four young soloists will perform on Alexander Prior's Horizons.
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
This Chicago duo prove that a cello and a drum kit can rock without a guitarist. Fairy tale-inspired lyrics add another delicious layer to their songs, which sometimes summon hints of Portishead and Radiohead.
Thursday 7.25
NOTEWORTHY: WikiLeaks publishes classified documents about War in Afghanistan, 2010.
Monona Terrace Rooftop, 7 pm
The Monona Terrace Rooftop couldn't get much more summery as this Orlando band present music by Jimmy Buffett and the Beach Boys.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
A seasoned songwriter and Grand Ole Opry regular who's released more than 20 albums, Watson just landed on the Billboard charts for the first time in his 25-year career. With North Country Drifters.
Frequency, 9 pm
This Milwaukee-via-Austin group marry garage punk and New Wave, drawing praise from the likes of CMJ. With Lover's Spit.
SummerJam with People Brothers Band
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
People Brothers Band's super-tight rhythm section kicks off the weekend a day early at this laid-back show featuring the Grasshoppers and DJ Kayla Kush.
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
This group performed on Beirut's beautiful debut, Gulag Orkestar, so it's no surprise that Eastern European folk music is their forte as well. Since then, they've raised their profile even further by touring with Calexico, Of Montreal and Wilco.
Mickey's Tavern, 10:30 pm
This Twin Cities pair make punk, garage and noise rock that's as scintillating as it is spastic. With Absolutely Not and Dharma Dogs.
