The Shondes at the Frequency
Here is this week's critics' choice calendar. Wisconsin Book Festival
Multiple venues, 4-9:30 pm. Also Thursday (11:30 am-9 pm), Saturday (10 am-10 pm) & Sunday (10 am-3:30 pm), Oct. 17, 19 & 20
Though the 2013 celebration of authors and readers has fewer events than last year's, its focus on Madison is stronger than ever, with programs featuring local residents such as Susanna Daniel (Saturday, 5:30 pm, Central Library), performance poets from the UW's First Wave program (Thursday, 7:30 pm, Central Library; and Friday, 5:30 pm, Overture Center), and Madison-raised sportscaster Jessie Garcia (Friday, 4 pm, Central Library). Notable presenters from beyond the Dairy State include National Book Award finalist Dan Chaon (Friday, 5:30 pm; and Sunday, 11 am, Central Library) and presidential biographer Jonathan Alter (Saturday, 1:30 pm, Central Library). See Words for a preview of the event.
Alliant Energy Center's Exhibition Hall, 5-9 pm. Also Saturday, Oct. 19, 2-6 pm
What could be better than food and wine? That's right, nothing! In Isthmus' celebration of local dining culture, Friday's events include the Iron Sommelier Competition, Mac & Cheese Smackdown, theatrical cocktail making and Madeira wine tastings; Saturday's include the home-chef cooking finals and a cheese-making how-to. Both days include chances to shop, learn and eat to your heart's content. Nom.
Are We Delicious? The Sci-Fi Show
Inferno, 7 pm, and Bartell Theatre, 11 pm. Also Saturday, Oct. 19, at Oakwood Village University Woods (3:30 pm) & Inferno (7 pm)
Eight local actors write and rehearse a one-hour show, then present it a week later, cabaret style. This set of performances features a sci-fi theme, which could mean anything from sentient robots falling in love to space aliens ending the government shutdown.
Big Top Chautauqua's Tent Show Radio Live
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
The variety show hosted by Wisconsin author Michael Perry and broadcast on Wisconsin Public Radio comes together before the audience's eyes. The focal point is music, with guests such as Barbara Jean Meyers, a captivating fiddler and banjoist. With Trisis and Blue Canvas Orchestra.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Saturday (8 pm) & Sunday (2:30 pm), Oct. 19 & 20
French pianist Philippe Bianconi returns to perform Brahms' grand, incredibly difficult Piano Concerto No. 2 with the orchestra and his conductor friend John DeMain. The program also features Debussy's enchanting La Mer and Britten's Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 8 pm. Also Saturday (2 & 8 pm) & Sunday (2 pm), Oct. 19 & 20
In this "unauthorized Harry experience," two British comedians cram all seven Harry Potter books into a manic 70-minute parody. Expect lots of wigs, Silly String, a disco ball, a game of Quidditch, and enough in-jokes to please Harry Potter fans and haters alike.
Bartell Theatre, 8 pm. Also Saturday (8 pm) & Thursday (7:30 pm), Oct. 19 & 24
Strollers Theatre teams up with OUT!Cast on Stephen Mallatratt's two-person horror play -- a long-running hit on London's West End. A solicitor sees a terrible apparition at a client's funeral, then searches for answers at a haunted house.
UW Union South Sett, 8 pm
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Born in Poland, this artist grew up in Colorado with Derek Vincent Smith of Pretty Lights, whose influence can be heard in his spacey, jazz-infused electronic music. With Odesza, Mikey Thunder and Artifakts.
UW Memorial Union Rathskeller, 9:30 pm
This lo-fi Chicago quartet received a rave from SPIN for their recent mini-LP, Sunken. With Fire Retarded.
Saturday 10.19
NOTEWORTHY: John Jay sworn in as first U.S. chief justice, 1789.
Casey Neill and the Norway Rats
Kiki's House of Righteous Music, 9 pm
The Portland-based rock, folk and country act revolves around singer-songwriter Casey Neill's pleasantly raspy vocals. With the Sparrow and the Sky.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
These mummified musicians bring the funk to dance parties nationwide, where they inspire fans to "rock like an Egyptian." With Electric Spanking.
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Drawing upon the gospel tradition, these performers take turns showing off their vocal chops, then collaborate to build lush, soulful harmonies. With Andrew Combs.
UW Memorial Union Rathskeller, 9:30 pm
Performing cosmic country and soaring psych folk, this Minneapolis four-piece will please fans of their chief influences, Neil Young and Todd Rundgren. With Griswold.
Frequency, 10 pm
Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., this act combines post-punk and klezmer sounds with messages about feminism and progressive politics. With I Saw the Creature and Anna Wang and the Oh Boys.
Sunday 10.20
NOTEWORTHY: Rebel forces kill Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, 2011.
International Kite Fly for Peace
McKee Farms Park, 11 am-4 pm
This family event is part of the One Sky One World movement, which promotes global peace and friendship through kite flying. There'll be spectacular kite acrobatics, show kites, kite making for kids and more.
Orpheum Theater, 7:30 pm
Performing emo and pop-punk since 1999, this band have quite a few Billboard-charting singles, including 2006's "MakeDamnSure." With Polar Bear Club and Transit.
Monday 10.21
The Changing Face of Journalism & Journalism Ethics
Edgewood College, 7 pm
A panel of local journos, including Isthmus' Judith Davidoff, will discuss how 21st-century developments like social media have created new challenges for reporters.
Overture Hall, 8 pm
After rising to fame with standards like "It Had to Be You" on the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack, the Sinatra-loving singer-pianist started landing Broadway gigs and movie roles. Get acquainted with his newest release, Every Man Should Know.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
This underground hip-hop "supergroup" features Deltron Zero (Del Tha Funkee Homosapien), Cantankerous Captain Aptos (Dan "The Automator" Nakamura) and Skiznod the Boy Wonder (Kid Koala). With Kid Koala's solo act and Itch.
Tuesday 10.22
NOTEWORTHY: Jean-Paul Sartre wins Nobel Prize for Literature, then turns it down, 1964.
Mills Hall in the UW Humanities Building, 7 pm
The iconic environmentalist is the author of such books as Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family. She gives a free talk called "Voices from the Land" under the auspices of the Nelson Institute.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm
You needn't schlep to Burbank, Calif., to play Plinko or compete for a Showcase filled with trips and cars. The TV game show visits for one night, so study the prices at the supermarket and come on down to test your luck.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Psychedelic soul and nutty antics are this band's M.O., and part of frontman Arish Ahmad Khan's recovery from mental illness. (See Tour Stop.) With Hellshovel and the Hussy.
Frequency, 9 pm
These mortals aren't unknown anymore. Their fuzzed-out pop has wowed crowds at South by Southwest and earned Pitchfork's praise. With Fargo.
Wednesday 10.23
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm. Also Thursday (7:30 pm), Friday (8 pm) and Saturday (2 & 8 pm), Oct. 24-26
Madison Ballet's provocative take on Bram Stoker's gothic romance returns just in time for Halloween, after an enthusiastically received run in March. The production includes athletic choreography, steampunk-style costumes, and an original rock score performed live.
Frequency, 9 pm
This group make joyful American roots music with fierce banjo riffs, accordions and foot-stomping beats. With Hurray for the Riff Raff and the Deslondes.
Mickey's Tavern, 10 pm
A onetime roommate of Beck, this artist emerged in 1991 with the hit "Burn and Rob" and now tours as an indie folk act. With German Art Students and Oedipus Tex.
Thursday 10.24
NOTEWORTHY: Camera attached to rocket takes first photo of Earth from outer space, 1946.
Room L160, UW Elvehjem Building, 7:30 pm
Lepore is a Harvard history professor and New Yorker staff writer who's been getting raves for The Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin, her study of the life and times of Benjamin Franklin's beloved sister. In this free talk, she focuses on "Jane Franklin's Spectacles: Or, the Education of Benjamin Franklin's Sister."
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
The cellist and songwriter performs selections from his new album, The Hollow Sessions, which includes interpretations of material by Americana icons like Gillian Welch. With Whitney Mann.
Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Also known as cofounder of '90s alt-country group BR549 and music director of Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet, Mead explores good old-fashioned Americana in his solo act. With the Black Lillies.
Orpheum Theater, 9 pm
This one-man act fuses electronic music and live instrumentation to create haunting, intense house and dub. His performance will center on the just-released Rebel Era. With Two Fresh and Marvel Years.
Frequency, 9 pm
After starting out with covers of the Carter Family, this group evolved into an act that can make a punk song with a washboard solo sound totally natural. With Gambles.
Edited by Anpanman & Baikinman
