Mithlia Painting at Chazen Museum
Here is this week's critics' choice calendar. The Guide provides an extended listing of events in and around Madison.
Friday 9.13
NOTEWORTHY: Desmond Tutu leads largest anti-Apartheid march in South Africa, 1989.
James Madison Park, 5 pm
Experience arts of all kinds in the fresh fall air, including painting by Sarah Schaefer and DJ sets by Wyatt Agard, Radish, Dr. Funkenstein, Wangzoom and more.
Art in the Barn, Fitchburg, 7 pm. Also Saturday, Sept. 14, 2 pm
This homage to vintage gypsy jazz is an energetic start to the weekend. Friday showcases local notables Harmonious Wail and their fun new album, Bohemian Tango (7 pm), Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan (8:15 pm) and others, while Saturday features Finnish Fury (4:30 & 9 pm) and an open jam (10 pm).
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
The cofounder of Men at Work, that Aussie band famous for the 1981 chart-topper "Down Under," gained an eager new audience when his song "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You" appeared on the soundtrack to 2004's Garden State.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
This Nashville brother duo's blues-and-Americana fusion sounds like the White Stripes, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band and Lightnin' Hopkins jamming around a bonfire. With Piers Faccini, Jules Bikoko and Dom La Nena.
Frequency, 9 pm
This electro-pop craftsman has "blurred the distinction between a guitar-toting singer-songwriter and a synth-pop artist" in novel ways, according to Pitchfork. With Little Legend. (See Music.)
Saturday 9.14
Mithila Painting: The Evolution of an Art Form
Chazen Museum of Art, through Dec. 1
This traveling exhibition highlights female artists from India's Mithila region, who've been making wall paintings since the 1300s. More than 40 works show how the art form has evolved since 1970, around the time women began selling paper-based paintings to earn money. A documentary about the tradition will be screened on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 pm.
Madison Labor Temple, 11 am
Mingle with neighbors from Madison's south side at this free event featuring food, children's activities and entertainment by acts like Black Star Drum Line (11 am), Mambo Blue (1:15 pm) and Mount Zion Choir (4:15 pm).
Warner Park, 11 am
This celebration of Chicano culture and freedom features food from local restaurants, kids' activities, craft booths, history exhibits, and more than 25 performances of folk dances and music. To delve further into Mexican traditions, visit Oregon's Union Sports Club on Sunday, Sept. 15, at noon for another free celebration; and Centro Hispano's Latino Art Fair on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 6 pm.
McKee Farms Park, Fitchburg, 11 am
Sample tasty dishes from local restaurants, without Taste of Madison's massive crowd. Kids' activities and music from 50 Mission Crush make this charity fundraiser an event for the whole family.
Essen Haus, noon
The fall beer-drinking season shifts into high gear at this free outdoor event that includes an art show, contests, German eats and performances by polka purveyors Jason Rowe and Steve Meisner. Also on tap is Dorf Kapelle, who specializes in German, Austrian and Swiss folk tunes.
Angell Park baseball diamond, Sun Prairie, noon
Explore the blues tradition with nearly 10 hours of live music by performers like Kyle Henderson (1:10 pm), Dave Specter & Sharon Lewis (6:50 pm), and Walter "Wolfman" Washington (8:30 pm).
Capital Brewery, noon
Raffles, refreshments and entertainment abound at this all-ages fundraiser for a needy Haitian family. Musical acts include the banjo-fueled Madonna tribute Material Boys (3 pm) and funk fun-makers Electric Spanking (5 pm).
Demetral Park, noon
The drummers and dancers of Atimevu celebrate their 10th anniversary together at a 1 pm set. The event stretches into the evening with free performances by Novisi (1:45 pm), West African Dance of Madison (2:30 pm), Tani Diakite (3:15 pm) and more.
Sixth Street at Winnebago Street, 2 pm
Breathe life into a lonely patch of Union Corners with live music and boomboxes tuned to a special WORT broadcast. Participants can grill out and work on a collaborative art project.
Vilas Park, 5:30. Registration at 4 pm
This benefit for Girls on the Run is as close as you can get to being Marty McFly. No Walkman is required since there will be music on the course and a dance party at the finish line of the 5K course. Plus, it's a chance to flaunt your deely-boppers and leg warmers.
Overture Hall, 8 pm
The saucy comedian and star of the reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List visits Madison with new standup material she's preparing for a Bravo special. (See Comedy.)
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 8 pm
This neo-soul artist's charismatic falsetto is "a formidable seducer's tool," according to the L.A. Times.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
With song titles like "Jazzercise '95," this act will get you moving with sexy, self-aware electro-pop in the tradition of the Electric Six. With Mr. Horror.
Portland Cello Project with Jolie Holland
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
PCP brings the cello to places you wouldn't normally hear it and brings music to the cello you wouldn't normally expect. Jolie Holland, cofounder of the Be Good Tanyas, will contribute vocals.
Mickey's Tavern, 10 pm
As the name implies, psych-garage is this band's specialty. They released their first full-length album, You Are Heaven's Gateway Drugs, in April. See if it makes your head spin. With Paint and Dog Hotel.
Sunday 9.15
NOTEWORTHY: Lehman Brothers files for Chapter 11, 2008.
Watrous Gallery in the Overture Center, through Oct. 27. Reception: Sunday, Sept. 15, 2-5 pm
Barry Roal Carlsen, David Lenz, Cathy Martin, John Miller, Charles Munch, Dennis Nechvatal and Tom Uttech are featured in this exhibition, which emphasizes the artists relationship with the Wisconsin landscape. The opening reception features a curators' talk at 2:30 pm.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
All Music Guide says this group's atmospheric take on island sounds has "the most gorgeous melodies in all of modern reggae music." With Natty Nation and DJ Trichrome.
Frequency, 8:30 pm
This trio of brothers channel their heroes -- the Misfits and the Ramones -- with an ease not often seen in today's punk scene. With the Ghost Wolves.
Monday 9.16
NOTEWORTHY: General Motors Corporation founded, 1908.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
With a folk-meets-punk aesthetic, this troubadour will appeal to fans of Josh Ritter and Robert Blake. Also known for his work with Hot Water Music, he has performed as a solo artist since 2006 and released The Road Most Traveled, a book of tour stories, in 2012. With Jamestown Revival.
Tuesday 9.17
NOTEWORTHY: U.S. Constitution signed in Philadelphia, 1787.
Brink Lounge, 6:30 pm
With a barrage of toy instruments (bike bell, seed-pot shaker, baby rattle), a whimsical approach and powerful pipes, Dexa's electro-pop illustrates why the verb that goes with "music" is "play."
Frequency, 9 pm
The Detroit pop-punk act has released three independently funded EPs over the last two years. Hear 'em live at this show. With Let it Happen, Parias Day, and Not Made Men.
Wednesday 9.18
NOTEWORTHY: Joe Kittinger completes first solo balloon crossing of Atlantic Ocean, 1984.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
This new London quartet make some of the best post-punk around, lacing their sound with jagged rhythms, nods to the Birthday Party and intriguing expressions of sexuality. NME called their live shows "frottage-inducingly intense affairs."
Mickey's Tavern, 10 pm
The three-piece indie-rock band hails from San Francisco. Imagine early Blink 182 if they'd hung out with Pavement. With Control and Dog Hotel.
Thursday 9.19
NOTEWORTHY: The New York Times and the Washington Post publish Unabomber's manifesto, 1995.
A Room of One's Own, 6:30 pm
This Madison-based writer has been published in elite literary journals like Threepenny Review. She'll discuss her new novel, My Brother's Name, about a woman who gets drawn into her sibling's struggle with mental illness.
Alliant Energy Center's Exhibition Hall, 7:30 pm
Kanye West's ambitious protégé recently released Indicud, a rap album featuring A$AP Rocky. True Endeavors will provide free shuttle buses between UW Union South and the venue beginning at 6:30 pm. With Logic and Tyler, the Creator.
Central Library, 8 pm
With modernist design elements, a Chocolaterian cafe and tons of high-tech upgrades, the new Central Library will open on Sept. 21 (see Arts). Get a sneak peek at this event featuring a dance party, hands-on activities, an art show and music by nearly a dozen acts, including Jentri Colello, Dietrich Gosser, Golden Donna, Spires That in the Sunset Rise, the Wets and DJ Nick Nice.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
With a New Orleans brass sound fused with elements of punk and hip-hop, this Madison-area band has toured throughout the U.S. With Czarbles and Chants.
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
With a voice reminiscent of Brian Wilson's and ukulele skills to boot, May has an in with fans of the Beach Boys and Zooey Deschanel. With Dead Gaze.
Edited by the Vitruvian Man
[Editor's note: This calendar is updated with new information about the bus shuttle for the Kid Cudi show.]
