Bleached at UW Memorial Union Terrace
Here is this week's critics' choice calendar. Wisconsin Science Festival
Multiple venues, through Sept. 29
In addition to hosting visits by Nobel laureate Roald Hoffman (Friday, 3:30 pm, UW Chemistry Building), Pulitzer-winning author Deborah Blum (Saturday, 2:30 pm, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery) and evolutionary biologist Sean Carroll (Sunday, noon, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery), this celebration of curiosity features music, art, food and cool explosions. Most events happen on the UW campus; see Rhumba 4 Rainbow
UW Union South Varsity Hall, 7 pm
Eleven-piece Latin band Grupo Candela provide a live soundtrack for salsa dancing at this fundraiser for Rainbow Project, a group that provides therapy for traumatized kids. Be sure to stay for the ninth annual Madison Salsa Contest, judged by area celebs.
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
This New England gypsy-swing quartet are known for high-energy shows and a Tim Burton-esque aesthetic.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Saturday (8 pm) & Sunday (2:30 pm), Sept. 28 & 29
The symphony's season opener celebrates Wagner's 200th birthday with selections from his opera Tristan und Isolde. Other works on the program include Copland's Appalachian Spring Suite and Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherzade.
Encore Studio for the Performing Arts, 8 pm. Also Saturday, 2 & 8 pm
The local troupe for people with disabilities begins the fall season by presenting short original plays.
Overture Center Playhouse, 8 pm. Also Saturday (8 pm) & Sunday (2 pm), Sept. 28 & 29
The scrappy local ensemble's new program, Paranormal Playhouse, ushers in the Halloween season with the ghosts of departed opera divas.
Bartell Theatre, 8 pm. Also Saturday (8 pm) & Thursday (7:30 pm), Sept. 28 & Oct. 3. Through Oct. 6
StageQ stages a gender-queer adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy about group of soldiers who return victorious and in the mood to celebrate, in this case in East Hollywood.
UW Union South Sett, 8 pm
Part of the marching-band tradition that's an element of many Indian weddings, this group blends jazz, go-go, funk and more.
Second Harvest Foodbank Benefit Concert
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
DJ Head, Heatbox, Reed Grimm, Mark Joseph, Deploi, and John Schneider & a Version of Me bring their Massive Amounts of Good Tour to Madison to help stock local food pantries.
Orpheum Theater, 8 pm
A side project of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, this indie-rock act has three Madison-area members and a new album that's made a strong showing on the Billboard charts. (See Music.) With Field Report.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
These young Londoners have been a shot in the arm of British rock. (See Tour Stop.) With the Living Statues.
UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9:30 pm
Helmed by sisters from underground punk sensation Mika Miko, this band explore the tension between coupledom and independence through exuberant garage rock. With Potty Mouth.
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Dubbed "a couple of punk rockers playing alt-country music" by Isthmus reviewer Jen Herritz, this husband-and-wife duo put fire into folky material. With Shakey Graves.
Mickey's Tavern, 10 pm
Named Best New Band by Seattle Weekly, this act's punk is thoughtful and tropical. With Hollow Boys, Lover's Spit and Venus in Furs.
Saturday 9.28
NOTEWORTHY: First round-the-world flight completed, 1924.
1500-3500 blocks of Monroe Street, 10 am-5 pm
One of Madison's most appealing thoroughfares celebrates its residents for its 36th year in a row. There will be entertainment, kids' activities and sidewalk sales, and you can walk off any treats you eat in the nearby Arboretum.
One Madison Community Festival
Villager Shopping Center, noon-5 pm
This family-friendly celebration of Madison's multicultural heritage also honors the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Highlights include live music, a dance party hosted by DJ Chill, and a reading by poet Oscar Mireles.
Warner Park Duck Pond, 2 pm
Beer tastings, wiener-dog races and contests for humans of all ages are on the docket at the Mallards' digs.
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
These Grammy-winning roots musicians have written songs for Garth Brooks and the Dixie Chicks.
Frequency, 9 pm
With haunting, soaring lyrics and vibrant electropop beats, Houses' music seems tailor-made for fans of Panda Bear. Jamaican Queens draw inspiration from Southern rap beats and Brian Eno's experimental material. With Double Ewes.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
These adjunct members of Cowboy Junkies shine on stage and in the studio. Their brand-new Meet Me at the Edge of the World was produced by sought-after Grammy winner Joe Henry. With Chris Porterfield.
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
This Detroit indie-pop band got Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s blessing after sending him their music and assuring him they were not mocking him. Race over to the High Noon to hear their latest EP, Patterns. With Save the Clocktower and the Real Jaguar.
Sunday 9.29
Coliseum Bar, 1 pm
This group of talented jazz performers includes banjoist Jack Kuncl, who plays with the Cubs band at Wrigley Field.
Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors
Frequency, 8 pm
The Tennessee crowd pleasers have landed Americana ditties on TV shows like How I Met Your Mother. With David Ramirez and Max Jury.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
Filled with dark, danceable pop-rock, this group's debut LP, Secondhand Rapture, could be filed next to Florence & the Machine's catalog. With Wildcat Wildcat.
Monday 9.30
NOTEWORTHY: Babe Ruth becomes first baseball player to hit 60 home runs in one season, 1927.
Indie Coffee, 7 pm
Based in Portland, Ore., Philippe Bronchtein's songwriting project specializes in melancholy folk with a well-placed touch of humor.
Orpheum Theater, 7:30 pm
Connecticut isn't the epicenter of metalcore and hardcore punk, but it did produce this band, who've performed at headbanger meccas like Ozzfest. With Shadows Fall, the Acacia Strain and Battle Cross.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
After getting his start in the skateboarding world, this L.A. singer-songwriter introduced his mix of garage rock and blues in 2011. It's since been featured in HBO's Hung and Showtime's Californication. With Bass Drum of Death and the Hussy.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
Wright's mom composed his first material when he started rapping at age 8, but his chart-climbing 2013 mixtape, The Golden Age, flows from his own pen. With Emilio Rojas, Marcus Moody and the Cranberry Show.
Frequency, 9 pm
Though they could be considered an '80s band, this group's blend of punk, psychedelia and country influenced '90s legends Nirvana and Pavement. With Enemy Planes.
Tuesday 10.1
NOTEWORTHY: Walt Disney World opens, 1971.
Alliant Energy Center, 10 am-5 pm. Through Oct. 5
The theme for this year's celebration of all things bovine is "Center of the Dairy Universe." There'll be cattle judging, seminars, skills competitions, food and the Purple Cow Gift Shop. (Souvenir cow, anyone?)
Brink Lounge, 7 pm
This Bohemian cabaret ensemble from Portland, Ore., incorporates Ukrainian folk, tango and theatrics that have caught NPR's attention.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 2 & 3. Through Oct. 6
Get your fill of razzle-dazzle from this touring production of the Broadway smash about corruption and seduction. John O'Hurley of Seinfeld fame stars as Billy Flynn, the lawyer of a wayward chorus girl.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
This singer became a pop sensation on the heels of his older brother, Backstreet Boy Nick Carter. While fan favorites include "That's How I Beat Shaq," he's also bound to share his new single, "Where Do We Begin." With Juneau.
Wednesday 10.2
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
A regular performer at LGBT pride events, the four-time Denver Grand Slam champion offers spoken-word poetry on gender and social justice.
Frequency, 8:30 pm
These Texan rock chicks channel the spirit of Joan Jett with oldies-style pop harmonies fused with modern rockabilly. With Hunter Valentine and Krissy Krissy.
Thursday 10.3
NOTEWORTHY: Iraq gains independence from U.K., 1932.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm
This Miami ensemble's lively Afro-Cuban rhythms have been featured on Dancing With the Stars.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
Though fall has begun, this San Diego band's sunny combo of reggae and punk feels like summer. With Grieves and Rdgldgrn.
Segredo, 9 pm
Progressive and electro house are this DJ's bread and butter, and he's helped them gain traction among singer-songwriters like Tegan & Sara. With Project 46 and Walden.
