Punch Brothers
A new month begins this week, and a new season feels like it's almost here too. The calendar includes: talks by Michael Shermer and William Cronon; live music by Jake Dilley & the Color Pharmacy, Jacqueline Schwab, Punch Brothers, and Perpetual Groove; and, an Atlas Improv anniversary party.
Monday 3.1
BIRTHDAYS: Child star-turned-filmmaker Ron Howard, 1954.
Wisconsin Union Theater, 7:30 pm
The publisher of Skeptic magazine goes around doubting paranormal, pseudoscientific and supernatural claims. Join in the skepticism yourself in this Distinguished Lecture Series event.
Jake Dilley & the Color Pharmacy
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
As legend has it, Dilley started playing lead guitar in his brother's band, a bunch of high schoolers, when he was in sixth grade. He's just as precocious now, combining his indie rock and psych-pop performances with unique video projections and other visual treats. With the Cloth Sea and Lucas Cates Band.
Tuesday 3.2
BIRTHDAY: U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, 1953.
First Unitarian Society, 7:30 pm
The pianist has contributed to the soundtracks of numerous Ken Burns documentaries, and tonight she performs a program of iconic 19th-century American music -- Stephen Foster, Civil War songs, that sort of thing.
Wednesday 3.3
NOTEWORTHY: L.A. cops beat Rodney King, 1991.
Chazen Museum of Art, 5:30 pm
The UW historian, who was so wonderful in Ken Burns' National Parks documentary, talks about "The Riddle of Sustainability: Pondering the Environmental Past to Imagine the Human Future."
Thursday 3.4
BIRTHDAY: Famous daughter Chastity Bono, 1969.
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
Nickel Creek mandolin player Chris Thile has had his frisky digits in a lot of musical pies over the years. These days the progressive picker expresses his folk, bluegrass and classical sides with this terrifically talented acoustic group.
Atlas Improv Anniversary Party
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
The three indie-rock gents of Eau Claire's Daredevil Christopher Wright, headliners at this bash for the local comedy group, share songs from their latest CD, In Deference to a Broken Back, and perhaps some new material. Also playing: Little Red Wolf.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
Over the past few years this jam band has added more vocals and experimented with an arena-rock sound. Their keyboard riffs are evolving as well, thanks to new player John Hruby, who you may recognize from fellow jam band Guest or from his production work on recent albums by Ciara and Ludacris. With The Werks.
