It's the last week before the summer season opens, and the holiday weekend starts early with the good cause of protecting vulnerable children at Dane County CASA's Stand Up and Sing! For Kids! fundraiser at the High Noon Saloon. The calendar also includes: book readings by Gilad Atzmon, John Scalzi and Richard Rashke; a touring production of Wicked; a performance by the Rhapsodie String Quartet; a new round of the Project M Challenge; and, more live music from In This Moment, The Kruger Brothers, Matthew Santos, and The Melismatics.
Monday 5.20
NOTEWORTHY: New York City taxi driver receives country's first speeding ticket for driving 12 mph, 1899.
Crystal Corner Bar, 6 pm
Last week the contestants in 105.5 FM's songwriting face-off unveiled original Wisconsin drinking songs. See what performers like Del Mar and Amberstein have brewed up for this week.
Tuesday 5.21
Glass Nickel Pizza-Atwood Ave., 7 pm
In addition to being a renowned jazz saxophonist and a member of Ian Dury's band, the Blockheads, this Israeli-born Brit is author of several books that spell out his controversial views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He'll perform and sign books at an event he's dubbed "Jazz, controversy and pizza!"
Orpheum Theater, 7:30 pm
This concert should give last week's free Fall Out Boy show a run for its money in the "Who can attract the longest line of fans?" department. Admirers will travel a long way to see alt-metal beauty Maria Brink howl her way through Blood, the band's Billboard-scorching 2012 release. With Nonpoint and Gemini Syndrome.
Wednesday 5.22
NOTEWORTHY: Grand jury indicts former Vice President Aaron Burr for treason, 1807.
Capitol Lakes' Grand Hall, 7 pm
Four of the Madison Symphony Orchestra's brightest stars perform a free recital featuring works by Haydn, Ives and Schubert.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Thursday, May 23, 7:30 pm; through June 9
The acclaimed Wizard of Oz-inspired Broadway musical wowed audiences when it last toured through Madison, and is likely to do so again. The show turns L. Frank Baum's story on its head by focusing on the witches.
Thursday 5.23
A Room of One's Own, 4 pm
The award-winning science fiction writer reads from his latest novel, The Human Division, in which the human race fights to maintain unity in the face of aliens. May the best species win.
Barnes & Noble-West, 7 pm
Rashke (The Killing of Karen Silkwood) discusses his latest book, Useful Enemies: John Demjanjuk and America's Open-Door Policy for Nazi War Criminals. He details the dark times following World War II in which the U.S. took a kindly view toward Nazis.
High Noon Saloon, 7 pm
Watch local celebs sing with the Gomers, then step up to the mic yourself at this fundraiser for Dane County CASA, which provides advocates for abused and neglected kids. With Atlas Improv and a dessert buffet.
Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm
Swiss brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger fell in love with Doc Watson's folk recordings at a young age and later moved to the States to get closer to their source. They'll honor his memory with their new album, Remembering Doc Watson.
Redamte Coffee House, 8 pm
Though best known as the source of the haunting vocals on Lupe Fiasco's "Superstar," the Minneapolis native has also collaborated with hip-hop highness Dessa and other stars of the Twin Cities music scene. With Waiting to Run.
Frequency, 9 pm
Though these Minneapolis musicians call themselves indie rockers, their biggest strength is their pop hooks, which have landed their songs on shows like MTV's The Hills. With Sexy Ester and Colorphase.
