Winter looks to be arriving hand in hand with the last month of the year. The calendar this week includes: talks by Jeremy Rifkin, Rick Marolt, Lea Jacobs, Douglas McLennan; a display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt; a screening of Beer Wars; and, live music by Randal Harrison, The Books, Melt-Banana, and Works Progress Administration.
Monday 11.30
NOTEWORTHY: President Clinton signs Brady Bill, 1993.
BIRTHDAYS: Rebel yeller Billy Idol, 1955; actor/filmmaker Ben Stiller, 1965.
Bach in a Backpack
Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, 10 am
Emmy-nominated composer Randal Harrison brings a brain bursting with classical, jazz and folk gems to the local coffee shop, adds some caffeine and sets the room on fire with the power of a single violin -- and does it before lunchtime. Now that's what you call a morning person.
Jeremy Rifkin
Wisconsin Union Theater, 7:30 pm
Whether he's talking about the perils of biotech or the potential rewards of a hydrogen-based economy, futurist Rifkin is provocative. In tonight's Distinguished Lecture Series event, he speaks on "Harnessing the Gene and Remaking the World."
The Books
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
This New York City duo don't just blend folk and electronica, they collage the two genres using a cello, a guitar and samples of all sorts, from spoken words to music to ambient noise. As a bonus, they'll play new material from their upcoming CD. With Baby Dee.
Tuesday 12.1
WORLD AIDS DAY
NOTEWORTHY: Rosa Parks arrested in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her bus seat, 1955.
BIRTHDAYS: Comedian/actress Sarah Silverman, 1970.
Rick Marolt
UW Humanities Building, Room 1641, 7:30 pm
The outspoken local activist speaks on "Why Primate Research at the UW Is Unethical."
Wednesday 12.2
FULL MOON
NOTEWORTHY: U.S. Senate censures Wisconsin Sen. Joe McCarthy, 1954.
BIRTHDAYS: Tennis star Monica Seles, 1973; Madonna tongue-hockey teammate/former Mouseketeer/tabloid fixation Britney Spears, 1981.
AIDS Memorial Quilt
Overture Center, 11 am-10 pm. Also Thursday, Dec. 3, 10 am-10 pm
Begun in 1987, the AIDS memorial quilt calls attention to a still-mysterious, still-ravaging illness, and commemorates more than 91,000 people. This showing is presented by the UW Health HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Care Program.
Lea Jacobs
Chazen Museum of Art, 5:30 pm
Jacobs is a professor in the UW's communication arts department who specializes in the silent cinema. But she won't be silent tonight. At this Focus on the Humanities event, she talkd about "Towards a History of Taste: American Film in the 1920s."
Melt-Banana
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
This Japanese band don't just make noise rock, they make noise rock that approaches the speed of light. Crazy guitar effects, frenzied moshing and vocals that range from screaming to rapping are just the tip of the iceberg. If you're really lucky, they just might play a Japanoise version of Blondie's "Heart of Glass," Devo's "Uncontrollable Urge" or, if they're high on holiday spirit, Bing Crosby's "White Christmas." Check out this week's Tour Stop for a closer look. With United Sons of Toil and Dick the Bruiser.
Beer Wars
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
The suds-themed documentary is, appropriately, the fare for this Brew & View screening, to be followed by a performance from local chamber-pop heroes Pale Young Gentlemen.
Thursday 12.3
BIRTHDAYS: Grandfather of metal Ozzy Osbourne, 1948; actress Daryl Hannah, 1960; beefy actor Brendan Fraser, 1968.
NOTEWORTHY: 17.3-inch snowfall sets 24-hour Madison record, 1990.
Douglas McLennan Works Progress Administration
Overture Center's Promenade Hall, 7 pm
In this UW Arts Enterprise Forum event, McLennan, director of the National Arts Journalism Program and editor in chief of the website
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Led by members of Nickel Creek and Toad the Wet Sprocket, this supergroup teamed up with Elvis Costello's drummer and the keyboardist from Tom Petty's band the Heartbreakers to create their self-titled debut, which hit stores in August.
