Primus
Madison finds itself a stop on many a music tour this week, including Dick Dale, Brett Dennen, Madeleine Peyroux, Dessa, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Dum Dum Girls, and Primus. The calendar also includes: a presentation by Eisa Davis; the spoken word show For Those Who Pray in Closets by Danez Smith; and, a performance by The Miles Davis Experience; and, a talk by Mara Hvistendahl.
Monday 10.10
NOTEWORTHY: Charged with income tax evasion, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns, 1973
UW Vilas Hall's Mitchell Theatre, 7 pm
The semester-long UW residency of Stew, the composer and playwright, continues with another presentation by an F.O.S. (Friend Of Stew). Playwright and actress Davis' The Bulrusher was a finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer, and she can be seen weekly on the new CW television series Hart of Dixie.
High Noon Saloon, 7:30 pm The King of Surf Guitar will brandish his battle ax on the High Noon's stage, proving why his wild showmanship was one of Jimi Hendrix's most potent influences. With The Waterdogs.
Tuesday 10.11
NOTEWORTHY: Second Boer War begins, South Africa, 1899.
UW Memorial Union's Fredric March Play Circle, 7 pm Danez Smith, a veteran of Madison's spoken-word scene, performs his one-man show about spirituality and queer identity.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm
Learn about the man who transformed jazz from bop to cool to modal to electric by taking in a scintillating lecture, the musings of a beat-poet-style narrator and performances by The New York Times-acclaimed Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet.
Wednesday 10.12
NOTEWORTHY: In Aden, Yemen, suicide bombers attack the U.S.S. Cole, killing 17, 2000.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm
The folk-pop singer-songwriter will share tunes from his fourth studio album, Loverboy, and, if you're lucky, his contribution to the Parenthood soundtrack, a pretty little ditty called "Darlin' Do Not Fear." With Blind Pilot.
UW Memorial Union's Great Hall, 7:30 pm
Hvistendahl is a correspondent for Science and wrote Unnatural Selection: Choosing Boys Over Girls, and the Consequences of a World Full of Men. She talks about "Sex Selection and Asia's 160 Million 'Missing' Females" at this Distinguished Lecture Series event.
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
Blessed with a voice that hints at Billie Holiday's and a convincing French accent despite her American roots, this jazz singer transitions seamlessly from Edith Piaf songs to Bob Dylan covers to jazz standards and her own material. Enjoy selections from her latest LP, Standing on the Rooftop, at this Isthmus Jazz Series performance (see Tour Stop). With Nellie McKay.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
The Doomtree MC and spoken-word artiste will showcase her brand-new album, Castor, the Twin, which is named after a pair of bright stars in the Gemini constellation and a pair of look-alike Roman gods.
Thursday 10.13
NOTEWORTHY: In Copiapó, Chile, 33 miners emerge after surviving 69 days underground, 2010.
Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
Led by pedal-steel phenom Robert Randolph, who recently landed on Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" list, this soulful six-piece blends funk and blues. Practice your hip swivels ahead of time: Randolph has been known to halt the show if the crowd's not dancing. With Ha Ha Tonka.
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
Bask in a ray of 1960s-inspired pop that also conjures memories of '80s acts such as Black Tambourine and Blondie. With Crocodiles and Colleen Green.
Orpheum Theatre, 8:30 pm
Some know Primus as a staple of grunge-era rock; others know them as the performers of the original South Park theme song. Get to know their live show and their new album, Green Naugahyde.
