Margaret Cho
Madison continues to enjoy the autumn heat this week, with a calendar that includes: a book reading by Bill Lueders; live music by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Jason Aldean, The Walkmen with Japandroids, The New Deal, and Pigeon John; and, stand-up by Margaret Cho.
Monday 10.11
COLUMBUS DAY
NOTEWORTHY: Hillary Rodham marries Bill Clinton, 1975.
BIRTHDAYS: Actress Joan Cusack, 1962; actress Jane Krakowski, 1968.
Tuesday 10.12
BIRTHDAYS: Mutant actor Hugh Jackman, 1968; Dixie Chick Martie Maguire, 1969.
Wednesday 10.13
NOTEWORTHY: White House cornerstone laid, 1792.
BIRTHDAYS: Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer Paul Simon, 1941; pop music star Ashanti, 1980.
Borders Books West, 7 pm
Isthmus' news editor and tireless reporter discusses his book Watchdog: 25 Years of Muckraking and Rabblerousing.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
The Vermont-based rock/R&B band's organ-pumping singer is just gutsy enough to make a play for both blues festivals and the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack.
Thursday 10.14
NOTEWORTHY: 18-month-old Jessica McClure falls into abandoned backyard well, 1987.
BIRTHDAYS: Dixie Chick/patriot Natalie Maines, 1974; hip-hop artist Usher, 1978.
Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center, 7 pm
The country sensation has had not one but four number-one hits over the past five years, and he's hoping his forthcoming album, My Kind of Party, will spawn at least a few more. Check out the show to predict which of his singles will dominate the Billboard charts. With Luke Bryan and the McClymonts.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 8 pm
The standup comedian is politically progressive, sexually frank and absolutely hilarious. This show features both comedy bits and tunes from her new album, Guitarded.
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
Don't accuse the Walkmen of being slackers: They recorded almost 30 songs before choosing the 11 that appear on their new album, Lisbon. Canadian noise-pop duo Japandroids aren't slouches either, logging more than two dozen festival appearances over the past year and a half. Come celebrate both bands' hard work and your own break from the work week, which is just around the corner. With Miniature Tigers.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
This Canadian trio features a drummer, a bass player and a keyboardist, who collaborate to create a live genre they've dubbed "progressive breakbeat house." What does this mean? Though they re-create the sounds of drum machines and looped melodies, they're not recording them beforehand. With Steez.
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Take a look at the album titles by this hip-hop cult favorite and you'll realize he's quite a character: Over the past decade, he's dated your sister, sung the blues and hosted the mother of all pool parties. His brand-new album, Dragonslayer, presents him as the hero of a fantasy novel or comic book, armed with clever turns of phrase, cool instrumentation and a reference to 1980s icon Molly Ringwald. With DJ Abilities and Dark Time Sunshine.
