The Fiery Furnaces
Monday 10.8
Tuesday 10.9
Charles Sykes
Barnes & Noble West, 7 pm
The conservative Milwaukee radio-show host (and Isthmus columnist) discusses his book 50 Rules Kids Won't Learn in School, a slap at what he calls "feel-good education."
Barry Bauman
Wisconsin Historical Society, 7 pm
The art conservator discusses his recent restoration of 16 paintings in the Wisconsin Historical Society collection, including a John Singer Sargent portrait.
Bennett Freeman
Wisconsin Union Theater, 7:30 pm
Freeman directs the social research and advocacy work of the Calvert Group, the socially responsible mutual fund. He speaks as part of the UW's Distinguished Lecture Series.
Wednesday 10.10
Wisconsin Book Festival
Through Oct. 14. See wisconsinbookfestival.org for a complete schedule
The annual event is packed with readings, lectures, discussions, workshops and children's events. Highlights of the first two days include poet Jane Hirschfield (Wednesday, Overture Center's Promenade Hall, 5 pm), environmental writers Terry Tempest Williams and Rick Bass (Wednesday, Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7 pm), 9/11 commentator Susan Faludi (Thursday, Overture Center's Promenade Hall, 7 pm) and children's author Patricia MacLachlan (Thursday, Wisconsin Union Theater, 7:30 pm).
Edgar Meyer & Mike Marshall
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
Meyer (bass) and Marshall cross the boundaries of classical music, bluegrass and Brazilian Choro music in an intriguing set of solos and duets.
Thursday 10.11
Glenn Miller Orchestra
Overture Center's Overture Hall, 7:30 pm
The big band preserves Miller's Swing Era songbook, including the classic toe-tappers "String of Pearls" and "In the Mood."
Wingra Woodwind Quintet
Morphy Hall in the UW Humanities Bldg., 7:30 pm
The UW's ace ensemble performs music by the genre-crossing American composer Alec Wilder, ranging from his classical work to his 1940s songs.
The Fiery Furnaces
Annex, 8 pm
On a new CD, Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger flirt with mainstream pop just to subvert it. Pit Er Pat and Drug Run join in the fun.
