The Mosquitos
From The Mosquitos to Mushroomhead to Nashville Pussy to Peelander-Z, rocktober starts over the weekend. This week's collection of critic's choices in abundant arts and fun was edited by Supercapacity.
Friday 9.29
Bill Lueders
A Room of One's Own Bookstore, 6 pm
What happens when the police botch a crime investigation? Isthmus' news editor reads from his absorbing new book, Cry Rape, which tells how Patty went from rape victim to accused lawbreaker to exoneration. The reading is a fundraiser for counseling services for rape and domestic-violence victims.
Tune It Up
Orpheum Theatre, 6:30 pm
Two topnotch UW ensembles perform in this benefit for the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Wisconsin Brass Quintet brings the polished chamber music, the MadHatters the creamy a cappella harmonies.
The Duhks
Club Majestic, 7:30 pm
Winnipeg's tattoo-baring Dukhs bring a soulful acoustic approach to North American folk, samba, gospel and other traditional forms.
Kanopy Dance
Overture Center's Promenade Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Saturday (7:30 pm) & Sunday (2:30 pm), Sept. 30 & Oct. 1
The veteran Madison dance company starts its new season with "Fall For Dance: Passionate Fusion" in a joint performance with Tanya Tandias Flamenco Dance. Georgia Corner, formerly of the Erik Hawkins Dance Company, is the featured dancer.
Ugly Ducklings
Bartell Theatre, 8 pm. Also Thursday (7:30 pm) & Saturday (8 pm), Sept. 28 & 30
Stage Q gets its big gay season underway with a drama set in a girls' summer camp about two young women in love.
The Faculty Room
Bartell Theatre, 8 pm. Also Thursday & Saturday, Sept. 28 & 30, 8 pm
Mercury Players kick off their season with playwright Emily Carpenter's dark portrait of a high school in which the teachers are the biggest problem.
Glenn Miller Orchestra
Overture Center's Overture Hall, 8 pm
This authorized version of the Swing-era orchestra offers some more recent bigband numbers along with smooth Miller fare like "Moonlight Serenade" and "Tuxedo Junction."
Method Man
Barrymore Theater, 9 pm
On 4:21 ... The Day After, Wu-Tang Clan vet Method Man ducks out of the dope smoke to showcase the sharper edge of his wit. Wu-Tang members Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa share the bill.
Driftless Pony Club
King Club, 9 pm
On Cholera, Madison expats Driftless Pony Club draw on Modest Mouse and other indie-rock influences to craft their energetic off-kilter indie-pop.
The Mosquitos
The Annex, 9:30 pm
Rio native Juju Stulbach's breathy, bittersweet vocals and the NYC-based Mosquitos' breezy rhythms are an excellent balm for whatever ails you.
Th' Legendary Shack Shakers
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Jet-fueled blues harp player J.D. Wilkes leads Th' Shakers through a furious mash up of hardcore, rockabilly, blues, and more that's perfect for a sweat-soaked club show. You will be entertained.
Saturday 9.30
Arts Night Out!
UW-Madison, 11 am-midnight
For newcomers and townies alike, the UW arts community opens its doors, offering free music and art demonstrations, receptions and exhibitions, not to mention swing-dance lessons. See the Guide (page 28-33) for a complete schedule.
Monroe Street Festival
1700-1900, 2500 blocks of Monroe Street, 10 am-5 pm
One of Madison's most charming avenues features a full day of music, dance and kids' activities, not to mention bargains galore at the neighborhood shops.
Quivey's Grove Beer Fest
6261 Nesbitt Rd., noon-5 pm
The Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band provide an up-tempo blues soundtrack for this year's celebration of Wisconsin's favorite beverage. Thirty area breweries will show off their malt product.
Paoli Fall Festival
Highways PB and 69. Music from noon-3 pm
Now's your chance to check out this picturesque crossroads southwest of Madison. Browse galleries and shops, and tour what is bound to be the only reenacted War of 1812 military camp you'll see this year.
P.S. Mueller
Wonders Pub, 2 pm
Nobody captures life's everyday weirdness better than the syndicated Madison cartoonist and Isthmus contributor. Mueller signs copies of his new book, Cats and Dogs/Dogs and Cats, at one of his favorite haunts.
John DeDakis
Booked For Murder, 3 pm. Also Sunday, Oct. 1, University Bookstore-Hilldale, 2 pm
The CNN editor got his start many moons ago as a reporter at WMTV in Madison. He returns to read from Fast Track, a mystery novel set in a town that sounds suspiciously like Stoughton.
Pipers in the Prairie & Festival Fire
Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 5-8 pm
This kid-friendly fundraiser for the very worthy nature center features bagpipes, drums, storytelling and a giant bonfire ' the sort of exciting night out our pagan ancestors used to have all the time, before roller disco.
Fall photo exhibits
UW Memorial Union Galleries, 7 pm
An engaging mix of photo shows debut at various Union galleries, including the juried "Photography Midwest," featuring 43 photographers from seven states.
Shooter Jennings
Club Majestic, 7:30 pm
Yes, Jennings' parents are Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, and as you might expect from that lineage, he goes for a harder-edged, anthemic brand of country.
Oakwood Chamber Players
Oakwood Village-West Auditorium, 7:30 pm. Also Sunday, Oct. 1, 2 pm
The Oakwood Chamber Players kick off their new season with works by Shostakovich, Mozart, Haydn and O'Carollan.
Mushroomhead
The Annex, 8 pm
Mushroomhead brutalize the head, heart and, of course, the ears on their latest distillation of growl 'n' grind metal. Soil and Brand New Sin open.
Yonder Mountain String Band
Orpheum Theatre, 8 pm
On CD at least, YMSB are now experimenting with drums. Live the Coloradans are apt to stick with the up-tempo, picking-centric acoustic sound that keeps Dead Heads and other jam fans coming back gig after gig.
Sunday 10.1
Nashville Pussy
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Rocktober gets off to a crude, lewd start thanks to the Skynyrd-steeped sounds of Nashville Pussy. Needless to say, this kitty bites and scratches. Priestess and Rye Coalition open.
Monday 10.2
Everclear
Club Majestic, 8 pm
Grunge survivors Everclear boast just one original member: front man Art Alexakis. Since he's always been the voice and face of the onetime MTV regulars, you probably won't miss his old band mates.
Tuesday 10.3
Hairspray
Overture Center's Overture Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 4-5, 7:30 pm; through Oct. 8
John Waters' 1988 film about dancin' kids became a smash Broadway musical. Unlike the original show, the touring production doesn't star Harvey Fierstein in a housedress. But use your imagination.
Wednesday 10.4
Best War Ever
Borders West, 7 pm
Political spinwatchers Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber always seem a step ahead of the pundits in chronicling Washington duplicity. The Madison duo read from their new book, The Best War Ever: Lies, Damned Lies, and the Mess In Iraq.
Mary Layoun
Overture Center's Promenade Hall, 7 pm
The UW comparative literature professor tackles a timely issue: the role of women in the Middle East.
Carbon Leaf
Palace Latin Club, 8 pm
A dozen years on, Virginia's Carbon Leaf cannily balance their Celtic and R.E.M.-influenced pop-rock side on the brand new Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat. Matt Nathanson opens.
Detroit Cobras
The Annex, 8:30 pm
Singer Rachel Nagy conjures female hitmakers of the '50s and '60s, but the Cobras' re-animation of obscure oldies is free of teary nostalgia thanks to an aggressive rhythm section and punk- flavored attitude.
Peelander-Z
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
When cheeky Japanese punks Peelander-z don their brightly colored, form-fitting action-comic costumes, it's as if your favorite anime kiddie show has come to life. Only this one has a really loud soundtrack.
Thursday 10.5
Howard Zinn
Orpheum Theatre, 7 pm. Reception: 5 pm
The brilliant historian and progressive activist is here to receive a Havens Center Award for his scholarly achievements. He'll put current events in perspective during a talk called "The Uses of History and the War on Terrorism."
Street Quest
Orpheum Theater's Stage Door, 7 pm
Ever wonder about the history of Madison's oldest streets? Filmmaker Benson Gardner provides the unexpected answer in this new documentary.
Tina Schlieske
High Noon Saloon, 7 pm
Schlieske brings her smoky pipes and rockbrushed R&B back to one of the towns that embraced her with a loving bear hug during her run with the B-Sides.
The Damnwells
Cafà Montmartre, 9 pm
Brooklyn's Damnwells jingle and jangle in the manner of Tom Petty and the tamer, late period Replacements. A flirtation with majorlabeldom ended uneventfully, but they clearly have a couple hits in 'em.
