What to do in Madison this week: Sept. 14-17, 2026

BAILEN, 'Where We Are' and more Isthmus Picks

by

Arts

  • Paul Cauthen, Monday, Sept. 14, Majestic, 7:30 p.m.: He might sound like Johnny Cash and look like Hank Williams III, but Paul Cauthen doesn’t pretend to be anybody other than a proud Texas-based outlaw country singer. His fifth album, Book of Paul, dropped in April and contains some of the man’s finest work — including the danceable(!) “Texas Swagger” and the laid-back Southern rocker “Bayou By You.” He’s on a North American tour that will keep him on the road until late November, but this is Cauthen’s only Wisconsin date. With Ben Chapman. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.
  • honestav, Monday, Sept. 14, The Sylvee, 8 p.m.: Packing a set of songs overflowing with emotion and based on a childhood filled with violence, trauma and pain, it’s not too surprising that this man from Missouri has a hit record called “I’d Rather Overdose.” But once you peel back the shockingly unfiltered lyrics, you find that honestav is just speaking from the life he’s known (his stage name pulls from his desire for truth and his first name, Avery — it’s pronounced “honest Av”). Singing at a rapid pace over largely guitar-centric songs, expect to hear tracks like “Know Better” (about anxiety and being overwhelmed) as well as lighter fare like the party-focused, pop-ish songs “Cool Kids” and “Wasted” to balance out all those damn feelings. With Untitled. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.
  • Jardines de Espacios: Picturing the Latino/e Perinatal Journey in Dane County, through Sept. 19, ART House 360, Verona: This exhibition presents photos and accompanying captions drawn from a Roots4Change Coop project documenting the experiences of Latina and Indigenous women through the birth process and afterwards. “Jardines de Espacios” aims to raise awareness of and spark action in response to issues faced by mothers, including rising preterm birth rates and a lack of postpartum care. A closing reception (noon-4 p.m., Sept. 19) features a talk about the project, and childcare is available with an RSVP at jardines.roots4change.coop, where you can also find information on other related events.
  • Mormon Mincers, Monday, Sept. 14, Mickey’s Tavern, 10 p.m.: It’s a Monday, and a band called Mormon Mincers is playing at Mickey’s. What else do you need to know? Well, okay: Mormon Mincers are a California duo spreading the word of doomsday prophet Joseph Mince via short blasts of grindcore sermonizing. Song titles such as “Thin Mince” and “Child Killers for Christ” may be a tip there is some satire involved here…or perhaps this is your new spiritual awakening.
  • Thinking About Music, Tuesdays, Sept. 8-22, Token Creek Concert Barn, DeForest, 7 p.m.: The Token Creek Chamber Music series is hosting Madison-based philosopher Phil Mack for a three-part lecture series considering music. If a symphony is played by different orchestras, is it the “same?” What about “Danny Boy” when interpreted by Conway Twitty rather than Dennis Day? And what about bird calls, or silence? Each presentation by Mack will be followed by time for discussion. Find info on weekly topics and tickets at tokencreekchambermusic.org.
  • Pokey LaFarge, Tuesday, Sept. 15, Atwood Music Hall, 8 p.m.: Billed as an “iconoclastic American troubadour,” Pokey LaFarge makes old-time swing, ragtime jazz and boogie blues cool again. For proof, just listen to the party single “Hambone” from his new album, Rent Money, out just before LaFarge’s arrival in Madison. The Illinois native’s music relies on timeless twangy guitars, plucky rhythms and melodies that will have the Atwood Music Hall shakin’, rattlin’ and rollin’. Georgia-based electric-folk duo Cicada Rhythm opens. Tickets at theatwoodmusichall.com.
  • Steve Fox, Wednesday, Sept. 16, Mystery to Me, 6 p.m.: Wisconsin has its share of talented and award-winning short story writers, and Steve Fox is among the best of the bunch. His second collection, These Are My People (published by Cornerstone Press at UW-Stevens Point), pulses with gripping tales of truck crashes, killer spouses, day drinkers and a whole lot more. Fox will discuss his craft with Madison author and Wisconsin Book Festival ambassador Laura Anne Bird. Seating is limited, and RSVPs are encouraged. The event also will be livestreamed via Crowdcast. Find links at mysterytomebooks.com.
  • Steady She Goes, through Sept. 27, Overture-Playhouse: Remember that sea shanty craze a few years back? It will have prepped you for the tunes in Steady She Goes. The romance of the sea. The thrill of dangerous winds and waves. Mutiny. These situations worked for Melville and audiences will be reminded of why in this true story. Mary Ann Brown Patten, back in 1856, took control of a merchant marine vessel when her husband, the captain, took ill. And move over, Ahab — she was 19 and eight months pregnant at the time. Brian Cowing directs Erica Berman’s script for Forward Theater; music arrangements are by Scott McKenna Campbell. This production is part of World Premiere Wisconsin. Shows at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, plus 2 p.m. on Sept. 19, 24 and 26. Tickets at overture.org.
  • Cantus + Imani Winds, Wednesday, Sept. 16, UW Memorial Union-Shannon Hall, 7:30 p.m.: Grammy-nominated Imani Winds and vocal ensemble Cantus — both known for pushing classical music beyond its traditional boundaries — join forces for a program that looks backward and forward at the same time. In a program titled “My Ancestors Speak,” the groups explore American spirituals and Hawaiian songs alongside music from modern composers ranging from Gloria Estefan to Chen Yi. The program also includes newly commissioned pieces by Angélica Negrón and Alex Weiser. It’s an intriguing pairing and a chance to hear two adventurous ensembles find common ground in a wide range of music. Tickets at artsticketing.wisc.edu.
  • BAILEN, Wednesday, Sept. 16, Bur Oak, 8 p.m.: BAILEN’s acclaimed 2019 debut, Thrilled to Be Here, featured anthemic folk-pop; they switched it up for synth-pop and some occasional banging beats for 2023’s Tired Hearts. Judging by the singles released ahead of their album set for release Sept. 25, the trio may combine the two approaches on SWIM!!! But no matter the setting, their indelible sibling harmonies provide a musical through-line. With Lucy Clearwater. Tickets at theburoakmadison.com.
  • PhotoMidwest Biennial Exhibition, Sept. 17-Feb. 26, Biopharmaceutical Technology Center Gallery, Fitchburg; reception Sept. 17, 4-6:30 p.m.: Every two years, the volunteer collective PhotoMidwest puts out a call to regional photographers for a special exhibition juried by a guest curator; this year that task was undertaken by Karen Irvine, deputy director of the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago. Irvine’s picks for the PhotoMidwest Biennial will be unveiled during a symposium and opening reception from 4-6:30 p.m. on Sept. 17. The exhibit in conjunction with the Promega Art Showcase is only part of PhotoMidwest’s fall festival slate, also including exhibits at the UW Arboretum, Pyle Center, Abel Contemporary Gallery and PhotoMidwest’s own gallery space. Find the full schedule and related events at photomidwest.org.
  • Pressing Issues: Printmaking as Social Justice in 1930s United States, through Dec. 13, Chazen Museum of Art; reception Oct. 8, 5-7 p.m.: The New Deal-era Works Progress Administration sent millions back to work during the Great Depression — including many visual artists. While a lot of art was designed to help lift people’s spirits, other works documented American life during hard times. The lithographs collected in “Pressing Issues: Printmaking as Social Justice in 1930s United States” mostly feature the latter thematic focus. Curator Kathryn Koca Polite (from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Krannert Art Museum, home of the exhibition’s first incarnation) says some pieces tap into “surrealist nightmare fuel.” That sounds appropriate for our current moment. Read Chali Pittman’s exhibition preview here. Historian Dana Landress will present a related talk, "Rendering Visible," making connections between images in the exhibition and our current times, at 5 p.m. Sept. 17; register at eventbrite.com.
  • Blades of Steel, Sept. 17-19, Crucible: All good things eventually come to an end. Such is the case with Blades of Steel — a multi-day metal festival that is going out in a blaze of glory after five years. Known for bringing to Madison national and international bands that rarely play these parts, Blades of Steel seemingly saved the best for last. Headliners for this year’s iteration, hailed as “The Final Ride,” include Greece’s Firewind and Finland’s Ensiferum on Thursday (showtime 6 p.m.), Sanctuary and Crimson Glory (both U.S. bands) on Friday (5 p.m.), and Metal Church (U.S.) and Raven (England) on Saturday (4 p.m.). All told, more than 20 bands will take the stage — including local and regional acts. Tickets at ticketleap.com.
  • Do it to Julia! through Sept. 27, Broom Street Theater: It’s the year of dystopian drama! This retelling and homage based on the granddaddy of all totalitarian society novels, 1984, is told from the point of view of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia. And it’s about time. With the focus on Julia and the pressure to conform, viewers may be reminded of the Apple TV series Pluribus but at the same time this remains your grandpappy’s 1984. Do it to Julia! stars Rose Popma as Julia and Matt Beyer as Winston; this Broom Street Theater production is directed by Melissa Minkoff. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
  • Where We Are, Sept. 17-20, Overture-Promenade Hall:This spunky new musical by Rae Covey features songs sung by ordinary folks having difficulty finding their way, literally and metaphorically. As one tune puts it: “One wrong turn, and you might as well be anywhere.” Each song was inspired by a real map from a real (and completely fabulous) archive called the Hand Drawn Map Association. Capital City Theatre's production of Where We Are is part of World Premiere Wisconsin. Shows at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17-18, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19, and 2 p.m. Sept. 20; tickets at overture.org.
  • Thesaurus Rex, Thursday, Sept. 17, Gamma Ray, 8 p.m.: Humor in rock can be hard to land and also easily misunderstood. Thesaurus Rex is funny, but their vibe comes across as more early 10cc than, say, master parodist “Weird Al” Yankovic. And Thesaurus Rex’s songs on their cheekily titled debut album, Greatest Hits, are as accomplished, polished and musically eclectic as both those artists. With Cause & Control, Secret Menu. Tickets at gammaray.bar.

Find the individual Picks collected here, and as part of the full calendar of events.