Tag Archives: calendar

Event Archives

‘The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith’

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The world of music has been without Bessie Smith, the “Empress of the Blues,” for almost 80 years. Actor and singer Zonya Love will singlehandedly revive her on the Stackner Cabaret stage as part of this musical revue, channeling Smith’s exemplary voice and recounting a life as large and outrageous as her talent. The one-woman show will feature hits including “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” “St. Louis Blues” and “Tain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do.”

At the Milwaukee Rep, 108 E. Wells St. Tickets start at $45 and can be ordered at 414-224-9490 or milwaukeerep.com.

Jan. 22 to March 20

Event Archives

‘Agnes of God’

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When Agnes, a devout and innocent young nun, is found alone in her room with her dead newborn, the verdict seems clear: murder. Yet the nun claims she remembers neither her child’s conception nor birth, forcing a psychiatrist and the convent’s Mother Superior to battle over Agnes’ ultimate fate. As their struggle continues, this Renaissance Theaterworks production delves deep into the mysteries of faith, and the consequences of the truth.

At the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. Tickets are $38, with students and senior discounts available. Call 414-291-7800 or visit r-t-w.com to order.

Jan. 22 to Feb. 14


Event Archives

‘Masterworks II’

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Best-selling pianist Adam Neiman returns to the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra this January to perform two 20th-century concertos: a rarely heard work by Francis Poulenc and Shostakovich’s second piano concerto, famously featured in Fantasia 2000 as the accompaniment to a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Steadfast Tin Soldier.” Bookending the two? An initial overture (Mozart’s intro to Cosi Fan Tutte) and Schubert’s Sixth Symphony.

At Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison. Tickets range from $15 to $80 and can be ordered at 608-258-4141 or overturecenter.org.

8 p.m. Jan. 22

Event Archives

‘Russian Masters’

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Frankly Music’s already tried out an all-French program this year, but now it’s time to head east. This all-Russian program, in which violinist Frank Almond will be joined by pianist William Wolfram and cellist David Requiro, features an early work of Rachmaninov, a haunting Prokoviev sonata and a powerful trio by Shostakovich.

At Wisconsin Lutheran College, 8815 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa. Tickets range from $10 to $35 and can be purchased at franklymusic.org.

7 p.m. Jan. 18


Event Archives

Kyle Kinane

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Kyle Kinane’s biggest claim to fame so far is being the “Voice of Comedy Central,” reading promos and intros for the network. But the Illinois native’s voice is getting stronger and stronger, and the ticket sales prove it: Two of his five shows at Madison’s Comedy Club on State this month already are sold out. There’s one left each night of his time in the city (Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday at 10:30 p.m.), so you’d better chime in fast if you want a seat.

At 202 State St. Tickets are $10 Thursday, $12 Friday and $15 Saturday. Visit madisoncomedy.com to order.

Jan. 14 to 16


Event Archives

Brew City Bruisers Opening Bout

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Milwaukee’s premier roller derby league will kick off its 10th anniversary season with a pair of bouts this January at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. All four of the Brew City Bruisers’ teams will be present — Maiden Milwaukee taking on the Shevil Knevils, followed by the Crazy Eights battling the Rushin’ Rollettes — with a healthy mix of veterans and new blood to cheer on. At 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. Tickets are $15, or $18 the day of, with a $3 discount for kids, seniors and military.

Visit brewcitybruisers.com to order or for more information.

7 p.m. Jan. 16


Event Archives

‘Holes’

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Perhaps Louis Sachar’s most iconic work, Holes tells the story of 14-year-old Stanley Yelnats, the latest member of a cursed family who finds himself falsely convicted of a crime and sent to Camp Green Lake, where he does nothing but dig countless holes. What seems like another example of the family bad luck turns out to be good luck in disguise, as Stanley begins to dig up secrets and treasures that could change his life forever. This stage adaptation is one of First Stage’s most popular plays, returning once again for a one-month run.

At the Marcus Center, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee. Tickets are $13 to $33 and can be ordered at 414-267-2961 or firststage.org.

Jan. 15 to Feb. 14


Entertainment, Music

The Sets List: BoDeans, Mac DeMarco, Punk Rock Maskerade and more

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Mac DeMarco

8 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Riverside Theater, Milwaukee. $25. pabsttheater.org.

Slacker rock? Yacht rock? Blue wave? Whatever you call Mac DeMarco’s unique brand of indie rock, the multi-instrumentalist will be bringing it to a much bigger venue than anyone expected, thanks to ticket sales blasting him out of the Pabst and into the Riverside. On albums like 2014’s Salad Days and new release Another One, DeMarco has proved he’s got chops, and his live show should be the nail in the coffin to anyone writing him off as just another 20-something singer-songwriter. Alex Calder and The Courtneys open.

Punk Rock Maskerade

9 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Majestic Theatre, Madison. $10. majesticmadison.com.

Break out your best mask. Deliberately anonymous pop punk band Masked Intruder is hosting a “maskerade” ball, but there won’t be any waltzes or gavottes — just good old rock ’n’ roll. Allegedly, Masked Intruder is from Madison — though they won’t admit it — so consider this a hometown show and rock out accordingly. Also on the bill are Smoke or Fire, The Copyrights, Not Scientists and Help Desk.

Gogol Bordello

8 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Barrymore Theater, Madison. $35. barrymorelive.com.

Gypsy punk act Gogol Bordello has so many international influences these days, bandleader Eugene Hutz has stopped trying to identify the band as any one thing. That’s what makes them so exciting, 10 years on — you’re getting a lot of everything, all at once. The band is currently touring to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike, but they’ll surely squeeze in some hits from the rest of their 15-year discography too.

Midnight Reruns 

9 p.m. Nov. 14 at Cactus Club, Milwaukee. No cover. cactusclub.dostuff.info.

Milwaukee band Midnight Reruns rocked out so hard on their self-titled 2013 debut album, Tommy Stinson of The Replacements decided to produce their follow-up. And it’s here: Force of Nurture, another power pop gem that proves they’re more than just a one-time hit. They’ll celebrate the new record at this release party, with Space Raft, Sat Nite Duets and DJ Chris Schulist along for the ride.

The Chainsmokers

9 p.m. Nov. 15 at Liquid, Madison. $25 to $30. segredomadison.com.

You know “#Selfie,” the surreal, viral hit that made The Chainsmokers unexpectedly famous in early 2014. Now the EDM duo is working on broadening their reputation beyond that single song, one show at a time — and one of those shows is at downtown Madison lounge Liquid. They’ll appear with producer and DJ Matoma, as well as Shaun Frank and Louis the Child.

Drive-By Truckers

8 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Majestic Theatre, Madison. $25. majesticmadison.com.

Drive-By Truckers has been performing for nearly three decades, but their current iteration is one of their tightest lineups yet, with a stripped down feel that brought them rave reviews for their latest album, English Oceans. It should also be well-suited to the Majestic Theatre, where they’ll have a chance to prove that their reputation as one of the greatest live shows touring today is well deserved. The Dexateens — including DBT bassist Mike Patton — will open.

BoDeans

8 p.m. Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 at the Northern Lights Theater, Milwaukee. $39, $45, $49. paysbig.com.

BoDeans frontman Kurt Neumann has vowed to continue playing as long as the Waukesha-born band still has fans coming out to sing along, and that situation shows no signs of changing anytime soon. The alternative rock band helped define a genre and is considered one of the best bands to come out of the Midwest, so they’ll surely be making the most of their two-night residency here in Milwaukee. Expect “Fadeaway,” “Only Love,” “Dreams” and all the rest of their hits. 

News, Wisconsin

Calendar shows how little candidate Walker was in Wisconsin

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If it felt like Gov. Scott Walker didn’t spend much time in Wisconsin after announcing his run for president, it’s because he didn’t.

Walker’s official calendar released to The Associated Press under the state’s open records law shows he spent one day in July in Wisconsin on official business after launching his presidential candidacy July 13.Walker also spent the majority of August and September on the road campaigning, although his calendars showing what official events he attended in Wisconsin have not yet been released.

Wisconsin’s governor began his presidential campaign with great fanfare in front of thousands of supporters in Waukesha, after traveling the country and raising money as a candidate in everything but name only for six months before that.

Walker spent the 10 weeks that his campaign lasted extensively traveling the country, with a heavy focus on the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Despite rarely being in the state, Walker insisted that he was in constant contact with his staff and legislative leaders. The calendars show he had daily 15-minute conference calls scheduled with his executive staff, but no other meetings are noted.

Walker abruptly quit the race 70 days after it officially began, promising to spend more time in Wisconsin to rehabilitate his image with voters. His favorability ratings were at an all-time low of 39 percent in a Marquette University Law School poll released in August.

“The bad news is the campaign is over,” Walker told Assembly Republicans. “The good news is I’m here all the time.”

Speaking to reporters late last week for the first time since quitting the race, Walker said his strategy between now and when his term ends in 2017 was to “be there.”

“I think all of us know in a relationship you can say all you want, but the best way to make that case is to be there,” Walker said.

His calendar, released late last Friday, shows that he wasn’t in Wisconsin much after his presidential run officially began.

On July 20 he returned to attend a meeting of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and tour the grounds of the Experimental Aircraft Association convention, both in Oshkosh. Before the board meeting that day, Walker also held a ceremony to sign into law a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Walker made an unplanned return to Wisconsin five days later, on July 25, to visit the family of Carson Holmquist, a Marine killed at a Navy-Marine reserve center in Tennessee. Walker had originally planned to be campaigning outside Wisconsin that day, but canceled his events to attend Holmquist’s visitation in Grantsburg.

In terms of other official business in July, Walker’s calendar shows he was scheduled for a 30-minute conference call to be briefed three days before the WEDC board meeting, and twice reserved 30 minutes to record his weekly radio address.

Entertainment, Music

The Sets List: | Michael Jackson tribute, Al Jarreau, Dusty Medical anniversary and more

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‘80s Vs. ‘90s: Michael Jackson Birthday Edition

10 p.m. Aug. 21, at the Majestic Theater, Madison. $5, free in Michael Jackson costume. majesticmadison.com.

You can always count on a Majestic ‘80s vs. ‘90s party being a blast, but when it’s a Michael Jackson-themed anniversary bash? It’ll be thrilling, dangerous and “bad” — in the best way. DJs Nick Nice and BROOK will square off with a combination of Jackson’s discography and those of his contemporaries, as well as hosting a moonwalk competition and happy birthday singalong at midnight. Single white glove optional.

Al Jarreau 

8 p.m. Aug. 21 at Potawatomi’s Northern Lights Theater, Milwaukee. $59 to $69. paysbig.com.

This Potawatomi show marks jazz singer Al Jarreau’s return to his home city of Milwaukee, but that won’t be the only reason it’ll be a special evening. His latest album, My Old Friend, serves as a tribute to the late George Duke, a kindred spirit to Jarreau who introduced him to the Brazilian jazz style both would become associated with. Duke helped Jarreau get his start in San Francisco, inviting him to join his jazz trio for three years, and that gesture would lead Jarreau to a career full of Grammy wins and numerous other accolades.

Dusty Medical 10th Anniversary Fest 

Aug. 27 to 30, multiple locations, Milwaukee. $7 to $15, $42 for a five-night pass. 

All those bands you love? They’ve got a record label behind them. And one of the longest-running labels based in Milwaukee, rock and punk label Dusty Medical, has hit its 10th anniversary. This is an occasion certainly worth celebrating, for the label that brought us garage rock band The Goodnight Loving, psych pop group The Midwest Beat, and Reigning Sound frontman Greg Cartwright, among others. Over four days, 17 acts (including the reunited Goodnight Loving) will play sets for the label that helped them get where they are and give Milwaukee a great series of shows in the process. Check out Dusty Medical’s Facebook page for a full list of venues and schedules.

Fifth Harmony 

7 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Riverside Theater, Milwaukee. $30, $40 or $50. pabsttheater.org.

One Direction blew up quickly after their tenure on the UK version of The X-Factor, but their closest American equivalent, Fifth Harmony, has been on a low boil since leaving the show in 2012. With “Worth It,” the aggressively feminist summer anthem that’s become ubiquitous on pop radio, the five-person girl group may be finally bubbling over. Time will tell whether they can earn a place alongside the likes of other iconic acts like the Spice Girls or the Pussycat Dolls, but at least for 2015, they’ve got the zeitgeist on lock. Common Kings, Natalie LaRose and Bea Miller open.

Jimmy Buffett 

7 p.m. Aug. 22 at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy. $36 to $136. livenation.com.

The moving city-state of mind Margaritaville will take root at Alpine Valley this month, bringing with it president-for-life Jimmy Buffett. He and his Coral Reefer Band will return to the venue for a visit with Wisconsin’s Parrotheads, who can expect the usual bounty of classics like “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Come Monday” and more. ‘80s blue-eyed-soul outfit Huey Lewis and the News will open.