Friday 3.23
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 8 pm
The WCO features four of its own talented soloists: violinists Suzanne Beia and Leanne League, cellist Karl Lavine and trumpeter Frank Hansen. They show their stuff in an all-Baroque program that includes works by Corelli and Purcell.
UW Music Hall, 7:30 pm. Also Sunday (3 pm) & Tuesday (7:30 pm), March 25 & 27
University Opera presents Mozart's chill-inducing tale of a depraved nobleman. The production takes a contemporary approach, emphasizing themes of deception and sexual addiction.
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
The comedian is climbing the showbiz ladder, with parts in movies and TV series and a slot on the Comedians of Comedy tour. Expect world-class one-liners and many strange interludes.
Mother Fool's Coffeehouse, 8 pm
The respected author/mandolin maniac returns to Badgerland to celebrate the release of another bold, eclectic CD, Eva Destruction.
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
Lunasa's Celtic fusion includes elements of bluegrass, jazz and bass-driven grooves, which helps explain their enormous popularity in Ireland and beyond. They're joined by the exceptional singer Karan Casey, who proved her worth years ago with the band Solas.
Cafe Montmartre, 9 pm
The arch, intentionally fey band take Madison music to an entirely different place on their engaging self-titled CD. Eastern European folk, classical music, Keane and Freddie Mercury all have a place in their savory sonic stew.
Rockin' John's Retirement Party
Harmony Bar, 9:30 pm
Fortunately, WORT's longtime rock 'n' roll DJ isn't deep-sixing his radio show, but he is leaving the U.S. Postal Service. The Waterdogs, Kevin Fayte & Rocket 8 and other old friends are sure to give him a rousing sendoff.
High Noon Saloon, 10 pm
A regular feature of Michigan's hip-hop underground, One Be Lo offers up soulful, politically pointed rhymes that look all the way back to the Last Poets.
Saturday 3.24
Overture Center, 9:30-3 pm. Also Sunday, March 25, noon-3 pm
The festival features free dance, music, theatrical productions and video by such groups as Opera for the Young, Playtime Productions and the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra. There are also two spectacular ticketed events on Sunday. The Star Keeper (Capitol Theater, 1 pm), by Canada's Theatre de l'Oeil, is a wordless production built on inventive puppetry. And the Peking Acrobats (Overture Hall, 3 pm) are a group of gymnasts, jugglers and cyclists who'll amaze you with feats of balance and dexterity.
UW Engineering Hall and Engineering Centers Building, noon-5 pm
The UW invites budding scientists of all ages to a free afternoon of discovery. Programs include "The Wonders of Physics" and "Microbial Safari." See www.science.wisc.edu for more info.
Mitby Theatre at MATC-Truax, 2 pm. Also Sunday, March 25, 2 pm
In this charming children's ballet, Dance Wisconsin's Jo Jean Retrum presents her choreographic take on four Beatrix Potter stories, with original music by David Lewis Crosby. You can bring young dance fans to meet Peter Rabbit and his friends before the show.
Borders West, 2 pm
When you combine popular success, critical acclaim and major awards, it's pretty clear that the children's author is Madison's preeminent arts figure. He reads from his latest picture-book masterpiece, A Good Day.
March for Immigrant Rights
Brittingham Park to the Capitol, 2 pm
Movie star Danny Glover tags along on this rally for a humane immigration reform bill.
Madison Center for Creative and Cultural Arts, 7:30 pm
The Portland, Ore., artist gives everyone in the audience a Viewmaster and a set of her specially prepared discs, leading them through stories boosted by music and sound effects. This we gotta see.
UW Agriculture Hall Auditorium, 7:30 pm
Dyson is a commentator on TV and public radio and the author of Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster. He'll discuss Katrina's racial issues in a keynote speech for the "Creating Institutional Change" conference.
Overture Center's Overture Hall, 8 pm
The octet is filled with jazz masters (saxophonist Joshua Redman, vibist Bobby Hutcherson, trumpeter Dave Douglas) focusing on original compositions as well as new arrangements of Thelonious Monk classics. (See Tour Stop on page 17.)
Wisconsin Union Theater, 8 pm
Gunn is a hot young opera star -- "hot" as in acclaimed and "hot" as in hunky. He's winning coveted roles and working with the best of the best. Prepare to swoon as he sings works by Schubert and Wagner.
Mills Hall in the UW Humanities Bldg., 8 pm
The great UW ensemble becomes even greater with the addition of guest artists Samuel Rhodes (violist with the Juilliard String Quartet) and Bonnie Hampton (cellist with the Francesco Trio). They'll perform Brahms' sextets.
Wil-Mar Center, 8 pm
The British singer-songwriter learned how to engage audiences while busking in Europe, and he's grown into one of the U.K.'s most convincing roots players. His originals are peppered with sing-along choruses, and his shows always include at least one traditional tune.
Harmony Bar, 9:30 pm
A trio of local blues acts -- Paul Filipowicz, Mud Angels and Cash Box Kings -- make some noise for the benefit of the annual awards show.
Sunday 3.25
Klinic Bar & Grill, 9 pm
SoCal's Dark Haven avoid death-metal mediocrity by mixing relentless machine-gun beats with melodic keyboards that owe something to the earliest days of renaissance rock.
