Zoë Keating
Madison remains lively with both speaking and singing this week between seasons. The calendar includes: book readings by James Leary, Rebecca Rasmussen, and Kathie Giorgio; and, live music from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Spiritual Rez, Young Widows, The Figgs, The Sea & Cake, Samuel Hutchison, Robin Trower, Zoë Keating, and Crystal Stilts.
Monday 5.16
NOTEWORTHY: Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls named National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year, 1985.
BIRTHDAYS: 007 star Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan, 1953; singer/actress/wardrobe malfunction casualty Janet Jackson, 1966.
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm
Many fans and critics regard Jones as the queen of the neo-soul movement. Find out why at this concert, which features the band's 2010 release, I Learned the Hard Way. With Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
With horns aplenty, the Boston-based combo melds reggae, rock and funk. With Mash'Allah Reggae.
Tuesday 5.17
FULL MOON
SYTTENDE MAI
NOTEWORTHY: U.S. Supreme Court hands down Brown v. Board of Education decision banning segregation in public schools, 1954.
BIRTHDAYS: Celtic vocalist Enya, 1961; Grammy-winning Nine Inch Nailer Trent Reznor, 1965.
Waunakee Library, 7 pm
The UW folklore and Scandinavian studies professor discusses "Folk Humor and Cultural Diversity in Wisconsin." If you think America's richest folkways come out of the Southeast, listen to Leary talk about the Midwest for a little while. The talk is part of an ongoing series at the library called "How We Got Here: Origins, Immigration and Community."
Barnes & Noble-West Towne, 7 pm
St. Louis-based Rasmussen discusses The Bird Sisters, her debut novel. It's about sisters who live in Spring Green.
Project Lodge, 7 pm
This trio of Kentuckyians crank out passionate post-hardcore, touring with notable groups such as Russian Circles, Daughters, and Thursday. Hear them perform tunes from their latest release, In and Out of Youth and Lightness, which received a solid 87% rating from Punknews.org. With My Disco and Control.
Wednesday 5.18
NOTEWORTHY: Mount St. Helens explodes, 1980.
BIRTHDAYS: Devo dude Mark Mothersbaugh, 1950; writer/actress Tina Fey, 1970.
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
The fun-loving rock band from upstate New York gained notoriety in the mid-1990s when they were picked up by Capitol Records. But they've settled into a more comfortable groove since parting ways with the star-studded label, backing English sensation Graham Parker on a regular basis and releasing a new album, The Man Who Fights Himself, last year. With Surgeons in Heat and Ian Olvera & the Sleepwalkers.
Frequency, 9 pm
This post-rock supergroup from Chicago features Tortoise drummer John McEntire, former Coctails guitarist Archer Prewitt, Shrimp Boat's Eric Claridge on bass, and musical mixologist Sam Prekop on vocals. They blend jazz, pop, soul and Krautrock into tasty sonic libations. With All Tiny Creatures.
Thursday 5.19
NOTEWORTHY: Marilyn Monroe sings "Happy Birthday" to President Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, 1962.
BIRTHDAYS: Ramones singer Joey Ramone, 1952; AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd, 1954.
A Room of One's Own, 6:30 pm
The Waukesha writer talks about her first novel, Home for Wayward Clocks, about a man who collects a great many timepieces.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm
The Madison Symphony Orchestra's Overture Concert Organ Subscription Season concludes with a recital by series curator Hutchison. It's called "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: The Curator's Picks for the Colossal Klais," featuring music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Guilmant and more. If you haven't heard Overture's mighty organ, you should oughta.
Barrymore Theatre, 7:30 pm
After spending five years in the Procul Harum -- the prog-rock progenitors known for "A Whiter Shade of Pale" -- the Stratocaster-toting musician founded his own power trio, releasing a double album from their latest world tour in 2008. See what the crew's been cooking up lately. With Tom Fuller.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
The former member of gothic cello-rock band Rasputina is taking her instrument to new heights by exploring rich layers of loops through her One Cello x 16 project. Get a taste of this experiment, as well as her 2010 album Into the Trees, at this performance. With subvocal.
High Noon Saloon, 8:30 pm
Riding the nugaze wave, this five-piece from Brooklyn, N.Y., revel in fuzz, feedback and distortion. Their three-minute pop songs bowled over critics when their 2008 debut, Alight of Night, hit the Internets. See how their new LP, In Love with Oblivion, compares. With Dead Luke.