Summer officially starts this week as the calendar catches up with the season. The fun includes: a talk by Scott McCallum; a live podcast with Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier; live music by Travis Caudle, Max Weinberg's Big Band, The Spill Canvas, Alison Margaret, Mike Droho & the Compass Rose, and a benefit show for Tani Diakite; and, the Pretty Things Peepshow.
Monday 6.21
SUMMER SOLSTICE
NOTEWORTHY: U.S. Supreme Court rules Constitution protects flag-burning as an expression of political protest, 1989.
Tuesday 6.22
BIRTHDAYS: Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, 1949; Grammy-winning pop chanteuse Cyndi Lauper, 1953.
High Noon Saloon, 6 pm
The front man of Aussie pop-rock band the Woodenelves has launched a solo career, complete with an album produced by the Church's Tim Powles. Come to the show and see if his tunes are the 20-years-later answer to "Under the Milky Way." With John Statz.
UW Pyle Center, 6 pm. Also Thursday, June 24, 6 pm
The former Wisconsin governor, now president and CEO of Aidmatrix Foundation in Houston, speaks on "Building Civil Society through the Nonprofit Sector." It's part of a lecture series being held by the University of Wisconsin Center for Nonprofits.
Majestic Theatre, 7:30 pm
The dashing drummer from Conan O'Brien's late-night shows and Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band is touring with a 15-piece ensemble that worships some of America's favorite jazz performers, from Count Basie to Buddy Rich.
Wednesday 6.23
NOTEWORTHY: Senate confirms Thurgood Marshall as first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 1967.
Majestic Theatre, 7 & 10 pm
Smith, director of Clerks and Cop Out, is joined by producer Mosier in a nightclub taping of their podcast, SModcast. Like many podcasters, they ramble on about this and that.
Orpheum Theatre's Stage Door, 8 pm
The alt-rock-meets-emo-pop foursome from South Dakota is preparing to release a new album called Formalities. Get a taste of its tunes, plus those from Abnormalities, a teaser EP released in January. With Paper Lions and Mechanical Kids.
Thursday 6.24
BIRTHDAYS: Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, 1942; Robocop actor Peter Weller, 1947.
Ward-Brodt Music Mall, 7 pm
The local pianist re-creates Keith Jarrett's 1975 performance in Cologne, Germany -- the recording of which, The Köln Concert, became the most successful solo jazz album of all time.
Brink Lounge, 8 pm
Provide star-struck shrieks and applause for the local urban-pop purveyors as they create a live recording at the east-side venue. With Liza Day.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Show your support for one of Madison's favorite African musicians, who was seriously injured in a car accident in April. Chafo, Honor Among Thieves, Kikeh Mato and Samba Novistas will build a mountain of energetic melodies and danceable beats in exchange for a modest donation.
Frequency, 10 pm
With its dancing ladies, this traveling spectacle harks back to the burlesque shows of yore. A sideshow component throws in fire and sword-swallowing. Something for everyone.
