Josh Thompson
Though October is winding down, the fall arts season crescendos this week in anticipation of Halloween. The calendar includes: talks by Elizabeth Kostova and Rebecca Skloot; live music by Hank III & Assjack, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Bob Dylan, Richie Cole and Five By Design, Dar Williams, Josh Thompson, and The Weepies; a performance by the Pro Arte Quartet; and, standup by Bo Burnham.
Monday 10.25
NOTEWORTHY: Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.), his wife, daughter and five others killed in plane crash, 2002.
A Room of One's Own, 6:30 pm
Best known for her Dracula-themed debut mega-smash The Historian, novelist Kostova tonight discusses her latest, The Swan Thieves, about mental illness and French Impressionism.
Kohl Center, 7 pm
Skloot's book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was chosen as this year's selection in the UW's Go Big Read project. That means people all over campus are reading and talking about this account of Lacks' short life and the scientific breakthroughs that came courtesy of her body tissues, taken without her consent (see Words).
Barrymore Theatre, 7:30 pm
Hank's developed an outlaw image over the years, but he's got one of the earliest shows in town tonight, making some wonder if he's getting soft as hear nears 40. His new album, Rebel Within, is more of a classic country celebration than an ode to ragers.
Majestic Theatre, 8:30 pm
In 1996, the SoCal band made swing fans out of thousands of moviegoers who heard their song "Go Daddy-O" in the dance scene of the cult-classic movie Swingers. Nowadays, they're keepin' it cool by performing with orchestras such as the L.A. Philharmonic and the Atlanta Symphony, and by providing the tunes for Dancing With the Stars.
Overture Hall, 10 pm
The folk legend's voice may be raspy, but it's got a strength that belies its sound. Though his 7 p.m. show is sold out, you can still catch him and his band at 10 pm and perhaps enjoy songs from his brand-new, double-disc release, The Bootleg Series Volume 9: The Witmark Demos, such as "Don't Think Twice It's All Right."
Tuesday 10.26
BIRTHDAYS: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, 1947.
Wednesday 10.27
NOTEWORTHY: Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat named Nobel Peace Prize laureates, 1978.
Richie Cole and Five By Design
Monona Terrace, 7 pm
The fiery alto sax player joins forces with the Minneapolis-based vocal group, who sing arrangements of Cole tunes at this free family-oriented concert.
Barrymore Theatre, 7:30 pm
The folky singer-songwriter has been a cult favorite on college campuses for years, thanks in part to her incisive lyrics. They deal with topics like religious conflict, gender identity and sexual orientation rather than focusing solely on peace, love and harmony. With Tracy Jane Comer.
Thursday 10.28
BIRTHDAYS: Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts, 1967.
Majestic Theatre, 7 pm
Cedarburg native Thompson has done made a name for himself in Nashville, having lately notched a couple of top-20 country singles, including the jaunty "Beer on the Table." Cheer on a native son. With the Pat Waters Band.
UW Humanities Building's Mills Hall, 7:30 pm
The UW's resident quartet performs Beethoven's String Quartet in A major, Op. 18, No. 5; Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 5 in B-flat major; and Schubert's String Quartet in A minor, D. 804.
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
The young comedian gained YouTube fame for his low-tech videos featuring politically incorrect songs about teen angst. He's gone on to find mainstream success as well as a bit of controversy from offended groups.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
This pop-folk duo might make you weep, but they're more likely to make you smile as their harmony-happy tunes recall a visit to Lilith Fair or that episode of How I Met You Mother where Robin tries to guard her sister's chastity, which features "Gotta Have You," a single from the band's excellent 2006 album Say I Am You. With Matt the Electrician.
