Here is this week's critics' choice calendar. The Guide provides an extended listing of events in and around Madison.
Friday 5.16
Chazen Museum of Art, through June 8
Erbacher has altered vents, pipes and other structural elements of the Chazen for an installation titled "You Know She's a Little Bit Dangerous." She asks viewers to consider how the objects that hold the museum together might act as a metaphor for the ideological systems that underpin institutions like galleries and universities.
Through May 18, Stoughton
Once again Stoughton goes all out to celebrate the signing of the Norwegian constitution, with rosemaling, krumkake making, lefse sampling, a canoe race and approximately 100 other events over the weekend. Norwegians are, apparently, inexhaustible.
Chazen Museum of Art, through Aug. 17. Reception: Thursday, May 15, 5-8 pm
Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig, creator of the horror-punk anthem "I Want Your Skull," needs to book a trip to Madison, stat. Ancient Fishing, a 1,500-pound bronze skull sculpture, becomes a permanent installation in front of the Chazen Museum this week, after Dine unveils it at a reception featuring live music and refreshments on May 15. Inside the museum, visitors can find more than 60 other works by the prolific artist in a show titled "I Knew Him."
McKee Farms Park, 4 pm-midnight. Also Saturday (10 am-midnight) & Sunday (10 am-5 pm), May 17 & 18
Fitchburg paints the town green at this annual Irish fest, with carnival rides, bands and plenty o' food, not to mention blarney.
Donald Friedlich, Dianne Soffa
James Watrous Gallery at Overture Center, through June 29. Reception and artist talks: 5:30 pm
The Wisconsin Academy welcomes side-by-side solo shows with a two-hour reception. Friedlich's "Organic Matter" is an exhibition of glass and gold jewelry that includes pieces that mimic the shapes carefully raked into the sand of Zen gardens. Soffa's "Storm Candy" is a display of color field paintings.
Mystery to Me, 7 pm
Goose bumps are on the docket at the Monroe Street bookstore on Friday night, when Draine and Hinden discuss The Body in Bodega Bay, their chilling new thriller featuring art lore, movie trivia and, of course, a murder.
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
Vega got her start performing in Greenwich Village clubs in the early '80s. She's a legend in the neo-folk realm and one of the most acclaimed songwriters of her generation. With Ari Hest.
Acts of Love Old School Variety Show
High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm
Part of local artist Mallory Shotwell's latest project, "A Discourse on Love," this evening examines affection through the lenses of rock, folk and Motown music, plus circus arts and improv comedy. (See Music.)
Mickey's Tavern, 10 pm
This local quartet's name leaves something to be desired, but their frenzied garage rock is fulfilling as can be. They'll debut their latest LP, Scroggz Manor, at this show. With Space Raft, A Giant Dog and Disembodied Monks.
Majestic Theatre, 10 pm
Bass-heavy EDM is this artist's specialty, and the video for his 2012 single "Circles," featuring hula-hoop artist Lisa Lottie, is a must-see. With DJ Abilities and Artifakts.
Saturday 5.17
NOTEWORTHY: Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet begin exploring Mississippi River, 1673.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, through July 27
This new exhibition presents contemporary extensions of the collage tradition. Works by artists from the late 20th century show how found objects, including trash, can be used metaphorically.
Majestic Theatre, 7 pm
Channel your inner Gatsby or Daisy with this Roaring Twenties-themed party featuring vintage cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Jazz kings the Southside Aces, Four Seasons Theatre performers and DJ Nick Nice will get the crowd in the mood for period dances like the Charleston.
Oakwood Village-University Woods Center, 7 pm. Also Sunday, May 18, 1:30 pm
The local chamber ensemble concludes its season with works by composers from Australia and New Zealand.
Inferno, 7 pm
Meet the cast and crew of the web series Chic as they release a DVD of recent episodes. Attendees in racy duds receive an admission discount, so don't be afraid to repurpose a costume from Halloween. With DJ Boyfrrriend and Les Cougars.
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
Madison's twangy troublemakers celebrate three decades together with a concert dubbed "30 Years of Cheatin' and Drinkin'." The hard-hitting horn section from local funk outfit Phat Phunktion will prepare the crowd for some rowdy revelry.
Frequency, 9 pm
This Japanese band blend space-rock sounds with retro psychedelia and proto-psychedelic influences like early prog and krautrock. Their hair-raising stage antics are sure to burn this concert into your memory. With Perhaps.
Kenny's Ninth Annual Mustache Bash
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
Bring your 'staches, sideburns and soul patches: This event celebrates the end of the UW's school year with music and an inspired display of facial hair, plus live music from the Lucas Cates Band, WheelHouse and Old Soul Society.
Sunday 5.18
NOTEWORTHY: Mount St. Helens erupts in Washington, 1980.
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, 11 am-7 pm
The community radio station's annual fundraiser has moved to the south side of the Capitol Square, but the vibe should be similar to that of block parties past: Free outdoor fun featuring kids' activities, a raffle, vendors and lots of live music.
Jewish Social Services Benefit featuring Ben Sidran
Full Compass, 6:30 pm
Sidran is a singer-pianist and old-school hipster who's made his mark on the jazz and pop worlds from his perch in Madison. His name should draw a big crowd to this benefit featuring snacks and a silent auction.
Frequency, 8 pm
The British alt-rock duo take their name from a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers act, for which Rogers practiced so hard that her white dancing shoes reportedly turned red with blood. With Radkey.
Kiki's House of Righteous Music, 8 pm
Austin's skillful singer-songwriter and guitarist is part of the avant-garde world-music act the Lossy Coils.Expect an acoustic show in duo format for this visit to Kiki's.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
The instrumental metal act has emerged from a four-year break with Forever Becoming, an album filled with heavy, heady anthems. With Nothing and Sweet Cobra.
Monday 5.19
NOTEWORTHY: Marilyn Monroe sings "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, 1962.
Original Hyperion Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra
UW Humanities Building-Mills Hall, 7:30 pm
The 15-member ensemble, which formed in Madison in the 1970s, reunites with longtime conductor Karlos Moser for a concert of rags, blues and other dance-friendly musical styles from early 20th-century America.
Tuesday 5.20
NOTEWORTHY: President Abraham Lincoln signs Homestead Act into law, 1862.
A Room of One's Own, 6 pm
This author was the talk of the literary world in 2007, when Then We Came to the End, his wonderfully funny novel about a Chicago ad agency, won a PEN/Hemingway Award. He'll discuss To Rise Again at a Decent Hour, a new tale about a man who discovers he's being impersonated online.
National Geographic Live: My Wild Life
Overture Center's Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm
National Geographic TV correspondent Mireya Mayor discusses her journey to her current job, which includes being raised by Cuban immigrants, working as an NFL cheerleader, and studying rare primates as a Fulbright scholar.
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
This Tennessee band's hard-rocking cover of Lil' Wayne's "Lollipop" is especially memorable. With Devour the Day, Starset and 3 Years Hollow.
Overture Hall, 10 pm
Though best known for portraying the cocky, flirtatious Tom Haverford on NBC's Parks and Recreation, Ansari is a devastatingly funny standup performer who won top honors at HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in 2006. His 7 pm show is sold out, so tickets to the late edition will probably disappear quickly.
Wednesday 5.21
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
This installment of Ignite Madison, a TEDx-style series of presentations, explores food-related topics from a variety of mouth-watering angles.
Communion Madison Club Night featuring Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas
Frequency, 8 pm
Led by dynamic singer Jessica Hernandez, the Deltas infuse wailing Detroit soul and rock with elements of gypsy jazz. (See Tour Stop.) This show is part of the Communion live-music series, a nationwide effort to showcase hot local bands alongside up-and-coming touring acts. With Neulore, Bootstraps, Busy Living and Boom Forest.
Thursday 5.22
NOTEWORTHY: Wright brothers receive patent for their "Flying-Machine," 1906.
Crescendo Espresso Bar, 6 pm
A ukulele player, fiddler and songwriter from Boston, Walsh performs cute and catchy tunes like "Sweet Sweet Time." With Anna Laube.
A Room of One's One, 6 pm
WisCon's guests of honor read their sci-fi and fantasy fiction to fans outside the convention. Jemisin is known for her 2010 debut, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. Goto drew upon traditional Japanese folktales for Chorus of Mushrooms, which considers the effects of assimilation on minority cultures.
Edited by Conchita Wurst
