John Kovalic
The Ides of March, St. Patrick's Day, temperatures in the 50s... this week is replete with signs of the changing season. The calendar includes: the Bolz Young Artist Competition Finals; and, more live music from Electric Six, MEN, Po' Girl, Murder By Death, The Kissers, and Victor Wooten.
Monday 3.14
NOTEWORTHY: Oscar-winning filmmaker Anthony Minghella dies, 2008.
BIRTHDAYS: Talking Heads singer-guitarist/world-music impresario David Byrne, 1952.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Whipping up a goofy smoothie of garage, disco, punk, new wave and metal at each show, this Detroit six-piece will get you to brandish your air guitar for hits like "Danger! High Voltage" and "Gay Bar," as well as their new cover of the Spinners' "The Rubberband Man." With Truck$top Girlfriend.
Tuesday 3.15
IDES OF MARCH
NOTEWORTHY: Liz Taylor marries Richard Burton for first time, 1964.
BIRTHDAYS: Singer/famous son Rockwell, 1964, actress Eva Longoria, 1975.
Frequency, 9:30 pm
Led by Le Tigre's JD Samson, this disco-meets-reggae-meets-punk band bills itself as a performance collective, stressing the sweaty excitement and revolutionary potential of live dance music. See if it lives up to the hype.
Wednesday 3.16
NOTEWORTHY: My Lai massacre, 1968.
Bolz Young Artist Competition Finals
Overture Hall, 6:45 pm
See how the younger generation handles classical music as a pianist, a cellist and two violinists face off in the competition's final round. These high school students will play with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and conductor John DeMain, and public TV and radio will be on hand to record the results. But hey, no pressure.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Banjo, clarinet, harmonica, dobro, accordion and gutbucket bass are just a few of the instruments this Canadian quartet use to make their jazzy folk songs sing. Get acquainted with their 2010 release, Follow Your Bliss, at this performance (see Tour Stop). With Peter Mulvey.
Thursday 3.17
ST. PATRICK'S DAY
NOTEWORTHY: Former Milwaukee resident Golda Meir sworn in as Israeli prime minister, 1969.
BIRTHDAYS: Actor Gary Sinise, 1955; former Badgers kicker John Hall, 1974.
Annex, 8:30 pm
The alt-country-meets-postpunk quartet from Bloomington, Ind., likes to sing about zombies, demons and other spooky characters. With Buried Beds.
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
The locally based and recently re-formed Irish-rock group lives for St. Patty's day and provides an excellent soundtrack for a night of jigs, leprechaun chasing and green-beer guzzling.
Majestic Theatre, 9 pm
The five-time Grammy winner, known to many as the bassist for Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, comes to town with his solo act and an updated, remastered edition of his 1996 solo debut, A Show of Hands. Marvel at his technique and discover why folks like Prince, Dave Matthews and Branford Marsalis have lined up to perform with him.
