Calling all our motorcycle riding friends! There's a benefit ride for Donna Linderman this Saturday. Donna's the wife of Westside Andy and she's been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.
The fun starts with a motorcycle ride and is followed by a pig roast, and live music from two bands..the Westside Andy- Mel Ford Band at 4 and Peter Egan & The Defenders at 7. Camping is available as well.
The event starts and ends at Rick's Garden Center, 714 Taylor Lane in Stoughton. Rick and Deb say you don't have to take part in the ride to attend the party afterward.
More info here.
Do you like beer? Do you like drinking it, learning about it, exploring new flavors?
Then Madison Craft Beer Week is for you! It goes from April 29-May 8, and features all kinds of beer related tastings and events. I perused the website and these are some of the ones I found to be most compelling.
Learn how to make beer based cocktails, Saturday April 30 at Underground Kitchen. It says they run the gamut from apertif to dessert. I generally like to have cocktails and beer on completely different days, but this sounds interesting.
Biking and beer! On Sunday May 1 you can go on a New Belgium bike ride, starting at Dexter's Pub at 1pm. They'll have a bunch of New Belgium beers on tap and giveaways as well. After you've tried a few, pedal over to Ivory Room, Madhatters and Memorial Union for 1 hour stops at each place. And you thought the only thing New Belgium had to do with biking was the Fat Tire logo!
Create some Bedlam! Ale Asylum celebrates the re-release of Bedlam! IPA, and invites you to design a teddy bear to represent your darkest inner bedlam and you get a free pint of this hoppy beer. Starts at 4pm Sunday.
Monty Python's Holy Grail Night at The Cooper's Tavern, from 5-11pm Thursday May 5th,. Dress as your favorite character from that wild movie and your first pint is on the house. Best costume gets a $50 gift certificate.
For me, every week is Craft Beer Week, but this week it appears I have some extra reasons to raise a glass. Cheers!
More info on Craft Beer Week here.
You probably already know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with plenty of events going on to support the cause.
Tonight, you can help out by checking out some live music during the annual Women Rock for the Cure event, with live music at seven different venues, and proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Madison.
Many of the bands are made up of women or have female members.
Highlights include Project M contestant Beth Kille at the Brink Lounge at 7:45pm, and a little later on in the evening you can catch Blue Beyond at 11:15 at Hemingway Lounge.
Click here to see the full schedule...which also includes some establishments with food and drink specials benefiting Komen.
You can also buy Women Rock for the Cure t-shirts at Smart Motors in Madison.
Around 130 riders started off this morning on the ACT 8 Aids Ride from Olin Park in Madison and are on their way to Baraboo where they'll spend the night.
The 4-day 300-mile ride also has overnight stops in Spring Green and Albany before thy end up back in Madison for the emotional closing ceremony on Sunday.
The riders will be going through a lot of other little towns too..and you're encouraged to cheer the riders on.
Click here to find a list of cheering stations..and the approximate times the riders will be arriving.
Proceeds from the ride benefit the Aids Network in Madison. Last night more than $300,000 was raised!
For the weekend of June 18
1)Clyde Stubblefieldat the Memorial Union Terrace, Friday at 9:30pm. The original funky drummer for free!
2)Madison Blues Society Picnic: Saturday 11:30am-9:00pm at Warner Park. Free blues picnic with a great lineup all day. One difference this year--they're asking you NOT to bring any carry-ins. Plenty of delicious beer and food available in the park. Lots of post-blues picnic performances at area bars as well. Always entertaining--the Cash Box Kings (pictured above), who play at 2:45.
3)Lou & Peter Berrymanat the Harmony Bar, Sunday night 7-9pm. True Madison originals..that have to be seen and heard to be appreciated. Ask them to perform the official Madison song for you! (Madison has five officials songs; they created one of them.) $12.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Charlie & The Tree, 5:30pm Friday at the Come Back In. From Madison, they play blues, K-pop, and jazz. What's K-pop?
For the weekend of June 11, 2010.....
1)Kyle Henderson's Blue Eyed Soul, 9pm Friday at the Brink Lounge. Remember that MTV video "What's He Got, That I Ain't Got," by the Producers? Kyle was the bass player and lead singer for that band. And Jimmy Voegeli is playing keyboards with him Friday night!
2)Marquette Waterfront Festival Saturday and Sunday at Yahara Place Park. Music, sports, and kids' activities. Go see the Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band Sunday at 2:45.
3)Mounds Dogfest, 10am-3pm Sunday at Angell Park in Sun Prairie. Crazy pet contests, adoptable pet parade, and lots of "paws-on activities." Free.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Breathe Owl Breathe, at Project Lodge Sunday night at 7, along with Kenny Monroe and Anna Vogelzang. From Ann Arbor, Michigan, this duo has roots in indie, classical and traditional music.
For the weekend of June 4-------
Blue Olives at the Capital Brewery Beer Garden, Friday at 6pm. Funk and blues to go with your Capital Supper Club. Admission is free!
Cows on the Concourse: real live cows you can meet personally! Petting zoo, entertainment, dairy products, a mooing contest and the Milk Mustache Tour! Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd at Main Street, Saturday from 8am-1pm.
Ride the Drive: Walkers and bikers are kings on Sunday from 10am-4pm as John Nolen Drive and some other streets in the area are shut off to cars. Bike, walk, stroll...plus lots of other activities. Stop by the Triple M Music Stage in front of the High Noon Saloon!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Benevolent Elephant, Saturday at 10pm at Mr. Roberts. I googled and googled and could find nothing about this band. Isthmus says they play jam rock.
For Memorial Day Weekend, 2010.....
1)Westside Andy/ Mel Ford Band at the Capital Brewery Bier Garten, 6pm on Friday. It's the official opening to this summer concert staple. Featuring a harmonica player who looks cooler in sunglasses than Bono (Andy), and a guitar player who isn't afraid to play guitar with his tongue (Mel). No cover charge.
2)Gomers 25th Anniversary Yacht Rock Party: Friday night at the Majestic Theatre. It's weird that it's only their 25th anniversary..seems like we've been playing "It's Not Unusual" every Friday morning for 30 years at least.
3)World's Largest Bratfest: Friday thru Sunday at Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center. More brats and Madison bands than you can shake a stick at. My 3 Bratfest picks: Main Street Wisdom, 2pm Friday, featuring Carleen Wild and Dan Smith (as seen on TV!); Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo, Noon on Sunday, a Madison blues band that just won a bunch of MAMA awards; Honor Among Thieves, 3:10 on Sunday, a blues based Madison band featuring the ageless Andy Ewen on vocals and guitar.
Freaky Band Name of the Week:Â Kind of A Big Deal Saturday night at Babe's. No cover charge. They were going to call themselves Big F**ing Deal, but they would have had to pay royalties to Joe Biden. A cover band from Janesville...who plays stuff like Green Day and Weezer, and most importantly--Dexy's Midnight Runners!
For the weekend of May 14
Syttende Mai Festival: (Friday through Sunday) Stoughton's big hoop-de-doo celebrating the city's Norwegian heritage. Features dancing, food, an arts and crafts fair, quilt show and more. And for some reason, a lot of people think it's a great idea to walk or run from Madison to Stoughton on Saturday.
The O'Bros at the Harmony Bar Saturday night, 9:45. Jay Moran gets the band together for a reunion show...and more? They're currently in the studio recording a new album!
Ari Herstand at the Majestic Theatre, Sunday at 6:30pm. The Madison native currently lives in Minneapolis and is known for his live looping abilities, melding the guitar, keyboard, trumpet, tambourine and beatboxing seamlessly. (At least that's what it says on his website).
Freaky Band Name of the Week: The Blowtorches.A rockabilly/punk/psychobilly band that plays the Club Tavern Friday night. Free.
For the weekend of May 7....
Gallery Night: Friday night from 5-9pm. Special events and artist receptions at 65 galleries around town.
Madison Area Music Awards: Saturday night at the Capitol Theatre at the Overture Center. Madison musicians pat each other on the back..with lots of live music to keep you entertained. Plus host John Urban will keep things moving along!
Drag Down Cancer Comedy Benefit: Saturday from 7-9 at the High Noon Saloon with an after-party at Woofs. The fun includes drag queens and kings, singers, comedy and more.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Crooked Mouth String Band at Mother Fools Saturday night, 8pm. From Northern Illinois. They have Howdy Doody as their profile pic on Facebook..so you've got to like that.
For the weekend of 4/30/10.....
1)Madison Audubon Society Art Fair, Saturday from 9:30-4:30 at the Warner Park Community Center. Free parking and admission!
2)Mighty Short Bus CD Release Party: Saturday at the High Noon Saloon, 10pm. Their new album is called The Forever Endeavor.
3)The Crickets at the Stoughton Opera House. Yes, those Crickets. The guys who used to play with Buddy Holly! 7:30pm Saturday.
Freaky Band Name of the Week:Huffin' Glue, 5pm Friday at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. A country/alternative rock band from Madison. They say they get their name from the occupation of one of the band members--repairing shoes.
For the weekend of April 23...
1)King Bees at Gray's Tied House in Verona. 9pm Saturday. Is this really an 8-track release party? I guess you'll have to show up to find out! Free. (Blues)
2)Earth Day Party...on the Library Mall Saturday afternoon. With music, environmental info, and recycling of ink cartridges, cell phones, and digital phones. Noon-7pm.
3)Indigenous..Saturday night at Murphy's Tavern on East Washington, with Bluedog and the Electric Road Kings. I thought for sure it was some other band with the same name as those brothers from South Dakota...but this is the real deal. At Murphy's Tavern...which used to be Tailgators. Surprise of the week!Freaky Band Name of the Week: Roast Beef, at Mr. Roberts Saturday night. Punk. (Did you have any doubt?)
For the weekend of April 16, 2010...
1)Triple M Earth Day Concert with the Bodeans. Friday night at the Barrymore Theatre. It's a CD release party too! Their new album is called "Mr. Sad Clown."
2)Dane County Farmers Market, on the Capitol Square Saturday. It's the first outdoor market of the season, so that makes it so much more special.
3)Cross Canadian Ragweedwith openers Madison's very own Mighty Short Bus, 9 pm Saturday at the Majestic Theatre.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Let's Wrestle..at the Annex Satuarday night with Quasi, and the Hemlines. Described as grunge-salsa-Dutch pop. What? They're from London.
For the weekend of April 9, 2010....
1)Queenie & The Blue Cats: 5-7pm Friday at the Memorial Terrace (or inside if the weather is inclement.) Start your weekend off right with some fun blues! Free!
2)Mustard Museum Grand Opening: at the new Mustard Museum on Parmenter Street in Middleton. Starts off Friday night at 6:30 with the ribbon cutting and arrival of the last mustard from Mt. Horeb. Events Saturday and Sunday too. Will the new location cut the mustard? (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)
3)Wisconsin Gourd Festival: Saturday from 9am-4pm at Olbrich Gardens. I'm not making this up--there will be a gourd art competition, vendors selling gourd related items, and music by Moldy Jam & Djam Vivie. Free admission (workshops cost extra). Simply Gourd-tastic!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Turbo Fruits, at the High Noon Saloon with Mission of Burma and Surfer Blood. Jungle/surf/rock from Tennessee. Click the link to hear a song called "Mama's Mad 'Cos I Fried My Brain." Like the kids say: awesomeness.
For the weekend of April 2, 2010...The Jimmysat the Hody Bar, 9pm Friday. Go see our favorite farmer rock star JimmyVoegeli work those keys! A great piano based blues band...and no cover charge.
Madison Comic Book Convention, Saturday from 10-4 at the Howard Johnson Plaza on East Washington Avenue. Dealers from 3 states will be selling old and new comic books and related stuff. Bring your old comics to sell! And you get to see if comic book collectors are anything like they're depicted on TV and in the movies.
Mark Croft, Saturday night at the Club Tavern. No cover charge! Very talented singer-songwriter who does highly original acoustic rock/Â folk/Americana music. He's currently raising money to record a new CD.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: The Mustache, at the Pub Friday at 10pm. Sorry, I couldn't find anything about this band on the internet. How very strange. If you know anything about them, let me know.
For the weekend of 3/26/10....
1)OxFam America Hunger Banquet. 5-7pm Friday at the Goodman Community Center on Waubesa Street.  Dine at three different income levels chosen by lottery. Plus speakers on current hunger fighting efforts. It's kind of like when you were in college and all you could afford was ramen noodles and your room-mate was having Lobster Newburg and Caesar salad, only with global implications.  It's free with donations(money or food) to the Goodman Community Center Food Pantry.
2)Mighty Short Busat the Bean, Saturday at 9:30pm. They describe their music as a Rock/Americana/Southern influenced band. I just call it original and awesome. (Got to work on my adjectives. Better re-subscribe to Rolling Stone).
3)Collectibles Flea Market: Sunday from 10-4 at the Barrymore Theatre. Free admission. You never know what kind of treasures you might find!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Lee Harvey Osmond. Opening for the Cowboy Junkies at the Majestic Theatre Friday night. Despite their name..theyre not much like a presidential assassin or a 70's teen idol. Also from Canada, they describe their music as "acid-folk."
For the weekend of March 19, 2010....
1)Needtobreathe, with Stephen Kellogg and Graham Colton Friday night at the Majestic Theatre. 8:30pm. BONUS: Check out Needtobreathe at Lunchtime at the Food Court at the new University Square on campus. A free acoustic show, plus a chance to meet the band. Noon on Friday!
2)Cash Box KingsCD release party, Saturday night at the Crystal Corner.  This traditional Chicago blues band is bringing out some heavy hitters to play with them for their CD release party. Oscar Wilson, Joel Paterson and Clyde Stubblefield will be sittin' in! The new album is called "I-94 Blues."
3) Benefit for Laurie Koch, Sunday at 1pm at Hawthorn's in Oregon. Laurie is a longtime friend of the Club Tavern, who went to work at the salon above the club in 1988. She's recovering from some pretty serious medical issues and could use some help. The event includes a $10 spaghetti dinner, with door prize entry form, live music from the Petty Things and Joel Pingatore and the Playground of Sound, door prizes, raffles, silent auction and more.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Crappy Dracula, at the Frequency Sunday night. Punk from Milwaukee. Songs include the peppy "Â Hospital Waste Management Facility Party." Â With The Type and Earl Foss and the Brown Derby.
A lot of bars in the area are offering Irish beers and corned beef and cabbage, but here's a list of St. Patrick's Day parties that offer some live music with an Irish twist....Mark Croftat Quaker Steak and Lube, 3-7pm. The local singer songwriter is not known for his Irish folk ditties...but I know he has at least one up his sleeve. (See below for a new video from Mark, directed by my old radio pal, John Urban!)
O'Darby at the Brink Lounge, 5:30pm. Plenty of Clancy Bros and other Irish drinking songs. A guitar, fiddle, washboard, accordion band with fine musicians Ken Lonnquist, Pete Burns, Dave Adler and Jon Vriesacker.
Irish Open Jam at Brocach Irish Pub, 8pm. Free.
Stone Ring, 6pm;The Pints10pm at the Club Tavern in Middleton. Plus they'll have corned beef and cabbage, green beads...and the world's largest leprechaun (Moosie).
The Pints,7pm; Â Whiskey Lash All Stars, 9pm at the High Noon Saloon. Irish pub rock. The Whiskey Lash All Stars feature some members of Madison's very own Kissers!
Great Big Seaat the Majestic, 8pm. $27. Celtic tinged rock from Canada!
Danu, at the Capitol Theatre at the Overture Center, 7:30pm. Traditional Irish music--actually from Ireland!
**New video from Mark Croft
"Don't Speak" Mark Croft from John Urban on Vimeo.
From Ireland to Africa and beyond!
For the weekend of March 12, 2010
1)The Kissersat the Majestic Theatre. 9:30pm Saturday. Let the St. Patty's Day celebration begin! Anybody who gets up early enough to be on our show gets our hearty endorsement. And a bowl of Lucky Charms! ($15)
2)Harmony Bar Anniversary Party: Sunday 1pm-10pm at the Barrymore Theatre. Bel-Airs, Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band, The Jimmy's, Cash Box Kings, Jim Schwall/Andy Ewen, The Midwesterners, The Roddys, Jimmy Chuck and the Drunken Sailors. Celebrate 20 years of live music at the Harmony. Admission is just $5 and the donation goes to the Goodman Community Center.
3) Drumming For Hope: at the Lussier Teen Center Sunday from 3 to 7pm. Fundraiser for African Youth Outreach, with performances, kids' activities, and a drum circle.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Canyons of Static, with United Sons of Toil and King's Horses at Project Lodge, Saturday night at 6:30. (Ambient/experimental/shoegaze music from the musical hotbed of West Bend Wisconsin!)
For the weekend of March 5, 2010---
Elevation--Friday night at the Club Tavern. It's a U2 tribute band. You''ll probably never see Bono and the boys for free, so why not check this band out instead? They're the greatest U2 tribute band in the world (self -proclaimed). And they're here on a midwest tour sponsored by Guiness, so they've got some cred. No cover charge!
International Festivalat the Overture Center, 11am Saturday. With music, dance, food, crafts and more.   Oh wait...I almost forgot to mention the puppets and Swiss alphorns. A great way to expose your family to other cultures. And it's FREE!
G. Love and Special Sauce: Saturday night at the Barrymore with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad (which gets an honorable mention for freaky band name of the week).
FREAKY BAND NAME OF THE WEEK: Pimps of Joytime, Friday night at the Memorial Union. A soul funk band from Brooklyn, Baby! With Andrew Ripp, Ben Rector, Steve Moakle. 8pm, free.
For the weekend of Feb. 26, 2010----
Lou and Peter Berryman: Friday night at the Stoughton Opera House, 7:30pm. These beloved songsters will have you laughing and shaking your heads with songs like "When did we have sauerkraut?" and "Walking with Roget." Never knew there were so many worlds for "walk." $15.
Sean Michael DarganCD release party, Saturday at 5pm at the High Noon Saloon. Early show! I'm not sure if he'll bring the bagpipes along, but he will most likely be wearing a bow tie. Joining Jonathan and Kitty Friday morning for a preview! The new CD is "Snap Your Fingers and Stomp Your Feet." $10.
Scrabble Tournament: Starts at noon Saturday at Hilldale. It's a benefit for Madison Family Literacy. I'd give it a shot, but would probably get these letters: A A I I O L Q.Â
Freaky Band Name of the Week:Enchanted Ape, at the Alchemy Cafe, 10pm Saturday. Roots/jam rock from Minneapolis. Check out the link. Their website is pretty cool..and they don't sound too bad! Gypsy Lumberjack opens.  No cover!
For the weekend of February 19, 2010----
1)Madison Winter Festival: On the Capitol Square Saturday from 8am-8pm, and Sunday from 8am-4pm. Public skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice sculpting and more.
2)Duck Soup Cinemaat the Capitol Theatre at the Overture Center, Saturday at 2pm and 7pm. The fun starts with an old style vaudeville show and the shenanigans of Triple M pal Joe Thompson, then concludes with the silent movie Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush, accompanied by a live organ. Retro-cool.
3)The Wizenhiemersat the Bean, Saturday night at 9:30. Where have these guys been? You could ask them that right before you request "Go You Packers, Go, Go."
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Love Handles, Friday night at the Club Tavern. You've got to be brave to call your band Love Handles. I know nothing about them...except I betcha the members are all guys. No cover.
For the weekend of Feb. 12, 2010----
1)Willy Porterat the Majestic Theatre, Friday night at 8:30pm. Great singer-songwriter, AMAZING finger-picking guitar, plus a sense of humor. (And the nicest guy you'll ever know!)
2)Bascom Hillat the High Noon Saloon, Saturday night 7pm. See them off before they head to California for the Sunset Sessions, a big music industry event.
3)Al Dykema Memorial Concert at the Club Tavern in Middleton, Sunday at 2pm. Al, aka Floyd from Floyd and the Void recently lost a lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis. A great friend of Triple M and Jonathan & Kitty (and a great guy), Floyd will be remembered musically by his band The Void, Tracks Outta Town, and the Mark David Group. No cover charge, but donations for CF are appreciated. Door prizes and raffle too.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: The Henhouse Prowlersat the High Noon Saloon Friday night. Traditional bluegrass from Chicago. (So traditional they wear suits!)
For the weekend of Feb. 5, 2010----
1)Kids Rock! 1pm Saturday at the High Noon Saloon. Madison Children's Museum event including toddler sing-a-long, Truly Remarkable Loon, crafts, snacks..and Kid-oke..a chance for kids to sing along with the Gomers at 3pm. $40 for a family of four.
2)Souper Bowl: Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser at the West High School Cafeteria, 3pm Saturday. Yummy soup and a hand-made ceramic bowl you get to keep. $15.
3)Freedy Johnston: Saturday night at 10pm at the Frequency. It's been a while since he had that hit "Bad Reputation," but he has just released a new album called "Rain on the City," his first new album in 8 years!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Naughty Chair, at Badger Bowl Saturday night. Their website says they're the close sibling of the Milwaukee Def Leppard tribute band, Photograph. Now they play a wider range of hard rock covers.
For the weekend of January 29-----
1. Jorma Kaukonenat the Barrymore Theatre Friday night at 8. The amazing former Jefferson Airplane treats us to his amazing guitar playing and country blues chops. He's joined by David Bromberg for this show.
2. Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest, at the Alliant Energy Center Saturday from 1-5pm. Wisconsin breweries make some fantastic beers--and this is a chance to try many of them, and see how they taste when paired with a variety of cheeses and yes, even chocolates! Plus bluegrass from the Cork 'n' Bottle String Band.
3. American Cancer Society Benefit with The Rousers, Paul Filipowicz and the James Rolland Band. Starts at 1pm Sunday at the Harmony Bar.
Freaky Band Name of the Week:The Catalog Babies. With the Arge and the Pointy Birds Friday night at the Frequency. I could find nothing about this band on the internet, but the listing says "rock."
For the weekend of January 22-----
1. Tea Leaf Green: 9:30 Friday at the High Noon Saloon. Got your jam on? Jam-rock from San Francisco. Opener: Elmwood.
2. Wisconsin Dells FlakeOut Festival: Friday thru Sunday in the Dells. New location near Buffalo Phils and the Tanger Outlet Mall. Snow sculpting competition, Craft Show, kids activities and new this year--an ice maze!
3. Stand with Haiti Benefit Concert:Â Sunday at 3pm at the Barrymore Theatre. With The Gomers, Honor Among Thieves, Piper Road Spring Band members, Sean Michael Dargan Band, the Stellanovas and Tony Brown. Proceeds go to Partners in Health.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Rayging Whoarmoans, 10pm Saturday night at the Frequency. I know nothing about this band, but they're on the bill with Bible of the Devil. I'm afraid. Very afraid.
For the weekend of January 15, 2010
Bald Eagle Watching Day: This is a great time to see eagles flying and getting their fill of fish on the open waters of the Wisconsin River in Sauk County, and this Saturday there are bus tours, kids activities, exhibits and more. Bus tours from 8am-1pm, but the event goes until 4. At Sauk Prairie High School.
Madfest Juggling Festival: 6pm-midnight Friday, and 9:30-5pm Saturday at MATC Truax. Plus, and Extravaganza Variety Show Saturday night at the Wisconsin Union Theatre, and a "Renegade" show Saturday night at 10:30 at the High Noon Saloon. It's free, except for the Extravaganza--tickets for that are $10 in advance, $13 at the door. Gotta love this disclaimer from the website. For those wishing to juggle knives, chain saws, flaming kittens, or anything that might damage the expansive floors of our venue, space will be provided on Lake Mendota (notice we did not say near Lake Mendota). Inside there will be juggling, workshops, catching, demos, dropping, competitions, pickups, vendors, excuses, parties, apologies, a raffle, and relief from wind chill low enough to shrivel silicone.Tony Rocker and the Comeback Special: Elvis Tribute Saturday night at the East Side Club. Dinner at 6:30, Show at 7:45. For those of you who didn't get enough Elvis last weekend on what would have been his 75th birthday.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Bathtub Mothers, at the Main Street Pour House in Stoughton, 8pm Saturday. Sorry, but I just don't get this name. Acoustic blues, country, rock from Madison.
For the weekend of January 8, 2010...
Hot L Baltimore: Most of you probably don't remember the TV show version of this classic play..but it starred the woman who plays Berta on Two and Half Men. While she's not involved in the Madison Theatre Guild Production, it should still be worth seeing. At the Bartell Theatre, Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday 3 and 7:30.
Honor Among Thieves at the Harmony Bar, Saturday 9:45pm. This is one of the first bands I saw when I moved to Madison in 1989. They don't play out as often any more..so catch 'em while you can. Isthmus calls their music a mixture of rock, blues, klezmer, jazz and funk. I just call it good.Â
Rocky Horror Picture Show, Saturday at 10pm at the Majestic. If it's been a while since you brought toast to the movies, this is your chance. Let's do the time warp again!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Surgeons in Heat, opening for the Blueheels at the Frequency Friday night. Old Panther is also on the bill.
For the weekend of 12/18/09......
1) The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged. 8pm Friday, 2pm and 8pm Saturday, and 2pm Sunday in the Playhouse at the Overture Center. I sure wish the Reduced Shakespeare Company would have been my 10th grade English teacher. Then I might not have grown to hate iambic pentameter.
2) Houses In Motion at the High Noon Saloon, Saturday 10pm. I've been hearing good things about this Talking Heads tribute band.
3) Starkweather Solstice Bonfire, starts at 4pm Sunday at Olbrich Park. Celebrate the day before the shortest day of the year with hot cider and cocoa, and a bonfire to warm your tootsies. Free.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Sowbelly Bitchhog, at the Frequency Saturday night. It's a rock band from Onalaska. Part of the Droids Attack "Destroy All Christmas" party. How festive.
For the weekend of Dec. 11---
1)Mighty Short Bus at the Club Tavern, Friday at 9:30pm. A chance to see this great local band with no cover charge! Plus it's singer Frank Busch's Birthday. Woo-hoo!
2)The Pistols at Dawn, at the Crystal Corner Bar Saturday at 9:30. Would you believe a surf punk  metal band? I saw them this summer at the Locker Room and they leaned heavily on the surf side. If you like the sound of a Farfisa organ you should check them out. Also on the bill: Sky Road Fly and the Madtown Vipers.
3) Found Footage Festival Saturday at 7 & 9 at the Orpheum Theatre. What if somebody found those old videos of dinner at Grandma's? Or the time you tried to create a spy movie with your best friend? And put them on the big screen? That's kind of what this is like. Former Stoughton residents Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett bring their touring production of clips from bad VHS tapes, along with witty commentary. Get a preview here.
Freaky Band Name of the Week:Libido Funk Circus, at Scatz Friday at 9:30. A funk,classic rock , pop band. Hey, they cover "Come On Eileen" so they can't be all bad. They're from Chicago.
For the weekend of December 4----------
1) 13th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Festival, Saturday from 9 to 5 at Monona Terrace. Clothing, home decor, pottery, weaving, food gifts and more from Latin America, Africa, around the world and around Wisconsin. Just down the hall from the indoor Dane County Farmers Market!
2) Her Majesty's Winter Renaissance Festival, Saturday and Sunday at the old Marshall's Store on Whitney Way (near Guitar Center). There will be music, dancing, swordsmen, pirates..and even catapults at this event that takes us back a few centuries. Admission is $7 per day. Save $1.50 if you come in period costume.
3)Mark Harrod CD release party, Sunday at 4pm at High Noon Saloon. Also playing: Whitney Mann and Nick Matthews . All 3 were contestants in Triple M's reality show earlier this year!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Meeting of Important People, Saturday night at the Frequency. With El tin fun and Noise Floor. They're an indie rock/pop band from Pittsburgh.
Thanksgiving weekend edition!
1) Turkey Leftovers: this isn't a band name or anything...I just LOVE turkey leftovers, in sandwiches. With Miracle Whip.
2) Natty Nation, F. Stokes, T.U.G.G. and Tropical Riddims Sound System Friday at 9pm at the High Noon Saloon. Reggae every day keeps winter away, right?
3) Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert: Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 1pm at the Madison Marriott West.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Unprotected Sex, at the Frequency Saturday night at 8. They're a meta band. That's all I know. I'm afraid to type their name into a search engine.
For the weekend of Nov. 20
Holiday Art Fair: Over 100 artists take over the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and Overture Center, with all kinds of gift ideas. Plus gourmet food and music too. Friday noon-5, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-3. Admission is $4.
Carrie Newcomerw/the Stellanovas. The singer songwriter teams up with the jazzy Madisonians for a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. 7:30 Friday night at the Brink Lounge
Holiday Fantasy in Lights: Drive through display of animated lights, Â through Jan. 3 at Olin Tourville Park. Beat the holiday rush!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: A Farewell to Silence, at the UW Memorial Union Rathskellar Saturday night with United Sons of Toil and High Hopes, 9:30pm. Free. Hardcore, screamo (?)Â alternative from Eau Claire.
Kitty's picks for the weekend of November 5...
1)Mark Croft w/Beth Killeat the Brink Lounge, Saturday at 8:30pm. A great show with two great entertainers! You may remember Beth from the band Clear Blue Betty...she left for Texas for a while, but she's back! (John Urban made a cool promo video..see below!)
2) Old Crow Medicine Show, at the Barrymore Theatre Sunday night. American Roots music with a rock and roll attitude!
3) Tales from Planet Earth: films and events with environmental themes at various downtown venues throughout the weekend. Includes the award-winning documentary "Trouble The Water," about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the lower 9th ward of New Orleans.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Semi-precious Weapons, with the Sounds, Foxy Shazam, Diamonds, at the Majestic Saturday night. 8:30pm.
Go see Mark Croft!
Some Freakfest alternatives!
1)Beakers and Broomsticks, from 5:30-8pm Friday at the Madison Children's Museum. With music, a costume parade, wacky experiments and more. Tickets required.
2)Ben Foldsat Overture Hall, Friday at 7:30pm. He plays piano as if it were a contact sport! One of two people this weekend that makes me wish I would have stuck with piano lessons.
3) The Jimmysat the Harmony Bar Saturday night. Piano driven blues! It's the Jimmy's Helloween special..and could be scary! The other guy that makes me wish I would have listened to my mom and practiced the piano.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: HypnopotamusSaturday night at 9pm at the Brink Lounge. Funk, soul, & Â jazz from right here in Madtown!
For the weekend of October 23
1. Women Rock for the Cure: Friday night at various venues which are donating a portion of proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, for breast cancer research. See the lineup here.
2. Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Halloween ConcertFriday night at 7 at Mitby Theatre at MATC. Triple M's Jonathan Suttin and Heather are emcees for this spooktacular kid-friendly concert. Includes a kids' costume parade!
3.Zombie Lurch: The Coalition of the Living Dead invites you to gather in full costume at 2pm Saturday at the Capitol Square and State Street. Then shuffle on down to the Memorial Union. Get there early to see the COLD Corpse de Ballet's performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Below: see a video from a previous year's Zombie Lurch. Caution...don't watch it alone!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Piano Piano Explodeat Mr. Roberts Saturday night, with Soul Shaker, 10pm. Psychedelic pop/rock from Madison.
For the weekend of Oct. 16, 2009
Keller Williams8pm Saturday at the Barrymore Theatre. He's a one man jam band extravaganza!
Wisconsin Dells Autumn Harvest Fest: Saturday and Sunday in downtown Wisconsin Dells. Includes scarecrow stuffing contests, kids activities and the Wisconsin Dells on Tap Micro-Brew Tasting on Saturday from noon-5. Fun, fun, fun..and the autumn colors are at peak right now. (I'm excited because once again I am a judge for Dells on Tap!)
International Kite Fly for Peace: Sunday from 11am-4:30pm at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg. Kite making for kids, displays, music and more. Free.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Spires That In the Sunset Rise, with Trin Tran, Peaking Lights, and Birds of Avalon, 10pm Friday at the Frequency. A female duo from Madison and Chicago. Music is described as "mystical" and not for the casual listener.
The weekend of Oct. 9-11:
1. Giant Pumpkin Regatta: UW Horticulture students race paddle giant hollowed out pumpkins. Saturday, 12:30 pm on Lake Mendota at the Memorial Union. A couple of years ago there were so many people watching from the pier that it crashed into the water and dumped a whole bunch of people. Will it be that exciting this year?
2. Wisconsin Book Festival: at bookstores and venues all over town. Includes Wisconsin author Jane Hamilton, along with David Rhodes, Saturday 7:30pm at Promenade Hall at the Overture Center.
 3. Tracy Nelson Band featuring Ben Sidran, Friday 8pm at the Barrymore. Tracy can still belt it out..and with local piano man Sidran backing her up, you can't go wrong.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: We All Have Hooks for Hands..Saturday night at the Memorial Union Rathskellar. With Sian Alice Group, Jeremy Messersmith. 8:30pm.(Free, 18+). Indie pop from Sioux Falls.
For the weekend of 10/2/09
The Jimmysat the Bean, Friday night at 9:30. Yeah..this is Jimmy Voegeli's blues band...that same Jimmy featured in the video in my previous post. He says he's invited farmers from all over the world...so this could be your chance to meet a dairy expert from Denmark, or an agriculturist from Argentina.
Ducktoberfest:Â A German fest at the Duck Pond at Warner Park. It's kinda like a Mallards game, without the baseball getting in the way of the fun. 2-8pm Saturday with a kids' carnival, dachshund races, food and beer. Entertainment lineup: Greg Anderson Band @ 2pm, Mama Digdowns Brass Band @ 3:45, Gomeroke @ 5pm and square dancing @ 6:30. Rain or shine. Tickets are 5 bucks.
Great Fire Truck Parade: 1pm Sunday up State Street to the Capitol (from Lake Street). Fire trucks from 30 different departments. After the parade, the trucks will be displayed until 3pm. Kicking off Fire Prevention Week!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Mahogany Frog, Sunday at the Frequency with Mystery Palace and Concentric. Mahogony Frog is an experimental jazz rock band from Winnipeg, Canada.
For the weekend of September 24
1. Mike Gordon at the Barrymore Theatre, 8pm Saturday. The bass player from Phish rips it up! I have a hunch that Gabby Parsons may be there with a BIG smile on her face.
2. Food for Thought Festival, Saturday from 8am to 1:30pm on Martin Luther King Blvd. Veer off your usual path at the Farmers Market to check this out. Author Michael Pollan is the keynote speaker at 10am. Also--food samples, cooking demonstrations, and kids activities.
3. Michael Franti & Spearhead at the Wisconsin Union Theatre, 8pm Sunday. I'm pretty sure some dancing in the aisles will happen on this one! Hopefully he'll sing "Say Hey I Love You," the most feel-good song of the year!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: The Urinals, at the High Noon Saloon with Killdozer and Mannequin Men Friday night. I wonder if the Urinals' fans are always p***ed off. (Side note: this band has also been known as Chairs of Perception, which is another freaky name, if you ask me).
For the weekend of 9/18
Day on the Farm: Join us at Treinen Farm near Lodi from 1-5pm on Saturday. Make your way thru the corn maze, treat yourself to Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream (may I recommend the Kitty Kitty Bang Bang flavor?) Plus live music from Mike Droho. Tickets are $8 and benefit the Autism Society of Greater Madison.
Willy Street Fair: Last chance to see all your friends before they hibernate for the winter. Saturday and Sunday on Willy Street, with tons of free live music, ethnic food, far-out stuff from plenty of vendors, and don't forget the parade Sunday morning at 11.
BamFest: Can't call it the Belleville American Music Festival any more, because this year it's at the East Side Club on Monona Drive. The lineup includes Chris Duarte, Aaron Williams and The Hoodoo, the Electric Road Kings, and more.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Purple Crush at the Orpheum Theatre's Grand Lobby, Friday at 6:30pm. Part of the Forward Music Festival, with similarly themed lineups all over town all weekend.
Willy Street Warm-up! Jonathan Suttin is not exactly what you'd call a hippie, so I had to help him get in the right spirit for this weekend's festival.
For the Weekend of 9/4/09
Wisconsin State Cowchip Throw: Friday and Saturday at Marion Park in Prairie Du Sac. Dennis DeYoung plays a free show Friday night. No word on what kind of chips he may throw.
Colon Cancer Prevention Benefit: Friday night from 5:00 to 9:00pm at Art in the Barn in Fitchburg. Great entertainment for a great cause, including the Madison area band Moondance. Proceeds go to research on an early detection colon cancer screening--a blood test, which would be much less invasive then a colonoscopy. Art in the Barn is now easier to get to now that Fish Hatchery Road construction is complete.LaborFest: To remind us of what this three day weekend is all about! Monday from noon-5:30 at the South Central Federation of Labor on Park Street. Music from Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band, Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans. Plus some union rabble rousing. Free.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Paper Mache, at the Brink Lounge Saturday night. Along with The Stoves, Noah Gunderson and Meteorade. Paper Mache is described as an indie, shoegaze, folk rock band from Spokane.
For the weekend of August 28, 2009
1. Dan Baird, Mauro Magellan, Keith Christopher at Scatz in Middleton. Friday night at at 9pm. $10. Featuring former members of Georgia Satellites. "I got a little change in my pocket, going jing-a-ling-a-ling.."
2. Orton Park Festival, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Orton Park on Madison's east side. Highlights include the Rousers and Robbie Fulks on Saturday, and Lynette's Enchanted and the Cash Box Kings on Sunday. (Robbie Fulks also plays after the festival Saturday night at the High Noon Saloon, but that will cost you $8). There's also an International Dinner on Friday.
3. Ride the Drive, Sunday from 8am to 2pm on East Washington Avenue and John Nolen Drive. Mayor Dave had this crazy idea to block off the streets and do all kinds of fun wacky stuff that you probably shouldn't do in traffic..like bike, hula-hoop, or dance.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Throw Me the Statue, Friday night at the Annex. With The Brunettes and The Nurses. They're an indie band from Seattle.
For the weekend of 8/21/09Needtobreathe, Green River Ordinance, Griffin House, at the Majestic Theatre Friday night.
Madison Roots Festival. It's finally here! Gates at the Capital Brewery open at noon with great live music all day. Mike Droho, Maia Sharp, Natty Nation, Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons, Bettye LaVette, and the Willy Porter Band! Tickets just $25 at the gate.
Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival. All the buttery slathery corn you could ever want! (Corn served Saturday and Sunday only). Plus live music, petting zoo, carnival and more. At Angell Park in Sun Prairie Thursday thru Sunday.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Dad the Plow. A metal band from Milwaukee. At Area 51 Friday night.
For the weekend of August 15, 2009
Hippie Christmas Slappy Hour with Yammer and the Gomers at the Frequency. 5:30pm Friday. I'm told there will be hippie Christmas carols, and a fashion show featuring items found on the curb. I hope they wash them first. $5.
Joy and the Boy at the High Noon Saloon, Saturday 6:30pm. Leo Sidran and Joy Dragland are back in town to play songs from their new CD, "Secret Place."
Triangle Ethnic Fest: A multi-cultural melting pot of fun including music, dancing and of course food! Sunday from 11am-6pm at the triangle of South Park, Regent and West Washington Avenue.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Bi-Polar Bear at the Alchemy Cafe Saturday, 9pm. Hip hop duo from Madison...now based in Brooklyn, NY.
The Great Taste of the Midwest is tomorrow at Olin Park in Madison..with beer lovers from all over the country convening to sample ales, lagers, porters, stouts..and maybe even a few root beers. Since I'm a lover of language and beer, I usually find many beers with names that amuse me, even if the beer turns out to be no better than average.
The Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild made its program available online, so I took a sneak peak today and found some of the more clever beer names. Not all the brewers tell in advance what they're bringing so I may discover more tomorrow.  Here are some of my favorites:
Smokey the Beer--from Blind Tiger Brewer in Topeka, KS
Fourth Dementia Old Ale--from Kuhnhenn Brewing, Warren, MI
Strawberry Short's Cake from Short's Brewing Co., Bellaire MI (run by a guy named Joe Short) ( Says it tastes like cake and strawberries! Mmm!)
Bender, Furious, and Cynic--3 choices from Surly Brewing Co. in Brooklyn Center, MN.
Loose Caboose Summer Ale--from Titletown in Green Bay.
Spruce Willis Wheat Ale--from Thirsty Pagan Brewing Co. in Superior, WI. (Does that variety make you "die hard" the next day?)
I hope to try all of these..and one or two more on Saturday. For those of you who didn't get a ticket, the Homebrewers and Tasters Guild will be streaming the event live on the internet. Isn't that kind of mean?
Click here to watch, and to get  more info about the Great Taste.
Weekend of August 7, 2009
Ruben Marquez, Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz Sextet at the Capital Brewery Beer Garden, 6pm Friday.
Films in the Field..free screening of Monsters vs. Aliens Saturday night outside the Waisman Center on campus. Family entertainment starts at 6pm. Bring a blanket!
Honor Among Thieves at the Harmony Bar. Andy Ewen and the boys know how to create musical frenzy! Saturday night at 9:45. $7.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: The Builders and the Butchers at the Annex with Crane Your Swan Neck, Sunday, 8pm.
For the weekend of July 31
Iguanas, Friday night at Harmony Bar. Roots rock from New Orleans!
Africa Alive--Kidlinks World Benefit for aids orphans, Saturday from 2-8pm at the Capital Brewery Beer Garden. Entertainment from Atimevu, West African Dance of Madison, kids activities and more. $10.
Phat Phunktion, Saturday at 9pm at the Memorial Union Terrace. Free. Phat is back!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: We Are Country Mice, 5:30pm Sunday at the Frequency. Country flecked indie pop. Now based in Brooklyn, they have members from Kansas and Wisconsin.
For the weekend of July 24, 2009
Happy Schnapps Combo at the Capital Brewery Bier Garten, Friday from 6-9. Free. Yeah, polka goes great with beer. But this is the band that does "The Bears Still Suck." How cool is that?
Corey Smith, Mike Droho, Mark Croft  Friday at the Majestic Theatre. Two great Madison talents open up for Smith, a Georgia singer-songwriter who's known for fun, energetic shows. (And Mike Droho was our Project M winner!)9pm.
Atwood Summerfest, Saturday, on Atwood Avenue in the area surrounding the Barrymore Theatre. The Rousers, Magic 7 and more. Noon-7pm.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Falling Upstairs. Saturday night at the Hody in Middleton. Free. I found two bands with this name on myspace...one from England and one from Connecticut. I don't think this rock band is either one of them. Don't bands do any research before they pick a name?
For the weekend of July 17, 2009
Sean Michael Dargan Band: Friday night from 6-9 at the Capital Brewery Beer Garden. Hopefully he'll bring his bagpipes! Pick up a copy of his new EP "Sean Michael Dargan's Feel-Good Hit of the Summer."
Maxwell Street Days: Friday thru Sunday on State Street. Sidewalk sales, music, food. In my town we called it "Crazy Days." But in Madison we name it after a street in Chicago that's no longer a street. I call that crazy.
Hybridfest Green Drive Expo: at the Dane County Fair Saturday and Sunday. Learn all about hybrid cars and green technology. Then go have a funnel cake!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Not Worth Remembering, Saturday night at the Club Tavern. Alternative rock from Milwaukee.
For the weekend of July 10, 2009
La Fete De Marquette, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at S. Dickinson and East Wash in Madison. Vive la France at this festival which includes entertainment from Tab Benoit Friday night, the Radiators Sunday night, and more! And join Jonathan and Kitty for the Acoustic Cafe Brunch Sunday morning, with table wait service and live music. More info here.Art Fair on the Square, Saturday 9am-6pm. Sunday 10am-5pm on the Capitol Square. More than 500 artists displaying and selling really cool stuff, plus food and live music. Acts on the Triple M Stage include Mark Croft and Natty Nation. See the lineup here.Kenny Wayne Shepherd with special guest Hounds Tooth at the Jefferson County Fair in Jefferson, 7pm Saturday. Fair admission $9, reserved seats available for $30 (including admission to the fair). More info here.Freaky Band Name of the Week: Papercut Massacre, at the Badger Bowl Saturday night. $7. From Jackson, MS and Memphis, TN. Described as modern, post-grunge rock.
Weekend of 6/27
Um...is there some big fireworks thing going on this weekend?
Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, Friday night at the Majestic Theatre. 8:30pm. Just $10 to see the guitar phenom who recently opened up on a Jeff Beck tour.
Gomers Kid-oke at the High Noon Saloon. 2-4pm Saturday. Live karaoke with the Gomers, plus kid friendly cartoons. Grown-ups $5, kids $2. Babes in arms, free.
Rhythm and Booms: the world's largest fireworks festival..plus music and an attempt to break the world record for "celebrities and mascots hugging." If you go..check out the John Masino Band on the new free Miller Lite stage. Or you could watch from the Memorial Union Terrace, with Paul Cebar as the musical backdrop.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: The Scurvies, Saturday night at the Tornado Club's Corral Room. With The Gusto and The Transgresssions. From Fairbanks, AK; influences include The Ramones and Motorhead. $5.
For the weekend of 6/19/09
Pupy Costello & His Big City Honky Tonk: 6pm Friday at the Capital Brewery. If you go to the Capital Brewery's Bock Fest in February, that's the band you see shivering their butts off on stage! A fun honky tonk country band with more songs about beer than you can shake a stick at. FREE. You really need to click on the link to their website by the way. Really.Banjo-Uke dedication: the original banjo ukelele used on the classic Oscar Mayer wiener jingle will be handed over to the Wisconsin Historical Museum, with Project M contestant Scott Lampsplaying the tune. Richard Trentlage, who won a jingle contest in 1962 has arthritis and can no longer play. 1:15pm Saturday on the first floor of the Wisconsin Historical Society Museum on the Capitol Square.
Madison Blues Picnic: Noon-9pm Saturday at Warner Park. Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo, Karry Daley Band, Joe's Blues Kids, Cash Box Kings, The Jimmys, Linsey Alexander, the Groove Hogs. Free. Carry-ins permitted, but no glass. Presented by the Madison Blues Society.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: The Stoves, 6pm Sunday at the Brink Lounge. A Madison band that plays "anything that sounds good," including a lot of Dylan and Ryan Adams.
Eric Hutchinson/Mieko at the Majestic Theatre Friday night, 9pm
Middleton's Big Event: all sorts of fun all over Middleton on Saturday. My pick: Dale Watson at 1pm Saturday at the Club Tavern.
Mounds Dog Fest: new location this year, at Angell Park in Sun Prairie. 10am-3pm on Sunday. Admission is free! More info here.Freaky Band Name of the Week: Sharp Stick in the Eye at Escape Java Joint and Gallery at 7pm Saturday. Described as a jazz trio consisting of three saxophones. Also JoAnne Powers Chicago Trio, and more. $7.
For the weekend of 6/5/09
Cows on the Concourse:Â Get up close and personal with Wisconsin's official domesticated animal. (In other words, you get to pet cows!) Enjoy some samples of Wisconsin dairy goodness, and check out the mooing contest. 8am to 1pm Saturday on the Capitol Square, Martin Luther King Jr Blvd at Main Street.
Clean Lakes Festival: Part of Take a Stake in the Lakes, with kayak rides, a run walk, plus live music, with the Lucas Cates Band at 12:30, Fuzzy Side Up and 5pm and the Matt Robinson Band at 7pm. At Olin Park Saturday from 8am-9pm.
Jimmy Buffett Night: Saturday night at the Harmony Bar. Okay, it's really not Jimmy Buffett. It's Chuck Bayuk & the Drunken Sailors doing their annual benefit for the Goodman (Atwood) Community Center. $10.
Freaky Band Name of the Week:Petroleum Pantry, a hard rock band from Pardeeville, of all places. At the Badger Bowl Saturday night.
For the weekend of May 29
Dear August at the Capital Brewery Beer Garten, Friday from 6-9. Can you think of a better way to start off the weekend than with a tall mug of locally brewed beer and free live music?
Pupy Costello and His Big City Honky Tonk at the High Noon Saloon, Saturday, 9pm. With Cash Box Kings with Joel Paterson and Jimmy Sutton. Gotta love Pupy's URL: www.upyourdinger.com/The Felice Brothers at the UW Memorial Union Terrace, 9pm Saturday, no cover. Folk rock that features fiddles, washboards, accordion, and sometimes horns.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Dead Sparrows, 9:30pm Sunday at the Frequency. Hailing from Brooklyn NY these days..they played as The Cummies when they lived in Madison.
For Memorial Day Weekend
Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band at the Capital Brewery Bier Garten in Middleton. One of Wisconsin's best blues bands opens up the beer garden in style! 6-9pm Friday. FREE!
Mighty Short Bus at the Great Dane downtown. A chance to check out some songs from the new album they say is coming out soon. Sunday night at 10. FREE! (And you don't have to work Monday..so you have no excuses.)
Monona Memorial Day Parade. 10am Monday along Monona Drive from Monona Grove High School to Owen Road. A great way to remember what this holiday is supposed to be all about.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Taj Motel Trio with the Socialites and the Invaders, 10pm Saturday at the Frequency. $5. Ska/punk  from Cornelia, Georgia.
For the weekend of May 15, 2009
Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks, Friday at 8pm at the Majestic Theatre. Key song: "How can I miss you when you won't go away?"
Tex Tubb and the Jokermen, Funky Bumkins at the High Noon Saloon Friday night. 9th annual Bob Dylan birthday bash!
Honor Among Thieves at the Harmony Bar, Saturday night at 9:30. They don't play out that often any more..so catch 'em while you can!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Johnny Murder & the 25 to Life. 8pm Sunday at the Annex. Psychobilly and rockabilly from the south side of Chicago.
For the weekend of 5/8/09
Cars on State: from 10-3 Saturday on State Street in Madison. 100 cool cars to gawk at, from a 1929 Ford Speedster to a 1965 Shelby Cobra. What? No Volkswagen Thing?
Madison Area Music Awards: Saturday at the Barrymore Theatre. I know a lot of musicians are being honored..but did you hear it starts early with Happy Hour? Now you're talkin'! John Urban hosts. 5:30 happy hour, 7pm show. $20 at the door.
Celebration of Pets Extravaganza, Saturday from 9-3 at Country View Veterinary Service in Oregon. Dog and horse demos, pet portraits..even triage for stuffed animals. Plus I'll be there from noon-2. Rain or shine. Free! Just 8 miles down Fish Hatchery Road from the beltline, at highway CC in Oregon.
Lucy Michelle & The Velvet Lapelles with Pale Young Gentlemen at the Majestic 10pm Friday night. Described as a 6 piece acoustic explosion!
For the weekend of May 1
With the Going Green Expo, the Mifflin Street block party, and all the great live music in town this weekend, there are a few cool..or unusual..events that may have slipped off your radar screen!
Audubon Art Fair: 9:30-4:30 Saturday at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center. Art from 130 artists, plus food, raffle, and a silent auction.
A Celebration of Vampires and Other Creatures of the Night: 12:30-6:30 Saturday at Ravenworks at Westgate Mall. Vampires in May? Why not? Author Alex Bledsoe reads from Blood Groove, plus tarot card readings and a vampire costume contest at 5:30pm.
Drumming for Hope: 3-7pm Sunday at the Loft at the Goodman Community Center. Drum circle, dance lessons, music from the Tani Diakite & The Malian Blues Band, and you can even meet a Black-footed African Penguin from the Vilas Zoo!  Fundraiser for African Youth Outreach. Admission $8, kids $4, and kids under 3 free.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: First Communion Afterparty at the UW Memorial Union Terrace Saturday night, 9:30pm. They're from Minneapolis and are described as garage, psychedelic, shoegaze. (Shoegaze?) Also on the bill: Alla, DJS Red Dog, FM Predator. Free.
For the weekend of April 24th:
Some musical suggestions to bookend your Crazylegs experience!
Richie Havens at the Stoughton Opera House, Friday night at 7:30pm. Yup..the guy who opened Woodstock in beautiful downtown Stoughton.
Backyard Tire Fire at the High Noon Saloon, Friday night at 9:30pm, with Jentri Colello and Musikanto. Great quote from Backyard Tire Fire's website: "substantive pop music  for folks with dirt under their nails."
Rocco DeLuca & The Burden at the Majestic, Sunday night, 8pm. This guy is a master on the Dobro (resonator guitar).
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Snarky Puppy, Saturday night at 9:30 at Restaurant Magnus. Described as jazz, funk experimental music from Denton, Texas. But it sounds kinda hip-hop to me.
WEATHER UPDATE: It will be 70 degrees at the Club Tavern in Middleton Friday afternoon. Nudge, wink.
Will Hoge at Cafe Montmartre Friday night at 7:30. Gabby Parsons is a huge fan and can't understand why he's not a huge star. I think it's cool that he did the theme song for the TV show Still Standing! Update: this show is sold out.
Mad City CeltFest benefit at the Club Tavern, Saturday night at 7pm. With Michael Doran, Stone Ring and The Pints. A fundraiser for a huge Celtic music fest coming up later this summer. Suggested donation $8.
Dane County Farmers Market, Saturday around the Capitol Square. The first one of the season! Woo-hoo!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, Friday night at 10pm at the Alchemy Cafe.  Described as a jam, progressive funk band. They have a song called "Lay Off the Cream Soda!"
Here are my Top 3 weekend picks!
The Jimmy's at the Harmony Bar, Saturday night, 9:30pm. Blues piano hotshot Jimmy Voegeli has put together a band of several dozen of Madison's best players. (Okay, maybe it only SEEMS like several dozen!)
Mark Croft CD release party at the Brink Lounge Saturday night, 8:30pm. Your admission includes a copy of his new EP. Amy Curl and Dan Kennedy open.
Madison Comic Book Convention: Saturday from 10-4 at the Howard Johnson Hotel. If you're looking for an elusive Boba Fett action figure, this is the place to start. Comics for sale..and you can sell yours too. Which is great because maybe I'll find somebody to buy that stack of Richie Rich comics I've been hanging onto all these years! Admission is free.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Daylight Savings Account at the Frequency Saturday night at 5pm. With Venice Gas House Trolley. Early all-ages show.
Movies and music for your enjoyment! Wisconsin Film Festival: at venues all over Madison! There are still some shows that aren't sold out.
The Selfish Gene, Sean Michael Dargan Band, Saturday night at the Crystal Corner Bar. W/Shooter Jane. 9:30pm
The Bel-Airs at the Harmony, Saturday night at 9:45.
Freaky Band Name of the week: Nightmare Hippie Children, at the Annex Saturday night. Not quite as cool as what a listener called us this week, but close. ("Liberal, tree-hugging, ferret loving hippies") The band is from Delavan, and they say they offer "insane music for insane people."
3 Picks for fun and frolic:
Railroad Earth, 8pm Friday at the Barrymore. A jam band, but oh so much more. Split Lip Rayfield opens.
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe w/Clyde Stubblefield Band, Saturday night 9pm at the Majestic. Are you ready to get FUNKY?
UW Madison Book Sale, Memorial Library. Thursday & Friday, 10:30am-7pm. Saturday it's a bag sale...fill a bag for just $3. Saturday's hours are 10:30am-1pm.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: The Ladybug Transistor, 9:30pm Saturday at the UW Memorial Union Rathskellar. Free. (Brooklyn, NY indie pop)
For the weekend of 3/20/09
Altered Five at the Hody, 9pm Friday. This Milwaukee blues band takes mainstream rock songs and bluesifies them! And now the Hody is smoke-free, as are all bars in Middleton. Woo-hoo!
Little Vito and the Torpedoes at the Club Tavern, Saturday, 9pm. When was the last time you saw Little Vito? You know you wanna go! A fun band playing all your favorite oldies. (And smoke-free!)
Blue Beyond, Clovis Mann, Baghdad Scuba Review, 7:30pm Saturday at the Great Dane Downtown. Benefit for the MAMAS, and you could even win free beer for a year.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Pointy Birds, with Optometri and the Apologists. 10pm Saturday at Mickey's Tavern. No cover. Ouch, they're pointy.
Afro Cuban All-Stars, 8pm Friday at Overture Hall. Led by Juan De Marcos of the Buena Vista Social Club. With a free "Mojito Social Club" pre-show party with the Tony Casteneda Latin Jazz Sextet starting at 5:30.
The Broken West, 9:30pm Saturday at the Orpheum Stage Door. Any group that says it's influenced by the Band, Roger Miller and Barack Obama is worth checking out. Blind Pilot, Crane Your Swan Neck open.
St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday at 1:30pm around the Capitol Square. The Shamrock Shuffle run/walk gets you energized at 10:00.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Trouser with Brown Derby, the August Teens at the Crystal Corner Bar Saturday night. (Country rock)
Festivale Craft Beer Tasting: Saturday at noon at the High Noon Saloon. Sample craft beers for a cause..The Arthritis Foundation. Starts at noon. Music from the Dirty Shirts at 4pm.
Big Wu at the Orpheum, Saturday night at the Orpheum. With Shoeless Revolution and Moon Boot Posse. 8pm.
Ralph's World, 11am Sunday at the High Noon Saloon. Ralph Covert of the Bad Examples now has a sweet gig playing for the toddler set!
Freaky Band Name of the Week:Free Buffet Band, who plays the Hody Bar in Middleton Friday night. The band is free. There will be no buffet.
Bobby Bryan and the Uptown All Stars at the Memorial Union Rathskellar, Friday night 9:30pm. FREEBIE ALERT! Gabby played a new song from this blues guitar slinger on our show Thursday morning. Look for a new album soon.
Brett Dennen at the Majestic Theatre, 9pm Saturday, with a Triple M pre-concert party before the show.
Dark Star Orchestra at the Barrymore, Saturday 8pm. Continuing the Grateful Dead experience!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Ideal Cleaners. On the bill with Dick the Bruiser and the Blind Shake at the Frequency Saturday night. All great names but Ideal Cleaners has to win for its potential for confusion. Ideal Cleaners is a rock band from Nebraska.
International Festivalat the Overture Center, Saturday from 11am-8pm. Lots of free performances including dance from Greece, Lithuania, Africa and more. It kicks off at 11am with musical ambassadors from New Glarus playing 12-foot alphorns! Plus ethnic foods and a craft bazaar. The ticketed event at 8pm is Kodo, a traditional Japanese drumming troop.
Natty Nation at the High Noon Saloon, Friday, 8:30pm. Openers include Tropical Riddims Sound System, Public Property and Heatbox.
Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound at the Harmony, Saturday, 9:45pm. Includes a Cajun buffet.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: (This is) the Squirrel Hunters, Thursday, 6pm at the Frequency. Traditional bluegrass! See them every third Thursday at the Frequency.
Umphrey's McGee at the Barrymore Theatre Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Four big nights of jamming goodness! Tickets are $25 each night.
The Midwesterners at Tyranena Brewing Company in Lake Mills. FREEBIE alert! 7pm Saturday.Â
Jesus Christ Superstar at Overture Hall Friday night at 8pm, Saturday 2 & 8pm. Most of my religious education came from this musical. Sing along with me, won't you? "Always hoped that I'd be an apostle. Knew that I could make it if I tried. Then when we retire we can write the gospels so they'll still talk about us when we've died."Freaky Band Name of the Week: Snorb at Mother Fool's Coffeehouse with Vid Libert, Friday night at 8.
Kitty's Top Three for the Weekend
1. The Iguanas at the Harmony Bar Friday night at 9:45pm. TIckets $15. Fun roots American Tex-Mex music from New Orleans!
2. Cash Box Kings w/Joel Paterson at the Crystal Corner Bar. Saturday night at 9:30. Old-style Chicago blues like you might have heard it back before the rest of the world caught on! And a nicer group of musicians you are unlikely to meet!
3. Souper Bowl XIII. No football involved..it's a fundraiser for the UW's Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Your $15 contribution gets you some yummy soup, served in a bowl made by a local artist. Plus super (make that souper) cool bowls made by prominent potters will be up for silent auction. 3pm Saturday at Madison West High School.
Freaky Band Name of the Week!The Parish Festival, with Fermata and Mulligan Stu. 10pm Friday at the Frequency. Now when I hear parish festival..I think the Cake Walk, polka music, and bingo. How about you?
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
John Fogerty is making the talk show rounds this week, stopping in to see David Letterman Tuesday and Wednesday, and the ladies of "The View" on Thursday.
He's promoting his new album, "Wrote a Song For Everyone" which comes out next Tuesday...
It's a miracle that both Jonathan and KItty wanted to hear Barry Manilow this morning. They were not alone. Plenty of Fanilow's called in to vote yes. One caller claimed to have seen Manilow in concert 25 times!
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, it is another gorgeous Monday, fit for another great show at the Crystal Corner tonight.
Through locking ourselves in the barn on Irish Lane, tossing some ideas around, as well as a few choice beverages to...
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
John Fogerty is making the talk show rounds this week, stopping in to see David Letterman Tuesday and Wednesday, and the ladies of "The View" on Thursday.
He's promoting his new album, "Wrote a Song For Everyone" which comes out next Tuesday...
It's a miracle that both Jonathan and KItty wanted to hear Barry Manilow this morning. They were not alone. Plenty of Fanilow's called in to vote yes. One caller claimed to have seen Manilow in concert 25 times!
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, it is another gorgeous Monday, fit for another great show at the Crystal Corner tonight.
Through locking ourselves in the barn on Irish Lane, tossing some ideas around, as well as a few choice beverages to...
For the weekend of Feb. 26, 2010----
For the weekend of February 19, 2010----
1)
For the weekend of Feb. 12, 2010----
1)
For the weekend of Feb. 5, 2010----
1)
For the weekend of January 29-----
1. 
1. 
For the weekend of January 15, 2010
For the weekend of January 8, 2010...
For the weekend of 12/18/09......
1) 
1)
For the weekend of December 4----------
1)
Thanksgiving weekend edition!
1) Turkey Leftovers: this isn't a band name or anything...I just LOVE turkey leftovers, in sandwiches. With Miracle Whip.
2) Natty Nation, F. Stokes, T.U.G.G. and Tropical Riddims Sound System Friday at 9pm at the High Noon Saloon. Reggae every day keeps winter away, right?
3) 
For the weekend of Nov. 20
Kitty's picks for the weekend of November 5...
1)
Some Freakfest alternatives!
1) 
For the weekend of October 23
1. Women Rock for the Cure: Friday night at various venues which are donating a portion of proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, for breast cancer research. See the lineup 
For the weekend of Oct. 16, 2009
The weekend of Oct. 9-11:
1. Giant Pumpkin Regatta: UW Horticulture students race paddle giant hollowed out pumpkins. Saturday, 12:30 pm on Lake Mendota at the Memorial Union. A couple of years ago there were so many people watching from the pier that it crashed into the water and dumped a whole bunch of people. Will it be that exciting this year?
2. 
For the weekend of 10/2/09
For the weekend of September 24
1. 
For the weekend of 9/18
For the Weekend of 9/4/09
For the weekend of August 28, 2009
1. 
For the weekend of 8/21/09
Needtobreathe, Green River Ordinance, Griffin House, at the 
For the weekend of August 15, 2009
Hippie Christmas Slappy Hour with Yammer and the Gomers at the Frequency. 5:30pm Friday. I'm told there will be hippie Christmas carols, and a fashion show featuring items found on the curb. I hope they wash them first. $5.
The Great Taste of the Midwest is tomorrow at Olin Park in Madison..with beer lovers from all over the country convening to sample ales, lagers, porters, stouts..and maybe even a few root beers. Since I'm a lover of language and beer, I usually find many beers with names that amuse me, even if the beer turns out to be no better than average.
The Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild made its program available online, so I took a sneak peak today and found some of the more clever beer names. Not all the brewers tell in advance what they're bringing so I may discover more tomorrow.  Here are some of my favorites:
Smokey the Beer--from Blind Tiger Brewer in Topeka, KS
Fourth Dementia Old Ale--from Kuhnhenn Brewing, Warren, MI
Strawberry Short's Cake from Short's Brewing Co., Bellaire MI (run by a guy named Joe Short) ( Says it tastes like cake and strawberries! Mmm!)
Bender, Furious, and Cynic--3 choices from Surly Brewing Co. in Brooklyn Center, MN.
Loose Caboose Summer Ale--from Titletown in Green Bay.
Spruce Willis Wheat Ale--from Thirsty Pagan Brewing Co. in Superior, WI. (Does that variety make you "die hard" the next day?)
I hope to try all of these..and one or two more on Saturday. For those of you who didn't get a ticket, the Homebrewers and Tasters Guild will be streaming the event live on the internet. Isn't that kind of mean?
Click 
Weekend of August 7, 2009
Ruben Marquez, 
For the weekend of July 31
For the weekend of July 24, 2009
For the weekend of July 17, 2009
For the weekend of July 10, 2009
La Fete De Marquette, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at S. Dickinson and East Wash in Madison. Vive la France at this festival which includes entertainment from Tab Benoit Friday night, the Radiators Sunday night, and more! And join Jonathan and Kitty for the Acoustic Cafe Brunch Sunday morning, with table wait service and live music. More info 
Weekend of 6/27
Um...is there some big fireworks thing going on this weekend?
For the weekend of 6/19/09
Eric Hutchinson
For the weekend of 6/5/09
For the weekend of May 29
For Memorial Day Weekend
For the weekend of May 15, 2009
For the weekend of 5/8/09
For the weekend of May 1
With the Going Green Expo, the Mifflin Street block party, and all the great live music in town this weekend, there are a few cool..or unusual..events that may have slipped off your radar screen!
For the weekend of April 24th:
Some musical suggestions to bookend your Crazylegs experience!
WEATHER UPDATE: It will be 70 degrees at the Club Tavern in Middleton Friday afternoon. Nudge, wink.
Will Hoge at Cafe Montmartre Friday night at 7:30. Gabby Parsons is a huge fan and can't understand why he's not a huge star. I think it's cool that he did the theme song for the TV show Still Standing! Update: this show is sold out.
Mad City CeltFest benefit at the Club Tavern, Saturday night at 7pm. With Michael Doran, 
Here are my Top 3 weekend picks!
The Jimmy's at the Harmony Bar, Saturday night, 9:30pm. Blues piano hotshot Jimmy Voegeli has put together a band of several dozen of Madison's best players. (Okay, maybe it only SEEMS like several dozen!)
Mark Croft CD release party at the Brink Lounge Saturday night, 8:30pm. Your admission includes a copy of his new EP. Amy Curl and Dan Kennedy open.
Madison Comic Book Convention: Saturday from 10-4 at the Howard Johnson Hotel. If you're looking for an elusive Boba Fett action figure, this is the place to start. Comics for sale..and you can sell yours too. Which is great because maybe I'll find somebody to buy that stack of Richie Rich comics I've been hanging onto all these years! Admission is free.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: 
3 Picks for fun and frolic:
Railroad Earth, 8pm Friday at the Barrymore. A jam band, but oh so much more. Split Lip Rayfield opens.
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe w/Clyde Stubblefield Band, Saturday night 9pm at the Majestic. Are you ready to get FUNKY?
UW Madison Book Sale, Memorial Library. Thursday & Friday, 10:30am-7pm. Saturday it's a bag sale...fill a bag for just $3. Saturday's hours are 10:30am-1pm.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: 
For the weekend of 3/20/09
Altered Five at the Hody, 9pm Friday. This Milwaukee blues band takes mainstream rock songs and bluesifies them! And now the Hody is smoke-free, as are all bars in Middleton. Woo-hoo!
Little Vito and the Torpedoes at the Club Tavern, Saturday, 9pm. When was the last time you saw Little Vito? You know you wanna go! A fun band playing all your favorite oldies. (And smoke-free!)
Blue Beyond, Clovis Mann, Baghdad Scuba Review, 7:30pm Saturday at the Great Dane Downtown. Benefit for the MAMAS, and you could even win free beer for a year.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Pointy Birds, with Optometri and the Apologists. 10pm Saturday at Mickey's Tavern. No cover. Ouch, they're pointy.
Afro Cuban All-Stars
Festivale Craft Beer Tasting: Saturday at noon at the High Noon Saloon. Sample craft beers for a cause..The Arthritis Foundation. Starts at noon. Music from the Dirty Shirts at 4pm.
Big Wu at the Orpheum, Saturday night at the Orpheum. With Shoeless Revolution and Moon Boot Posse. 8pm.
Ralph's World, 11am Sunday at the High Noon Saloon. Ralph Covert of the Bad Examples now has a sweet gig playing for the toddler set!
Freaky Band Name of the Week: Free Buffet Band, who plays the Hody Bar in Middleton Friday night. The band is free. There will be no buffet.
