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 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 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 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 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.
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 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. 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 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 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.
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.
for the weekend of Nov. 13:
1) Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at Overture Hall. I was in the audience Tuesday night and really enjoyed this comedic play! I describe it as "Alfred Hitchcock meets Monty Python and The Marx Brothers, with a touch of Boris and Natasha from Bullwinkle."
2) Winter Art Festival,Saturday and Sunday at Monona Terrace. Great art from the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople..plus live music! Admission is 3 bucks..but click here for a $1 off coupon and more info.
3) Whitney Mannw/Nick Matthews & The Knuckel Sandwich. Saturday night at the Harmony Bar. Two Project M contestants for the price of one! Recommending this despite the fact that Nick can't spell knuckle.
Freaky Band Name of the Week: It's a three way tie! Real Estate, Alex Bleeker & the Freaks, Bird Names. At the Memorial Union Rathskellar Friday night 9:30. Free. Psychedelic, garage shred music! What more could you possible want?
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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)
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.
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 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...
Hey everybody, we were thrown for a loop by the twist this week, but were able to make one of our "oldie but a goldie" songs fit the mold.
We have a few songs that we have played consistently over the years, and we are very happy that we will be...
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...
Hey everybody, we were thrown for a loop by the twist this week, but were able to make one of our "oldie but a goldie" songs fit the mold.
We have a few songs that we have played consistently over the years, and we are very happy that we will be...
For the weekend of February 19, 2010----
1)
For the weekend of Feb. 5, 2010----
1)
For the weekend of January 29-----
1. 
For the weekend of January 15, 2010
For the weekend of January 8, 2010...
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
for the weekend of Nov. 13:
1) 
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 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.
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 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 
For the weekend of 6/19/09
Eric Hutchinson
For the weekend of 6/5/09
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!
Afro Cuban All-Stars
