art and entertainment - may 2009

Complete address of sites is listed with first mention. Area codes of phone numbers are 414 unless shown otherwise. Please confirm events when possible; listings subject to change.

MUSIC

NOTE: At Potawatomi Bingo Casino, no one under 21 is allowed in the theater under any circumstances.

FIRE ON THE BAYOU:A MARDI GRAS MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA, through May 10; Stackner Cabaret, Milwaukee Theater Center. Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents a steamy musical gumbo that traces the history of New Orleans Jazz. 224-9490.

QUEENSRYCHE, April 30-May 1; Northern Lights Theater, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. Performing Extended Suites: Rage For Order / American Soldier / Empire. 8 p.m. 847-7400, 276-4545.

WILLY PORTER, May 1; The Pabst, 144 E. Wells St. 8 p.m. 286-3663.

JENNIFER FRAUTSCHI, May 1; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center, 19805 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, inside Mitchell Park. Versatile violinist breathes her sensationalist spirit into the classical masterpieces of both yesterday and today. 8 p.m.

MSO CLASSICAL CONCERT, May 1-2; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. 273-7206.

JO DEE MESSINA, May 5; Northern Lights Theater, Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

RICK SPRINGFIELD, May 7-9; Northern Lights Theater, Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

Regina Orozco, May 8; Latino Arts Auditorium, 1028 S. 9th St. Part of the Sor Juana Festival. 7:30 p.m. 384-3100.

NEW MUSIC CONCERT, May 8; Cardinal Stritch University’s Nancy Kendall Theater, 6801 N. Yates Rd. Instrumental ensembles and soloists feature new works composed by Stritch composition majors. 7:30 p.m. 410-4349.

JIM PUGH, May 8-9; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center. World-renowned trombonist and composer/arranger who has contributed to over 4,000 jazz, film, soundtrack, and commercial recordings. 8 p.m.

MSO POPS CONCERT, May 8-10; Marcus Center. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra salute to American Jazz with Marvin Hamlisch and the jazz ambassadors. 273-7206.

GRAFTON BLUES CHALLENGE, May 9; Circle B Recreation Center, 6261 Hwy. 60, Cedarburg. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., goes until close. Nine bands for $10 admission. Winner goes on to the 2010 International Blues Challenge. 262-377-8090.

JAMES TAYLOR, May 9; The Milwaukee Theatre, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. Legendary James Taylor has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and five Grammy Awards for a catalog running from 1970’s Sweet Baby James to his Grammy Award-winning efforts Hourglass (1997) and October Road (2002). 908-6001, 276-4545.

ACROSS BORDERS, ACROSS TIME, May 9; Basicalica of St. Josaphat, Lincoln Ave. at S. 6th St. Early Music Now presents Kitka, a grassroots group of singers, in an exploration of traditional Eastern European sacred music, woven together with ancient folk tunes. 7:30 p.m. 225-3113.

MYSO SPRING CONCERT, May 9; Uihlein Hall, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Youth Symphony presents first of three spring concerts, featuring solo harpist Emily Melendes and premiere performances by works of 14-year-old composer Jacob Schermer and concertmaster Wyatt Underhill. 1 p.m. 267-2950.

JOE COCKER, May 11-12; Northern Lights Theater, Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY, May 13; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Kids Pajama Jamboree. 7 p.m. 273-7206.

KEYSHIA COLE, May 14; Milwaukee Theatre. Grammy-nominated R&B singer and songwriter brings her “A Different Me” tour to Milwaukee. 8 p.m. 276-4545.

FUTURE SHOCK, May 14; Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, 1584 N. Prospect Ave. 7:30 pm. 276-5760.

KATHY MATTEA, May 16; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center. Grammy Award-winner presents an evening of stories and songs from the coal-mining culture of her native Appalachia. 8 p.m.

DON MCLEAN, May 16; Cedarburg Performing Arts Center, Cedarburg. 8 p.m. 262-376-6161.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, May 19; The Riverside. 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. 8 p.m.

ANDRE RIEU AND THE JOHANN STRAUSS ORCHESTRA, May 22. The Milwaukee Theatre. 8 p.m.

JANIVA MAGNESS, May 23; Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg. 8 p.m.

WILLIAM BARNEWITZ, May 26; The Pabst. 7 p.m.

THE DECEMBERISTS, May 29; The Riverside. 8 p.m.

MSO CLASSICAL CONCERT, May 29-30; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. 8 p.m. 273-7206.

COMEDY

COMEDY SPORTZ, 420 S. 1st St. Milwaukee’s longest running improv comedy show is designed for all ages. Based on audience suggestions. Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3, 7:30, 10 p.m. & Midnight. Reservations rec. 272-8888.

BONKERZ COMEDY NIGHT, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. Saturday nights, Seating is on a first come first serve basis. Free to Fire Keeper’s Club members (free membership). Shows at 8 & 10 p.m.

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS, May 2; The Riverside, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. 7 & 10 p.m.

RAY ROMANO/BRAD GARRETT, May 4; Northern Lights Theater, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 847-7400, 276-4545.

DON RICKLES “MR. WARMTH,” May 19; Northern Lights Theater, Potawatomi Bingo Casino. 8 p.m.

UNWIGGED & UNPUGGED: SPINAL TAP, A MIGHTY WIND & MORE, May 31; The Riverside. 8 p.m.

DANCE

MAP OF MEMORIES, May 1-3; Studio 1661, 1661 N. Water St. WildSpace Dance Company presents an encore performance of the dance inspired by the European immigrants who settled on Milwaukee’s Jones Island. 277-8480 x6025.

MAD HOT BALLROOM, May 9; Bradley Center, 1001 N. Fourth St. Family-friendly event where local 4th, 5th and 6th graders compete in third annual citywide ballroom and tap competition. Sponsored by Danceworks. 227-0700.

Milwaukee Spring Feis, May 16; Midwest Airlines Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. 908-6001, 276-4545.

BALLET: LIVE AND KICKING, May 14-17; Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Milwaukee Ballet Company presents a multi-faceted season finale. 273-7206.

THEATER

THE PAVILION, through May 3; Off-Broadway Theatre, 342 N. Water St., 2nd Fl. The Class of 1980 is together for the 20-year reunion and Peter is out to win Kari back. Presented by Next Act Theatre. 278-0765.

JUST STOPPED BY TO SEE THE MAN, through May 3; Stiemke Theater. Milwaukee Theater Center, 108. E. Wells St. Set in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, a passionate and political ode to the power and truth of the blues. 224-9490.

BROOKLYN BOY, through May 3; Broadway Theater Center, Cabot Theater, 158 N. Broadway. Milwaukee Chamber Theater presents the story of.Eric Weiss, who seems to have it all, but is also experiencing a midlife crisis. 291-7800.

THE CHERRY ORCHARD, through May 10; Quadracci Power-house Theater, Milwaukee Theater Center, 108. E. Wells St. Bittersweet and haunting comedy performed by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater is Chekhov’s final play and masterpiece. 224-9490.

HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, through May 17; Todd Wehr Stage of Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. First Stage Children’s Theater presents this story of adventure and finding one's own heart - a path that can't be found on a treasure map. 273-7206.

ROMANTIC FOOLS, through May 17; Tenth Street Theater, 628 N. 10th St. In Tandem Theatre Company presents. a comic collection of dating dos and don’ts. 271-1371

SHEAR MADNESS, May 13; Vogel Hall of Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Set in a unisex hairstyling salon and filled with local humor, this whodunit involves the audience in solving the murder of Isabel Czerny, the salon’s landlady and one-time world class pianist. The clues are always changing, so every show is unique. 7:30 p.m. 273-7206.

EXHIBITS

LES PAUL’S HOUSE OF SOUND, continuing; Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Dr. A tribute to the accomplishments of Wisconsin guitarist Les Paul features personal items from the musician.

MILWAUKEE MUSCLE, continuing; Discovery World. Exhibit sponsored by Briggs & Stratton.

ENERGY & INGENUITY: HARNESSING THE POWER OF YOU, continuing; Discovery World. Wisconsin Energy Foundation supported exhibit challenges visitors to consider new energy sources.

CITY OF FRESHWATER, continuing; Discovery World. Focuses on Milwaukee’s leadership role in use of its water supply.

NATURAL MOTIF: NEW DRAWINGS BY NATALIE SETTLES, through May 3; Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N. Prospect Ave. Natalie Settles, a 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board fellow, with works that synthesize the diverse worlds of 19th century botanical motifs and modern biological science. 278-8295.

TITANIC: THE ARTIFACT EXHIBITION, through May 25; Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 N. Wells St. Authentic artifacts and room re-creations tell the story of the 2,228 passengers aboard the Titanic during her ill-fated maiden voyage. Advance reservations strongly recommended. 223-4676 or purchase online at www.mpm.edu.

LEE AND GRANT, through May 25; Kenosha Civil War Museum, 5400 1st Ave., Kenosha. Points out little-known similarities between the two military leaders. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. & Mon. 262-653-4140

SMOKEY BEAR AND WOODSY OWL: HOME SWEET HOME, through May 31; Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Encourages families to spend time together outdoors and inspires children to discover and care for the natural resources that sustain the world.

19TH & EARLY 20TH CENTURY MECHANICAL OBJECTS, through June 7; Pabst Mansion, 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. The turn of the 20th century saw an explosion of mechanical inventions: elaborate clocks, intricate music boxes and amazing toys. 931-0808.

REMAINS: CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS AND THE MATERIAL PAST, through June 7; Milwaukee Art Museum. Features new work by three Midwestern artists, Beth Lipman, Sarah Lindley, and BA Harrington, who draw inspiration from the decorative arts of the past. 224-3200.

MARINA BYCHKOVA: ENCHANTED DOLL, through June 7; Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Ave. 271-3656.

ENAMELIST JAMIE BENNETT, through Sept. 6; Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St. Explores the artist's creative use and development of a variety of enameling and metalworking techniques to produce signature broaches, necklaces and pendants.

WHATEVER IS THERE IS A TRUTH, through Oct. 4; Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University. Robert Rauschenberg’s prints. 288-1669.

SPRING IN YORKSHIRE: AN ENGLISH GARDEN, through May 25; Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes), 524 S. Layton Blvd. 649-9800.

MERENGUE: VISUAL RHYTHMS / RITMOS VISUALES, through June 5; Latino Arts Auditorium and Gallery, 1028 S. 9th St. The energy and precision of merengue music comes alive in this expansive exhibition of numerous mediums, including photographs, sculpture, paintings, and videos. 384-3100.

DAWOUD BEY: CLASS PICTURES, through July 12; Milwaukee Art Museum. Words and faces of 40 students provide a penetrating view into contemporary American youth. Bey visited schools on both coasts and the Midwest, taking portraits linked with each student’s autobiographical statement.

WINGS FROM DOWN UNDER, May 23-Sept. 7; Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd. Special exhibit featuring more than 1,000 birds from Australia. $2.50 after regular zoo admission. 256-5412.

IMAX, planetarium

The Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater is in the Museum Center, 800 W. Wisconsin Ave. It doubles as the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium. Visit www.mpm.edu for times.

Current IMAX shows:

GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS, through June 11; Academy Award® winning director and master storyteller James Cameron journeys back to the site of his greatest inspiration – the legendary wreck of the Titanic. Explore the entire ship with Cameron.

SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE, through Oct. 1; Marine reptiles of the dinosaur age come to life in a journey into the world of reptiles that lived beneath the water.

Current DANIEL M. SOREF PLANETARIUM shows:

NIGHT OF THE TITANIC, through May 25; Discover how a complex series of natural, but unlikely, events sank the “unsinkable” ship.

ROCK STARS 2, through June 11; A cosmic light show featuring classic rock selections from the late '60s through the early '90s..

ASTRONAUT, through Oct. 1; Firsthand look at the lives of the men and women brave enough to travel through space.