By Jessica Steinhoff | Photo courtesy Kanopy Dance (Pictured: “Polaris”)
THEATER AND DANCE
“RHAPSODY IN BLUE”
Sept. 27-29, MYARTS
Madison Ballet’s fall season premieres with a celebration of the 100th anniver- sary of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” featuring new and original choreography by artistic director and interim executive director Ja’ Malik. The performance will also include a world premiere by rehearsal director Richard Walters, and the Madison premieres of “Fragments of Hope” by Ja’ Malik and “Something to Remember You By” from Stephanie Martinez. madisonballet.org
“POLARIS”
Oct. 10-12, Overture Center
Choreographer Daniel Fetecua Soto will team up with Kanopy Dance to present his original choreographies reflecting his Colombian roots, American modern dance and German TanzTheater. Fetecua will also perform a work by Daystar: Contemporary Dance Drama of Indian America, the first Indigenous modern dance company in the U.S. kanopydance.org
“SHREK THE MUSICAL”
Oct. 11-12, Overture Center
The award-winning animated film about a green ogre, a loquacious donkey and an unconventional princess morphs into a live-action musical that has made fans out of theater critics at USA Today. overture.org
“DIARY OF A WIMPY KID THE MUSICAL”
Oct. 12-27, MYARTS
Jeff Kinney’s popular middle-grade books take center stage as his character, Greg, tackles middle school conundrums in this Children’s Theater of Madison musical. Kinney and CTM will also host an interactive family show on Nov. 2 at Overture Center. ctmtheater.org
LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY
ALICIA WITT
Sept. 14, North Street Cabaret
A classically trained former competi- tive pianist, Witt is known for her pop-driven pop music and has played all over the world. She’s also a successful actor, appearing in countless films including 2024’s “Longlegs,” opposite Nicolas Cage. northstreetcabaret.com
ALLEN STONE
Sept. 15, The Sylvee
Raised on gospel music and smitten with funk and soul, Stone has made a name for himself as a vocal powerhouse and a mentor on ABC’s “American Idol.” thesylvee.com
EIGHTH BLACKBIRD WITH UW WIND ENSEMBLE
Sept. 27, Hamel Music Center
Chamber music collective Eighth Blackbird joins forces with one of the university’s finest classical-music groups to perform Viet Cuong’s exciting “Vital Sines.” artsticketing.wisc.edu
MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO
Sept. 28, Wisconsin Union Theater
Ndegeocello is a quadruple threat, setting trends and winning Grammys for singing, rapping, composing and playing the bass. This performance, an ode to Black literary titan James Baldwin, is sure to be a highlight of Wisconsin Union Theater’s 2024-25 Jazz Series. artsticketing.wisc.edu
STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT
Oct. 6, Overture Center
The two iconic funnymen have dubbed themselves the “dukes of Funnytown,” which is also their current tour’s moniker. They’ll earn the title with wry observations, witty repartee and perhaps a serenade from Martin’s banjo. overture.org
MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: “VISIONS”
Oct. 18-20, Overture Center
The Symphony welcomes two special guests — violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins and conductor Nicholas Hersh — for this program of works by Ravel, Berlioz and Anna Clyne. madisonsymphony.org
VISUAL ART AND BEYOND
MANUAL CINEMA’S “FRANKENSTEIN”
Oct. 17, Wisconsin Union Theater
Gear up for Halloween with a mind- bending take on Mary Shelley’s creepy classic. Manual Cinema reanimates the tale with their signature blend of shadow puppetry, sound effects and live music, which has delighted audiences at the Kennedy Center and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. artsticketing.wisc.edu
“NORDIC UTOPIA? AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE 20TH CENTURY”
Through Nov. 10, Chazen Museum of Art
This touring exhibition explores how travel abroad to Nordic countries in the first half of the 20th century shaped the creative endeavors of singer Josephine Baker, saxophonist Dexter Gordon, dancer Doug Crutchfield, painters Herbert Gentry and Walter H. Williams, and other Black artists. chazen.wisc.edu
FIVE ESSENTIAL FESTS
Autumn offers la crème de la crème of gatherings for story seekers, art shoppers and culture-loving fun seekers.
MADISON COMIC & POP CULTURE EXPO
Sept. 14-15, Alliant Energy Center
Comics, cosplay and cinema are the cornerstones of this new gathering of pop-culture nerds and the people who love them. Attendees can take selfies with celebs such as Tom Kenny from “SpongeBob SquarePants” and Grace Van Dien of “Stranger Things.” madisoncomicexpo.com
VIVA MEXICO FESTIVAL
Sept. 15, Breese Stevens Field
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with Mariachi and Ranchero bands, plus contests, Chicano cuisine and El Grito, a ritual where the whole crowd shouts “Viva México!” lamovidaradio.com/viva-mexico-festival
WILLY STREET FAIR
Sept. 21-22, 800-1000 blocks of Williamson Street
Food carts, craft vendors and oodles of local music acts are the highlights of this celebration of one of Madison’s iconic thoroughfares. willystreetfair.org
MADISON NIGHT MARKET
Oct. 17, State Street
Catch the last night market of 2024 and enjoy pop-up restaurants, a free concert and marvel at the creativity and skill of local artists and artisans, from ceramicists to perfumers. visitdowntownmadison.com
WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL FALL CELEBRATION
Oct. 17-20, Madison Public Central Library and other venues
Bibliophiles unite at this collection of readings, meet-and-greets and other author events. The 2023 fall celebration included readings by “Generation Anxiety’s” Lauren Cook and “My Life in the Sunshine’s” Nabil Ayers. wisconsinbookfestival.org
