By Jessica Steinhoff | Photography by Matthew Murphy (“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical”)
LIVE MUSIC
WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY
May 17, Breese Stevens Field
The king of outlaw country is going strong at age 91, releasing two new albums and securing a berth in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. Catch him with his band, the Family — a legend in their own right — at this outdoor concert. breesestevensfield.com
WORLD’S LARGEST BRAT FEST
May 24-26, Willow Island, Alliant Energy Center
Sausage is an art form and consuming it for charity’s sake is the main act at this annual fest, but you can also enjoy some music while you’re there. If you visit on opening night, don’t miss the Village People. It’ll be a costume party to remember when the campy disco dudes hit the main stage at 8 p.m. bratfest.com
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
June 5, The Sylvee
You’ll be hard pressed to find a more summery act than Franti, whose blend of hip-hop, reggae and rock teems with beachy vibes and feel-good lyrics. Get in the spirit pre-show with tracks such as 2021’s “Good Day for a Good Day” and 2010’s “Sound of Sunshine.” thesylvee.com
THEATER, DANCE AND COMEDY
“THE KITE RUNNER”
May 24-26, Overture Center
Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel, about a man who travels to early 2000s Afghanistan seeking forgiveness for a childhood mistake, comes to life onstage in this dramatic touring production. overture.org
“TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL”
June 11-16, Overture Center
Fueled by live performances of “Proud Mary,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and other hits that helped Turner mount one of the biggest musical comebacks of the 20th century, this autobiographical show is an ode to breaking barriers, demanding respect and finding oneself. overture.org
“MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”
June 14-Sept. 29, American Players Theatre
Beatrice and Benedick are both known for their wit — and their avoidance of marriage. Can some clever tricks drive them into each other’s arms? The answer doesn’t matter as much as the journey, which American Players Theatre’s Shakespeare specialists make as fun as possible. americanplayers.org
VISUAL ART
“WILLIAM VILLALONGO: MYTHS AND MIGRATIONS”
Through Aug. 4, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
This New York City artist explores Black histories and identities through velour paper cutouts, collages and more. mmoca.org
“5-10-100: WOMEN ARTISTS FORWARD”
May 24-Aug. 4, James Watrous Gallery
In its first five years, the Forward Art Prize, created to address gender disparities in the visual arts throughout Dane County, has supported 10 local artists with $100,000 in grants. Works by the winners, including sculptor and painter Babette Wainwright and fiber artist Mary Bero, are the center- piece of this show curated by prize cofounders Brenda Baker and Bird Ross. wisconsinacademy.org
HARRY WHITEHORSE INTERNATIONAL WOOD SCULPTURE FESTIVAL
June 14-22, San Damiano
Eleven wood sculptors from around the globe will spend a week in Monona sharing their work at this event honoring late Ho-Chunk artist Harry Whitehorse, who created the oak eagle statue at Edgewood College and the “Blackhawk’s Journey” frieze at Blackhawk Country Club. harrywhitehorse.com
