Caution- Alliteration Ahead.

Yes, say it with me now. “Friday Five for February Fifth.” A date like this deserves something special. Here are some choices.

 #5: “Spatial City” at UWM Inova Gallery.

Why? Because architecture isn’t just about where to put the automatic doors in the new Walgreens (Parking lot side? Sidewalk? Hmmm). Drawn from Fonds Régionaux d’Art Contemporain (we like to call them FRAC – has a nice solid ring to it), this exhibit explores the idea of utopia in architecture, starting with the work of Hungarian Yona Friedman. And speaking of solid rings, don’t pass up the chance to lounge and read in “Divan,” a big “O” generously outfitted for your lounging and reading pleasure.  

#4: Fine Arts Quartet at UWM.
Why? Because it starts with the elegant reserve of Haydn (Op. 77, No. 1, with the unfortunate nickname of “Lobkowitz”), swerves into the warm romanticism of Rachmaninoff (Quartet No. 1) and charges headlong into the hot-blooded fireworks of Fritz Kreisler (his one and only string quartet). And because you’ll be done just in time to go home and stuff your face with nacho Doritos and watch funny commercials and football.

#3: Winterdances at UWM Mainstage Theater.
Why? Because you like to watch people dance, and there’s a whole lot of dancing going on here: modern, African, jazz, ballet. And because Ko-Thi founder Ferne Bronson will debut a rare new work that wasn’t created for her own company. And because you’ll see work by folks like Ed Burgess, Simone Ferro and guest artist Suniti Dernovsek.

#2: Local Music.
Why? Because the musicians we love don’t hibernate just because it’s not “festival season.” Because you’ve amassed so much shivering, full-body tension during the last few months that it is now medically necessary that you get a groove on and hit the dance floor (or at least stand in a back corner and shimmy a little). And because Paul Cebar’s Tomorrow Sound (at Shank Hall on Friday) and De La Buena (Club Garibaldi on Saturday in a benefit for Haiti relief efforts) are so adept at getting people moving, concert tickets are reportedly covered by several HMOs and PPOs.

#1: Present Music at Turner Hall.
Why? Because you once sat in stoner silence during the psychedelia of Kubrick’s 2001, with music by Georgy Ligeti. Now you can groove to the African-electronica of his son’s band Burkina Electric, which kicks off its world tour right here in Milwaukee. And because Caroline Mallonee is a composer whose definition of “wind instrument” includes beer bottles. And because: Just because you didn’t hear it on the Grammy’s doesn’t mean that music can’t be glorious fun.