Friday Five for April 9

#5: Fine Arts Quartet at UWM’s Zelazo Center.
Why? Because no composer captures the unearthy glow of spring better than Cesar Franck, and his string quartet. One of the last pieces he wrote is rarely performed because of its complexity and length (it stretches to close to 45 minutes). That won’t stop the FAQ, which will also play pieces by Efram Zimbalist and George Antheil.

#4: It’s Your Mother at Boulevard Theater, and Steel Magnolias at Soulstice Theater.
Why? Because you love your mom. You really do. But sometimes…. Patricia Durante and Betsy Tuxill’s series of sketches explore the mother-daughter relationship with moments we’re sure you’ve experienced yourself. And Robert Haring’s Steel Magnolias brings that particular brand of Southern womanhood into the North Country. Take mom for an early Mother’s Day treat.

#3: George Kuchar at UWM’s Union Theater:
Why? Because Kuchar is one of most formidable and friendly of the filmmakers to emerge with the ‘60s avant-garde (he actually started making films with his twin brother in the 1950s). Because his visit is the highlight of a series of programs that have honored him this spring. Because he’s as charming and off-beat in person as his films. And because you won’t get to see films like Libido Lagoon or Vault of Vapors anywhere else this year.


#2: Art in Bloom at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Why? Because it’s never too soon to get a head start on Milwaukee’s teensy-weensy gardening season, and this annual event is a great way to kick things off. Experts lead seminars on flower arranging and planting. And the galleries are filled with arrangements inspired by various paintings in the museum collection. Rothko Rhododendron anyone?

#1: Zemog/El Gallo Bueno at Alverno Presents.
Why? Because three words: Abraham Gomez-Delgado (or I guess that might be two words). Gomez-Delgado is a sort of mad genius of salsa, cross-breeding the Puerto Rican traditions with heavy metal, electronica and whatever else enters his amalgamating brain. And because Alverno’s David Ravel loves finding boundary pushing bands like this one, and turning them loose on a Milwaukee audience.