#5: Sweet Honey in the Rock at Alverno Presents.
Why? Because we all need a little bit of soul with our politics, and this very soulful vocal quintet has been delivering for nearly four decades (back when our politics weren’t nearly as soulless as they are today). Stirring harmonies and music in the camp of traditional gospel and blues are the group’s hallmarks. And they don’t shy away from political issues (recently, taking on the immigration debate). This concert, they’ll likely feature a lot of stuff from their new release “Are We a Nation?,” which doesn’t seem like a bad question to be asking these days.
#4: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at Uihlein Hall.
Why? Because you love the way Edo de Waart shapes and finesses the symphonies of Beethoven and Mahler, and you can’t wait to hear his take on the lushly pastoral Second Symphony of Johannes Brahms. Because, as they say on late-night TV, and that’s not all. The concert opens with the early, Mozart-ish Fifth Symphony of Schubert (written when he was only 19), and also features the “Water Concerto” by contemporary Chinese composer Tan Dun. For this piece, guest artist Yuri Yamashita and other percussionists will play an array of “water” instruments that will unleash some sounds not often heard in Uihlien Hall.
#3: In Tandem’s Mrs. Mannerly at the Tenth Street Theater.
Why? Because you loved Jeffery Hatcher’s Ten Chimneys (last month at the Milwaukee Rep), and maybe even some of the dozen or so Hatcher plays you’ve seen in Milwaukee over the last two decades. And because you’re curious about the premise: an etiquette class for kids in the free-wheeling late-‘60s, when there were perhaps other crises than using the wrong fork at dinner. And because you know that In Tandem is a great match for Hatcher’s skewed humor and generous wit.
#2: Jordi and Ferran Savall at UWM’s Zelazo Center.
Why? Because you perhaps haven’t spun your collection of viola da gamba CDs in a while, but whenever the acknowledged world master of any instrument comes to town, you want to be there. Gamba player Ferran is joined by his son, Jordi, who sings and plays the lute-like theorbo, in a concert that highlights the contrast between Eastern and Western music in the 13th-17th centuries.
#1: The Exonerated at Next Act Theatre.
Why? Let me count the ways. Because Next Act Theatre will unveil its brand new space with this production, a beautiful converted warehouse in the Fifth Ward that will be a huge asset to the Milwaukee arts community. Because Erik Jensen and Jessica Blank’s play features the stories of six Americans whose convictions were reversed after spending years on death row. Because it features a slew of talented Milwaukee actors, and the estimable Edward Morgan as director. And because it’s simply the big Milwaukee theater event of the season.
