Much to do this weekend, but before we get to The List, it’s a good week to celebrate and tout events that might not be on the collective radar. Almost everyone, of course, knows that Wicked is in town at the Marcus Center, and it will draw thousands over its ten-day run. But almost every week, there are performances where audiences are tallied in the dozens instead of the hundreds. They often take place in makeshift spaces rather than established venues, and they usually skew to “adventurous” or experimental rather than the tried and true.
This week, there are three concerts—different combinations of music and movement—that are based in improvisation: Real Time at Danceworks Studio features Andrea and Daniel Burkholder along with guest musician David Schulman; Hyperlocal #6.5 – Form[less] at The Wherehouse (818 S. Water St.) is another edition of Maria Gillespie’s improvised dance-music gatherings; and Alternating Currents Milwaukee at Woodland Pattern Book Center is another installment of Hal Rammel’s series of concerts featuring international free improvisers, this week featuring a quartet of musicians from France. Also, be sure to seek out The Royal Mexican Players Project’s WTF?!?! at UW-Milwaukee’s Kenilworth East Studio, Alvaro Saar Rios’ and Michelle Lopez-Rios’ series of sketches exploring 21st-century life and identity.
And now, the List:
#5: Villalobos Brothers at Latino Arts
Why? Because this quartet from Veracruz, Mexico, has brought it’s signature style of south-of-the-border violin jazz to Carnegie Hall and the Latin Grammys. High energy and full of flash, seeing them in the intimate concert hall at Latino Arts should definitely warm up the chilly November weekend.
#4: The Explorers Club at Soulstice Theatre
Why? Because Phileas Fogg shocked the members of his club by promising to go around the world in 80 days, but he’s got nothing on Lucius Fretway, who shocks the members of his Victorian-era club by asking them to admit a woman. Nell Benjamin’s 2013 play features a host of stiff-upper-lip types who cling to the old traditions of Queen, country and each one’s own particular intellectual fascination. David Ferrie leads a cast of talented comedians.
#3: The Fine Arts Quartet at UW-Milwaukee’s Zelazo Center
Why? Because the FAQ goes for chamber music meat and potatoes in this program, which pairs two of the most beloved string quartets of the repertoire. Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D minor (“Death and the Maiden”) is considered one of the composer’s masterpieces, a moving evocation his grapple with mortality. And Ravel’s String Quartet (1903) is one of hallmarks of musical Impressionism, filled with gorgeous, transparent textures and harmonies.
#2: Frankly Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Why? Because the FAQ’s Ravel quartet got you in the mood for musique française. Frank Almond and friends comes to the rescue, performing a program of French music for piano trio and various combinations thereof. Violinist Almond is joined by frequent collaborator Brian Zeger (piano) and cellist Julian Schwarz for a concert that includes music of Ravel, Emmanuel Chabrier, and the Opus 120 piano trio of Ravel’s teacher, Gabriel Fauré. Compare and contrast papers are due next class.
#1: Danceworks Performance Company’s Footsteps, Shadows and Whispers at Next Act Theatre
Why? Because there’s a whole lot of dancin’ going on at DPC’s annual fall concert, which is perhaps why they are performing in the dance friendly space at Next Act. The nine members of the company are joined by eleven guest artists, including musicians and filmmakers. “Jitterbug Suite: A Memory” is inspired by interviews with seniors about their memories of Milwaukee’s own Eagles Ballroom. Also on the program: new work by Christal Wagner, Dawn Springer, Kym McDaniel and DPC Artistic Director Dani Kuepper.
