A&E Guide: 51 September Arts Events

New theater seasons, stand-up and more

Theater
The African Company stages a play about a play in “The African Company Presents Richard III” at the American Players Theatre. The drama comes as a white New York company tries to shut down a troupe of black actors staging Shakespeare’s famous tragedy 40 years before the Civil War. Through September 14,

Theater
Climb on up to the Up-the-Hill Theatre for Arthur Miller’s prolific play, “Death of a Salesman” at American Players Theatre. Director Kenneth Albers helms the production of Willy Loman’s tragic quest to achieve the American Dream. Through September 16,

Art
A joint exhibition at Drunk Lunch, a gallery and shop on East Johnson Street, highlights the work of two Wisconsin artists now living on opposite sides of the country. Oakland-based Meg Fransee and NYC-based Lance Marchel met at the University of Wisconsin. Fransee’s pieces explore pop culture, while Marchel’s discovered objects look at spirituality and symbolism. Through September 18,

Art
David Giffey, a Vietnam War veteran, journalist and artist, displays his painting series, “Long Shadow: Painted Remembrances of Vietnam” at Madison College’s downtown campus Gallery 211. Giffey’s murals are based on war photos. Through September 30.

Art
“Compassionate Eye: The Art of Frances Myers” at MMoCA’s Henry Street gallery displays printmaking from the long and illustrious career of artist Frances Myers, a long-time educator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Through October 2.

Theater
A tale of twins, twisted identities and plenty of puns, William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” promises laughs sustained through the century at American Players Theatre. Through October 2.

Theater
APT also presents Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband,” a wit-fueled comedy that skewers London’s high society with the absurd cover-up of a politician’s scandal. Through October 8.

Theater
We’ve heard the Greek myth of Orpheus trying to resurrect his wife, but what about Eurydice’s perspective? American Players Theatre presents Sarah Ruhl’s reimagining of the classic myth and delves into whether Eurydice actually wanted to leave her father in the Underworld. Through October 8.

Art
Gleam: Art in a New Light returns to Olbrich Gardens. The new series of illuminated art installations lights up the beautiful gardens during evenings in the fall for an immersive, unique art exhibition. Through October 28.

Art
The Sun Prairie Historical Museum reveals its latest exhibit, “Three Sisters: The Art & Artifacts of Ida, Catherine and Georgia O’Keeffe,” a look at the famous artist and her lesser-known sisters. Through October 31.

Art
“Connections” at UW Arboretum Visitor Center is an exhibit by Madison Contemporary Fiber Artists, a group of local artists who work with stitching, beading, quilting and other fiber-based media. See the diverse ways these creatives come up with. Reception September 11, exhibition through October 31,.

Art
Take the small ones to a teeny-tiny exhibit. The Madison Children’s Museum explores the little things in life with “Get Small: Miniatures, Dolls and Houses.” Through January 31.

Art
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum unveiled its latest exhibition, “The Art of Persuasion: Mobilizing the Masses in World War I.” Learn about the deep influence of propaganda at this free exhibit at the Mifflin Street museum. Through March.

Art
Artist Katherine Kuehn explores poetry and historic correspondences through embroidery in “Close Reading,” at Chazen Museum of Art. Working with linen napkins, ribbon on spindles and a thirty-foot scroll, and needle and thread, Kuehn rediscovers the meaning behind these written words. Through October 16.

Theater
The story of one king’s descent into madness spells tragedy for his daughters. Catch the retelling of William Shakespeare’s “King Lear” at American Players Theatre. Through September 30.

Theater
Samuel Beckett’s one-act play, “Endgame,” gets the American Players Theatre treatment. The absurd story by this influential playwright tells a peculiar tale about life, death and endless cycles. Through October 16.

Music
Geoff & Kia’s 20th Anniversary Spectacular brings local artists together for a celebration of Madison music staples Geoffrey Brady and Kia Karlen, and their enduring marriage. Catch the Tiny Band, the Velvet Smash, the Teramons, Hirt Alpert, Girls are Go!, Optometri, Yid Vicious and Yammer. The WORT benefit show takes place at High Noon Saloon. September 1.

Film
Do the Time Warp at the Majestic Theater for a participatory Brew’n’View of cult favorite Rocky Horror Picture Show. September 2.

Art
Markus Brunetti’s obsessive work recreates the facades with precise attention to detail to create hyper-real images. “Facades,” a new exhibition at the Chazen Museum of Art, displays Brunetti’s photographs. September 2-December 31.

Music
Battle it out or listen in as Madison DJs show off their best beats at Madison’s. Judges Street Runner, DJ Pain 1 and Ra’Shaun bring their expertise in awarding prizes to the top beat makers of the night. September 3.

Festival
The annual Taste of Madison brings together live music and local food to the Capitol Square. Eighty restaurants, twenty-six beverage stands and three stages for entertainment make up this Labor Day weekend tradition. September 3-4.

Music
Move over, gentlemen. Raucous, rocking ladies take the stage for High Noon Saloon’s GRRRLS Kick Ass Fest. The lineup includes The Fine Constant, Mystery Actions, The Complication, Vanessa Silberman, Ultrahazard, SheShe, Gods in the Chrysalis, plus comedy by Rated Her. September 4.

Music
Folk artist and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird fills the Capitol Theater with his unique sound at Overture Center for the Arts. Gabriel Kahane opens. September 6.

Music Festival
The Central Park Sessions continue into September. The Portlander session welcomes Better Yeti, Portland Cello Project and MarchFourth! marching band to the East Side park for an outdoor show to savor summer days. September 8.

Music Festival
Get swinging with Harmonious Wail, Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan, Rhythm Future Quartet and more at the Midwest Gypsy Swing Festival. The lively two-day lineup of music takes place at Art in the Barn in Fitchburg. Stay late for campfire jams. September 9-10.

Music
Alt-rock staple Cake takes on Madison’s latest music venue, Breese Stevens Field. The nineties deadpanners perform rain or shine as they near their twentieth anniversary and ninth album release. Dr. Dog opens the show. September 9.

Theater
A ghost story sets the stage for “Esther’s Descendants,” a Broom Street Theater production. A late queen’s spirit tries to steer her family toward the future in this original play written and directed by Jan Levine Thal. September 9-October 1.

Festival
Mexican Independence Festival celebrates the freedom and culture of Mexico with traditional dance performances, live music, food vendors and activities for the kiddos. Bring the family to Warner Park for this free annual event. September 10.

Music Festival
CaptialLand Music Festival has built a worthy lineup of R&B and hip-hop influencers to perform at Breese Stevens Field. R&B legend Ginuwine, Vivian Green, cover band Kinfolk Soul Music and more perform. September 10.

Comedy
The new face of Comedy Central’s Daily Show brings the laughs to Orpheum Theater. South African comedian Trevor Noah’s stand-up takes on issues of race, politics and more with an international worldview. September 10.

Music
Soulful and genre-bending living legend Mavis Staples performs at Majestic Theater. The gospel singer, 77, will share music from her latest album, “Livin’ on a High Note.” September 10.

Music
Oakwood Chamber Players perform a repertoire of small group music pieces at “Looking Across the Table,” a fall performance at Oakwood Village. The docket includes pieces from Schoenfeld, Colina, Francaix and Elgar. September 10-11.

Music
Check out the local indie music scene at Williamson Magnetic Recording Company. Local acts Wood Chickens and Jonesies are joined by Iowa band Kitsch. September 11.

Art
“Stitching History From the Holocaust” displays re-creations of fashion designs by Hedy Strnad, who died in the Holocaust, at Ruth Davis Design Gallery on the University of Wisconsin campus. September 11-November 13.

Music Festival
The thirteenth annual Madison World Music Festival starts with a sand Mandala constructed by the Mystical Arts of Tibet. Followed by a film screening and Hungarian dance performance on the Memorial Union Terrace, the fest extends into Friday with a lineup of music at the Union and Saturday with a stage at the Willy Street Fair. September 13-17.

Music
Wild Child brings rock tunes from their third album, “Fools,” to the Majestic Theater. September 14,

Music
Rock duo The Kills finishes out the Live on King Street series with a free show outside the Majestic Theater, the last of the summertime tradition. September 16.

Festival
Willy Street Fair is a quintessentially Madison neighborhood fair. With music stages along the historic street, food vendors and handmade art, it’s a can’t-miss goodbye to summertime fairs. September 17-18.

Dance
“Connect,” a new dance performance by Madison Contemporary Vision Dance, tells stories of human interaction through music and movement at Overture Center for the Arts. September 17-18.

Music
Of Montreal, an indie-rock band known for avant-garde stage performances, brings music, costume and spectacle to the Majestic. September 20.

Comedy
Nasim Pedrad, known for her work on “Saturday Night Live” and “Mullaney,” makes a splash with a stand-up set at UW Memorial Union-Shannon Hall. September 23.

Music
Craving folksy tunes? Check out Elephant Revival at Majestic Theater. The band’s heartfelt vocals and traditional instruments like fiddle, mandolin and washboard will spread roots-inspired warmth. September 23.

Music
Madison Symphony Orchestra goes extraterrestrial with “The Planets: An HD Odyssey.” Let acclaimed conductor John DeMain, MSO performs works from George Enescu, John Corigliano and Gustav Holst to transport listeners to outer space at Overture Center. September 23-24.

Music
Jazzy chamber pop group Lake Street Dive brings their signature sound to the stage of the Majestic Theater with opener Rubblebucket. September 25.

Music
The Majestic plays host to Car Seat Headrest, a lo-fi indie pop band hot off the release of a new album, “Teens of Denial.” September 27.

Music
Titus Andronicus, a critically-acclaimed punk band, plays at the High Noon Saloon. Catch them with Houston-based rockers, A Giant Dog. September 27.

Comedy
Stand-up icon Bill Burr brings a gut-busting set to the Orpheum Theater. Catch the seasoned performer in person at the historic Madison theater. September 29.

Music
Porches, a New York-based synthpop project, play a trippy set at the High Noon Saloon. September 29.

Music
Power pop legend Ben Folds shares his flair for songwriting and piano-playing at a concert at the Majestic. The distinguished singer-songwriter fronted Ben Folds Five and went on to release solo albums as well. September 29-30.

Theater
“Freud’s Last Session” imagines what happens when author C.S. Lewis runs into Dr. Sigmund Freud. These two twentieth-century minds are at odds in every philosophy, from sex to religion and more. Catch this one-act show at Upper House. September 30.

Music
Local acts take over the Memorial Union Terrace. Rapper CRASHprez and indie rockers Trophy Dad share Madison-bred songs lakeside. September 30.

COPYRIGHT 2023 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.