53 events to jazz up July

ArtThe James Watrous Gallery at Overture wraps up solo exhibitions from Gwen Avant and Gregory Klassen. In Avant's "Either Way," her visceral watercolors come out of a wrestling match with the canvas, raw and unconscious. In "Helioptropism," Gregory Klassen truly infuses the nature into his paintings with soil, plants and other natural forces. Through July 3, overturecenter.org

ArtCheck out the work of local art professor Jane Fasse at Madison College's Gallery 211 at the downtown campus. Presenting work old and new, explore her mastery of oils, printmaking and more. Through July 20, madisoncollege.edu/gallery

ArtCarolyn Jenkinson looks at history of Mexico through the traditional "huipil" garment of Mexico, a woven dress that's evolved over time in her exhibition "Ancient Looms, Modern Thread: Contemporary Handwoven Garments from Oaxaca, Mexico" at Nancy Nicholas Hall. Through August 13, sohe.wisc.edu

ArtFeaturing infrared photographs by Wisconsin artists and a tribute to the father of infrared photography, "Wisconsin Landscapes in Infrared" is the Madison Science Museum's newest exhibit. Through August 13, madisonsciencemuseum.org

ArtLandscapes, pop art and abstracts make up the exhibition "Our Good Earth" at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. The form varies, but the subject matter stays the same: the natural world around us. Through August 21, mmoca.org

Art"All-Licensed Fool: Animations by Allison Schulnik and Wong Ping" brings two different projects to MMoCA. Both exploring the monstrousness of the human form within surrealistic worlds, view Schulnik's film "Eager" and Ping's film "An Emo Nose" in the museum's Imprint Gallery. Through August 28, mmoca.org

ArtFemale, trans and non-binary artists share their work with a new exhibition at the coworking space 100state called "Rewoven." See how these diverse artists share their point of view. Through September 1, 100state.com

ArtIn "Claire Stigliani: Half-Sick of Shadows," the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art reveals a new body of work by the Brooklyn-based artist known for infusing her mixed-media drawings with references to fairy tales and pop culture to probe ideas of femininity. Through Sept. 3, mmoca.org

ArtHead to Overture's Gallery III for "Dichotomy of Juxtapositions and Crooked Ruins." Artists Jordan Adams and Justin Bitner. Adams creates representations of transitory spaces. Britner creates reclaimed sculptures using relics of the past. Reception July 15, exhibition through September 4, overturecenter.org

ArtRhea Ewing's images of the natural world and Terry Emmrich's relief prints tell a story of uncertainty behind a deceivingly serene landscape at Overture's Gallery I in the exhibition "Against Entropy." Reception July 15. Exhibition through September 4, overturecenter.org

ArtThe threat of climate change looms in the work of Todd Anderson and Bruce Crownover. In Overture Gallery II's new summer exhibition, "The Last Glacier," look at glaciers through woodblock prints, immortalizing the glaciers of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park that are destined to melt. Reception July 15. Exhibition through September 4.

TheaterThe African Company stages a play about a play in "Richard III" at 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, americanplayers.org

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

Art"Compassionate Eye: The Art of Frances Myers" at MMoCA's Henry Street Gallery displays print-making from the long and illustrious career of artist Frances Mayers, a long-time educator at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Through October 2, mmoca.org

TheaterA 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, americanplayers.org

TheaterAPT 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, americanplayers.org

TheaterWe'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 through the lens of Eurydice. Does she actually want to leave her father in the Underworld? Through October 8, americanplayers.org

ArtThe Wisconsin Veterans Museum unveiled their latest exhibition, "The Art of Persuasion: Mobilizing the Masses in World War I." Learn about the deep influence of propaganda at this free exhibition at the Mifflin Street museum. Through March 2017, wivetsmuseum.com

MusicJokers, smokers, midnight tokers and more will rejoice as the Steve Miller Band comes to Breese Stevens Field for a huge outdoor concert. July 1, breesestevensfield.com

MusicMilwaukee ska band Something to Do plays a free show at UW Memorial Union Terrace. Madison pop-punk band Proud Parents open. July 1, union.wisc.edu

MusicHip-hop collective Black Poets Society spits truth at the High Noon Saloon. July 1, high-noon.com

Music FestivalAn annual fundraiser for Stoughton Opera House, the Catfish River Music Festival brings a packed slate of live music to Rotary Park in Stoughton. The three-day lineup includes musicians like Charlie Parr, Boo Bradley and the Clyde Stubblefield All Stars. July 2-4, catfishriverfest.com

MusicHear the dulcet tones of soprano Mimi Fulmer for free at Sunday Afternoon Live at Chazen Museum of Art. July 3, chazen.wisc.edu

MusicCombine beautiful music with majestic scenery as the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra plays an outdoor show at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. July 5, olbrich.org

MusicGrammy-winning songwriter Chris Cornell makes a stop at Overture for his "Hugh Truth" tour. Known for his work as lead singer of Seattle grunge staple Soundgarden, he has since released four solo albums. July 5, overturecenter.org

MusicConcerts on the Square descend upon the capitol. On July 6, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra is joined by guest vocalists Kitt & Alli Foss for "Bursts of Joy." Don't miss this Fourth of July salute, featuring the "Star Spangled Banner" and the WCO's yearly tradition of performing Tchaikovsky's epic "1812 Overture." July 6, 13, 20, & 27, wcoconcerts.org

MusicSan Francisco's Thao & the Get Down Stay Down brings their unique brand of folk-influenced alt-rock to Majestic Theater. July 6, majesticmadison.com

MusicLocal "farm rock" band The Sharrows plays at the High Noon Saloon. July 7, high-noon.com

TheaterA musical about a man with a mind playing tricks on him, the Music Theater of Madison presents "A New Brain" at the Frederic March Play Circle in the UW Memorial Union. July 8-16, union.wisc.edu

ArtFive hundred artists flood the Capitol Square for the 58th annual Art Fair on the Square. MMoCA's summer fundraiser features handmade pieces, live music and street food to explore. July 9-10, mmoca.org

ArtAs artists flank the square, there's even more to see on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard for Art Fair Off the Square. This simultaneous event shows off the work of 140 Wisconsin artists. July 9-10, artcraftwis.org

MusicThe Madison Early Music Festival takes you back in time for "Shakespeare 400: An Elizabethan Celebration" at the UW Humanities Building. Elizabethan history dominates in this weeklong series of concerts from guest artists, deep lectures, films and dances. July 9-16, madisonearlymusic.org

TheaterImmerse yourself in a tale as old as time. First Act Children's Theatre's "Beauty and the Beast, Jr." brings book-loving Belle and the not-as-he-seems Beast to Edgewood College. July 11-15, firstactchildrenstheatre.com

TheaterA shoe factory, a drag queen and music by Cyndi Lauper come together in the hit Broadway musical "Kinky Boots." The Tony award-winning Broadway hit comes to Overture Center. July 12-17, overturecenter.org

MusicViolinist Jerry Loughney is the featured musician for "Nature's Revelries," this week's Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra's Concert on the Square. On the repertoire: works from Dukas, Sibelius, Gabe and Davorak. Set up camp and join the Madison tradition. July 13, wcoconcerts.org

MusicLocal feminist punk rock band Damsel Trash plays an intimate show at the Frequency. July 13, madisonfrequency.com

FestivalLa Fete de Marquette rolls into Central Park for four days of music, food and family events in this quintessential French-inspired Madison summer festival. Celebrate the neighborhood and dance the summer night away. July 14-17, wil-mar.org

MusicKick it on King Street with Lewis del Mar, a pair of folk-pop musicians from Queens. The Majestic hosts this free outdoor concert as part of their Live on King Street summer series. July 15, liveonkingstreet.com

TheaterThirty-seven plays, three actors, two hours: "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" is a fiery retelling of the Bard's oeuvre, ripe with humor. Catch it at Mitchell Theatre in Vilas Hall. July 14-31, union.wisc.edu

Music'Tis the season for Concerts on the Square. This week, guest artist Chitravina N. Raikiran joins the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra for "Eastern Elements." Raikira is a master of a 20-string instrument called the chitravina. This concert explores Eastern and Western sounds through music from Beethoven and Dikshitar of South India. July 17, wcoconcerts.org

MusicThis week's Concerts on the Square takes you to the movies with "Reel Sound," a free concert featuring music from movies. The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra will play some of the most memorable compositions from films including "James Bond," "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones" and "Lord of the Rings." July 20, wcoconcerts.org

TheaterSomething wicked this way comes when the Madison Shakespeare Company stages a murderous tale in "The Tragedy of Macbeth" at Edgewood College's amphitheater. Watch as the Scottish Thane and his wife are driven to do anything for power in this classic tragedy. July 21-24, madisonshakespeare.org

MusicMadison Opera celebrates its 15th Opera in the Park by staying true to what makes the event an annual favorite. The Madison Opera Chorus, the Madison Symphony Orchestra and guest singers sopranos Emily Birsan and Angela Brown, tenor Scott Quinn and baritone Sidney Outlaw take the stage in this outdoor celebration of music and culture. July 23, madisonopera.org/performances-2015-2016/park/

MusicHead to the High Noon Saloon to listen to Seesaw, an indie-pop duo from Illinois. The show serves as an album release for their latest release "Too Much of a Good Thing." Sets from Milkweed and Barbara Hans open, while Neens provides music for the after-party. July 23, high-noon.com

MusicQueen of soul Diana Ross glides into the Overture. The superstar vocalist brings her historic talent to Madison for one night only. July 28, overturecenter.org

MusicIt may be the last chance to see Minneapolis pop-punk band Motion City Soundtrack in concert as they stop in Madison as part of their "So Long Farewell" tour. Expect synth sounds and sarcasm at the Barrymore Theater. July 28, barrymorelive.com

MusicThe Dixie Sizzlers play sweet, sweet Dixieland jazz lakeside at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. July 29, union.wisc.edu

MusicIndie rockers Ra Ra Riot take the Live on King Street stage for a free summer show. July 28, liveonkingstreet.com

TheaterThe Madison Savoyards bring the work of Gilbert and Sullivan to life once again with "The Gondoliers." The Savoyards have performed comic operas by the famed pair of playwrights since 1963. July 29-August 7, madisonsavoyards.com

TheaterA time-travelling tragicomedy by Tom Stoppard, "Arcadia" comes to the Up-the-Hill Theatre at the American Players Theater. As two lovers jump around in time, leaving clues for academics along the way, love is at the core of this mesmerizing story. July 29-October 1, americanplayers.org

MusicThe first of this summer's Central Park Sessions takes place at Olbrich Park. The "Silk Road Session" features Caravan Gypsy Swing Ensemble, Dengue Fever and Hanggai, a band from Inner Mongolia. July 30, marquette-neighborhood.org

FestivalWith a joinable parade, a KidsFest stage and two outdoor stages packed with live music lineups, AtwoodFest returns as one of the city's favorite summer festivals. July 30-31, atwoodfest.com

MusicFinish out the month with the soulful tunes of Eric Hutchinson, the feel-good singer-songwriter who blew up with singles like "OK, It's Alright with Me" and "Rock & Roll." Hutchinson plays at the Majestic Theater. July 31. 

Source: 53 events to jazz up July