For the week of September 24-30…
Milwaukee Film Festival, September 26-October 10, various locations (mkefilm.org)
One of the year’s largest arts events in Milwaukee gets underway this Thursday when the fifth Milwaukee Film Festival begins, with screenings taking place in three of Milwaukee’s historic theaters: the Oriental and Downer on the East Side, and the Fox Bay in Whitefish Bay. Of the over 200 films showing during the 15 day event, a number of them are outstanding music films. They include: Muscle Shoals, about the legendary Alabama recording studio; Stop Making Sense, Jonathan Demme’s magnificent 1984 Talking Heads concert film, in a rare showing on the Big Screen; Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me, the acclaimed documentary about the early 70’s cult band; The Girls in the Band; Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker; Brothers Hypnotic; Narco Cultura, and Enzo Avitabile Music Life. Detailed information on these and the other titles in the festival can be found by going to festival website listed above. See the films you can, but don’t miss this great Milwaukee event!
Venus in Fur, September 27-November 3, Stiemke Studio, 108 E Wells St (milwaukeerep.com)
Hot on the heels of the opening of their magnificent production of Ragtime, the Milwaukee Rep’s first Studio production of the season gets underway with David Ives’ sizzling comedy. Laura Gordon directs Reese Madigan as the director who’s casting the stage adaptation of a classic erotic novel, and Greta Wohlrabe as the actress who desperately wants the lead role. Her audition evolves into a battle of the sexes, described as “90 minutes of kinky fun.” These two fine actors certainly assure that in this show, which sounds like the perfect night out for fans of 50 Shades of Grey.
Ravel and Stravinsky, Marcus Center, September 27-28, Marcus Center, 929 N Water St (mso.org)
French composer Maurice Ravel was a master of orchestration who had many admirers, including one George Gershwin. His crowning achievement is arguably his Daphnis and Chloe Suite, which headlines this weekend’s Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra program, in which the MSO will be joined by the marvelous Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, providing wordless vocals to supplement the orchestra’s sumptuous sound. Another Ravel fan, Igor Stravinsky, is also represented on the program, led by guest conductor Roberto Abbado (nephew of famous conductor Claudio Abbado), with his only concerto featuring the violin. The guest soloist is Augustin Hadelich, who electrified MSO audiences when he performed a Mozart concerto with the MSO last spring. This amazing young star is not to be missed!
Prometheus Trio, September 30-October 1, Bader Concert Hall, 1584 N Prospect Ave (wcmusic.org)
Speaking of the Milwaukee Symphony, three MSO musicians, namely violinist Tim Klabunde, cellist Scott Tisdel and pianist Stefanie Jacob also comprise one of this city’s finest chamber music ensembles, the Prometheus Trio, who open their 14th season in residence at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music next Monday and Tuesday. The program is typical PT, a mix of familiar and adventurous, featuring music of Debussy, Clarke and Schubert, performed in the intimate setting of Bader
Tuning In With Randy-O 