Present Music closes its season with a pair of performances of "Divas, Dudes and Dancers," Friday, June 18 at 6 and 9 p.m. at The Wherehouse, 818 S. Water St., in Walker's Point.
Inside, on stage, Present Music will collaborate with internationally respected composter Du Yun and UWM prof Christopher Burns -- a laptop improviser and a composer of instrumental chamber music -- works to integrate technology and dance with choreographer Luc Vanier (Vanier will not be present). Du Yun will perform "Air Glow" and "dream-bend."
In addition, The Present Music Ensemble will perform "New York Counterpoint" by Steve Reich and music from Gabriel Prokofiev's "String Quartet No. 1 and No. 2."
Meanwhile, between the shows, Robin Pluer and Stas Venglevski will entertain on the outdoor patio and there will be a fashion show and free food from The National. Guests are invited to come dressed as their favorite diva, dude or dancer and have the chance to win prizes. Winners will be chosen at 8 p.m.
And don't split too early. There will be a finale afterparty with the Fire Sirens and DJ Asher Gray.
Tickets are $10, $20 and $30 and are always half-price for students. Get tickets by calling (414) 271-0711 or buy online at presentmusic.org. -- Bobby Tanzilo
Swaggering, Black Crowes-style American rock and roll band American Bang is on the road in support of its major label debut. The self-titled record was produced by Bob Rock. whose credits include Metallica, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Skid Row and others.
The band saunters into Milwaukee for a gig at Shank Hall on Wednesday night, opening for Will Hoge. Showtime is 7:30 and cover is $16. The music's a little rawk for me, but if the buzz makes you curious ... -- Bobby Tanzilo
Back when I was living in Oshkosh, I stumbled across a local dive bar which had a weekly polka night. Naturally, I was intrigued but was blown away to find a band made up of people my age playing inside. Accordionist Dan Jerebek and his wife, Michelle, led the way that night and is in town Thursday with their band, Copper Box, to play River Rhythms.
Copper Box blends all kinds of different genres -- including the occasional polka -- into a down-home, feel-good show with a little something for everybody.
Check out this free River Rhythms show at 6:30 p.m. in Pere Marquette Park. -- Andrew Wagner
Will Hoge grew up in Franklin, Tenn., a rural suburban Nashville, and dreamed of becoming a high school history teacher and basketball coach. Then, music got in the way. Hoge started a band, Spoonful, which didn't hit it big. He then struck out as a solo artist, casting powerful songs with sometimes downbeat themes set against driving country rock twang. His album from last year, "The Wreckage," received strong reviews and will be the launching pad for his show Wednesday night at Shank Hall. Admission is $16. --Drew Olson
Bay View’s Chill on the Hill opened its summer-long season of free live music last week with the Navy Band Great Lakes. This week, the event, which takes place at Humboldt Park on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., hosts Tennessee-based Anna Johnson and Friends. Johnson’s folk-infused pop country sound is part Alison Krauss, part Joni Mitchell. In an interesting side note Johnson was awarded a scholarship to study music. That scholarship was given to her by the band Queen! -- Bobby Tanzilo
