Summerfest takes over

Dance

Milwaukee’s arts community seems to be taking a collective vacation this week, with this exception: Choreographers Amii Le Gendre and Carey Foster will present their UWM MFA dance department thesis show, The Museum of Narrow Places, at  Inova gallery on the UWM campus. That pay-what-you-can event is set for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 8 and 9.

Summerfest

Otherwise, except for the ongoing shows listed at the bottom it’s a low-key seven days in the arts around here. Unless you count Summerfest.

If you haven’t checked it out already, tune into TCD writer Mark Metcalf’s Summerfest podcast. And check the On Stage highlights below. Don’t miss anything.

After taking off its first Fourth of July in years, Summerfest gears back up tonight (Tuesday) with the somewhat strange pairing of Def Leppard and Heart at the Marcus Amphitheater. More likely pairing is Young the Giant and Switchfoot, even if the latter did have its roots in the Christian rock scene before crossing over to mainstream alternative. Wiz Khalifa of “Black and Yellow” fame, Brit rocker Paul Rodgers and local band The Fatty Acids (who include TCD.tv video artist Joel Van Haren in their lineup) round out the evening.

Wednesday is “indie day” at the Marcus Amphitheater, offering the triple threat of The Black Keys, Florence + the Machine and Cage the Elephant. There are still great shows to see other than that, though, such as Milwaukee favorite Danny Gokey, Peter Frampton and Tonic, who had a hit with 1996’s “If You Could Only See” but dropped off the radar until recently, when they returned with a new self-titled LP.

On Thursday, Katy Perry brings her sugar-and-spice approach to pop music to the Marcus Amphitheater, along with opener Marina and the Diamonds. On the side stages, Milwaukee’s own Kings Go Forth, a 10-piece soul band, opens for Musiq Soulchild, and the equally large ensemble that is Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros will bring their unique brand of indie folk to Milwaukee. For something a bit different than usual Summerfest fare, keep an eye out for the festival’s unofficial bluegrass ambassadors, Yonder Mountain String Band.

After a weeklong stretch of rock and pop, Jason Aldean brings country back to the Marcus Amphitheater Friday, backed up by Chris Young and husband and wife duo Thompson Square. The side stages are glutted with recognizable names — the Goo Goo Dolls, Dropkick Murphys (with Gaelic Storm hitting the same stage in the late afternoon) and longtime collaborator and solo artist Leon Russell — but also familiar-sounding should be The Gufs. Having built their reputation on Milwaukee’s East Side before getting signed in the ‘90s, the rockers are regulars at Summerfest and have a loyal fanbase in the city.

On Saturday, Britney Spears invades the Marcus Amphitheater, with Nicki Minaj, Jessie and the Toy Boys, and Nervo leading the charge as special guests. On the side stages, you can find a mix between aggressive rockers, like Buckcherryand Alkaline Trio, and the (proportionally) mellower sound of Dashboard Confessional and the psychedelic Flaming Lips. But the band with a special place in our hearts is the BoDeans, one of the coolest rock groups to ever come out of Waukesha.

Next Sunday’s the last day of Summerfest, and Sugarland is visiting the Amphitheater with Sara Bareilles to say goodbye. Joining them on the side stages are folk and soul artist Amos Lee, alternate rock band 311, masked rap rockers Hollywood Undead, and Jamaican ska/reggae group Toots and the Maytals, often credited with the invention of the term “reggae” from their 1968 song “Do the Reggay.” And as if that wasn’t enough, Sunday’s also the date of the inaugural Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole Half Marathon and 10K Run, which starts and ends on the grounds and includes a stretch across the Hoan Bridge. The top 20 male and female winners will be awarded a total of $22,000 in cash prizes, and proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin and Milwaukee World Festival.

As before, listings are non-inclusive, so for the remainder of the artists performing or more information, check Summerfest’s website. Tickets are $8 Tuesday-Friday, before 4 p.m., and $15 evenings and weekends.

Marcus Center: Church Basement Ladies, through Aug. 7

American Players Theatre: Blithe Spirit, through Sept. 9

APT: The Critic, through Sept. 10

APT: The Taming of the Shrew, through Oct. 2

APT: The Glass Menagerie, through Oct. 15

APT: Crime and Punishment, through Oct. 16

Note: On Stage is not comprehensive. For more events, please check the TCD performance calendar listings.