Local artists and “Memphis,” too

J. Bernard Calloway and Montego Glover in “Memphis,” at the Marcus Center this week. Photo courtesy of the “Memphis” website.

Theater

At the Milwaukee Theatre this week

The Marcus Center will host the touring production of Memphis this week, the 2010 Tony winner for Best Musical. The underground dance clubs and racial conflict of the 1950s provide the backdrop for Memphis, following a restless, white radio DJ and a talented, black club singer, both of whom want to break out and make it big. The show starts today, Jan. 8 and runs through Sun. Jan. 13. See the full schedule and purchase tickets ($40 or $94) online or call (414) 273-7206.

Carte Blanche Studios will host MKE Follies, the collaborative brainchild of local dancers Katie Rhyme and Karen Zakrzewski. MKE Follies offers opportunities for artists to show off their latest projects in theater, dance and music on an every-other-month basis. This month’s performance, at 8 p.m. Jan. 12, includes six acts: Annetta Martin of The MUTES, singer Nastassja Bates and dancers Jaimi Patterson, Lindsey Krygowski, Catey Ott Thompson and Betsy Guerrero. Call (414) 455-3279 for more info.

Music

Frankly Music brings the Art of the Cello to the Wisconsin Conservatory, featuring Tamás Varga, principal cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic. Varga will play solo pieces by Ligeti, Ibert, and Gál and will join Frank Almond, violinist and Frankly Music founder, and pianist  Stephen Beus in Brahms’ Piano Trio in C. Performances begin at 7 p.m., Mon. Jan. 14 and Tues. Jan. 15. Purchase tickets online or call (414) 940-8770.

Cellist Peter Thomas teams up with pianist Matthew Bergey for a special spring series at the Conservatory

MSO cellist Peter Thomas (also a member of Milwaukee’s successful indie-rock band I’m Not A Pilot) will collaborate with pianist Matthew Bergey for The Beethoven Cello Sonata Project, a three-part concert covering the complete Beethoven cello series this spring. Have a listen to the duo here. The first concert will include Sonata No. 2 (G Minor) and Sonata No. 5 (D Major), performed at the Wisconsin Conservatory at 7 p.m. Sun. Jan. 13. Tickets are $10, students/seniors $8. Call (414) 276-5760 for more info.

The Wisconsin Choral Directors Association has recognized 500 elementary, middle and high school students to participate in the All-State Choir Concert, held at the Pabst Theater Sat. Jan. 12. Doors open at 4 p.m. and tickets are $8 online, at the door or call (414) 286-3663. The Collegiate All-State Choir is also performing, 7:3o p.m. Fri. Jan 11 at the Basilica of St. Josaphat.

Have you checked out TCD’s Take One Series yet? Our own Sahan Jayasuriya has been scooping up great local musicians to perform in our humble office abode in Grand Avenue Mall. Drop by this Friday at 3 p.m. (follow the Plankinton Arcade signs) for our third installment: a one-of-a-kind, off-the-cuff performance by Milwaukee sister-duo indie-rockers Vic and Gab. Give ’em a listen before you stop by; hope to see you Friday!

Visual Art

Encounters by Jason Rohif, courtesy Tory Folliard Gallery site

Tory Folliard Gallery presents its new exhibition COLOR!, featuring paintings and sculptures embracing lively and intense colors. The exhibition opens Fri. Jan. 11 and runs through Mar. 13. Visit the gallery’s website for a preview of featured works.

Ongoing

Milwaukee Rep: Mind Over Milwaukee, through Feb. 24

The Milwaukee Public Museum: Real Pirates, through May 27

Last Chance

VIA Downer & Transfer: side work, through Jan. 11

Skylight Music Theatre: Here’s a Howdy Do–The Mischievous World of Gilbert & Sullivan, through Jan. 13

Milwaukee Art Museum: Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Gainsborough, The Treasures of Kenwood House, London, through Jan. 13

Milwaukee Rep: Sense & Sensibility, through Jan. 13