Up Close Series
Ben Wendel & Taylor Eigsti
Friday, November 22
8pm
Capitol Theater Stage
$45
Age Recommendation
May not be appropriate for young audiences due to content, length or atmosphere.
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ben Wendel, renowned for his eclectic blend of jazz and collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Prince and Kneebody, joins forces with Grammy-winning pianist Taylor Eigsti, whose prodigious talent has graced stages alongside legends like Dave Brubeck and Sting. Enjoy a dynamic fusion of styles and a celebration of musical mastery.
Experience the magic of live music with our Up Close series as the Capitol Theater stage is transformed into a vibrant cocktail lounge! Enjoy an intimate evening of music featuring a diverse lineup of emerging artists from around the globe.
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Please note: Some shows, including Up Close performances, do not have discounts but do count towards number requirements.
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Videos
Photos
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Photo Credit: Josh Goleman -
Photo Credit: Elizaveta von Stuben Imagery -
Photo Credit: Josh Goleman -
Photo Credit: Elizaveta von Stuben Imagery -
Photo Credit: Josh Goleman -
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Photo Credit: Josh Goleman
Thank you to our Overture Presents partners
Title Partners
Community Partners
Leading Partners
Supporting Partners
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Charles & Barbara Saeman
Upcoming Music Events
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December 13
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music The Handphibians
Rotunda Stage
The Handphibians will bring the vibrant sounds of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife, Brazil, to life with their songs and traditional drumming rhythms.
Multiple Showtimes -
December 20
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Fox & Branch's Will Branch
Rotunda Stage
Get ready to sing, dance and laugh with Fox & Branch's Will Branch! This lively duo brings families together with a high-energy mix of traditional and original songs played on guitar, fiddle, banjo and washboard.
Multiple Showtimes -
January 3
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Music, Overture Presents, Variety The Reset
Capitol Theater
Experience sound and music like never before at “The Reset—a transformative journey beyond the typical concert. Renowned singer and sound healer Davin Youngs layers vocals, crystal bowls, tuning forks and electronic beats into a mind-body “sound bath.”
Multiple Showtimes -
January 10
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music David Landau
Rotunda Stage
David’s personal appearances are upbeat musical programs that keep children engaged and constantly thinking. The kids sing some, move some, dance some, shout just a little bit and laugh a bunch.
Multiple Showtimes -
January 16
Friday
2025/26 Season, Music, Overture Presents, Up Close Layale Chaker
Capitol Theater Stage
Witness the mesmerizing sounds of composer and violinist Layale Chaker who blends classical contemporary, jazz, Arabic music and improvisation.
8:00 PM -
January 17
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Panchromatic Steel
Rotunda Stage
Panchromatic Steel fuses island styles with pop hits, rock and jazz into a high-energy blend that's easy to love. At the heart of their sound is the steelpan, an instrument from Trinidad and Tobago, adding vibrant Caribbean flair.
Multiple Showtimes -
January 23 - January 25
Classical Music, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music Heartbeat
Overture Hall
The Symphony's new year begins with Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Escaramuza” (meaning “skirmish” in Spanish), a dynamic and colorful work inspired by her Peruvian heritage. This spirited piece captures the energy of the lively Kachampa Andean dance, celebrating the agility and strength of Inca warriors.
Multiple Showtimes -
January 27
Tuesday
2025/26 Season, Jazz, Music, Overture Presents Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Overture Hall
Experience Duke Ellington’s boundary-breaking music—rooted in African rhythms and infused with jazz, blues, spirituals and gospel—as the world’s premier big band returns to Madison. Enjoy an unforgettable night of swing, soul and sensational musicianship that celebrates Ellington’s enduring influence around the globe.
7:30 PM -
January 30
Friday
Classical Music, Music, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Masterworks II - Prokofiev Prowess
Capitol Theater
Join the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra for an electrifying evening showcasing the fiery virtuosity of guest pianist Ilya Yakushev in Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 3.”
7:30 PM -
January 31
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Angela Puerta
Rotunda Stage
Angela Puerta and her band bring a unique blend of entertainment and education to young audiences by incorporating small instruments that kids can play along with during the show. The interactive experience not only keeps kids engaged but also fosters a love for music in both English and Spanish.
Multiple Showtimes -
January 31
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Classical Music, Film, Music, Overture Presents Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert
Overture Hall
In the epic finale to the Harry Potter Film Concert Series the battle between good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war!
Multiple Showtimes -
February 7
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music Drum Power
Rotunda Stage
The Drum Power advanced performing group features local youth ages 12-16, showcasing drumming and dance from Guinea, Senegal and Mali in West Africa and Salvador Bahia and Rio, Brazil.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 7
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Cover Bands, Folk Music, Music, Overture Presents The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Overture Hall
The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back! Using huge projection photos and original film footage, this show also features a full live band performing all the duo’s hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound” and many more.
7:30 PM -
February 13 - February 15
Classical Music, Madison Opera, Music, Theater Everlasting Faint
Capitol Theater
Based on the true story of the 1897 “Greenbrier Ghost,” “Everlasting Faint” is a ghost story, a maternal love story, a true crime drama and an all-American opera. Don’t miss this world premiere by Madison composer Scott Gendel and librettist Sandra Flores-Strand.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 14
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Jazz, Kids in the Rotunda, Music NOLA Tribute
Rotunda Stage
Get ready for a musical journey with the New Orleans Tribute! This talented group, featuring members from Mama Digdown's Brass Band and Madison's top jazz musicians, brings the vibrant sounds of New Orleans Jazz and Secondline music to you—no plane ticket needed.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 20 - February 22
Classical Music, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music Playful Pursuits
Overture Hall
“Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a decidedly playful overture by a very youthful Felix Mendelssohn. This sparkling work captures the magic of the fairy kingdom, the humor of the lovers’ entanglements and the grandeur of Theseus’ court.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 21
Saturday
Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids in the Rotunda, Music L.E.X
Rotunda Stage
L.E.X delivers original kid-friendly hip-hop music with positive themes like regulating emotions, being kind, chasing dreams and navigating childhood experiences.
Multiple Showtimes -
February 24
Tuesday
Classical Music, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music Felix Hell, Organist
Overture Hall
Organist Felix Hell, who first performed in Madison in 2012, returns with a brilliant and unique program that he calls “Cathedral of Sound: The Organ as Orchestra.”
7:30 PM -
February 25
Wednesday
Classic Rock, Music Joe Bonamassa
Overture Hall
Hailed internationally as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation and cited by Guitar World Magazine as “the world's biggest blues guitarist,” Joe Bonamassa has almost single-handedly redefined the blues-rock genre and brought it into the mainstream.
8:00 PM -
February 27
Friday
Classical Music, Kanopy Dance, Music, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Masterworks III - Regeneration with Kanopy Dance Company
Capitol Theater
Universal rhythms explored through music and movement—weaving together themes of transformation and the endless cycle of renewal.
7:30 PM -
March 5
Thursday
2025/26 Season, Cabaret, Music, Overture Presents Kyle Taylor Parker: Juke Joint Jubilee
Capitol Theater Stage
Don’t miss Broadway powerhouse Kyle Taylor Parker in a thrilling evening of soulful vocals and show-stopping storytelling. From his acclaimed turns in “Kinky Boots” and “Smokey Joe’s Café” to his celebrated solo albums, KTP is ready to dazzle and delight in this intimate cabaret concert.
6:30 PM -
March 7
Saturday
Dance, Educational/Talks, Family Friendly, Folk Music, Free Events, Music, Theater, Variety, Visual Arts International Festival
Multiple Venues
Celebrate the rich cultural heritage within our community and enjoy nearly 30 FREE performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, browse stunning arts and crafts available for purchase and learn about the many local businesses with global connections.
10:00 AM -
March 10
Tuesday
2025/26 Season, Music, Overture Presents DRUM TAO: The Best
Capitol Theater
Experience the pulse-pounding power of Drum TAO, where traditional Japanese Wadaiko drums meet breathtaking performance and modern spectacle. Renowned for their dynamic choreography, striking visuals and thunderous rhythms, “Drum TAO” delivers a performance that is more than just a concert—it’s a full-body experience.
7:00 PM -
March 20 - March 21
Classical Music, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Music Force of Nature
Overture Hall
Strauss’ “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks” is a mischievous tone poem that follows the antics of a legendary trickster. From daring escapades to clever pranks, the music captures Till’s irreverent spirit with virtuosic orchestral writing and humor.
Multiple Showtimes -
March 21
Saturday
2025/26 Season, Classical Music, Cover Bands, Music, Overture Presents One Night of Queen performed by Gary Mullen and The Works
Capitol Theater
Get ready to rock! This high-energy, two-hour stage show brings the legendary music and iconic theatrics of Queen to life, featuring the incredible Gary Mullen & The Works.
7:30 PM