ALT-ART: Most of the time it's easy to describe an event. It's a concert, or it's a play, or it's a game, or it's an exhibit, or it's a... well you get the idea. But Friday night, there's something that defies description. First, take Nels Cline, guitarist for Wilco, one of the most respected bands in music. Then, take modern painter Norton Wisdom. Put them together and you get an amazing new performance style called "Stained Radiance." Here's how it works: Wisdom paints continuously on a back-lit surface, never letting anything dry. Then, Cline's guitar and effects fill the theater with an improvised sonic environment. Sound confusing? Check out this video. Or, just head to Stage One in Fairfield Friday night. Tickets are $22. The show starts at 7:30pm.
FEELING BLUE: Thursday night it was the one-and-only B.B. King. Friday, it's time for another pioneer of the Blues. Head to Mohegan Friday night to check out Johnny Winter. With his signature guitar style and his unique voice, Winter is a must-see musician, who's been putting his own spin on modern Blues music for years. Check out Winter's free show at the Wolf Den at 8 p.m.
FILET OF SOUL: Find your lady friends, and head over to the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Saturday to warm up on a long winter's night with the sweet smooth sound of some of the best Soul music you'll ever hope to hear. The Men of Soul features Jeffrey Osborne (five gold and platinum albums), Peabo Bryson (Grammy-Award winner for his unforgettable performances in two classic Disney movies) and Freddie Jackson (a Soul hit-maker in his own right). The guys will take their dulcet tones to the stage starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-$40.
CASH BY ROSANNE CASH: If there's a Mount Rushmore of music, her father would be on it. But she's no slouch when it comes to the family business. Saturday night head to Norfolk to see Rosanne Cash perform at Infinity Hall. Cash is the eldest daughter of Johnny Cash, and over the past 30 years, she's been responsible for a dozen albums and 11 #1 singles, with songs ranging from rock to pop to roots to country. Besides her dad and stepmom June Carter,she's worked with the biggest names in the biz (see Elvis Costello, Wilco and Rufus Wainwright just to name a few). Plus, she's an accomplished author, with short stories and essays published in the New York Times, Time, New York Magazine and Rolling Stone. Tickets for tonight's show are $70-$90. The show starts at 8 p.m.
THE SPIRIT OF THE DANCE: How often to you get to write troupe in a sentence, and not have to worry about the spell check? But one of those rare occasions has rolled around. This weekend is your chance to check out an internationally recognized dance troupe. MOMIX is coming to the Warner in Torrington with a performance of Botanica. The breathtaking fantasy show combines athletic dance, riveting music, outrageous costumes and inventive props to create an unforgettable multi-media experience. There are shows Saturday and Sunday night. Tickets are $29.50-$50.
