Anyone who's driven north of Madison in the last month knows that the countryside isn't looking all that great for Wisconsin's farmers. Fields are brown, corn is short, and apples are struggling. Not helping matters is a broken Congress so split over ideology there doesn't seem to be a realistic way to pass a much needed Farm Bill. That's why one of the more important events you could attend this weekend is likely the 1st Annual Wisconsin Reggae Festival at the High Noon Saloon on Saturday which is also acting as a Drought Relief Fundraising event. The show runs from 3 p.m. until closing time, but if reggae simply isn't up your alley you can still send donations directly to the Family Farm Defenders drought relief effort. A complete list of performers can be found on Facebook.

This is a big weekend for Spring Green's Shitty Barn. They have two evenings of song and frivolity starting tonight with Josh Harty, Nath Dresser, and Bob Weinswig performing the music of Townes Van Zandt. The show includes a screening of the biopic Be Here To Love Me. Tomorrow is a fundraiser for the FairShare CSA Coalition. CSA's are being hit especially hard due to the drought, but the farmers continue to power on to bring subscribers the best possible boxes they can with less to work with than usual (except tomatoes...so...many...tomatoes). The show starts at 4:30 p.m. and goes all night. Musicians that will be hanging out with the farmers include Evan Murdock, Oak Street Ramblers, Trapper Schoepp and the Shades and Jonathan Burks. Technically, you could go hang out in Spring Green for a couple hours and head back to Madison for the end of the Reggae Fest, but no matter what you do this weekend you have little excuse for not supporting farmers.

Perhaps taking a page from Frank Black, Biff Blumfumgagnge will be providing the live soundtrack for the classic German expressionist film The Golem on the patio at Mickey's Tavern tonight at 10 p.m. The 92-year-old film has stood the test of time as one of the odder movies you could allow your eyes to feast upon.

Regent Street Retreat is hosting a night of loud and fun metal tonight with Malice, Lords of The Trident, Casket Robbery, Mousai, and Hollowstone. Show starts at 9 p.m.

The Dragonfly Lounge is featuring Madison alt-folk/rock band The Mascot Theory. The band has plenty of original material to share, but they also delve into favorites from similar acts such as Ryan Adams, Band of Horses, and Mumford & Sons. Starts at 10 p.m.

The Project Lodge features The Garza, Things Falling Apart, and Tyranny is Tyranny tonight with an early 7 p.m. show. Tomorrow they'll be handing the venue over to Washingtonians Cat Lamb and Bryan Eubanks. Helping our locally will be Noxroy and Wilhelm Matthies.

Tomorrow night the Frequency is featuring a CD release show from electronic duo Cemetery Improvement Society. You can sample some of what you can expect to hear on the new album at soundcloud. <--that link will take you to our favorite track. Golden Donna, Echo Island, and The Demix will also be in attendance starting at 9:30 p.m.