To book us or to get e-mailed notices of upcoming shows, in your area or everywhere, write us at yes.this.is.the.viper@gmail.com.

UPCOMING

Nothing Scheduled
Pandemic/Parenthood/OldAge Break
But watch this space for our eventual return.

DOWNGOING

Friday, February 19, 2021 (8:00 p.m. CST)
Waiting for Spinal Wind
The Viper and His Famous Orchestra and many, many more.
Streaming @ https://www.facebook.com/SockratesPuppets/
Free, with virtual tip jar to benefit the Madison Children’s Museum.

Hosted by the Sockrates Sock Puppet Carnival of Morals and Logic, this virtual performance will feature lots of Madison luminaries performing songs and stories from five decades of
Guest/Levy/McKean/O’Hara/Shearer collaboration. Read our longer post about it — including a comprehensive list of performers — here.

Monday, November 11, 2019
The Greatest War
The Kissers, The Viper and His Famous Orchestra, and others
Shannon Hall
800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706 | (608) 265-3000
https://thegreatestwar.org/

Friday, September 20, 2019 (6:00 – 10:00 p.m.)
Madison Children’s Museum
100 N Hamilton St #100, Madison, WI 53703 | (608) 256-6445
Adult Swim: Downtown Abbey

Saturday, June 29, 2019 (5:00 p.m.)
The Viper and His Famous Orchestra
Riley Broach’s Backyard (right next to the air conditioner)
Highland Park, IL 60035

The Viper & His Olds Orchestra celebrate the 41st anniversary of a birth of a very special bassist known as Mr. Broach. “The older I get, the younger I feel,” didn’t say Riley Broach as he adjusted his age-appropriate flip-flops. Meanwhile, Rob Henn wore “ironic” dark socks.

But look at the new bass player we have in the offing.

Thursday, June 13, 2019 (9:30 p.m.)
The Viper and His Famous Orchestra
The California Clipper
1002 North California Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | (773) 384-2547

Thursday, May 16, 2019 (7:00 p.m.)
Composer-In-Residence, The Viper, with the Orchestras of Lake Zurich Middle School North
Lake Zurich Middle School North Spring Concert 2019 | 95 Hubbard Lane, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047 | (847) 719-3600

Thursday, November 15, 2018 (7:00 p.m.)
The Viper and His Little Things Mean A Lot, in support of Combo Noir
Bos Meadery
849 East Washington, Madison, WI 53703 | (608) 628-3792
https://www.facebook.com/events/1784313071667198/

Saturday, November 10, 2018 (7:30 p.m. until the wee small hours of the morning)
Kneel to Neil
Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
1001 E. Locust St., Milwaukee, WI 53212 | (414) 263-9844
$10 cheap

Wednesday, September 12, 2018 (9:30 p.m.)
The Viper and His Famous Orchestra
The California Clipper
1002 North California Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | (773) 384-2547
https://www.facebook.com/events/217066008975936/

Saturday, August 18, 2018 (4:00 – 5:00 p.m.)
The Viper and the Fruit of His Loins
52nd Street Block Party
1925 N. 52nd Street | Milwaukee, WI 53208 | (414) 302-9228

Thursday, August 2, 2018 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
The Viper and His Good Looks,
as part of the Relative Connections Art Show and Sale opening night
The Art Center Highland Park
1957 Sheridan Rd | Highland Park, IL 60035 | (847) 432-1888

Saturday, July 14, 2018 (9:00 a.m. through High(ish) Noon)
The Viper and His Famous Orchestra
@ The Glenview Farmers Market (microgreens) at the Historic Wagner Farm
1510 Wagner Rd. | Glenview, IL 60025 | (847) 657-1506

Thursday, May 17, 2018 (7:00 p.m.)
Composer-In-Residence, The Viper, with the Orchestras of Lake Zurich Middle School North
Lake Zurich Middle School North | 95 Hubbard Lane, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047 | (847) 719-3600

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 (10:00 p.m.)
The California Clipper
1002 North California Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | (773) 384-2547
$5 cover

Friday, November 17, 2017 (7:00 to 8:30 p.m.)
Composer-In-Residence, The Viper, His Famous Orchestra, and Guests
Lake Zurich Middle School North | 95 Hubbard Lane, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047 | (847) 719-3600

Sunday, August 27, 2017 (12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.)
52nd Annual Orton Park Festival 2017
Orton Park | 1114 Rutledge St, Madison, WI 53703 | (608) 266-4711

Saturday, August 26, 2017 (7:00 to 8:00 p.m.)
STEALTH SHOW:
Wy-East Pizza
5601 West Vliet Street | Milwaukee, WI 53208 | (414) 943-3278

Saturday, August 26, 2017 (3:00 to 5:00 p.m.)
2017 Boulevard Bash
Washington Heights neigborhood | 54th St. & W. Washington Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53208

Thursday, May 18, 2017 (7:00 to 8:00 p.m.)
Lake Zurich Middle School North. 2nd annual appearance as Composer-In-Residence with the Lake Zurich Middle School North Orchestras under the direction of Riley Broach.
LZMSN Cafetorium
Lake Zurich Middle School North | 95 Hubbard Lane, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047 | (847) 719-3600

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 (10:00 p.m.)
The California Clipper
1002 North California Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | (773) 384-2547
The Viper & His Famous Orchestra.

Saturday, November 5, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)
Parched Eagle Brew Pub
5440 Willow Road #112, Westport, WI 53597 | (608) 204-9192
The Viper & His Famous Orchestra

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 (5:30 p.m.)
High Noon Saloon
701A E. Washington Ave, Madison, WI, 53703 | (608) 268-1122
The Viper & His Two Dollars and Fifty-Seven Cents, opening for Tiny Band.

Friday, July 15, 2016 (8:00 to 10:00 p.m.)
Var Gallery
643 S. 2nd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204 | (414) 305-2444
The Viper & His Famous Orchestra with Sweet Sheiks

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (7:00 to 10:00 p.m.)
The California Clipper
1002 North California Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | (773) 384-2547
The Viper & His Famous Orchestra

Saturday, June 4, 2016 (7:30 to 10:00 p.m.)
Parched Eagle Brew Pub
5440 Willow Road #112, Westport, WI 53597 | (608) 204-9192
The Viper & His Famous Orchestra

Saturday, May 21, 2016 (7:00 to 10:00 p.m.)
The Coffee House
1905 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233 | (414) 534-4612

Thursday, May 19, 2016 (7:00 to 8:00 p.m.)
Lake Zurich Middle School North
LZMSN Cafetorium
95 Hubbard Lane
Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047
(847) 719-3600

Thursday, April 28, 2016 (6:30 to 8:00 p.m.)
Midwest Archives Conference opening reception
The Garage, at the Harley Davidson Museum
400 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53201
(877) 436-8738

Saturday, November 15, 2015 (7:30 p.m. until the wee small hours of the morning)
Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
1001 E. Locust St., Milwaukee, WI 53212  | (414) 263-9844),
The Viper and His Famous Orchestra, along with many other Milwaukee stalwarts performing at the 11th annual Kneel to Neil show, interpreting the work of Neil Young, and benefitting WMSE and the Bridge School.

Saturday, September 26, 2015 (8:00 to 11:00 p.m.)
The Coffee House
1905 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233 | (414) 534-4612
The Viper & His Famous Orchestra with opener Bob Druker

Saturday, December 13, 2014 (8:00 to 11:00 p.m.)
The Coffee House
1905 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233 | (414) 534-4612
The Viper & His Famous Orchestra with opener Ken Haferman.

Friday, October 24, 2014
Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co., Walker’s Point Roastery
224 W. Bruce Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204 | (414) 276-8081 | questions@anodynecoffee.com
The Viper & His Famous Orchestra with special guests Mississippi Sawyer.

Monday, September 8, 2014
Mickey’s Tavern
1524 Williamson St., Madison, WI 53703 | (608) 251-9964
The Viper & His Own Sins Writ Large in Others with The Viper & His Second String.

Monday, August 11, 2014
Mickey’s Tavern
1524 Williamson St., Madison, WI 53703 | (608) 251-9964
The Viper and His Little Friend — a Tribute to the Music of the Viper and His Famous Orchestra.

Friday, July 25, 2014
Madison Children’s Museum
100 N Hamilton St #100, Madison, WI 53703 | (608) 256-6445
Adult Swim: Summer Speakeasy

Monday, July 14, 2014
Mickey’s Tavern
1524 Williamson St., Madison, WI 53703 | (608) 251-9964

Saturday, April 5, 2014
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
313 S. Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62701 | 217-785-7930
45-minute workshop on how to make instruments out of everyday items like pocket combs and milk jugs and a chance to perform in concert with the The Viper and His Famous Orchestra. You know, for kids!

Dana-Thomas House
301 E Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL 62703 | (217) 782-6776
Why anyone would let in The Viper & His Famous Orchestra to wreak their havoc in what is “perhaps the best-preserved example of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Prairie period’ dwellings” is anybody’s guess. But there we were! Dancing about architecture, in a Wright-designed music room!

Saturday, March 29, 2014
Red Line Tap
7006 N Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60626 | (773) 274-5463
With Gregory Morland. 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 8, 2014 (10:00 p.m.)
Mickey’s Tavern
1524 Williamson Street, Madison, WI 53703 | (608) 251-9964
With Guided By Puppets.

Friday, March 7, 2014 (8:15 to 10:45 p.m.)
Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co., Walker’s Point Roastery
224 W. Bruce Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204 | (414) 763-1143

Sunday, February 16, 2014 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
Music Under the Dome — Jacksonville Public Library
201 W. College Ave. | Jacksonville, IL 62650 | 217-243-5435

Saturday, February 15
House show in Springfield, Illinois.
An intimate house-concert setting on a lovely cobblestone street near Washington Park in Springfield, Illinois.
Here’s the announcement.

Tuesday, February 11
WMSE’s Local/Live program (91.7 on the frequency modulation band of your radio dial in Milwaukee, Wisconsin). An hour of live performance, scintillating conversation, and disk jockeying with The Viper and His Famous Orchestra, hosted by WMSE music director, Erin Wolf, and Milwaukee music writer, Cal Roach. Now archived for your listening pleasure right here (or stream below)

Friday, January 31, 2013 (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
Sugar Maple
With a solo set by John Peacock
441 E Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207 | (414) 481-2393

Saturday, January 25, 2013
Uncommon Ground on Devon
With musical support from Jack & Ace (featuring Bob Nanna)
1401 West Devon Ave., Chicago, IL, 60660 | (773) 465-9801

Saturday, January 11, 2013
Sousaphenia 3 @ Martyrs’
3855 N. Lincoln, Chicago, IL  | (773) 404-9494
One of four brass-based bands who played at this annual festival now become legendary (the other bands being Environmental Encroachment, Bassel & The Supernaturals, and the 4 Star Brass Band). Joined for this show by our brother in brass Jerry Shelato on a Sousaphone that wraps ALL the way around!

Friday, December 13, 2013
The Underground Wonder Bar
710 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654 | (312) 266-7761
With uplifting holiday sets by John Peacock and Edward Burch.

Saturday, November 9, 2013
9th Annual Kneel to Neil concert
Linneman’s River West Inn, Milwaukee, WI | www.linnemans.com
A celebration of Neil Young’s birthday, with music by a whole host of Milwaukee-area musicians and with proceeds  benefitting the Bridge School and WMSE.

Saturday, November 2, 2013
5th Annual C-U Folk & Roots Festival
Urbana, IL | http://folkandroots.org/

• Build-a-Band workshop, Common Ground Food Co-op
  http://commonground.coop/?event=c-u-folk-and-roots-festival-workshops
• Musical Mayhem Parade, in the streets of Urbana
• Kids + Adults show, Landmark Hotel Ballroom |   http://www.urbanahotel.net/
  (sponsored by the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music)
• Adults show, Iron Post |  www.facebook.com/theironpost

Saturday, September 7, 2013
52nd Street Block Party, Milwaukee, WI
John Peacock and The Viper on their home turf, with surprise guests.

Saturday, July 6, 2013, 2:00-5:00
Wedding reception for Elizabeth Hirsch and Famous Orchestra bassist Riley Broach.
Quadrangle Club, University of Chicago campus, Chicago, IL

Friday, March 15, 2013, 7:00-11:00
2013 Phil Ochs Tribute Night (multiple acts) | www.facebook.com/events/463989466977856/
Off Broadway Music Venue, Saint Louis, MO  | http://www.offbroadwaystl.com/
The Viper solo, and with Edward Burch playing full Phil Ochs Greatest Hits album.

Saturday, June 23, 2012, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Private birthday party for Orchestra bassist Riley Broach and sister Suzy Broach (both will perform)
Deerfield, IL

Friday, December 16, 2011, 4:15 p.m.
Prairie Breezes Mini-Concerts for Kids
The Urbana Free Library, Urbana, IL
http://www.urbanafreelibrary.org/about/news/#bre

November 11, 2011
7th Annual Kneel to Neil
Fundraiser for WMSE and The Bridge School
Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, Milwaukee, WI

Saturday, November 5, 2011, 11:30 p.m.
Third Annual Champaign-Urbana Folk & Roots Festival (http://folkandroots.org/site/)
The Iron Post, Urbana, IL (http://www.theironpost.com/)

Saturday, November 5, 2011, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
“How to Steal a Song” with The Viper (free songwriting workshop)
Third Annual Champaign-Urbana Folk & Roots Festival (http://folkandroots.org/site/)
Community Center for the Arts
202 S. Broadway Ave | Urbana, IL 61801 | 217.384.5150
http://c-4a.org/

Saturday, October 1, 2011
PRF Auktoberfyst 2011
Klas’ Restaurant, Cicero, IL, 4:00 p.m.
http://www.prfbbq.com/prf-auktoberfyst-2011-schedule-1625

Sunday, September 26, 2010, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Featuring a build-an-instrument workshop with The Viper and His Famous Orchestra
Orpheum Children’s Science Museum
346 N. Neil St., Champaign, Illinois
Children, $4; Adults, $5. Member admission will be $1 for children (2+) and for adult members.
See Orpheum Children’s Science Museum

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Pygmalion Festival
w/ Zach May and the Maps (7:00-8:00 p.m.)
Mike ‘N Molly’s
105 N. Market St., Champaign, Illinois – $8 cover / free with festival pass
See Pygmalion Festival and Mike ‘N Molly’s

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Second Annual Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival
“Make Some Noise with the Viper” workshop
Iron Post Patio
120 S Race Street, Urbana, Illinois, (217) 337-7678
See http://www.folkandroots.org/site/

Friday, September 3, 2010, TAA Welcome Back Social / Happy Hour
Private party for new and returning grad students at UW-Madison
Memorial Union Tripp Commons
Madison, WI

Sunday, July 11, 2010
Featuring a build-an-instrument workshop with The Viper and His Famous Orchestra
Orpheum Children’s Science Museum
346 N. Neil St., Champaign, Illinois, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
See Orpheum Children’s Science Museum

Saturday, July 10, 2010
Supporting Edward Burch
Mike ‘N Molly’s
105 N. Market St., Champaign, Illinois, 11:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
See Mike ‘N Molly’s

Friday, July 9, 2010
“Secret” house show
Home of LeRoy Bach
Humboldt Park, Chicago, IL

Friday, May 7, 2010,
The Coffee House
As The Viper and His Second String
Part of a 4-band jug-band line-up that also included Larry Penn’s Washboard Band (featuring Dave Fox), Peter Lee, and the Grumpystiltskyn Jug Band
8:00 p.m. – donation of $4 and two cans of food is requested for the Central City Church’s Food Pantry
Below Redeemer Lutheran Church631 N 19th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-534-4612

Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Viper sitting in on a few numbers with Tangleweed
Cedarburg Cultural Center
W62 N546 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI 53012
(262) 375-3676 or visit http://www.cedarburgculturalcenter.org/

Sunday, March 7, 2010
Guest performing with The Golden Horse Ranch Band
The Whistler
2421 N. Milwaukee Ave. Logan Square. Chicago, IL.
Call (773) 227-3530

Sunday, November 15, 2009
Jay Bennett Birthday –  A Celebration of His Life and Music
The Viper and His Famous Orchestra (among a whole bunch of others, including Edward Burch and Brad Elvis and Chloe Orwell  and Quartet Parapluie and Steve Frisbie  and Leroy Bach and Dorian Taj and John Peacock and Kenneth Rainey and Brian Krumm and Brian Leach and Chris DeMay)
The Hideout
1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago, Illinois, 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
See the Hideout or this from Rock ‘N Roll Ghost

Sunday, August 23, 2009
DeKalb Rocks Part II
The Viper playing as part of Otis Ball & the Chains
Otto’s
118 E. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, Illinois

Saturday, August 22, 2009
DeKalb Rocks Part I
The Viper playing as part of Otis Ball & the Chains
The Abbey Pub
3420 W. Grace St., Chicago, Illinois

Friday, August 7, 2009
Mike ‘N Molly’s
105 N Market St., Champaign, Illinois, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
See Mike ‘N Molly’s

Saturday, August 8, 2009
Anniversary Party for Elizabeth Majerus and Matt Mitchell (private, sorry!)
Urbana, Illinois, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 9, 2009,
Matinee show
Mike ‘N Molly’s
105 N Market St., Champaign, Illinois, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
See Mike ‘N Molly’s

Sunday, July 12, 2009
Great Performers of Illinois Festival
With special guest Edward Burch
Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, Illinois, 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m. (free)
See http://www.greatperformersofillinois.com/

Friday, July 10, 2009
House show
With special guest Edward Burch and his special guests
Hotel SnS
1625 N Mozart 1s, North Chicago, IL (house show)
Facebook event invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117727655999
Google map: here

Saturday, June 6, 2009
Food & Wine Festival
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
National Harbor
Oxon Hill, Maryland
12:00-1:45 (see link)

Saturday, December 13, 2008
University Writing Program (The George Washington University) holiday party
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
Falls Church, Virginia, afternoon

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Homegrown Coffeehouse
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers (last public Ramblers show to feature the Milwaukee-bound Viper).
National Colonial Farm
Accokeek, Maryland, 7:00 p.m. (cover)

Sunday, October 26, 2008
Riverdale Park’s 11th Annual Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Party
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
MARC train station
Riverdale Park Town Center, Maryland, 3:00 p.m. (free)
Bring your pets, and put them in costumes!

Friday, October 24, 2008
Oktoberfest
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
Hosted through the University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Entomology
(private party)

Thursday, October 9, 2008
Riverdale Park Farmer’s Market
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
MARC train station
Riverdale, Maryland, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (2 sets, free)
See http://hyattsville.wetpaint.com/page/Riverdale+Park+Farmers+Market

Saturday, October 4, 2008
Riverdale Park Day
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale, Maryland: 1:20-2:00 p.m. (free)
See Riversdale House Museum event calendar

Thursday, August 28, 2008
Songwriters Association of Washington Open Mic
The Viper (playing a 15 minute set)
The New Deal Cafe
Greenbelt, Maryland, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
See http://www.newdealcafe.com/events/calendar.php

Thursday, July 31, 2008
Riverdale Farmer’s Market
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
Riverdale, Maryland, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (2 sets)
See http://hyattsville.wetpaint.com/page/Riverdale+Park+Farmers+Market

Saturday, June 7, 2008
M.A.U.I. 2008 (6th annual Mid-Atlantic Ukulele Invitational)
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
Eastport Elementary School
Annapolis, Maryland, 6:30 set, 7:00-11:00 as pit band
See http://www.metroukeassoc.org/MAUI2008.html

Friday, June 6, 2008
Cabaret night for M.A.U.I. 2008 (6th annual Mid-Atlantic Ukulele Invitational)
The Viper playing as part of the Paint Branch Ramblers
The Whiskey
Annapolis, Maryland, 7:00 p.m.
See http://www.metroukeassoc.org/MAUI2008.html