I’ve been covering musical events in the Twin Cities for more than 20 years and I can’t remember a night, especially in mid-winter, that provides such diverse, high-caliber options as the sumptuous sonic buffet that awaits us this Friday.  

What follows is a necessarily brief, thumbnail sketch of what I consider the 10 best gigs for Feb. 20. Even this lengthy list omits the always heartwarming annual tribute to the late Bobby Peterson at the Artists’ Quarter, rising star and Bloodshot recording artist Ben Weaver at the Turf Club, the CD release of thud-metal locals Red Desert at the Triple Rock, Digital Underground’s Shock G playing the "Humpty Hump" at the Cabooze, and Boyz II Men bringing back those creamy R&B harmonies from the 1990s out at Jackpot Junction on the prairie.

The two handfuls that made the cut are listed in alphabetical order. All are highly recommended.

Ashford and Simpson at the Dakota: Fabulous songwriting duo who will roll out the hits they created for themselves ("Solid") and others ("Ain’t No Mountain High Enough") backed by a crackerjack band led by Nat Adderley Jr.

Beausoleil at the Cedar Cultural Center: The world’s greatest Cajun music band and perennial Prairie Home Companion guests just released their strongest, most varied collection in years, "Alligator Purse" (check the Cedar link for a live stream or here for my interview with leader Michael Doucet on the making of the album).

Marcin Dylla at Sundin Hall on the Hamline University campus: The 2007 winner of the Guitar Foundation of America International Solo competition (and 17 other prestigious awards from 1996-2004), this 22-year-old Polish prodigy released an acclaimed album last year on the classical Naxos label. Listen to him here.

Kurt Elling at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of Minnesota’s West Bank: Elling has won the Downbeat critics poll as best male vocalist eight years in a row, and is generally regarded as the top singer in jazz today. He’ll be re-interpreting the classic Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane album of 1963, singing Trane’s parts as often as Hartman’s probably. Saxophonist Ernie Watts, the adventurous Ethel String Quartet and Elling’s own redoubtable Laurence Hobgood Trio will provide the backing.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Orchestra Hall: The Grammy-winning South African a cappella group who came to U.S. prominence on Paul Simon’s "Graceland" album released a concert DVD last month, a testimonial to their onstage prowess. But hearing their mellifluous harmonies and watching their elegant dance steps — think Temptations-level choreography, only with more performers — live and in the flesh add another dimension.

Ray Lee at the Walker Arts Center: Here’s a good firm massage of the senses. Lee will be staging "Siren," a performance installation piece that features 30 metal tripods set at different heights. As two performers set the rotating arms of each tripod in motion, whorls of sound and light will cascade around the McGuire concert hall. Audience members are welcomed to roam the stage during the making of this sound sculpture.

Juana Molina at the Whole Music Club in Coffman Union on the U of M East Bank campus. An arty, whip-smart, genre-bending Argentinian, Molina combines folk, electronica and hip-swiveling tropical rhythms. The bio compares her to Bjork and Lisa Germano, but she’s much saner, sounder and more groove-oriented than that. Check out her myspace page for proof. 

The Pretenders at First Avenue. "I’m special/So special/I gotta have some of your attention/Give it to me!" is a classic Chrissie Hynde lyric — urgent, direct and seductively riveting. You can have your Janis Joplins and Joan Jetts; even your Tina Turners and Big Mama Thorntons: Hynde is the greatest female hard-rocker of the 20^th century. And with the Pretenders’ latest, "Break Up The Concrete," she’s staking a claim on the 21^st. Sold out.

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra with Dale Warland's Chorale at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. The chorale assembled by Dale Warland in honor of the SPCO’s 50^th anniversary will join with the SPC0 in performing Franz Josef Haydn's oratorio "The Creation." Warland’s singers provided a rousing kick-off to the SPCO season, and will help close it in June with "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." But this is their only other performance. Nicholas McGegan, who is wrapping up his last season as an artistic partner, will conduct. 

Trey Songz with Twista at Epic. Chicago speed-rapper Twista guested on the title track of Trey Songz splendid debut, "I Gotta Make It." Nearly four years later, they are reunited to showcase tracks from Trey Songz’ upcoming third CD, "Ready." Songz is a vocal darter reminiscent of Usher or Ne-Yo, prancing in the crevices of hip-hop soul beats. Twista has always been noteworthy for his blur-rapid flow, which makes the title of his 2004 smash hit — "Slow Jamz" — pretty ironic. Their joint appearance is a coup for Epic, which is working hard booking quality live acts to distinguish itself on the upscale strip of clubs in the Minneapolis warehouse district.