Friday, May 18
Art Mart
WHAT: Art-A-Whirl
WHERE: Northeast Minneapolis Art District, Minneapolis
WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m., Friday; 12 to 8 p.m., Saturday; 12 to 5 p.m., Sunday
The area’s largest art crawl reveals the work of more than 400 artists in 50 locations, though most artists are based in the Northrup King Building. Several clubs are capitalizing on the crowds, including the 331, with a three-day lineup including Zoo Animal and Vicious Vicious, and First Avenue, which is hosting the Aft-A-Whirl party on Sunday night with Ashley Gold. Learn more at nemaa.org.
Friday, May 18
The Diva Returns
WHAT: Mrs. Smith Live at The Bowl
WHERE: Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7 p.m.
David Hanbury, who recently appeared on America’s Got Talent, brings his beloved character, the dotty Mrs. Smith, back to the Bowl with a week of Broadway-esque razzle-dazzle. The show, inspired by Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland’s cabaret performances, is directed by Andrew Rasmussen, the impresario behind last year’s The Rocky Horror Show LIVE!. Learn more at bryantlakebowl.com.
Saturday, May 19
The Stories Of Songs
WHAT: Muse for Music
WHERE: Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul
WHEN: 8 p.m.
Jeremy Messersmith leads this show about the stories behind notable songs — and not just his own. He’ll cover Radiohead, the Flaming Lips, Prince, and others, while guests such as Chastity Brown and P.O.S. offer their own stories and tunes. Learn more at fitzgeraldtheater.org.
Saturday, May 19
Beethoven Dances
WHAT: TU Dance
WHERE: Cowles Center, Minneapolis
WHEN: 8 p.m.
The always engaging TU Dance troupe performs at the Cowles for the first time, featuring “B Sessions” by choreographer Dwight Rhoden, which combines “gorgeous muscular bodies” with the music of Beethoven. It’s a dynamic that TU Dance has perfected: unabashed beauty and athleticism combined with original and surprising concepts. Learn more at thecowlescenter.org.
Sunday, May 20
The ’70s Revisited
WHAT: Ramsey Lewis Electric Band
WHERE: Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7 and 9 p.m.
The iconic pianist turned guitarist revisits the mid-1970s, when he plugged in and blended funk and R&B into his jazz and pop. He’ll lead his veteran band through fresh versions of hits from back then along with new tunes inspired by those groovy days. Learn more at dakotacooks.com.
Sunday, May 20
The Power Of Huey
WHAT: Huey Lewis and the News
WHERE: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake
WHEN: 7 p.m.
That’s nostalgia pouring out of Huey Lewis’ harmonica on hits like “The Power of Love” and “The Heart of Rock ’n’ Roll,” recalling a more innocent, jean-jacketed era. Get our your Wayfarers, they’re cool again, you know. Learn more at mysticlake.com.
