Enduringly energetic
With Phil X and Hugh McDonald as new official members of Bon Jovi, the New Jersey band's 2016 album, "This House Is Not for Sale," sounds like more of the same. Of course, some of it could pass for country these days, especially "Scars on This Guitar" and "God Bless This Mess" (the refrain continues: "this mess is mine"). The enduringly energetic classic-rock prince Jon Bon Jovi has already proved that he knows his way around Nashville. Minneapolis' Step Rockets won a contest to open the show. JON BREAM
7:30 p.m. Mon. Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, $27-$590, ticketmaster.com
"She Went to War" uses theater to bring the lives of military veterans to light. These are not actors mouthing lines designed by a writer who can twist the narrative. These are four servicewomen telling of actual experience, without a political agenda, commenting on the sacrifice and bravery that emerges when life and death hang in the balance. It's an absolutely riveting, emotional and honorable theater experience.
Graydon Royce
Ends April 2, Guthrie's Dowling Studio, Mpls., $9, guthrietheater.org
Detroit rapper Big Sean, who performed bare-chested at a chilly Soundset two years ago, is baring his soul more and getting serious on his fourth album, "I Decided." Aside from the ridiculously infectious if lyrically ridiculous single "Moves," the record is not as fun as the Kanye protégé's breakout 2015 album, "Dark Sky Paradise," but it reiterates Sean has mad microphone skills. Shirt or no shirt. Openers are MadeinTYO, Neisha Neshae and DJ Mo Beatz.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
8 p.m. Thu., Myth, Maplewood, $46, Ticketmaster.com
If you haven't tried out the Jon Stewart-less "Daily Show," you're missing out on the contributions of correspondents well poised to be the next John Olivers and Stephen Colberts. One of the most promising is Hasan Minhaj. His one-man stand-up show at the Woman's Club last September, which focused largely on growing up as a first-generation Indian American, was one of the most hilarious — and touching — nights of the year.
NEAL JUSTIN
6 p.m. April 2, Northrop, University of Minnesota, Mpls., $20-$25 tickets.umn.edu
It's a pretty hip pairing of Rickie Lee Jones and Madeleine Peyroux, kindred souls from different generations. Veteran Jones has her own style of beat-poetry, with some New Orleans flavoring on her latest album, "The Other Side of Desire," to go along with such 1970s crowd-pleasers as "Chuck E's in Love." Peyroux's alluringly intimate new disc, "Secular Hymns," finds her covering Tom Waits, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Stephen Foster and others in a church in England.
JON BREAM
7:30 p.m. Tue. Ames Center, Burnsville, $53.50-$83.50, ticketmaster.com
Jessica Huang's striking new play "The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin" is drawn from the real experiences of Chin, who emigrated from China to St. Paul at the end of the 1930s by faking a loophole when such immigration was illegal. The play mostly takes place in 1970, as a middle-aged Chin deals with the loss of his American wife, the estrangement of his American daughter and the ghosts of the life he left behind in China. A powerful and timely play.
ED HUYCK
Ends April 9, History Theatre, St. Paul, $15-$40, historytheatre.com
In the Heart of the Beast is preparing for its annual spring celebration with a party. Meet puppet artists and learn the theme of this year's parade. Brass Messengers and Voices of Culture will perform for guests as they participate in make-and-take art projects. Watch vintage May Day films and eat tasty treats.
Melissa Walker
7 p.m. Tue. Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre, Mpls., $25-$30, hobt.org
When Stanislaw Skrowaczewski passed away last month, the tributes understandably focused on his status as a great conductor, plus his long association with the Minnesota Orchestra. Don't forget — he was a fine composer, too. The Chamber Music Society of Minnesota honors his memory with a concert devoted to his music. The program includes "Fantasie per Quattro" and "Fantasie per Sei" as well as a new commission from Minnesotan Steve Heitzeg.
TERRY BLAIN
4 p.m. Sun., Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul, $15-$25, chambermusicmn.org
Based on choreography from the original 1890 production of this Tchaikovsky classic, "Sleeping Beauty" is a show in which good is rewarded and evil is punished, without too much violence in between. The Metropolitan Ballet's production stars prima ballerina Anastasiia Fedorova, but the real stars are sure to be the student dancers from this Twin Cities company, who will give it their all to tell this famous fairy tale.
SHEILA REGAN
3 p.m. Sat. & Sun. the O'Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, $29-$49, oshag.stkate.edu
