Craving a different kind of buzz
After two powerful, personal and inventive albums, New Zealand pop sensation Lorde will finally make her Twin Cities debut. At 16, she gave us the wonderful fantasy commentary "Royals." And last year, at 20, the Grammy winner dropped her second album "Melodrama," a smart, poetic electro-pop exploration of life as a young woman that's been embraced by young women around the world. Expect the staging to be as minimalist as her music. Opening are Run the Jewels and Tove Styrke.JON BREAM
7 p.m. Fri. Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, tickets start at $39.50, ticketmaster.com
An album that broke ground on rock radio stations but preceded Steve Earle's rockiest personal trials, "Copperhead Road" is deservedly being celebrated with a 30th anniversary tour. The music still sounds relevant, and unfortunately so do the themes of its songs such as "Devil's Right Hand," "Snake Oil" and "Back to the Wall" — about gun violence, a made-for-TV president and rampant U.S. poverty, respectively. Don't miss alt-twang openers the Mastersons.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
7:30 p.m. Wed., Pantages Theatre, Mpls., $49-$59, ticketmaster.com
New York City's Camille A. Brown & Dancers wowed Minnesota audiences back in 2015 with "Mr. Tol E. Rance." The first act in a trilogy examining race and stereotypes, the piece juxtaposed historic footage of minstrel shows with live performance for a study on black humor. The company returns with the final installment in its trilogy. "Ink" celebrates the enduring rituals of the African diaspora with various iterations of tap, jazz, modern, African dance and hip-hop.
SHEILA REGAN
7:30 p.m. Fri., O'Shaughnessy, St. Paul, $15-$34, oshag.stkate.edu
A pioneer in blending minimalism with pop influences and racial politics, Julius Eastman was a gifted composer who died homeless in 1990, his work all but forgotten. For its eighth annual Early Music Festival, the Zeitgeist music ensemble presents four concerts showcasing Eastman's underappreciated (and recently rediscovered) music, including works such as "Stay on It" and "Joy Boy."
TERRY BLAIN
6 p.m. Wed., 7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Studio Z, St. Paul, $10-$15, zeitgeistnewmusic.org
In its quest to present comfort-food musicals, Old Log dusts off "Guys and Dolls." Kent Knutson's steady direction brings out plenty of the life and heart of the show, especially Frank Loesser's venerable score. The twin romances are the pulse of "Guys and Dolls," with strong couples, topped by Eric Sargent as Sky and Kym Chambers Otto as Adelaide. The company sings and dances well throughout.
ED HUYCK
7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 1:30 p.m. Wed., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends June 16. Old Log Theatre, Greenwood, $30-$40, oldlog.com
In Pao Houa Her's stunning solo exhibition "My Grandfather Turned Into a Tiger," a dreamy lenticular photo (which gives the illusion of three dimensions) of a tiger in the jungle draws viewers into a visual tour through both the Twin Cities and Laos. Regardless of the subject matter, images here receive a documentary feel, though it's unclear what is staged and what is not. Her came to the U.S. at age 4 as a refugee from Laos.
ALICIA ELER
Wed.-Sat. Ends April 7. Midway Contemporary Art, Mpls., midwayart.org
Graham Nash is touring solo, promoting his first solo album in 14 years, "This Path Tonight." It's a reflection on his breakup with his wife of more than three decades. And it seems like Crosby, Stills & Nash have broken up after almost five decades. They're not getting along. But Nash still sings CSN songs live and hopes for possible rapprochement. Also expect stories behind the songs, including hits from his years with the Hollies.
JON BREAM
7 p.m. Tue.-Wed. Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls., $75-$115, dakotacooks.com
Welcome spring with an egg hunt on the lawn of the historic James J. Hill House. Kids can scour the grass for eggs and enjoy a snack. Tour the first floor of the ornate Gilded Age mansion. Hear stories about the Hill children, who once had their own egg hunt in 1898 when, Mrs. Hill noted in her diary, a large gray stray rabbit joined them unexpectedly.
MELISSA WALKER
10 a.m. next Sun. James J. Hill House, St. Paul, $8, mnhs.org.
The Chamber Music Society of Minnesota presents soloist Anthony McGill, who is the New York Philharmonic's principal clarinet. He will be performing two masterpieces: the Clarinet Quintets by Brahms and Mozart. Joining McGill will be a quartet led by violinist Ariana Kim.
TERRY BLAIN
4 p.m. Sun., Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul; $15-$25, chambermusicmn.org
