The wildlife of downtown Minneapolis
The Twin Cities' robust urban wildlife scene didn't include wolves and moose until this summer, when a magnificent sculpture of each appeared opposite the Minneapolis Convention Center. The critters' two-story metal skeletons are covered with surprisingly convincing pelts of recycled plastic and mesh. And, best of all, they're interactive. Pedaling a mechanism animates the critters and triggers a recital of American Indian tales and wilderness lore. MARY ABBE
Ends Oct. 17, Convention Center Plaza, 2nd Av. S. near 12th St., Mpls., free.
For its sixth installment, the "Church Basement Ladies" franchise needed a shake-up, so men have been added to the cast for "Rise Up, O Men." Set in a small-town Minnesota Lutheran church in 1964, the story revolves around the town getting ready to celebrate its diamond jubilee. It's not about the plot, it's about the jokes — and the cast's camaraderie that is as comfortable as a well-worn pair of shoes.
ED HUYCK
Ends Nov. 13, Plymouth Playhouse, $29-$40, plymouthplayhouse.com.
If you listen to Barbara Morrison's 2014 album, "I Love You, Yes I Do," you realize that the fine blender of blues and jazz is well matched with saxophonist Houston Person. They first collaborated on a disc in 2005 for a live set at the Dakota in Minneapolis. On their third CD, Morrison and Person have chosen an intriguing repertoire, including "Canadian Sunset," "I Had a Talk With My Man Last Night" and a gorgeous reworking of a Beatles tune, "And I Love Him."
JON BREAM
7 p.m. Thu.-Fri. Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls., $30-$40, dakotacooks.com
It's not just the hair that makes Donald Trump a font of comic gold. It's his bombast as he proposes to build a great wall of America and to ban people of the Muslim faith. Those ideas have been a source of grave worry for some and a rah-rah celebration for others. But for the folks at Brave New Workshop, Trump is a source of humor. In "The Lady and the Trump," the workshop sends up the candidate — and his opponent, Hillary Clinton.
ROHAN PRESTON
Nov. 5, Brave New Workshop Mpls. $18-$36, bravenewworkshop.com
In its third decade of gigs at Minnesota's storied rock club, Guided by Voices, Ohio's indie-rock institution, has undergone another personnel change following the recent reunion run by its mid-'90s lineup. Frontman Robert Pollard's latest roster includes a new rhythm section and singer/songwriter Bobby Bare Jr. on guitar, with whom he cranked out the decent new album, "Please Be Honest." Doug Gillard from the band's "Isolation Drills" era has rejoined as the second guitarist.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
8:30 p.m. Wed., First Avenue, Mpls., $25-$30, first-avenue.com
Jane Monheit and Nicholas Payton are billing their collaborative show as "Ella and Louis." That's because Monheit, the New York jazz chanteuse with the luxe voice, has released "The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald," another winner. Payton, a Grammy-winning New Orleans trumpeter, has long been inspired by his hometown hero, Louis Armstrong, whom he saluted with the 2001 album "Dear Louis."
JON BREAM
7 & 9 p.m. Tue.-Wed. Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls., $25-$45, dakotacooks.com
Reunited since 2011, Alabama, country's biggest band of all time, is returning to the State Fair grandstand for its record 19th performance. Does it really matter that last fall the trio released "Southern Drawl," its first studio album in 14 years? Naw, fans just want to hear "Mountain Music," "Dixieland Delight" and "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)." Alabama last performed at the fair in 2001.
JON BREAM
7:30 p.m. Thu. State Fair grandstand, $40-$50., etix.com
Like Macklemore in 2013, G-Eazy, 26, a clean-cut Bay Area rapper, is a safe, vanilla choice to finally bring hip-hop back to the State Fair grandstand. He came up through the indie-rap ranks, including Soundset and First Avenue gigs locally. He then crossed over to the Top 40 realm last year, crafting poppy songs with hooks sung by the likes of Chris Brown and Bebe Rexha, such as "Drifting" and "Me, Myself & I."
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
7:30 p.m. Tue., Minnesota State Fair grandstand, $33-$41, eTix.com.
Mermaids, knights, jesters and royalty are just part of the spectacle that awaits guests at the annual Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Next week's theme is "Passport to Adventure," with such attractions as a tattoo competition, steampunk international bazaar and pirate activities. The children's realm offers wand-making, a costume contest and more.
MELISSA WALKER
9 a.m.-7 p.m. today, Sat.-next Sun. Shakopee, $12.50-$23.95, renaissancefest.com.
