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Taylor Swift isn t the only young singer from Nashville who can command a stage. Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams, 20, is an exciting kinetic siren who makes her emo-rockers candidates for arena success. After contributing to last yearÂs hit ÂTwilight soundtrack and opening for No Doubt this year, Paramore stepped up with this fallÂs compellingly emotional ÂBrand New Eyes, which seemed to be fueled by a near-breakup of the band. With Paper Route and the Swellers. Jon Bream
Roy Wilkins Auditorium
175 Kellogg Blvd. W.
St. Paul, MN
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ItÂs a been a while since Wynonna Judd showed up on the country charts, but this yearÂs ÂSing: Chapter 1 reminds us what a magnificent singer she is. She unleashes her robust gospel- and R&B-infused voice on a collection of classics associated with Merle Haggard, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Fats Domino. ÂSing, like JuddÂs other solo recordings, doesnÂt project a definable artistic identity, but it sure shows off her special pipes. Jon Bream
Mystic Lake Casino
2400 Mystic Lake Blvd.
Prior Lake, MN
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OK, Michael Jackson really is inescapable, even at the Twin Cities' most hardcore jazz club this weekend. Acoustic and electric bass ace Jay Young goes from the mean and musical streets of Gary and Motown, to Hollywood and Neverland Ranch, as he hosts a surprise "Tribute to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson." Young's jazzed-up versions of "Talking Book" and "Thriller" numbers should be freewheeling and funky. Tom Surowicz
Artists' Quarter
408 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN
651-292-1359
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ItÂs a grand but noble notion: Finding world peace through music. Grammy-winning producer/filmmaker Mark Johnson has put together Playing for a Change, which is both a documentary and a two-disc collection of songs performed by little-known artists from around the world. Now the organization has put together a tour featuring 10 musicians from seven countries and starring Grandpa Elliott, a soulful New Orleans street performer, and Titi Tsira, a charismatic South African vocalist. The repertoire includes R&B classics, gospel, Afro-pop, salsa and tunes made famous by Bob Marley, Tracy Chapman and Bobby McFerrin. Jon Bream
O'Shaughnessy Auditorium
St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Av.
St. Paul, MN
651-690-6700
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Three clarinetists and three Finns crowd this weekÂs Minnesota Orchestra concerts. Burt Hara, the orchestraÂs principal since 1987, and conductor Osmo Vänskä, who began his career as a clarinetist, join forces in a concerto by VänskäÂs fellow Finn, the composer-clarinetist Bernhard Crusell (1775-1838). And Vänskä leads the world premiere of ÂMinea (a play on ÂMinneapolisÂ) by his Finnish compatriot Kalevi Aho, whose work he has championed vigorously. Glittery scores by Strauss and Stravinsky round out the program. Larry Fuchsberg
Orchestra Hall
11th St. and Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-371-5656
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A sex farce in which bungled reservations cause a sex therapist's retreat to unleash a clutch of lovable perverts on an unsuspecting hotel.
Bedlam Theatre
1501 S. 6th St.
Minneapolis, MN
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For the first time on tour with Kiss, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer are wearing the makeup designs made famous by Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. For the first time in 11 years, Kiss has an album of new material, ÂSonic Boom, and they are playing a couple tunes from it in concert. Celebrating their 35th anniversary, Kiss is still offering the same over-the-top rock Ân roll circus  plenty of pyro, three chords of rock thunder, and Gene Simmons inimitable combination of blood, fire and tongue. Opening are ÂCrazy Bitch hitmakers Buckcherry. Read an interview with Kiss frontman Paul Stanley at www.startribune.com/music. Jon Bream
Target Center
600 1st Av. N.
Minneapolis, MN
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OK, Michael Jackson really is inescapable, even at the Twin Cities' most hardcore jazz club this weekend. Acoustic and electric bass ace Jay Young goes from the mean and musical streets of Gary and Motown, to Hollywood and Neverland Ranch, as he hosts a surprise "Tribute to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson." Young's jazzed-up versions of "Talking Book" and "Thriller" numbers should be freewheeling and funky. Tom Surowicz
Artists' Quarter
408 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN
651-292-1359
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Three clarinetists and three Finns crowd this weekÂs Minnesota Orchestra concerts. Burt Hara, the orchestraÂs principal since 1987, and conductor Osmo Vänskä, who began his career as a clarinetist, join forces in a concerto by VänskäÂs fellow Finn, the composer-clarinetist Bernhard Crusell (1775-1838). And Vänskä leads the world premiere of ÂMinea (a play on ÂMinneapolisÂ) by his Finnish compatriot Kalevi Aho, whose work he has championed vigorously. Glittery scores by Strauss and Stravinsky round out the program. Larry Fuchsberg
Orchestra Hall
11th St. and Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-371-5656
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A sex farce in which bungled reservations cause a sex therapist's retreat to unleash a clutch of lovable perverts on an unsuspecting hotel.
Bedlam Theatre
1501 S. 6th St.
Minneapolis, MN
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You wonÂt have headphones, and neither saxophonist Wayne Shorter nor guitarist Larry Carlton will be there. But Steely Dan  Walter Becker and Donald Fagen and 11 hired studio aces  will play ÂAja, that seven-song 1977 classic (ÂPeg, ÂDeacon BluesÂ) in its entirety. If that wonÂt be trippy enough for you, then Becker and Fagen will dust off a dozen other Dan favorites, including probably (judging by tour set lists) ÂKid Charlemagne, ÂHey Nineteen and ÂMy Old School. Keyboardist Sam Yahel opens. Jon Bream
Northrop Auditorium
University of Minnesota, 84 SE. Church St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-624-2345
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The John Jorgenson Quintet is making its third appearance in Minneapolis over a one year span, and familiarity is breeding zero contempt -- instead, "wows" and standing ovations are the order of the night. Fans of acoustic swing a la Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli can't go wrong with this group, which upholds and expands that durable gypsy jazz tradition. Jorgenson's a master guitarist, easygoing emcee/showman, and leader of a scintillating world-class international band, razor-sharp players seemingly having as much fun as their audience. The former Hellecaster, longtime Elton John sideman, and Desert Rose Band co-founder also plays some mean clarinet once a set. Tom Surowicz
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-332-1010
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Two jazz giants -- one well-known, hallowed and deceased, the other still living and sadly underexposed -- get simultaneously saluted by the sextet Monk In Motian. The concept is to play Thelonious Monk classics in the aggressive and spacey style of drum king Paul Motian's Electric Bebop Band. It's a fresh spin on timeless and tricky piano tunes, with no keyboard, two rock-aware guitars, two avant-friendly saxes, bass and drums. Monk In Motian features fine players that you've heard before in the Atlantis Quartet, F-K-G, Enormous Quartet, New Primitives, even Shangoya. Tom Surowicz
Artists' Quarter
408 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN
651-292-1359
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A sex farce in which bungled reservations cause a sex therapist's retreat to unleash a clutch of lovable perverts on an unsuspecting hotel.
Bedlam Theatre
1501 S. 6th St.
Minneapolis, MN
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Flyleaf is being held up as the next Evanescence  a darkly shaded hard-rock band with a pretty but angsty and uber-dramatic songstress out front, 28-year-old Lacey Mosely (just ÂLacey on her records). The Texas quintetÂs second album thatÂs due out Tuesday, ÂMomento Mori, was produced by My Chemical Romance/All American Rejects tweaker Howard Benson. It certainly has all the makings of a breakout record, with slickly polished rock roar and enough tortured lyrics to fill a MySpace blog. Chris Riemenschneider
Varsity Theater
1308 SE. 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-604-0222
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Herb Alpert was the ÂA in A&M Records (Peter Frampton, Styx, the Police), the trumpeter behind ÂA Taste of Honey, ÂLonely Bull and ÂRise as well as the co-writer of the hits ÂWonderful World and ÂAlley-Oop. He has just released his first album in 10 years, a live Latin/pop/jazz effort, ÂAnything Goes, with his wife, vocalist Lani Hall, who got her start with Brasil Â66.. ItÂs their first full album together after 35 years of marriage. Jon Bream
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-332-1010
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Two quirky ex-coffeeshop songstresses with adoring cult followings, Erin McKeown and Jill Sobule double up their charm on what should be a fun two-fer bill. Jazzy, witty, scat-voiced Boston area star McKeown just went through Ani DiFrancoÂs Righteous Babe label for her new disc, ÂHundreds of Lions. Chris Riemenschneider
Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-2674
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