Chris Enstad of Minneapolis:

1 Siama Matuzungidi, "Rivers: From the Congo to the Mississippi." His CD release gig was as joyous as it was accomplished. His soaring vocals were matched by Hendrix-like veena playing, soulful pedal steel and spirited jazz trumpet and piano.

2 Robert Fripp and the Chamber Orchestra of Crafty Guitarists, Westwood Lutheran Church. It was a surreal combo of performance art and sonic immersion. The 30 guitarists made sounds similar to piano, harpsichord, whales and bees.

3 "A Night in Olympus," Illusion Theater. Having loved "Glensheen," we went to another Chan Poling musical. Both shows' spare instrumentation allows his witty lyrics to take center stage. The melodies are inventive and playful, perfect for the frivolity of Jeffrey Hatcher's stories.

Jon Bream of the Star Tribune:

1 Dave Chappelle's Juke Joint, Aria. After 10 stand-up shows in Minneapolis, he threw the party of the year with Frédéric Yonnet and the Band with No Name and Minnesota guests Mint Condition (whose Prince medley stole the show), Jamecia Bennett, Brother Ali and three ex-NPG players.

2 Sturgill Simpson, First Avenue. A horn section added depth and diversity to this Americana star's expanding repertoire. And his rangy, stentorian voice ranks as one of the finest in the twang world.

3 Broadway carpool karaoke, "Late Late Show With James Corden." He squeezed four stars into his car so he could rap with Lin-Manuel Miranda of "Hamilton" and have Audra McDonald, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jane Krakowski join Miranda on a riveting "One Day More" from "Les Miz."