Best of the week: Art Garfunkel, Alisa Weilerstein, Ol' Yeller, G. Love, more

After canceling tours and battling vocal cord paresis this century, Art Garfunkel returned to the road in 2014 — and he's been touring ever since. Without Paul Simon, of course. The legendary songwriter says a reunion of the fractured friends isn't going to happen. So Garfunkel will be solo in his first appearance in the hometown of his wife (Kim Cermak) since 2003, applying his angelic tenor to all those S&G faves like "The Sound of Silence" and his solo hits.

JON BREAM

7:30 p.m. Thu. Pantages Theatre, Mpls., $58.50-$104, ticketmaster.com

Fresh off issuing his dramatic Fog comeback album "For Good," Minneapolis songwriter/bandleader/beatmaker/turntablist Andrew Broder is helming all four Wednesdays this month at the Turf Club, each week benefitting different charities, including a Somali community fund and Planned Parenthood. This week he'll feature a rising star (singer Dizzy Fae) and a respected veteran (Alan Sparhawk of Low), followed Jan. 18 by his band the Cloak Ox and "surprise guests," and an all-star beatmakers showcase Jan. 25.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

9 p.m. Wed., Turf Club, St. Paul, $6, eTix.com

When Faye Driscoll visited Walker Art Center last year, the Brooklyn choreographer/director broke down barriers between dancers and audience with the first part of her "Thank You for Coming" trilogy. Driscoll returns this week with "Play," the work's second installment, a piece co-commissioned by the Walker. Expect more audience interaction as well as a distinct style that melds dance, performance art and gaming.

8 p.m., Thu.-Sat., Walker Art Center, Mpls., $25, walkerart.org

Which is the greatest cello concerto? Dvorak's often gets the vote. Written toward the end of his sojourn in America, a year after the New York premiere of his "New World" Symphony, it shares the symphony's epic reach, burnished orchestration and moments of melting lyricism. The Minnesota Orchestra performs the concerto with award-winning soloist Alisa Weilerstein. The program also features Sibelius' Fifth Symphony and Kalevi Aho's "Gejia."

TERRY BLAIN

8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; Orchestra Hall, Mpls.; $29-$96, minnesotaorchestra.org

Where Dvorak's Cello Concerto bristles with self-assurance, Schumann's is markedly more tentative and introspective. The concerto was never performed in the composer's lifetime, but its achingly poetic qualities gradually made it a staple of the cello literature. The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra pairs Schumann's masterpiece with Beethoven's ebullient Eighth Symphony, a work crackling with wit and explosive energy.

7:30 p.m. Thu., Trinity Lutheran Church, Stillwater; 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Ordway, St. Paul; $15-$53, thespco.org

Ol' Yeller, Rich Mattson's locally adored Americana-flavored bar-rock band through most of the '00s, is reuniting once again. Hopefully, it's now at least an annual tradition for Ol' Yeller, Mattson's band between the Glenrustles and his move to northern Minnesota to open his Sparta recording studio. OY is pairing up with another fun, whiskey-spiked Minnesota band of that era, the Gleam.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

8:30 p.m. Thu. Turf Club, St. Paul, $8-$12, eTix.com

The women in Martyna Majok's new play "Queens" are down-on-their-luck immigrants who could use a break. Majok has finally gotten a few herself, including a fellowship from the Playwrights' Center. The Yale MFA graduate (and daughter of a Polish cleaning woman) had major premieres last year in New York and at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. "Queens" is likely to have a major staging soon, too. See a reading of the work in progress, directed by Dayna Taymor.

7 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Playwrights' Center, Mpls., free, pwcenter.org

After reasserting his funky, fun-loving broad appeal at the Minnesota State Fair bandshell last summer, Philadelphia-bred blues-rocker G. Love of "Cold Beverage" fame will heat things up even more this time around with New Orleans' mighty Rebirth Brass Band in tow as openers. Rebirth has received great support at the Dakota in recent years, but fans will finally have room to groove here.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

8 p.m. Fri. First Avenue, Mpls., $25, eTix.com

Families are encouraged to build giant snow sculptures at the Arctic Fever. The sculptures will remain throughout the weekend for viewing. Other activities include sleigh and dog sled rides, human bowling and snowshoeing. Warm up by a bonfire, take funny family pictures at a photo board and visit with costumed characters.