Best of the Week: Curtiss A's John Lennon tribute, Run the Jewels, Lindsey Stirling, Bach's Christmas Oratorio

It's a Twin Cities tradition, an annual cultural event not to be missed. No, you don't need to there for the entire marathon, which stretches well past three hours. For the 38th consecutive year, the irrepressible Curtiss A plays the songs of John Lennon (and the Beatles) to commemorate the icon's death. (He did the first tribute the night Lennon died.) The local hero is always supported by a large crew of like-minded Minnesota Beatlemaniacs, which makes for too many guitars but more fun. JON BREAM

8 p.m. Fri. First Avenue, Mpls., $20, etix.com

Even after claiming their sold-out Myth show in February was their last gig ever (yeah, right), groundbreaking, rib-rattling hip-hop duo Run the Jewels are returning to the same venue. Happy holidays to us! Indie-rap vet El-P and his master wordsmith partner Killer Mike head up the Go Show for sister stations Go 95.3 and 96.3 FM. Also featured are the Doomtree offshoot group Shredders, Hozier-like "River" singer Bishop Briggs, Cold War Kids-style Canadian band Arkells and more.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

6 p.m. Sun., Myth, Maplewood, $43, eTix.com

Bass-baritone Eric Owens is building a formidable reputation as an opera singer — he's currently starring in Chicago Lyric Opera's four-year production of Wagner's "Ring" cycle. Owens joins forces with Twin Cities mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski (above), who crowns her own remarkable year with this prestigious recital of Schubert songs.

TERRY BLAIN

10:30 a.m. Wed., 7:30 p.m. Thu. Ordway, St. Paul, $24-$66, schubert.org

Flashy violinist Lindsey Stirling is a go-getter. She catapulted from "America's Got Talent" contestant to YouTube phenom (10 million subscribers) to runner-up on the most recent "Dancing With the Stars." Oh, and she published her autobiography before she turned 30. Her recordings have been a hit in the dance-pop world. Now she's touring behind the more classically inclined "Warmer in the Winter," which features Becky G on "Christmas C'mon," a peppy faux Irish original.

JON BREAM

8 p.m. Thu. Orpheum, Mpls., $37.50-$75, ticketmaster.com

"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" is a moving play about a teenager with autism whose investigation of a neighborhood crime finds him uncovering a web of secrets about his own life. Mixed Blood's "radical hospitality" program — which offers free tickets on a first-come/first-served basis, two hours before showtimes — is in effect but you can also reserve seats for the hit drama.

CHRIS HEWITT

Ends Dec. 10, Mixed Blood, Mpls., $25, mixedblood.com

Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" is a set of six choral cantatas describing the birth of Jesus. It was originally intended to be performed on separate days during the holiday season, but the Minnesota Orchestra gathers the first three cantatas for this program led by Bach specialist Helmuth Rilling and also featuring the Minnesota Chorale and a quartet of international soloists. Bonus: The Saturday evening performance is a more casual affair, with music in the foyer.

TERRY BLAIN

8 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. next Sun., Orchestra Hall, Mpls., $12-$96, minnesotaorchestra.org

Clara and the gang get transported from Moscow to Minnesota for this Twin Cities-themed "Nutcracker." The show sports a cozy local feel with painted backdrops featuring Rice Park, Summit Avenue mansions and winter scenes along the Mississippi. This concert by Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota is so popular that it sold out in advance last year.

SHEILA REGAN

7 p.m. Fri., 2 & 7 p.m. Sat. and 1 & 4:30 p.m. next Sun. Ames Center, Burnsville, $20-$38, ames-center.com

Rumbazo is a cross-cultural family event. Move your feet with the Bambino Discoteca dance party and even join in an hourly conga line with Maria Isa and Aiyana Machado. There will be local group performances, Latin stories and songs. Make your own maracas and decorate a graffiti wall.

MELISSA WALKER

10 a.m.-5 p.m. next Sun. $10. Midpointe Event Center, St. Paul. midpointeeventcenter.com

Stephen Sondheim fans can get a double dose of his classic musical "Follies" about a drama-laden reunion of former showgirls. Bloomington's Artistry will present the rarely performed, huge-cast musical next spring but you can catch an all-star British production this week. The National Theatre show features Imelda Staunton, Janie Dee and Tracie Bennett (who was Judy Garland in the Guthrie's "End of the Rainbow") — beamed into movie theaters.

CHRIS HEWITT

7 p.m. Mon., 1 p.m. Wed. & Sat., St. Anthony Main Theatre, Mpls., $10-$20, mspfilm.org