Best of the week: Kiss, Shawn Mendes, 'Lion King,' 'Disgraced,' We Fest, more

Kudos to Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons for deciding outstate Minnesota is worth a deuce this summer. The original duo behind pyro-loving Kiss and two replacement members are hitting Mankato and Duluth on the patriot-themed Freedom to Rock Tour, for which they're very coolly hiring some U.S. war veterans as roadies. They're also employing some deep cuts between the all-too-standard standards. "American Idol's" Caleb Johnson opens both shows.CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

7:30 p.m. Mon., Verizon Wireless Center, Mankato; 7:30 p.m. Wed., Amsoil Arena, Duluth; $39.50-$125, Ticketmaster.com

Despite touring with a band and covering songs by the likes of Drake and Rihanna, Shawn Mendes, 17, is a singer-songwriter at heart. Having launched his career on Vine, the "Stitches" hitmaker sings mostly about love found and lost. But his new single, "Treat You Better," addresses domestic abuse. In concert, Mendes seems to show more genuine musicality than fellow internet-spawned Canadian Justin Bieber.

JON BREAM

7:30 p.m. Tue. Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St. Paul, $40, ticketmaster.com

Even though the cast is subpar, it's hard to argue with "The Lion King," Disney's version of "Hamlet" for animals. Julie Taymor's puppets and costumes still seem remarkably creative, the Elton John/Tim Rice songs remain indelible and the opening scene still ranks as one of the most captivating in musical theater. This very show had its premiere in this same Minneapolis theater in 1997 before becoming Broadway's biggest musical blockbuster.

JON BREAM

Walker Art Center's annual Music and Movies series is back. Local rock veteran Grant Hart fronts a new band Monday before a screening of the Beatles' "Hard Day's Night." The rest of the lineup features Americana aces the Pines before John Waters' spoof "Hairspray" (Aug. 8); hip-hoppers Mixed Blood Majority before the wacky "Wayne's World" (Aug. 15), and rockers Bruise Violet before 1929's "Man With a Movie Camera," with a score by hip-hop DJ Big Cats (Aug. 22).

MARY ABBE

7 p.m. music, 8:45 p.m. movies, Loring Park, Mpls., free, walkerart.org

Two of the Twin Cities' largest art fairs vie for attention next weekend with the usual mix of handmade everything — paintings, photos, jewelry, clothing, pottery, wind chimes and more. Plus music, fair food, kids' activities and the opportunity to mix and mingle in the bustling Uptown area of Minneapolis or in the leafy environs of Powderhorn Park.

MARY ABBE

"Disgraced," the Guthrie's timely drama about Islamophobia, personal ambition and American ideals, leads us to moments of revelation. Brusque lead character Amir says and does things in the one-act that cause the audience to audibly gasp. He uses a corrosive and shocking slur. He speaks about his feelings as he watched the twin towers of the World Trade Center fall on Sept. 11. While his behavior is complicated, his actions are woven masterfully into this must-see play.

ROHAN PRESTON

Ends Aug. 28, Guthrie, Mpls., $34-$64. guthrietheater.org

The 34th annual We Fest, the country-and-camping weekend in Detroit Lakes, Minn., has more of a rock flavor than ever and it's not just with Thursday's headliner Eric Church, the "Springsteen" hitmaker. Kid Rock, who has always walked the line between rock and country, leads the party on Friday and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler steps into twang territory on Saturday before longtime country superstar Tim McGraw. Other acts include Gary Allan, Lee Brice and Billy Currington.

JON BREAM

Historically, classical music has been dominated by white male composers. Slowly that's beginning to change, and a recital assembled by the Vox Nova Chorale nudges the process forward. It's devoted entirely to female composers, with music ranging from Hildegard of Bingen and Fanny Mendelssohn to four contemporaries, including Minnesota native Shruthi Rajasekar, selected from more than 90 who submitted pieces for this summer's concert.

TERRY BLAIN

3 p.m. Sun.; St. Mary's Chapel, St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul; free, voxnovachorale.org

Beat the heat by cooling off at the Bryant Lake Beach Party. Join naturalists for an afternoon of fun with a beach obstacle course and water games. Meet pond animals from Richardson Nature Center including amphibians, reptiles and birds of prey. Get your hands dirty and creativity flowing by competing for a prize for the best sand castle.

MELISSA WALKER