Best of the Week: Louie Anderson, Jill Scott, James Taylor/Bonnie Raitt, Nicolas Africano

FX's "Baskets" star Louie Anderson used his stand-up comedy tour of small-town Minnesota last summer to try out new material that went well beyond his usual love-ya-mom routine, diving deeper than ever into the traumatic relationship with his father. Will the Emmy winner go even darker this summer in these intimate, fan-friendly venues in his home state?NEAL JUSTIN

8 p.m. Thu. Turtles, Shakopee; 8 p.m. Fri., 6 & 9 p.m. Sat. Maple Tavern, Maple Grove; 6:30 p.m. Sun. Withrow Ballroom, Hugo. $35, brownpapertickets.com

Philadelphia neo-soul/R&B maven Jill Scott has seemingly done it all over the past decade, from starring in film and TV projects such as "Why Did I Get Married?" and "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" to publishing a poetry collection, "The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours." Three years since her last album, "Woman," the three-time Grammy winner is thankfully back to singing this summer on her Live in the Moment Tour, and Minnesota gets the first date.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

8 p.m. Thu. Mystic Lake Casino Showroom, Prior Lake. $45-$70, ticketmaster.com.

In 2010, James Taylor brought along an old friend, Carole King, in concert. The sweet-singing song man has a different friend on tour this time, Bonnie Raitt. The St. Paul show marks her return to the tour after having emergency surgery this spring. Since we last saw him in 2014, Taylor released an album, 2015's "Before This World." And Raitt has new material from 2016's "Dig in Deep" as well as old standbys such as "Angel From Montgomery."

JON BREAM

For those who enjoy an occasional beer flight or tasting menu, the Minnesota Orchestra's 2018-19 "season sampler" should be a real treat. Hear tantalizing highlights from upcoming concerts — from core classical pieces by Beethoven, Britten and Vivaldi to next season's strong current of American composers including Aaron Copland, Joan Tower, John Williams and Steve Heitzeg. Sarah Hicks conducts and provides elucidating commentary.

TERRY BLAIN

8 p.m. Fri. Orchestra Hall, Mpls. $25, minnesotaorchestra.org

In his first solo exhibit in 13 years, world-renowned Illinois artist Nicolas Africano offers a fantastic series of glass sculptures, based on Cecil Beaton's photographs of Greta Garbo as Pierrot the clown, a comically tragic character from Italian commedia dell'arte. The eight sculptures, ranging from 2 to 4 feet tall, make up "Themes and Variations: The Garbo Figures." A backroom at the gallery features drawings and sketches that Africano used to create this series.

ALICIA ELER

Twin Cities choreographer Joe Chvala revamps "French Twist," his popular Paris nightclub soiree from 2008, with new characters, songs and dances. Chock-full of vaudeville, tap, cabaret, opera and cancan with a twist of flamenco, the piece depicts the City of Light with an American imagination, with as much zaniness as Chvala's Flying Foot Forum dance company can muster.

SHEILA REGAN

7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends July 15. Park Square Theatre, St. Paul. $20-60, parksquaretheatre.org

In 2015, Jackson Browne showed up with versatile guitarist Larry Campbell, best known for his days with Bob Dylan. This time Browne's band promises Shane Fontayne, a sideman with Bruce Springsteen in the '90s and with Graham Nash at the Dakota this year, plus first-call pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz, who has toured with k.d. lang, Ray LaMontagne and Eric Clapton. Expect a long, generous set from Mr. Running on Empty.

JON BREAM

At Juicy Fruit Fest, the historic village of Afton honors the heritage of strawberry crops grown in the area since the 1800s. Visitors can view goods from more than 80 artist and vintage vendors. There is a strawberry shortcake eating contest and, of course, strawberry baked goods for sale. Live music, demonstrations and family activities are also scheduled throughout the two-day festival.

MELISSA WALKER

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. next Sun. Town Square, Afton. exploreafton.com

For her new play "Dat Black Mermaid Man Lady," Sharon Bridgforth has created an immersive procession of healing and hope. Magical stories traverse generations, genders and archetypes in an exploration of anger, pain, loss and redemption. Bridgforth's poetic and richly textured language segues effortlessly between spoken word and song delivered by a solid ensemble, including Mankwe Ndosi and PaviElle French.

Lisa Brock