Best of the week: 'Six Degrees of Separation,' Bebe Rexha, Strand of Oaks, 'Citizen: An American Lyric,' Southside Johnny, more

John Guare's crunchy 1990 play "Six Degrees of Separation" tells the story of a con man who works his way into the apartments and lives of several tony Manhattanites. Under the direction of Peter Rothstein, there are strong turns by JuCoby Johnson, Sally Wingert and Mark Benninghofen. "Six Degrees" is a milepost for Minneapolis' Theatre Latté Da, mostly known for its musicals, and its march toward innovative dramatic theater. Graydon Royce

Ends April 9, Ritz Theater, Mpls. $45, theaterlatteda.com

As promised back in January when Strand of Oaks cranked up the Current's birthday parties, Timothy Showalter and his fuzzed-out Philadelphia band are back for a headlining gig touting their new album, "Hard Love." Showalter comes off like Springsteen fronting Dinosaur Jr. on several tunes, including the first single, "Radio Kids," but he also mellows out and even adds a little poppiness in other tracks, promising a more varied set this time. Kentucky trio Twin Limb opens.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

8 p.m. Mon., 7th Street Entry, Mpls. $16, eTix.com

"Citizen:  An American Lyric" seeks to add depth to our understanding of race, and thereby gives African-Americans — and all people, really — a fuller understanding of our shared humanity. Stephen Sachs' adaptation of Claudine Rankine's 2014 book-length poem is not so much a traditional play as a free-flowing "choreo­poem" of interwoven vignettes. The longest vignette deals with tennis superstar Serena Williams as she battles biased officiating.

ROHAN PRESTON

Bebe Rexha has a good ear for commercial radio and dance clubs. She's written hits for Eminem, Iggy Azalea and Cash Cash. She's been featured on such hits as David Guetta's "Hey Mama," G-Eazy's "Me, Myself & I" and Martin Garrix's "In the Name of Love," for all of which she received co-writing credits. After opening tours for Ellie Goulding and Nick Jonas, the budding pop princess headlines her own club tour. Daniel Skye and Spencer Ludwig open.

JON BREAM

8 p.m. Sun. Fine Line, Mpls. $17-$30, etix.com

Emmanuel Louis Masqueray was a French architect who emigrated to America in his mid-20s and landed permanently in Minnesota. The Rose Ensemble honors his memory by performing in four of the churches he designed here, including the Cathedral of St. Paul and the Basilica of St. Mary. The focus is French baroque music written for Lent.

terry blain

This is the 45th year that Gao Hong has been playing the pipa. She brought the stringed, lutelike instrument with her when she emigrated from Beijing to Minnesota 23 years ago. A teacher at Carleton College, she will premiere the multimedia "Chin­glish," which addresses such questions as what happens when you confuse "Mountain Dew" with "mildew." Her other pieces include "Mother-in-Law Fighting With Daughter-in-Law."

JON BREAM

7:30 p.m. Fri. the O'Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, St. Paul. $12-$18, oshag.stkate.edu/tickets

Springsteen, Bon Jovi and the Four Seasons may be some people's idea of Jersey music. But if you're looking for gritty, soulful, blue-collar New Jersey barroom music, Southside Johnny is the man. He is a buddy of the Boss and Steve Van Zandt, who wrote and produced some of Johnny's best tunes, including "I Don't Want to Go Home" and "The Fever." The latest version of Southside's Asbury Jukes will deliver sweaty, horn-accented rock 'n' soul Jersey style.

JON BREAM

Mill City Museum devotes a day of activities to celebrate the women of Mill City. The history players will portray important ladies of the 19th and 20th centuries. Explore museum exhibits and learn about the contributions of female Minnesotans. Dress up in period costume for a photo and take the "piecework challenge" to see how women mill workers produced 2,200 bags of flour a day.

MELISSA WALKER

Noon-3 p.m. Sat. Mill City Museum, Mpls. $6-$12, mnhs.org

After Vancouver theater artist Jonathan Young lost his only daughter and two of her cousins to a cabin fire in 2009, he wrote "Betroffenheit." The show's title is a German word meaning, roughly, "consternation," "dismay" or "shock." Created in collaboration with Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite, this dance-theater hybrid explores what happens when a person is traumatized.

SHEILA REGAN