Best of the week: 'Stomp,' Carrie Underwood, 'Cabaret,' Billy Bragg and Joe Henry, more

In 1991, British street theater artists Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas struck some buckets and pans — and gold. Their show, "Stomp," finds performers using seemingly found objects and their bodies to make music. This ­creative, percussive endeavor has been a mainstay at concert halls around the world.ROHAN PRESTON

7:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 2 & 7:30 Sat. & next Sun. Ordway Center, St. Paul. $45-$74, Ordway.org

"American Idol's" biggest success, Carrie Underwood is bringing her Storyteller Tour to town. Don't think of this in-the-round concert in the VH1 tradition of a singer-songwriter telling the back stories about each tune. Rather, the country superstar's current album is titled "Storyteller." And it already has yielded three big hits — "Smoke Break," "Heartbeat" and "Church Bells." Underwood also will deliver her older favorites, including "Before He Cheats."

JON BREAM

7 p.m. Mon. Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, $49.50-$79.50, ticketmaster.com

Scheherazade, spinner of alluring tales to a homicidal king in the Arabian Nights, is familiar to classical audiences through a sumptuous piece by Rimsky-Korsakov. U.S. composer John Adams flipped the fable in "Scheherazade. 2," examining the story's dark elements of male domination and religious zealotry. Recently released by Nonesuch Records, the piece was written for dazzling violinist Leila Josefowicz, who joins the Minnesota Orchestra for the local premiere.

TERRY BLAIN

Firebrand British folk hero Billy Bragg and Los Angeles craftsman Joe Henry have paired up for a predictably clever project: "Shine a Light: Field Recordings From the Great American Railroad," an album of way-old Jimmie Rodgers, Lead Belly and Carter Family tunes that they actually recorded together on a train traveling between Chicago and Los Angeles. They're sprinkling in their own songs on tour in a two-set, probably banter-filled show.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

7:30 p.m. Mon. Cedar Cultural Center, Mpls., sold out, thecedar.org

As Paris rebuilt after the humiliation of the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War and devastation by the Paris Commune, a new spirit of modernity attracted artists from throughout Europe. Swedish artists returned home with a new point of view that shaped their paintings, sculpture and other art in this unusual show, titled "A Different Way of Seeing."

MARY ABBE

Hennepin Theatre Trust kicks off its new Broadway season with the first national tour of "Cabaret" in 17 years to come to the Twin Cities. Randy Harrison, of "Queer as Folk" fame, stars as the Emcee and Broadway veteran Andrea Goss as English singer Sally Bowles in the classic Kander and Ebb musical about life in Berlin nightclub as the Nazis are rising.

ROHAN PRESTON

7:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 1 & 6:30 p.m. next Sun. Orpheum Theatre, Mpls. $39-$139, hennepintheatretrust.org

Body Cartography Project's new Vital Matters is like a mini Fringe Festival for people who love contemporary dance. In just one venue, there will be experimental performances, dance parties and workshops — for dancers and fans alike. Among the premieres is a new piece by Body Cartography's Otto Ramstad exploring his Norwegian roots. Also offering new works will be Anna Marie Shogren, Dolo McComb and Justin Jones, among others.

SHEILA REGAN

Calling itself the Halloween Capital of the World, Anoka has many activities going on all month, for all ages. Take the family for some spooks and scares at the Knights of Columbus Haunted House. Adults can channel their artistic expression into a pumpkin-carving contest and pet owners can enter their pets into a costume contest. Saturday at dusk check out the Light Up the Night Parade followed by a bonfire with spooktacular fun.

MELISSA WALKER

Various times and locations throughout Anoka, see website for details. anokahalloween.com

You've probably heard Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannson's work even if you don't know his name, since he has done innovative, Oscar- and Grammy-nominated scores for such movies as "The Theory of Everything" and "Sicario." He will spotlight his work, including solo albums, with help from New York's American Contemporary Music Ensemble and support from local classical pianist Jacob Pavek.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER