Magical, minimalist 'Hobbit'
With "The Hobbit," director Greg Banks has brought J.R.R. Tolkien's elaborate world of warring hobbits, trolls and dwarves to the Children's Theatre stage with imaginative flair. And he does it all with a potently gifted cast of just five actors, using shadows and the power of suggestion to deliver a fantasia of magic and light. Bilbo Baggins (Dean Holt) has been hired by the dwarf king Thorin (Reed Sigmund), who seeks to recover gold from the dragon Smaug (H. Adam Harris). With its compelling performances, this "Hobbit" is ingenious and absorbingly beautiful. Rohan Preston
7 p.m. Thu.-Fri.; 2 & 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends April 14. Children's Theatre, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. $15-$64, 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.
For the Cedar's annual Midnimo series (named after the Somali word for "unity"), Somali-American pop duo Faarrow has paired up with local electro-R&B/funk troupe Astralblak for a residency that culminates with performances in Minneapolis and Mankato. Mogadishu-born sisters Siham and Iman Hashi have been channeling Beyoncé and other American influences as Faarrow since their teens and landed on Warner Bros. for their 2016 album, "Lost."
Chris Riemenschneider
8 p.m. Fri., the Cedar, Mpls., $10-$15; 8:30 p.m. next Sun., Minnesota State University, Mankato, free; thecedar.org.
The NCAA Final Four comes to Minnesota as fans cheer on their favorite college teams. Whether or not you scored a ticket to some of the most-watched games of the year, Final Four Fan Fest rallies basketball aficionados in interactive games, autograph signings and athlete and celebrity appearances. Aspiring cheerleaders who have the spirit can take part in a cheer clinic. Snap a selfie with the championship trophy or use your athleticism in other sports challenges.
Melissa Walker
Fri.-next Sun. Minneapolis Convention Center. $4-$10, free 12 and under; ncaa.com/final-four/fan-fest.