The 7 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week

For over a decade now, the warmest place for Twin Cities music lovers to be in January has been the rickety, rustic Turf Club, where two of Minnesota’s best-traveled roots-music acts hunker close to home for monthlong residency gigs with different pals each week. Blues/folk guru Parr’s Sunday night series follows a rare year without a new record, but he did just drop a new novel, “Five,” and will no doubt thumb through his large library of storytelling songs all month (7:30 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 25, $33, axs.com). Harmonious country/twang-rock groovers the Cactus Blossoms also toured between albums in 2025 and thus might try out new songs along with a typical array of fun covers (7:30 p.m. Mondays through Jan. 26, Turf Club, 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul, $33, axs.com)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Maybe you recognize the San Diego saxman/flutist. He’s been touring with the Rolling Stones since 2014, and he did a stint in Lenny Kravitz’s band. Denson was the saxophonist in Eddie Murphy’s smash movie “Coming to America” in the fictional band Sexual Chocolate. In the past three decades, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe has taken its jazzy funk all over, from Madison Square Garden to Bonnaroo. Now they’re back in the intimate confines in downtown Minneapolis. (6:30 & 9 p.m. Jan. 2, the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $47.10 and up, dakotacooks.com)

JON BREAM

Iowa’s fiery farm rocker Elisabeth “Lissie” Maurus has found a home away from home at Minneapolis’ coolest neighborhood theater, near where much of her regular backing band lives. For the third January in a row, the “When I’m Alone” and “Don’t You Give Up on Me” adult-contemporary hitmaker and “Loudermilk” Netflix TV star is setting up shop there for a residency series, and this one looks to be her most ambitious. Week 1 and Week 5 each will feature her full band. The intermittent shows promise various stripped-down formats, including a fully solo set on Jan. 24. Different openers each week, too, starting with AirLands. (7:30 p.m. every Saturday through Jan. 31, Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., $39-$59, theparkwaytheater.com)

C.R.

The orchestra again will spend much of January exploring “Nordic Soundscapes,” its concerts filled with music by composers from European countries on the edge of the Arctic. It opens with composer, arranger and conductor Steve Hackman leading his “Bartók X Bjork” mashup, which combines Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra with songs from the first three albums of Icelandic singer-songwriter Bjork, complete with vocals. And Orchestra Hall will be getting hygge with it, offering fire pits and blankets on the plaza and cozy comfort in the lobby. (7 p.m. Jan. 3, Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $41-$115, 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org)

Looking for last-minute New Year’s Eve plans? See our full roundup of Dec. 31 music options around the Twin Cities.

Twelve photographers capture the spirit of winter through pictures of people, recreation, urban life and nature. Elliott Erwitt snaps a Dalmatian mid-jump, its fur coat contrasting with the snow-covered ground. Vivian Maier’s historic photograph of a suburban Chicago train station reminds viewers of winter’s timelessness. There are many more winter moments to explore ― and you can do that from inside a heated gallery rather than outside in subzero temps. Ends Jan. 31. (Noon-3 p.m. Dec. 31, closed Jan 1., then resumes regular business hours Tue.-Sat. noon-5 p.m., 908 W. 46th St., Mpls., 612-822-1722 or weinsteinhammons.com)

ALICIA ELER

Christmas is still in the air at the Museum of Russian Art. Cruise through the exhibition “The World of Russian Fairy Tales” and you’ll discover a mini exhibition filled with 100 vintage tree ornaments from Soviet-era Moscow circa the late 1930s-1960s. Don’t miss the collection of Grandfather Frosts, the Russian version of Santa. Ends Jan. 25. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Fri.-Sat. Closed Jan. 1, 1-5 p.m. Jan. 4, 5500 Stevens Av., Mpls., 612-821-9045 or tmora.org)

A.E.