Chris Botti
Some people might regard him as the Kenny G of the trumpet. But the suave jazz man is really the next Ed Sullivan. Botti presents a generous, highly entertaining, musical variety show, with one surprise guest after another. It might be an opera singer, a flamenco guitarist or a jazz saxophonist. And the collaborators vary from night to night. Botti is extremely versatile and that may explain why he's played with a who's who of modern music, including Sinatra, Streisand, Sting, Bocelli, Gaga and Yo-Yo Ma. ( 6:30 & 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 & 7 p.m. Sun. the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $85-$160, dakotacooks.com)
JON BREAM
Ron White
It's been 22 years since the launch of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, the wildly successful act that featured White sharing the stage with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy. All continue to enjoy great success, but White, 65, has announced that he'll be retiring from stand-up at the end of this year. That's one of the reasons his Twin Cities performance sold out quickly. White no longer sips Scotch on stage, but you can bet his "good ol' boy" routine has aged well. (8 p.m. Fri., Treasure Island Resort & Casino, 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Red Wing, $49. ticasino.com)
NEAL JUSTIN
Minnesota Opera's 'Rinaldo'
To launch its intimate new Warehouse District space, the Luminary Arts Center, Minnesota Opera makes a rare venture into Baroque-era opera by presenting George Frideric Handel's tuneful take on war, love and sorcery. But expect no chain mail: This sold-out staging moves the action to mid-'80s Wall Street, where old money is doing battle with new. Singing the title role is countertenor Patrick Terry, a University of Minnesota alum who's gone on to perform at London's Royal Opera. (7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; through Dec. 3; 700 N. 1st St., Mpls.; $50-$80; 612-333-6669 or mnopera.org.)
