The 13 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week

After tackling big topics on 2018’s “American Utopia” and its brilliant concert-turned-Broadway musical, the ever-versatile, always challenging polymath got lighthearted this year on the exuberant and often effervescent “What Is the Sky?” Employing African and South American rhythms and the Ghost Train Orchestra, Byrne declines to address weighty issues, singing “‘I’ve had to retire from that enlightenment biz. I don’t have the answers, and I never did.” When Byrne comes to town for two nights, the new single “Everybody Laughs” and other “Sky” songs will be mixed in with Talking Heads and solo material. His concerts, a combination of inspired invention and reinvention, are art projects on another level, always must-see experiences. (8 p.m. Mon. & Tue., Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., resale only, ticketmaster.com)

JON BREAM

Did you know that Adam Levine and company had a new album? Did you know that Lil Wayne, Sexyy Red and Lisa from Blackpink are featured on it? Did you know that Maroon 5 did a new video for “Priceless” that’s inspired by the film “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”? Well, the album, “Love Is Like,” is like a forgettable Justin Timberlake effort. Thankfully, Maroon 5 is doing only a couple of the new numbers on tour along with the old faves “Harder to Breathe,” “Moves Like Jagger” and “Sugar.” Claire Rosinkranz opens. (8 p.m. Wed., Grand Casino Arena, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, $55 and up, ticketmaster.com)

J.B.

One of this year’s hidden-gem albums, this slow-stewing Louisiana soul singer’s fourth LP, “Flowers,” is an emotional yet soothing effort based around him reconciling his conservative Christian roots with his embracing of the LGBTQ community. Jones and his Indiana-based band, the Indications, lay down some laid-back yet wigged-out grooves behind his willowy voice, sounding equal parts Curtis Mayfield and Sade. The new songs should complement their already entrancing live shows. (8 p.m. Mon., First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $35, axs.com)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

The fact that they’re a Los Angeles-based all-female band led by sisters is going to inevitably earn this quartet comparisons to Haim, and that’s OK. They have the poppy hooks and slick but still spirited production to live up to the comparisons. After the moderately viral 2023 hit “Girls Make Me Wanna Die” and a coming-out tour with 5 Seconds of Summer, they are earning a more serious buzz and headlining their own shows with the new album, “Gold Star Baby,” which adds some disco-y flavor to the already catchy mix. Ex-Regrettes singer Lydia Night opens. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Fine Line, 318 1st Av. N., Mpls., $35, axs.com)

While musically marvelous, this Mozart opera can cause some cringing, for it’s a comedy about two men engaging in a bet to test their girlfriends’ fidelity. Minnesota Opera’s season-opening production will take full advantage of its ending’s ambiguity by allowing audiences to vote at intermission as to how they’d like to see the story play out. The action is transported to a modern American city in this production, which features Kylie Kreucher, Kara Morgan, Ángel Vargas and David Wolfe as the couples in flux. (7:30 p.m. Sat. and Nov. 6 and 8, 2 p.m. Nov. 9, Ordway Music Theater, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, $23-$287, 612-333-6669 or mnopera.org)

ROB HUBBARD

This is the last week to see Kelli Foster Warder’s stellar production of this Lynn Ahrens/Stephen Flaherty musical, a blast of song, light and color. Artistry does not like to think of itself as one of Minnesota’s performing arts farm teams, but the company often showcases homegrown talent before it becomes better known. And that’s certainly true of “Once on this Island,” where Antonisia Collins’ Ti Moune, a poor girl who rescues a rich boy and falls in love, is luminous. A former Children’s Theatre Company performing arts apprentice, Collins brings warmth and beauty to her breakout lead role. She is surrounded by similarly impressive talent, including Gabe Woodard as scene partner Daniel, Charla Marie Bailey as Mama Euralie and Erin Farste as love goddess Erzulie. Sanford Moore conducts the orchestra with a touch of syncopated swing. (7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Artistry, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, $35-$65, 952-563-8575 or artistrymn.org)

ROHAN PRESTON

What actor and theater-maker Katie Kaufmann began in 2019 as a 15-minute solo show to explore a retired dancer’s chronic pain has evolved into something more ambitious and timely. Using full-faced masks, Kaufmann’s “Apartment 2B” digs into loneliness and heartache as it tells the story of a community seeking to heal from ailments caused by isolation. Directed by Erin Crites with Kaufmann in the acting company, the wordless show uses music, movement and magical realism to communicate our deepest hopes and fears. (7:30 p.m. Thu.-Mon., ends Nov. 8, Red Eye Theater, 2213 Snelling Av., Mpls., $10-$45, redeyetheater.org)

For its first two-act Broadway musical, Theatre Elision has chosen Dave Malloy’s immersive Tony-winning electropop meditation on lust, social position and society from a section of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” revolves around an ingenue whose fiancé is away at war. On a visit to Moscow, Natasha is seduced by married playboy Anatole, ruining her name. But maybe she can regain respect by linking up with outsider Pierre. Anna Beth Baker plays Natasha, Phinehas Bynum is Pierre and Bradley Johnson plays Anatole in a cast that also includes ensemble members Vanessa Gamble and Emily Dussault. (7:30 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sun., ends Nov. 22, Elision Playhouse, 6105 42nd Av. N., Crystal, $25-$150, elisionproductions.com, 612-662-6105)

R.P.

The chance to see “Daily Show” vets Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng together onstage might be the tantalizing comedy offer of the fall. The “frenemies” are expected to ditch their regular stand-up routines to engage in a lively debate that will change with every performance. Expect lots of fireworks and lots of laughs. Note the unusual afternoon time for the first show. (4 and 7 p.m. Sat., Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av., Mpls., $48.70-$194.70, hasanhatesronny.com)

NEAL JUSTIN

Twin Cities cult favorite BareBones Productions’ annual Halloween Extravaganza honors the circle of life, celebrating death at the end of fall. This year the puppet theater gathers around the theme “Up in Smoke” and takes a closer look at a world literally and figuratively “on fire.” The performance is a call for resistance and healing through shared grief. Minneapolis-based artist Stu Bennett and performer Katie Burgess direct the show. (6 p.m. doors, 7-8 p.m. Thu.-Sun., Powderhorn Park, Mpls., $20 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of money. Parking at 3400 15th Av. S., Mpls., ASL & audio describer at Sat. performance, Barebonespuppets.org/2025-show)

The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District hosts its 2025 Vision Awards, recognizing six people who work to help others. The recipients include Dyani White Hawk, Peyton Scott Russell, Marko Fields, Jonathan Query, Nicholas Harper and Kari Dziedzic (posthumous). Marino’s Deli provides catering. (6-7:30 p.m. Wed., Hollywood Theater, 2815 NE. Johnson St., Mpls., free, nemaa.org)

A.E.

Twin Cities Ballet’s production of “Carmina Burana” comes with a long history. The company will perform choreography created by the late Loyce Houlton in 1978 for Minnesota Dance Theatre that featured future movie star Lea Thompson. In 2004, Houlton’s daughter Lise Houlton revived the work in a collaboration between MDT, Minnesota Chorale and Theatre de la Jeune Lune, featuring video installation design by Dominique Serrand. Now, Lise Houlton and her daughter Kaitlyn Gilliland are teaming up with TCB for a new revival. Joining the dancers onstage will be vocalists Anthony Potts, Linh Kauffman, and Gary Ruschman, along with musicians Bob Adney, Erik Barsness, Barbara Brooks and the 40-member Minnesota Chorale. (7:30 p.m. Sat. & 2 p.m. Sun. Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul. $54-$70. 612-338-8388, twincitiesballet.org/tickets)

SHEILA REGAN

Whether Halloween means fright or fun, Pinehaven Farm fits the bill. During Halloween Party Weekend, costumed kids can roam the farm and trick-or-treat for candy and prizes. There are more than 35 attractions to keep all ages entertained including Skee-Ball, SuperSlides, Halloween wall ball and live music. After the sun sets, board the Dead End Hayride for a high-quality production of monster-filled horror. (Halloween Weekend: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun., $14-$25, pinehavenfarm.com. The Dead End Hayride: 6-10 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Sun.; 6-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., $27-$87, thedeaddendhayride.com, 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N., Wyoming)