Critics' picks: The 13 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week

Minnesota Orchestra

It's been more than 20 years since Russian-born pianist Olga Kern won America's premier piano competition, the Van Cliburn. Yet this week's concerts mark her long overdue Minnesota Orchestra debut. She'll take on the grand drama of Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto, the centerpiece of a program that includes a 2017 work by English composer Hannah Kendall, "The Spark Catchers," and Robert Schumann's richly evocative "Rhenish" Symphony. Also making his local debut is German conductor Christoph Konig. (11 a.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.; Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; $35-$104; 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org.)

ROB HUBBARD

Joffrey Ballet

When Northrop auditorium's roof partially collapsed on Jan. 11, the venue had to postpone its presentation of Chicago's Joffrey Ballet. And that wasn't the first postponement. It was on Northrop's 2020-21 roster, but COVID-19 put a damper on those plans. This weekend's show will feature the Northrop Centennial Commission "Of Mice and Men." British choreographer Cathy Marston has adapted John Steinbeck's novel and the work is set to a score by Oscar-nominated composer Thomas Newman. Joffrey also will perform "Serenade," the first ballet George Balanchine created in America, in 1934, and "The Times Are Racing" by Tony Award-winning choreographer Justin Peck. (7 p.m. Sat. & Sun., Northrop, 84 Church St. SE., Mpls., $30-$79, 612-624-2345, northrop.umn.edu)

SHEILA REGAN

Inhaler

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Snarky Puppy

The jazzy Dallas jam band led by bassist Michael League got carried away in a good way on last year's epic, Grammy-winning "Empire Central." Recorded live at a Dallas event space in front of an audience, the expansive 16-track, 94-minute, double album touches on 1970s styled jazz fusion, some Parliament-Funkadelic-influenced funk, classic horn-punctuated jazz-soul and some roof-raising arena-rock guitar solos on "RL's," the longest track. In short, "Empire Central" is jazzy noodling at its most accessible. Founded in 2004 at University of North Texas, the Fam, as the collective dubs itself, has about 19 members these days but more than 40 musicians have been involved over the course of 14 albums, which have led to five Grammys. (8 p.m. Wed., Palace Theatre, 17 W. 7th Pl., St. Paul, $35-$50, axs.com)

JON BREAM

'Lavadeiras'

SHEILA REGAN

Black & Funny Improv Festival

Local and visiting troupes, including Blackout and Critical Race Theory for Kindergarteners, are part of the fest, which features workshops during the day and performances each night through Sunday. (7 & 8:30 p.m. Fri., 6, 7, 8:30 & 10 p.m. Sat., 4 & 7 p.m. Sun., Huge Theater, 3037 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., $15, hugetheater.com.)

CHRIS HEWITT

'You're Wrong About'

JENNA ROSS

'Stages of Equity'

Twin Cities choreographers will highlight the diverse voices of the community at the performing arts fest at North Hennepin Community College. Darrius Strong of StrongMovement has been working with 13 dancers for a piece that draws on styles that range from hip-hop to contemporary. Also on the program is Kealoha Ferreira, the first artistic associate of Ananya Dance Theatre. She brings that background to her own piece as she steps into the role of choreographer. Both shows will conclude with an artist interview. (2 p.m. Fri. Ferreira; 7:30 p.m. Fri, StrongMovement, Fine Arts Center, NHCC, 7411 85th Av. N., Brooklyn Park, free, 763-488-0391, nhcc.edu)

SHEILA REGAN

Boiled in Lead

J.B.

Yo La Tengo

An indie-rock institution nearing its 40th anniversary, the New Jersey trio burns bright again on its latest album, "This Stupid World." The record was mostly made live without an outside producer and shows off the band's core blend of minimalist, fuzzed-out experimentation and classic Kinks and Velvets song-hook mastery. As it often does, the group is splitting its current tour dates into two different sets/moods with no opener, some fun covers and lots of old favorites thrown in. Be thankful to still have YLT around. (8 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $30-$35, axs.com)

C.R.

Danilo Pérez

J.B.

Minneapolis International Festival

The richness of cultural diversity is put on parade with a day of exhibits and demonstrations. Performers include Kuyayki Peru, Dance Askina Turkish Dance Ensemble, Blue Lotus Dancers, Vietnamese Traditional Music of Minnesota and others. Global food vendors will provide Thai food, pierogies, sambusas and quesadillas. Artists and vendors will feature Moroccan art, Colombian filigree jewelry, origami as well as cultural displays. (1-5 p.m. Sat., Free. Central Park Gym, 3400 4th Av. S., Mpls. minneapolisparks.org.)

MELISSA WALKER

'Immersive Disney Animation'