The 10 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week

Spice up your holidays with some New Orleans flavor. Preservation Hall Jazz Band is a NOLA institution, founded in 1963 in the French Quarter to keep the traditional jazz vibe alive. Preservation Hall, its funky old clubhouse on St. Peter Street, has become a top tourist destination to experience old school New Orleans. Tuba player Ben Jaffe, son of the PHJB founder, leads the always-rewarding touring band, which is bringing its Creole Christmas program to the other end of the Mississippi for the weekend. (7 p.m. Fri. and 6 & 8:30 p.m. Sat., the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $74.91 and up, dakotacooks.com)

JON BREAM

This one gives new meaning to “Merry Xmas.” Hailing from British Columbia, Jeff “Excision” Abel is one electronic dance music star not afraid to play Minnesota in the frigid months. His run of winter dance parties at the Armory is being converted this year to a Christmas warm-up bash dubbed the Holiday Headbanger. The bass-heavy dubstep DJ/producer, who headlined such EDM festivals as Bass Canyon and Lost Lands this summer, is topping out a festival-like two-night lineup here with Idaho wizard Kai Wachi, Jantsen and more on Night 1, followed by Germany’s Virtual Riot, Kill the Noise and others on Night 2. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., the Armory, 500 S. 6th St., Mpls., $92 or $142/two-night, 18 & older, ticketmaster.com)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Known for co-writing the Meghan Trainor/John Legend hit “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” while issuing her own rich twang-pop albums via storied Nashville label Monument Records, the Cannon Falls native isn’t missing the chance to once again celebrate coming home for the holidays. She’s playing two seasonal concerts in Duluth and St. Paul after issuing several Christmas-y singles in recent years, including “What Christmas Can Do” and “Snow Day,” each showing she’s a shimmering singer in her own right. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Sacred Heart Music Center, 201 W. 4th St., Duluth, $34, eventbrite.com; and 7 p.m. Sat., Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul, $35-$78, axs.com)

C.R.

Building up to New Year’s Eve in Boston, Philly’s 30-year-old jam band is doing a run of shows in Minneapolis and Chicago. Known for its affinity for trance-rock fusion, the Disco Biscuits get involved in their trippy jams and occasionally insert tastes of familiar songs by anyone from the Beatles and Allman Brothers to No Doubt and LCD Soundsystem. Drummer Allen Aucoin departed the Biscuits in October after 20 years. His replacement, Marlon Lewis, has played 15 shows with the band. (7 p.m. Thu., Fillmore, 525 N. 5th St., Mpls., $50 and up, ticketmaster.com)

Feeling a bit addled as Christmas nears? Find comfort in the lush and lovely harmonies of either of these outstanding Twin Cities choirs. Both offer contemporary seasonal fare with a dash of centuries past, Kantorei led by Adam Reinwald and Magnum Chorum by Dwight Jilek. (Kantorei: 3 p.m. Sat., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3920 N. Victoria St., Shoreview, and 3 p.m. Sun., Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 4801 France Av. S., Mpls., $25, kantorei.net. Magnum Chorum: 7:30 p.m. Sat., First Lutheran Church, 1555 40th Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights, and 4 p.m. Sun., Westwood Lutheran Church, 9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park; $5-$40; magnumchorum.org)

ROB HUBBARD

It was big news in 2018 when the estate of Jerome Robbins let the Guthrie Theater stage “West Side Story” without hewing to Robbins’ original choreography. Director Joseph Haj and choreographer Maija García surpassed expectations with their stylishly thrilling production. Now, fresh off the world premiere of a bold new dance suite that she crafted for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, García again teams with Haj for “Somewhere,” Tony winner Matthew Lopez’s 2011 companion piece to “West Side Story.” Named for the most famous song in the musical, “Somewhere” takes place in 1959 Manhattan. It marries themes of artistic dreams and gentrification as a family of Puerto Rican entertainers faces eviction from their home to make way for the construction of Lincoln Center. “Somewhere,” appropriately, is suffused with dance. (7:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 1 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., 1 & 7 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 1, 2026. Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls., $35-$94, 612-377-2224, guthrietheater.org)

ROHAN PRESTON

Director Schele Williams’ Broadway tour of “The Notebook” stirred sweetness and heart at the Ordway recently. Now her revival of “The Wiz,” her other Broadway title, is splashing gobs of color across the river at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre. Choreographed by Beyoncé dancer JaQuel Knight with costumes by Emmy winner Sharen Davis (“Watchmen”), the musical takes a soulful trip down the Yellow Brick Road. The production has new orchestrations by Joseph Joubert and stars Alan Mingo Jr., an original headliner of “Rent,” as the Wiz. (7:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun., Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., $54 and up, hennepinarts.org)

Wander through an indoor sculpture court in this titular one-room exhibition about the centuries-old tradition. Drawing from the Walker Art Center’s collection, the exhibition includes 40 artists. Don’t miss Rona Pondick’s “Wallaby,” a smooth silver stainless steel wallaby with a tiny human head and full-sized human hand. Visitors can grab a sketchpad and draw, too, like real artists do. Ends Aug. 30. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thu., 725 Vineland Place, Mpls., $9-$18, free for EBT holders, ages 18 & under, citizens and members of Tribal Nations and Walker members, walkerart.org or 612-375-7600)

ALICIA ELER

Many Minnesotans felt worried after the Trump administration said it would allow mining near the state’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. To raise awareness about the beloved natural area’s heightened risk, Environment Minnesota organized a one-night art exhibition. Photographer Layne Kennedy, photographer Pam Wright and painter Wade Ardery showcase their work alongside elementary and high school student artists. (5-8 p.m. Fri., Pillsbury Hall, Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, Room 120, 310 Pillsbury Drive SE, Mpls., free, environmentamerica.org)

A.E.

Whether you’ve been good or bad this year, you can still enjoy bright and colorful holiday light displays. Minneapolis Trolley Tours operates a “Nice Tour” for families to embark on an over one-hour tour where they get to vote on the best displays. Alternatively, ditch any possibility of kids with the “Naughty Tour,” a 21-plus excursion with pregaming that leads to a music-filled tour with a party-like atmosphere, where guests can bring their own jingle juice and sip their way through the illuminated spectacles. (Schedule varies, see website for tour times, $30-$84, tours begin and end at the Pillsbury Club, 100 E. 22nd St., Mpls., minneapolistrolleytours.com)