Dessa goes on the record with Minnesota Orchestra
It won't be local hip-hop star Dessa's first rodeo at Orchestra Hall, but her pair of shows with the Minnesota Orchestra will offer several firsts. Both nights will be recorded for an upcoming album, which will mark the orchestra's long-overdue debut on the Doomtree record label. And while she's still poring through last year's acclaimed album "Chime," Dessa also plans to debut several new songs, which will feature regular guest vocalists Aby Wolf and Cameron Kinghorn and returning conductor Sarah Hicks. Preshow fun on Tuesday includes Prairie Fire Lady Choir. Chris Riemenschneider
7:30 p.m. Tue. and Thu. Orchestra Hall, 11th St. and Nicollet Mall, Mpls. $56-$86 (sold out Tue.), minnesotaorchestra.org.
"Mamma Mia!" has people dancing in the aisles at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. The Abba-scored show is shot through with fresh energy in Michael Brindisi's exuberant staging. Chanhassen has been converted into the bouncy Greek island where taverna owner Donna (Kersten Rodau, who kills it) is rethinking life choices just as her daughter, Sophie (Jessica Fredrickson), prepares for her wedding day. The clever jukebox musical pairs dance tunes with feminist messaging.
Rohan Preston
6:30 p.m. Sun., 8 p.m. Tue., 1 & 8 p.m. Wed., 8 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 1 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends Sept. 28. $55-$93, chanhassendt.com.
The big-time ballers of the Harlem Globetrotters don't just provide a few hours of back-and-forth time on the court, but dazzling entertainment as well. The talented squad is made up of precision dunkers and ballhandlers as well as Guinness World Records holders. In addition to showmen Ant Atkinson (pictured) and Hammer Harrison, the team includes the largest female roster in its history with Swish Young, Hoops Green, TNT Lister and others.
Melissa Walker
1 p.m. Sat. and 2 p.m. next Sun. Target Center, Mpls. $21-$134, axs.com.
An exploration of polyrhythmic movement, James Sewell Ballet's "Body Beats" features live music by Twin Cities drummer, keyboardist and looping master Dosh. It also involves boxers from Element gym and ballet students from St. Paul Ballet. A packed dance program also features "Thaw," a brand-new work by New York choreographer Gabrielle Lamb that finds beauty in the depths of winter.
Sheila Regan
7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. next Sun. The Cowles Center, Mpls. $20-35; 612-206-3600, thecowlescenter.org.
At the recent Grammys tribute to Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle's voice soared above all others. Her pipes remain not only stratospheric but deeply soulful. Doesn't matter if she's singing her own "Lady Marmalade" or "Over the Rainbow," she's still got it. At 74, the pride of Philadelphia will raise the roof, tell him off and find strength on her own.
Jon Bream
8 p.m. Sun. Mystic Lake Casino showroom, Prior Lake. $40-$65, ticketmaster.com.
Minneapolis composer Jocelyn Hagen marks the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death. Commissioned by the Minnesota Chorale and Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, "The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci" is a large-scale work in seven movements. The piece features text drawn from da Vinci's own writings. And the concert features motion graphics starring the artist's drawings (projected using digital synchronization software).
Terry Blain
7:30 p.m. Sat., Hopkins High School; 4 p.m. next Sun., St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi. Free, msomn.org.
Alt-country tunesmith Hayes Carll holds himself up as one of John Prine's worthiest heirs on his latest and best record, "As It Is," which follows a divorce and features input from his new sweetheart, singer/songwriter Allison Moorer. With wry commentary on modern problems and everyday people, the lyrics alternate between heartache and humor, and the music goes from elegant twang to roadhouse boogie. Opener Ben Dickey portrayed Blaze Foley in the underrated movie "Blaze."
C.R.
8 p.m. Fri. Cedar Cultural Center, Mpls. $22-$25, thecedar.org.
Minneapolis-born Kenny Broberg won a silver medal at Texas' prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2017. Broberg, just 25, has kept busy ever since, building an international career. He returns for a recital featuring a bold mix of familiar and new. That includes Beethoven's Op. 110 Piano Sonata and Bach's Toccata in C Minor alongside virtuoso works by Marc-André Hamelin, César Franck and Nikolai Medtner.
T.B.
3 p.m. next Sun. Mairs Concert Hall, Macalester College, St. Paul. $15-$30; 612-822-0123, chopinsocietymn.org.
There may be some residual snow outdoors, but spring is technically here, so Gale Woods Farm is getting prepped for the new season. During the Spring Into Farming event, you can cuddle up to the newly born animals and learn about life on the farm. Walk through the sugarbush and help with making maple syrup. Assist farmhands in getting new crops ready by planting seeds in the greenhouse.
M.W.
9:30 a.m.-noon Sat. Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista. $5, threeriversparks.org.
