Valli high
It's fitting for Ragamala Dance Company to launch its 25th season with Bharatanatyam icon Alarmél Valli. She's an acclaimed performer and master teacher whose pupils include company founder Ranee Ramaswamy. Known for her poetic movements, Valli puts her distinctive stamp on the classical form, using its grammar and vocabulary to express her own lyric inventiveness.ROHAN PRESTON
7:30 p.m. Sat. $15-29, Cowles Center, Mpls. Cowlescenter.org
Always one of the most subtly rhythmic bands in modern indie-rock, Spoon got more overt about its grooves without resorting to overtread electro-pop beats on "Hot Thoughts," its ninth album in an impressively consistent 21-year recording career. The 2017 album sparked some exciting new highlights when the Austin, Texas, group premiered it at the hometown SXSW fest, and the disc will get a full tryout over two nights here.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Palace Theatre, St. Paul, sold out
The diaphanous Second Violin Concerto by Swedish composer Anders Hillborg received its world premiere in Stockholm last year. And this week the Minnesota Orchestra gives the piece its U.S. premiere featuring outstanding violinist James Ehnes. The rest of the concert crackles with orchestral fireworks, with John Adams' "Short Ride in a Fast Machine," Berlioz's bustling "Roman Carnival Overture" and Stravinsky's "Firebird" suite.
TERRY BLAIN
11 a.m. Thu., 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; Orchestra Hall, Mpls., $12-$96, minnesotaorchestra.org
Many of the first generation of punk-rock bands imploded or folded long ago. Not X, Los Angeles' greatest contribution to the punk world. Exene Cervenka and John Doe penned poetic words and delivered offbeat harmonies. Billy Zoom cranked speedo rockabilly-inspired guitar riffs, and drummer D.J. Bonebrake and bassist Doe provided pile-driving rhythms. In '98, the classic lineup reunited. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, X still sounds spot on.
JON BREAM
8 p.m. Wed. First Avenue, Mpls., $25, etix.com
His signature 12-string Rickenbacker guitar put the jingle-jangle in the Byrds' sound. Roger McGuinn was the voice behind "Turn Turn Turn," "Eight Miles High" and "Mr. Tambourine Man." In concert, the 75-year-old raconteur spins fascinating tales about Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, the Byrds and being a rock 'n' roll star. Listen now to what he says — and sings.
JON BREAM
8 p.m. Thu. Pantages Theatre, Mpls., $39-$109, hennepintheatretrust.org
The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra kicks off its 2017-18 season in typically inventive fashion with Jessie Montgomery's "Banner," a feisty take on "The Star-Spangled Banner." The program also features Beethoven's Triple Concerto, plus a rare and welcome opportunity to hear "Variaciones Concertantes" by the great Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera.
TERRY BLAIN
8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ordway, St. Paul, $12-$50, thespco.org
Ananya Dance Theatre kicks off the U.S. tour of its new show, "Shyamali: Sprouting Words," in St. Paul. As dance lovers have come to expect from India-born, Minnesota-based choreographer Ananya Chatterjea, this new piece mixes artistry with social justice themes. Emotionally gripping, technically striking and unequivocal in its eco-feminist messaging, it's the sort of show that gets to the head and heart.
SHEILA REGAN
7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., the O'Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, $15-$29, oshag.stkate.edu
Classic cars will cruise down Main Street in New Prague during the Dozinky Czech harvest festival. Saturday's festivities include a parade of farm pride and a Czech heritage village. Taste traditional Czech dishes, imbibe in a beer garden and shop for wares in an open-air market.
MELISSA WALKER
6:30 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Main St., New Prague. newprague.com
Guitarist Mike Stern is best known for being in Miles Davis' early '80s comeback band, but his funky fusion-jazz attack has held up well in the decades since. This gig comes at a propitious time — the week after the release of "Trip," his own comeback album after suffering a horrendous fall that broke both upper arms and left him with nerve damage. His star-studded band includes trumpeter Randy Brecker, drummer Dennis Chambers and bassist Tom Kennedy.
BRITT ROBSON
7 & 9 p.m. Tue.-Wed. Dakota, Mpls., $22-$42, dakotacooks.com
