Best of the week: Laurie Anderson, the Mavericks, the Pines, Easter egg hunt, more

Laurie Anderson was vying for middle-school class president when John F. Kennedy was running for U.S. president. So she wrote to him for advice, and he responded. They both won, and decades later in "Language of the Future: Letters to Jack," the performance artist extraordinaire reflects on Kennedy, politics and language. Of course, it's a multimedia presentation featuring Anderson's violin and words, a cellist and a special appearance from a current presidential candidate who has a certain way with words.jon bream

8 p.m. Sat. Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, $39, etix.com

Jazz vocal adventurer Dee Dee Bridgewater teamed up with trumpet tour de force Irvin Mayfield and others last year on "Dee Dee's Feather," a marvelous exploration of New Orleans music. She couldn't afford to bring the 18-piece New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and pianists Ellis Marsalis and Dr. John on tour. But she does have Mayfield, the former Minnesota Orchestra jazz curator, and the New Orleans 7 to help her bring joie de vivre to this repertoire.

jon bream

7 & 9 p.m. Sun.-Mon. Dakota Jazz Club, $30-$45, dakotacooks.com

Garth Greenwell's "What Belongs to You" renders in exquisite observational and emotional detail a young gay American teacher's sojourn in Bulgaria, centering on his turbulent relationship with a hustler. Daringly and convincingly composed, it's a book about desire's complexity, the painful intensity of youth and a commitment to careful seeing as a path to artistic revelation. Greenwell reads with Paul Lisicky, whose memoir "The Narrow Door" is published by Minneapolis-based Graywolf.

CLAUDE PECK

After thrilling audiences at the Pantages Theatre and the Minnesota Zoo, the Mavericks, America's best dance band, have graduated to the State Theatre. Raul Malo and his pals have more exceptional new tunes, including "Summertime" and "All Night Long," from last year's super-satisfying, Grammy-nominated "Mono," their second comeback album. Malo is one of popular music's most well-rounded vocalists, an Orbisonian master of all kinds of retro roots, country and Latin styles.

jon bream

8 p.m. Sat. State, Mpls., $47-$59; ticketmastercom

Recent mild temperatures add a little incentive to enjoy outdoor activities at local parks. Egg-citing times await all ages at an art-inspired egg hunt. Take photos with a bunny and listen to musical entertainment. Participate in a variety of art activities and collect spring treats.

MELISSA WALKER

What is poor Giselle to do? The man she loves ditches her for somebody else, causing her to die of a broken heart. Then a team of supernatural fairies seeks revenge against him. Even in death, can she save the poor fellow with her love? "Giselle" is a classic tale of unrequited love, retold by the Continental Ballet Company, with choreography by founder/director Riet Velthuisen.

SHEILA REGAN

3 p.m. Sun. & March 20, 7:30 p.m. Sat., Bloomington Center for the Arts. $130-$25, continentalballet.com

The rare chance to hear one of Minnesota's most elegant and expansive folk-rock bands, the Pines, spread out is doubly enticing thanks to the overdue opportunity to hear a standout from 2015's Eaux Claires festival, Phil Cook and his band the Guitarheels. His gospelized 2015 solo album, "Southland Mission," capped a career that includes stints with Megafaun and Justin Vernon's DeYarmond Edison. The Pines are also promoting a strong new album, "Above the Prairie."

Chris Riemenschneider

Recycling came naturally to fiber artist Nancy Stevens MacKenzie, who transformed burlap sacks, onion bags, twigs and baling twine into sophisticated garments and sculptural objects that are rich in historical allusions, oriental elegance and space-age concepts. The wit and creativity of the Stillwater artist, who died in 2014, is beautifully celebrated in "Transformations: Homage to Nancy MacKenzie."

Mary Abbe

Closing March 17. Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, free. stkate.edu/gallery.

There was a time when some embarrassed parents sent their pregnant, unmarried daughters to a home, to hush up their condition. Playwright Lily Baber Coyle wrote their story with "Watermelon Hill," which was originally produced by History Theatre in 2001. Emily Gunyou Halaas, Aeysha Kinnunen and Adelin Phelps are featured in a new production.

graydon royce