Critics’ picks: The 12 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week

Former Alabama Shakes frontwoman Howard and “Cold Little Heart” hitmaker Kiwanuka each started their recording careers in 2011. Since then, they’ve both done a lot of innovative and infectious work with classic soul and R&B influences, making them sensible co-headlining partners. The headliner in St. Paul, Howard added Prince & NPG-style funk and cosmic-soul touches to her cool sonic mix for her second solo album, “What Now,” and her live shows of late have offered similarly bright and colorful visual displays. Kiwanuka is previewing a new album due in November, “Small Changes,” which was co-produced with Danger Mouse and features Jimmy Jam among its collaborators. Acoustic guitar wiz Yasmin Williams opens. (7 p.m. Sun., Palace Theatre, 17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, $80-$125, axs.com)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

R&B royalty is coming to town. Babyface, who has distinguished himself as a songwriter, producer and recording artist, will put on his performer face. The 13-time Grammy winner will perform some of his own hit songs like “It’s No Crime” as well as smashes he wrote for Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Madonna, Bobby Brown and many others. Taking a break from his Vegas residency, the artist behind more than 35 No. 1 R&B tunes is squeezing in casino shows in Minnesota and his home state of Indiana. (8 p.m. Fri., Mystic Lake Casino Showroom, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake, $59 and up, ticketmaster.com)

JON BREAM

Thirty-two years after recording her landmark 1993 album “Rid of Me” at Cannon Falls’ Pachyderm Studio with the late Steve Albini, Polly Jean Harvey is making her overdue return to Minnesota on her first U.S. tour in seven years. The British alt-rock dramatist has been splitting the shows in half, the first being a quieter and devout set dedicated to last year’s elaborately folky record “I Inside the Old Year Dying.” Then she returns to play a lot of her classics with longtime collaborator John Parish and the rest of her band. So no opener for this one. (8 p.m. Wed., Palace Theatre, $70-$125, axs.com)

C.R.

Did the Paris Olympics whet your appetite for some French culture? Here comes Air, champions of chill-out music, masters of retro-futurism and maestros of soundtracks for Sofia Coppola films. Air is an acronym for the French words amour, imagination and rêve that translate to “love, imagination and dreaming.” The cult-loved duo of guitarist Nicolas Godin and synthesizer player Jean-Benoît Dunckel have lived up to their moniker over the course of six albums of space-age pop, the last of which arrived in 2012. Best known for the groovy 1998 electronica hit “Sexy Boy,” the French pair will perform their ‘98 debut album “Moon Safari” in its entirety on this rare Air U.S. tour. (8 p.m. Sun., State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., $64.50-$154.50, ticketmaster.com)

J.B.

Ysaye Barnwell’s “Wanting Memories” has become a signature song for the Minneapolis-based low-voice ensemble, and it lends its title to this program of music about memory by everyone from Richard Strauss to Dolly Parton to Taylor Swift. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 N. 4th St., Stillwater; 7:30 p.m. Sat., Westminster Hall, Nicollet Mall and Alice Rainville Place, Mpls.; 3 p.m. Sun., Sundin Music Hall, 1531 Hewitt Av., St. Paul; 11 a.m. Oct. 10, Meetinghouse Church, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina; 3 p.m. Oct. 13, St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Road 6, Plymouth, $5-$45, online stream available Oct. 10-20, 612-435-0046 or cantussings.org)

ROB HUBBARD

Local classical music lovers have had the pleasure of experiencing this insightful pianist’s artistry in collaboration with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as he premiered five new piano concertos inspired by the five written by Beethoven. Now he’s turned his focus to Beethoven’s Viennese neighbor, Franz Schubert, asking composers Timo Andres, Caroline Shaw and Tyson Gholston Davis to write new solo piano works inspired by Schubert’s. He’ll open the Frederic Chopin Society’s season by performing the Davis piece between Schubert Impromptus and a Sonata. (3 p.m. Sun., Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, 130 S. Macalester St., St. Paul, $20-$40, 612-822-0123 or chopinsocietymn.org)

R.H.

We sometimes forget the costs of the great tunes that mark so many of our memories. “Ain’t Too Proud” offers a remedy for that (plus the great music). The show tracks the journey of the Temptations as these Motown greats face personal and other demons while delivering such hits as “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do.” Catch their bow at the Ordway. (Oct. 8-13: 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., 1:30 & 7 p.m. Sun., Ordway, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. $45-$145. 651-224-4222, ordway.org)

ROHAN PRESTON

Bloomington’s Artistry theater is pulling back the curtain on its season of love. Kelli Foster Warder directs and choreographs “Rent,” Jonathan Larson’s landmark 1996 musical adapted from Puccini’s “La Bohème” and centering artists as they struggle to live and love. The youthful cast includes Wesley Mouri, Michelle de Joya, Mitchell Douglas, Matthew Hall, Sara Masterson and Quinn Lorez. (Oct. 3-27: 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Artistry, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington. $33-$56. 952-563-8575, artistrymn.org)

R.P.

The intimate performance featuring three flamenco artists from Spain comes to the Granada Theater, as part of a show put together by the Royal Opera of Madrid and the American entertainment platform Fever. Headlining the act is award-winning guitarist/singer Ricardo Fernández del Moral of Ciudad Real, Spain, who will be joined by flamenco dancer Juan Fernández and dancer/singer Manu Soto. Enjoy the historic architecture of the Granada as you wisp your way into the Spanish flamenco experience. (Granada Theater, 3022 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 9 p.m. Sat.; 2:30, 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. Sun. $45-$99. authenticflamencoshow.com)

SHEILA REGAN

Sixty-five visual artists contribute work on the theme of migration for this year’s Solidarity Street Gallery, a series of pop-ups in businesses and galleries on Payne Avenue in St. Paul. Many of the businesses are owned by people of color; find art at 20-25 galleries and businesses, along with live music, poetry and food. (5-9 p.m. Fri., noon-9 p.m. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., 967 Payne Av., St. Paul, instagram.com/solidaritystreetgallery)

ALICIA ELER

A pink toilet that doesn’t flush. A black-and-white photograph of tiles in a shower with drops of water on them. A towel covered in reflective silver specks, casting tiny reflections on the wall. These are a few objects in artist Krista Anderson-Larson’s exhibition, which explores perceptions of the self as one might experience in the privacy of a bathroom. The artist is most interested in queer identity, referencing the pattern of disco balls, frequently seen at gay bars. Ends Oct. 27. (11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thu. & Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. & Sun., Soo Visual Arts Center, 2909 Bryant Av. S. #101, Mpls., free, soovac.org or 612-871-2263)

A.E.

Minnesota’s first fully off-leash indoor and outdoor dog park, bar and dining experience hosts a farmers market of sorts for pets and owners. Bring your leashed pet and grab a pint for yourself while socializing with other dogs and owners. Shop from pet vendors, grab a bite and listen to music. Pet-friendly businesses and rescues will be on hand with information. (3-7 p.m. Sat., 200 E. Lyndale Av. N., Mpls., unleashedhoundsandhops.com)

MELISSA WALKER