Critics’ picks: The 14 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week

There have been plenty of popular Mexican rappers before, but very few have incorporated their country’s traditional music styles as overtly and thrillingly as this 24-year-old sensation from Guadalajara — and none has seen their careers blow up so quickly and wildly. The recent Rolling Stone cover boy caught on over the past year with global hits such as “AMG,” “Por Las Noches” and “Rubicon” and then won a Grammy for best música Mexicana album with his 2023 release, “Génesis.” He livens up his emo-y rap tunes with a full-blown mariachi band in a rowdy, sometimes lovely, and overall truly unique stage production. His U.S. tour started up last week after being postponed in May, but looks like the high ticket prices haven’t budged. (8 p.m. Fri., Target Center, 600 1st Av. N., Mpls., $70-$625, ticketmaster.com)

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

After a two-year hiatus, the long-running BBP returns in a new location with a familiar lineup to raise money for the Basilica of St. Mary and its outreach programs. The site is Boom Island on the Mississippi River in northeast Minneapolis, where Rock the Garden was held in 2016. Once again, there are two stages, with Goo Goo Dolls headlining on Friday, preceded by the Fray, Dean Lewis, Red Clay Strays, Yam Haus and Socktopus. The lineup on the local stage includes Run Westy Run, Black Widows and Cindy Lawson. Counting Crows top Saturday’s bill, which features Needtobreathe, Judah & the Lion, Phillip Phillips, St. Paul & the Funk All Stars and Guytano. Slated for the local stage are the Ocean Blue (not technically local), Nur-D and the Mary Jane Alm Band. (12:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Boom Island, 434 NE. Main St., Mpls., $99 and up, etix.com)

JON BREAM

After her jadedly romantic sleeper hit “But Not Kiss” caught on early this year, the 27-year-old Atlanta singer/songwriter is crossing over from a critics’ pick and NPR Music favorite to a rising TikTok and Spotify star. She seems ready for the added attention. Her latest album, “Underdressed at the Symphony,” was a musically understated affair with softer and quieter tones, part Phoebe Bridgers and Leonard Cohen. But she and her excellent band impressively expand on the songs in concert in front of a clever, laundry-themed stage design, and with her already impressive back catalog for extra spin. Virginia electro-folk singer Benét opens. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Palace Theatre, 17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, resale tickets only, first-avenue.com)

C.R.

After canceling his Target Center show on short notice last year, Atlanta’s prolific and enduring trap rapper of “Mask Off” and “Low Life” fame seems poised to make it up to Twin Cities fans this time around. He’s pairing up with one of his most trusted collaborators Metro Boomin, a producer/DJ whose innovative beats have also graced recordings by 21 Savage, the Weeknd and Young Thug. The two longtime cohorts have put out two new collaborative albums, “We Don’t Trust You” and “We Still Don’t Trust You,” producing at least one more megahit so far, the Kendrick Lamar-accompanied “Like That.” The first set of their tour at the Rolling Loud festival featured a long list of hits from both of their discographies. (8 p.m. Wed., Xcel Energy Center, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, $53.50-$600, ticketmaster.com)

C.R.

Whether you think of them as a blues band (they won a Grammy in that field), a jam band (they carry on in the Allman Brothers tradition) or just a rock band (with two standout guitarists), TTB is a must-see live band. Susan Tedeschi is a standout singer, oozing soulful passion, and a formidable guitarist. Her husband, Derek Trucks, is a guitar god, master of the slide guitar, and a spiritual force who has been on the road for nearly 30 years even though he’s only 45. And their 12-piece ensemble includes singer Mike Mattison, who grew up in Minneapolis. Opening is Margo Price, the alt-country gem who deserves a bigger audience. (7 p.m. Fri.-Sat., the Armory, $46 and up, ticketmaster.com)

J.B.

They were popular singer/songwriters in the ‘90s. Jewel made her name with coffeehouse pop like “Who Will Save Your Soul” and “You Were Meant for Me,” which led to her being a fixture on Lilith Fair. In 2021, she re-established herself by grabbing first place on “The Masked Singer” as the Queen of Hearts and, the following year, releasing her latest album, “Freewheelin’ Woman.” Etheridge, who never played at Lilith Fair, rocked out with “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” earning two Grammys and an Oscar for “I Need to Wake Up.” With 21 studio albums to her credit, the raspy-voiced heartland rocker took her one-woman show to Broadway last fall. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Ledge Amphitheater, 1700 Parkway Drive, Waite Park, Minn., $57-$980, ticketmaster.com)

J.B.

Among the orchestra’s signature summer events is the “Grand Piano Spectacular,” for which “Summer at Orchestra Hall” host Jon Kimura Parker will be joined by three other pianists for eight-handed takes on everything from Mozart to Gershwin to Astor Piazzolla (7 p.m. Thu.). Speaking of Gershwin, Parker will solo on his Piano Concerto at a concert that also features Lina Gonzalez-Granados conducting music of John Harbison and Darius Milhaud (8 p.m. Fri.). And conductor, trumpeter and jazz trumpeter and Pittsburgh Symphony pops conductor Byron Stripling leads an evening of swing (7 p.m. Sat.). (Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., $34-$110, 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org)

ROB HUBBARD

The Oratorio Society likes to go big with large-scale works for choir and orchestra, and so did Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, an early 20th-century English composer of African descent. This concert features two of his monumental works — “Kubla Khan” and “The Atonement” — and excerpts from a third, “Meg Blane.” Among the soloists is bass-baritone Dashon Burton, a former member of Cantus who won his third Grammy this year. Conducting are Brandon Berger and the Oratorio Society’s leader, Matthew Mehaffey. A streaming option is available. (7:30 p.m. Sat.; Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. 4th St., Mpls.; $10-$30; oratorio.org)

R.H.

Inspired by two former mainstays of genre-crossing fun — Myron Johnson’s Ballet of the Dolls and Ruby’s Cabaret — Chanhassen Dinner Theatres veteran Julianne Mundale has opened a new company called Sol Creative Performing Arts Studio. Its first major production, “Wonderful,” fulfills Mundale’s dream of staging a Twyla Tharp-esque theatrical dance musical version of “Alice in Wonderland.” When not offering public facing shows, the company will be a studio where actors, dancers and choreographers can play as she leads jazz, tap and musical theater technique for adults in the former Minnsky Theatre in Minneapolis. Mundale has tapped vocalists Michelle Carter and Randy Schmeling, backed by a four-piece band, for this “Movin’ Out”-style retelling of Alice’s visit to dreamy Wonderland. “I’ve always felt like Alice, curiouser and curiouser about life and things,” Mundale said. “Every day is a lesson and we’re putting on a fun, escapist show.” (8 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Ends Aug. 12 with a Monday performance. Sol Creative Performing Arts, 1517 Central Av. NE., Mpls. $25-$45. brownpapertickets.com, 612-508-1634.)

ROHAN PRESTON

Circus Juventas’ 30th annual summer show under its permanent big top in St. Paul’s Highland Park is set in a misty jungle whose guardian spirits have been captured. The extravaganza combines “The Jungle Book,” “Tarzan” and “The Swiss Family Robinson” for a tale about three heroic children helping to free the spirits even as the youngsters grow in their own acrobatic strength and aerial powers. The company performs acrobatics, stage combat, contortion and specific acts such as the Russian Bar, Russian Swing and the flying trapeze. The cast includes Isaac McEwen as Tarzan and Annie McEwen as Alpha Wolf. They are the children of longtime Brave New Workshop artistic director Caleb McEwen and Katy McEwen, who has been a Juventas theater coach for several years. (1 p.m. Thu., 7 p.m. Fri., 1 & 7 pm. Sat. & Sun. Ends Aug. 11. Circus Juventas, 1270 Montreal Av., St. Paul. $25-$55. circusjuventas.showare.com)

R.P.

Midway Contemporary Art launches its grand reopening in its freshly redesigned, hyper environmentally friendly space in northeast Minneapolis with the solo exhibition “reserves” by artist K.R.M. Mooney. To inaugurate the space, Mooney also has used materials from the old building. Opening reception Thu., Aug. 1, 6-8 p.m. Ends Oct. 5. (Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.) 1509 NE. Marshall St., Mpls., free, midwayart.org)

ALICIA ELER

In his first solo show at Weinstein Hammons Gallery, artist Teo Nguyen again explores landscapes through hyper realistic paintings. His two-part exhibition “Sojourn” includes Vietnamese and Midwestern landscapes, offering a perspective on the experience of immigration and the idea of home. His project last year at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, “Vietnam Peace Project,” reflected on Vietnamese people’s struggles toward peace. Ends Sept. 21. (Noon-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. or by appt., 908 W. 46th St., Mpls., free, 612-822-1722 or weinsteinhammons.com)

A.E.

After launching a year ago, Ruby Josephine Dance Company is gearing up for its next production this September, but first the company plans an outdoor sneak peek into its work. They’ll be performing outdoors, on the porch of Groveland Gallery, as part of “Summer Staycation: Serious Talent With a Festive Twist.”Besides dance, the multi-weekend event featured two exhibitions, artist demonstrations, and will feature a plein air “SmackDown,” on Aug. 10 where 22 artists will set up their studios outside and create work that will be sold at the end of the event. (2 p.m. event, 5:30 p.m. dance performance Sat., Groveland Gallery, 25 Groveland Terrace, Mpls. Free. 612-377-7800, grovelandgallery.com)

SHEILA REGAN

The street festival planned by Rondo natives and community members celebrates the historic neighborhood for a second year. The festival honors the area that was once a significant business, cultural and residential hub for Blacks that was displaced to build Interstate 94. The expanded festival increased in space to get the crowd dancing with local musicians and tempts taste buds with a variety of foods by vendors. Children can be engaged through activities, watch local dance groups and view artwork by various artists. Metro Transit provides free rides to the event to decrease the hassle of traffic and parking. Free ride info is available via the event website. (11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sat., free, Rondo Commemorative Plaza, 820 Rondo Av., St. Paul, rondoblockparty.com)

MELISSA WALKER