Summer Fun 2017: June highlights

June 3: Walker Art Center has already unveiled some pretty spiffy changes in its latest round of renovations, what with a new and improved entrance on Vineland Place, the delectable new Esker Grove restaurant and new sculptures outside. But the real treat comes when the museum unveils the re-imagined Minneapolis Sculpture Garden across the street, with a slew of new monumental sculptures throughout its 19 acres. An already-iconic spot becomes even more iconic, if that's possible. (725 Vineland Place, Mpls. 612-375-7600 or walkerart.org.) Sheila Regan

June 7: Legend is perhaps the sexiest man on Earth. Beyond his sultry good looks and sumptuous relationship with wife Chrissy Teigen, Legend has one of the most sensual voices ever laid to wax. That goes double when you catch the "All of You" singer in concert. The Northrop is far from an "intimate" venue, but the 2,700-seat theater is probably the coziest confines the Grammy- and Oscar-winning soul artist will play on his international tour supporting "Darkness and Light." (Northrop, 84 SE. Church St., Mpls. $82.50-$152.50, northrop.umn.edu.) Jerard Fagerberg

June 9: Fans of Tool are hoping that the cult progressive metal act's resurgent tour schedule is an omen of the band's elusive fifth album. It's been 11 years since the Grammy-winning metalists released their last album, and this summer's run of shows could feature the first glimpses of the demos Maynard James Keenan claims to have been working on this past year. Even if Tool sticks to the classics, it'll be a spectacle to behold — one that Minnesotans haven't witnessed since 2010. (Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul. $75-$95, ticketmaster.com.) J.F.

'The Science Behind Pixar'

June 9-Sept. 14: Whether your favorite character is Sulley, Buzz Lightyear or Dory, the whole family will enjoy this new Science Museum exhibit. The special traveling exhibition gives a look into the company's innovative filmmaking process, while exploring the science and technology that bring to life some of the world's most popular animated films. Get up close to re-creations of "Wall-E" and others and participate in hands-on activities. (Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. $22.95-$28.95; smm.org.) Melissa Walker

June 16: It's been 16 years since the British heavy-metal heroes have brought their hi-fi, mummified stage show to the Twin Cities, so headbangers are extra excited for this one. The band's heyday-era lineup has been back together since the early '00s, with guitarist Adrian Smith and singer and pilot Bruce Dickinson. Recent set lists pull heavily from last year's double LP, "The Book of Souls," but we can at least expect "The Number of the Beast" and a few other classics. (Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul. $37-$97, ticketmaster.com.) Chris Riemenschneider

June 16-17: For the first time, ephemeral supertalent Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) will not headline his own hometown music festival, despite the rapturous response to his latest opus "22, A Million." Instead he's trusted his bespoke fest to headliners Feist, Wilco and Paul Simon. Aside from Vernon's absence, another huge shift for Eaux Claires is the strong hip-hop presence, with Chance the Rapper, Danny Brown and Velvet Negroni adding energy (Foster Farms, Eau Claire, Wis. $90-$350, eauxclaires.com). J.F.

June 17-Aug. 20: A painting made of a million tiny little dots is the inspiration for Stephen Sondheim's brilliant musical, which looks at the story behind Georges Seurat's famous artwork "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." Guthrie Theater artistic director Joseph Haj directs a new production, which follows the character of Seurat as he struggles to complete his masterpiece amid relationship problems with his lover and model, Dot. A special fundraiser right before the June 23 opening night ($500 and up) includes a special performance by the great Bernadette Peters, who originally played Dot on Broadway. (Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls. $15-$87; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.) S.R.

June 17-18: Toddlers and other little ones, prepare yourselves, because the updated Children's Museum is back. Every inch of the museum has been updated, with revamped Our World and Habitot spaces. Parents will appreciate a rest-and-recharge station where toddlers can snack and power up for the next adventure through the Tip Top Terrace, for art projects, or the Backyard, an area for nature-themed creative play. The star of the expanded building is The Scramble, a four-story climbing structure. Busy kids can enter at any floor, climb around and ride down the giant slide. Celebrate with a free June 17 block party, with DJ, dance floor, community activities and trapeze school. (Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 W. 7th St., St. Paul. $12.95, free on June 17-18; mcm.org.) M.W.

May 27-Labor Day: Get a good look at Australian wildlife with this new exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo. Normally finding home in the Outback, wallabies, emus and red kangaroos are featured guests on the zoo's Northern Trail. To enhance the experience, special themed food and beverage areas will be located on the grounds. Additional live animal encounters include an audience with a laughing kookaburra and "Coconut," the Sulphur-crested cockatoo. (9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley. $12-$18; mnzoo.org.) M.W.