Copyright Star Tribune
Coming to town without his band Wilco for the first time since 2018, the Chicago indie-rock hero is touring behind his sprawling, new triple-LP solo collection, “Twilight Override.” It’s more minimalist and folky than his usual stuff but also very playful and poetic, as evidenced by the standout track “Lou Reed Was My Babysitter.” That fun spirit should carry over to the live shows with both his sons in the band, Sam and Spencer (the latter coming off tour with Waxahatchee), as well his longtime cohort James Elkington of Eleventh Dream Day. They’re playing long sets but no Wilco tunes with another Chicagoan for the opener, Sima Cunningham of Finom. (7:30 p.m. Thu., First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., resale tickets only, first-avenue.com) If you’re looking for a young band to restore your faith in noisy, grimy rock ‘n’ roll, try this foursome of childhood friends from Austin, Texas, who started their band after watching the Mötley Crüe biopic “The Dirt.” They just released their debut record on Jack White’s Third Man Records, “Something to Consume,” produced by Turnstile collaborator Will Yip with heavy echoes of Nirvana’s “Bleach” and other early grunge-era recordings. They opened for Viagra Boys their last time in town, after which this headlining gig got bumped up thrice in size from the 7th St. Entry. (8 p.m. Mon., Fine Line, 318 1st Av. N., Mpls., $27, axs.com) Before classical music’s most celebrated bassist became a MacArthur “genius” and a seven-time Grammy winner known for fusing folk and classical with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, fiddler Mark O’Connor, banjo man Béla Fleck and mandolinist Chris Thile, he was cutting his teeth as a composer by creating trios for violin, cello and bass. He’s recently decided to revive them and return to the form with some new pieces. He’ll perform three of them in the company of violinist Tessa Lark and cellist Joshua Roman, and throw on a J.S. Bach solo sonata. (4 p.m. Sun., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., free, bethlehemmusicseries.org) Tony-winning heartthrob Santino Fontana is coming back to his onetime home. This time, he will perform jazz standards, show tunes and Disney favorites at the Capri Theater. A graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA program, Fontana cut his theatrical teeth in Minnesota, where his many memorable roles included “Hamlet” at the Guthrie. He has appeared in nearly a dozen Broadway shows, winning a Tony as the title character in “Tootsie.” He also is known for his TV and film work, and voiced Prince Hans in Disney’s “Frozen.” (7:30 p.m. Sat. Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway, Mpls. $25-$75. thecapri.org) The American Swedish Institute kicks off winter with Tomte, a household spirit in Scandinavian folklore who guards the home and farm. Visitors explore the holidays through the eyes and heart of this playful character and his friends. Nov. 8-Jan. 25. (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue., Wed., Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thu. 2600 Park Av., Mpls., $1-$17, free for kids under 5, asimn.org or 612-871-4907) Curators Terresa Hardaway and Jessica Garcia Fritz invited 20 Black and Indigenous women and femme-identifying artists with Minnesota connections to create original artworks using secondhand denim jackets. The curators wanted to explore effects of the environment on Indigenous sovereignty and Black liberation movements. The show features work by Leslie Barlow, Racquel Banaszak, Silent Fox, Maggie Thompson and more. Opening reception Nov. 6, 5-8 p.m. Exhibition ends Feb. 28. (10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tue.-Sat., Goldstein Museum of Design at the University of Minnesota, 241 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Av., St. Paul, free, design.umn.edu/ goldstein-museum-design or 612-624-7434) If you are an early holiday season shopper and prefer to do it under one roof, be sure to hit this gift expo. It features one-of-a-kind gifts from makers and artists who specialize in everything from gourmet treats to crafts and holiday decor to apparel. Items will be in a wide array of price points. (Noon-7 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. $6, ages 16 and under free. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Av. S., Mpls. giftandartexpo.com)
