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Best bets: March 9-15
COMING UP: ST. PATRICK'S DAY
More info on the parades, bar specials, music, dances, food and festivities for St. Paddy's on March 17, but here are a few things you might need to make reservations for now if you want to be wearin' the green at …
Finnegan's Brigade Pub Crawl: Bus trips to seven Twin Cities pubs. Kickoff breakfast, 8-10 a.m., followed by pub crawls. Pub crawl, $40; breakfast and pub crawl, $49.95; beginning at O'Donovan's Irish Pub, 7001 First Ave. N., Mpls.; 612-317-8896.
Marjorie McNeely Conservatory: Five-course formal tea. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $40; 1325 Aida Place, St. Paul; 651-487-8233.
Pantages Theatre: Katie McMahon ("Riverdance") performs with Anam Mor Irish Dancers. 8 p.m.; $26; 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 651-989-5151. — Tim Carey
FAMILY: THE INCREDIBLES ON ICE
Through Sunday: Pixar's superhero family tries to take a normal vacation at the Magic Kingdom Park in this new Disney on Ice event. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today; 7 p.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday; Target Center, 600 First Ave. N., Mpls.; $60-$10; 651-989-5151. — Carol Lacey
EXHIBITION: ART, MUSIC + DANCE
Saturday: Peek inside the lofts of members of the Frogtown Artist Co-Op during their annual winter group show. On hand will be visual artists — Beth Bowman, Eric Carlson, Lori Markie, Eleanor McGough, Justin Terlecki, Deborah Ramos, Mercey Vang, Sydney Willcox and Mark Wojahn — and performance artists — Todd Harper, Brently Michael Davis, Deborah Thayer and Jennifer Mack. 7-10 p.m.; through April 9 by appointment only; Atrium Gallery, Frogtown Lofts, 653 Galtier St., St. Paul; free; 651-487-5375. — Amy Carlson Gustafson
VISUAL ART: IRISH RUMINATIONS AND WOMEN — LITURGICAL AND RELIGIOUS ART
Opens Saturday: This dual exhibit features "Irish Ruminations — Between Myth and Truth," Joel Elgin's exploration of his Celtic ancestry and Catholic faith, and "Women — Liturgical and Religious Art," a group show of works by Ade Bethune, Ansgar Holmberg and Lucinda Naylor that highlights the contributions women have made to both religious and liturgical art. Through April 13; Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, College of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul; free; 651-690-6644. — Amy Carlson Gustafson
VISUAL ART: MARC RIBOUD/PHOTOGRAPHING IN THE WORLD, 1953-2005
Opens Saturday: More than 65 images collected from five decades of work make up the Minneapolis Institute of Arts' retrospective on French photojournalist Marc Riboud. The exhibit includes photos from Riboud's many travels, including the well-known image of a woman holding a flower before soldiers during a Vietnam War protest march on the Pentagon; photos from the 10 years he spent documenting people from Africa, Algeria, Turkey, China, North and South Vietnam and Cambodia; and images from a motor tour that started in Alaska and ended in Mexico. Riboud, 82, will give a lecture at 2 p.m. Saturday. Through May 14; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Ave. S.; free; 612-870-3131. — Amy Carlson Gustafson
FOLK: THE WAINWRIGHTS
Friday-Saturday: Here's a folky family tree that has borne fruit of many flavors, sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter, but always nourishing. Loudon Wainwright III is one of those rare artists who gets your attention by making you laugh, then makes you think, then makes you cry with his disarmingly honest slices of life. He and fellow singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle (now divorced) gave the world Rufus Wainwright and also Martha Wainwright, who proved she inherited the best of both her parents on her first album last year. Loudon will be in town Friday (with Marlee McLeod opening), Martha on Saturday (with Tracy Bonham). Loudon: 8 p.m. Friday; Cedar Cultural Centere, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls.; $25-$20; 612-338-2674. Martha: 8 p.m. Saturday; Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul; $29-$20; 651-290-1221. — Rob Hubbard
JAZZ: CHRIS BOTTI
Saturday: After years of going the "smooth jazz" route, trumpeter Chris Botti threw off the synths and loops for an old-fashioned orchestral jazz album called "When I Fall in Love" in 2004. While many a pop or rock star had gone the standards route, Botti seemed to be taking their audiences a step farther into the jazz realm. So last year's hit, "To Love Again," came back for those who didn't get on board the first time by inviting an assemblage of pop singers (Sting, Paula Cole, Gladys Knight) to release their inner jazz artist. It isn't just the company Botti keeps that has brought jazz back to the pop charts: He and his sidemen are tasteful and restrained players, and the arrangements are first-rate. Eclectic local singer Bruce Henry opens the show. 8 p.m.; State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.; $47-$27; 651-989-5151. — Rob Hubbard
CLASSICAL: THE ROSE ENSEMBLE
Saturday-Sunday: If you're looking for a musical event that gets you into the mood for Lent, this local early-music group is offering just such an opportunity. In honor of its 10th anniversary, the Rose Ensemble is reviving a work performed at its first concert: a Requiem Mass by Spanish composer Tomas-Luis de Victoria. And the concert will get you in the mood of not only the season but also the Renaissance era by being performed entirely by candlelight. Also on the program is a new work by local composer Sergey Khvoshchinskiy. 8 p.m. Saturday; Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th St., Mpls. 7 p.m. Sunday; St. Mary Chapel, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, 2260 Summit Ave., St. Paul; $33-$15; 651-225-4340. — Rob Hubbard
GOSPEL: THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
Monday: This is the night for music lovers to say, "Goodbye, Guthrie," as the legendary theater on Vineland Place makes its final bow as a concert venue. And what an appropriate group to help bid it farewell: The Blind Boys of Alabama were a relatively obscure gospel group until they hit the pop culture radar by performing in a 1983 Guthrie production, "The Gospel at Colonus," that went on to garner raves in New York and be broadcast on PBS. Between the opening set by Sam Butler Jr. and the roof-raising (if not building-razing) performance by the Blind Boys, you can reminisce with the folks around you about your favorite Guthrie concerts. 7:30 p.m.; Guthrie Theater, 725 Vineland Place, Mpls.; $33; 612-377-2224. — Rob Hubbard
FILM: WOMEN IN THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
Continuing: The second week of the Walker's annual compilation of movies by (mostly) women shows that gender does not limit choices: William Wyler's 1936 "These Three" is a compromised version of Lillian Hellman's play "The Children's Hour," about two women in love, but it's more honest than the '60s remake was. It's on Friday, as is the filmmaking debut of the charming actress Valiera Bruni-Tedeschi, "It's Easier for a Camel." Saturday features "Mary Ryan, Detective," a rare film noir with a female detective, and Sunday offers "Earth," from acclaimed Indian filmmaker Deepa Mehta. For a complete schedule, visit www.walkerart.org. Through March 31: Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $8-$6; 612-375-5600. — Chris Hewitt
JAZZ: BOBBY WATSON
Friday-Saturday: Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, a former Twin Citian, has been a frequent Dakota jazz club performer over the years, usually leading his fiery quintet, Horizons. Watson, a longtime educator and music professor at the University of Missouri, is combining his performing and teaching pursuits. At the Dakota, Watson and vocalist Lisa Henry will lead a group of six "exceptionally gifted" jazz students from the prestigious Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. It's part of a weeklong visit by the LACHSA students, who also presented concerts and clinics at five Twin Cities high schools. The Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education was one of three organizations sponsoring their visit. Might be a chance to catch a future star or two. 7 and 9 p.m.; Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; $12; 612-825-6013. — Dan Emerson
FAMILY: THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS KICKS UP A STORM
Opens Saturday: Join teacher extraordinaire Ms. Frizzle for a crash course in meteorology. The exhibit and activities include using heat to sail miniature balloons, creating sun and storms at the weather-mixing dashboard, making snowflakes and exploring symmetry using ice crystals. Museum hours through Sept. 24; Minnesota Children's Museum, Seventh and Wabasha streets; St. Paul; $7.95; 651-225-6000. — Carol Lacey
INDIE POP: BELLE AND SEBASTIAN
Sunday: While they've been around for 10 years now, Scottish indie-poppers Belle and Sebastian have performed live in the Cities only once before, at the Fitzgerald in 2003. Maybe that's why this show is sold out. The band's excellent new album, "The Life Pursuit," might have something to do with it, too. Or possibly it's the strong opening act, the New Pornographers (who won't be joined by Neko Case, but she'll be here on her own March 29 for a gig at First Avenue). 7:30 p.m.; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; sold out; 651-989-5151. See story, Page XX. — Ross Raihala
POP: JAMIE CULLUM
Sunday: British pianist/vocalist Jamie Cullum is basking in the stateside success of his sophomore album, "Catching Tales," by hitting the road for his largest tour to date. Compared to everyone from Billy Joel to Radiohead (during their light moments, anyway), Cullum will spend the bulk of the year touring, so this probably isn't the last we'll hear of him. Opener Brandi Carlile continues to pick up fans of her own, too, with her self-titled debut from last year shaping up to be a sleeper hit. 8 p.m.; Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul; sold out; 651-989-5151. — Ross Raihala
iNDIE ROCK: JENNY LEWIS
Sunday: On break from her day job fronting Rilo Kiley, singer/songwriter Jenny Lewis stretches beyond her band's fizzy pop into darker soul and country on her solo debut, "Rabbit Fur Coat." Recorded with the Kentucky duo (and current tourmates) the Watson Twins, the album isn't too far removed from what Neko Case has been up to lately. Jonathan Rice and Whispertown 2000 open. 7 p.m.; Woman's Club Theatre, 410 Oak Grove St., Mpls.; $15; 866-468-3401. — Ross Raihala
THEATER: SNAPSHOTS: LIFE IN THE CITY
Opens Saturday: Young Twin Citians are given a camera and asked to scour their inner-city neighborhood to discover what you can see when you really want to look. Musical legend J.D. Steele sets the stories of those young chroniclers to hip-hop, jazz and blues. The theatrical mosaic takes audiences on an insightful, surprise-filled musical journey. Through April 9; Great American History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; $27; 651-292-4323. — Dominic P. Papatola
THEATER: GOLDA'S BALCONY
Opens Tuesday: Valerie Harper stars in this one-woman show, following the life of Golda Meir from the pogroms of Russia to the halls of the Knesset. Her story is, in no small way, the story of the state of Israel in the 20th century. The local run of the show has been shortened by a week, ostensibly to give Harper time to wing back to L.A. for pilot season. And that story, in no small way, is the story of Hollywood. Through March 19; Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; $48-$33; 651-224-4222. — Dominic P. Papatola
