Best Bets: May 13-19

Matthew Murphy

Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

What: ‘MJ: The Musical’ When: May 14-26 Where: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis This Tony Award-winning jukebox musical about the life of superstar Michael Jackson features 25 of the singer’s hits, with the book by Lynn Nottage and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

Shop Original Art

What: Spring Celebration When: May 17 Where: Leon Hushcha Studio, 414 Third Ave. N., No. 201, Minneapolis Browse original art pieces and celebrate the artists at this North Loop studio open house featuring artists Leon Hushcha, Barry Rubin, and Nick Minenko.

Give It a Whirl

What: Art-A-Whirl Weekend When: May 17-19 Where: Throughout Northeast Minneapolis Now in its 29th year, more than 1,300 artists, galleries, and businesses open their studio doors and offer specials for this roaming tour of art, music, and food.

Duluth Airshow

Planes and Pilots

What: Duluth Airshow When: May 18-19 Where: Duluth Air & Aviation Expo, 2110 W. First St., Duluth Traditionally held in July, this annual airshow has earlier dates this year. See the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and watch other planes and pilots soar overhead.

Rene Paciullo, Vanessa Bumbeers, Gustavo Menasce and Mark LoMoglio

Life’s a Circus

What: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘BAZZAR’ When: Opens May 18-June 16 Where: Under the Big Top, Mall of America North parking lot, 2100 Lindau Lane, Bloomington Led by the Maestro, Cirque du Soleil returns to the Twin Cities under its Big Top performance area with this eclectic homage to the origins and ongoing legacy of the world-famous circus company. ONGOING

Kim Loo Sisters Musical

What: ‘Blended 和 (Harmony)’ When: Through May 26 Where: History Theatre, 30 Tenth St. E., St. Paul Hometown librettist Jessica Huang has teamed up with composer Jacinth Greywoode in this production co-produced by History Theatre and Theater Mu to tell the story of the Kim Loo Sisters, four Chinese Polish American sisters who sung their way from Minneapolis to Broadway and overseas during the swing era.

DayTrippers Theatre

Dinner and a Show

What: ‘Til Beth Do Us Part’
When: Wednesdays-Saturdays Through May 26
Where: DayTrippers Dinner Theatre at Plymouth Playhouse, 2705 Annapolis Lane N., Plymouth

This comic romp about marriage and relationships focuses on character Suzannah and her husband, Gibby, as Suzannah’s new assistant, Beth Bailey, has strong opinions on the couple’s household. Performances include lunch before the Wednesday and Thursday shows, and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.

Craft Show

What: ‘Firsthand: Contemporary Craft in Context’
When: Through Aug. 3
Where: Goldstein Gallery, McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave., St. Paul

The University of Minnesota’s Goldstein Gallery of Design, which is a research center in the U’s College of Design and the only design museum in the Upper Midwest, opens this new exhibit featuring more than 75 items showcasing leather shoes, woolen knitwear, thrown pottery, ceramic tiles, and youth-built boats.

Dan Norman

One Fine Day

What: “Beautiful: The Carole King Story” When: Now open Where: Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen The true story of singer Carole King follows her life from teen to Grammy-winning songwriter, best known for her album “Tapestry.”

Photo by Amy Nelson

Radiant Baby

What: ‘Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody’ exhibit
When: Now open
Where: Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis

From his early years as a graffiti artist in the New York City subways to later career as public muralist and activist, Keith Haring’s playful, line-driven, brightly colored works are instantly recognizable. A major exhibit of the artist’s paintings, drawings, and sculptures opens at the Walker this weekend with its democratized message.

Amusement Park Opens

What: Valleyfair
When: Now open
Where: Valleyfair, 1 Valley Fair Drive, Shakopee

Valleyfair Amusement Park, the 125-acre Twin Cities amusement park, opened for the season on May 12 with eight roller coasters, a seven-acre waterpark, and an expansive kids’ area.

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