Best Bets: April 29-May 5

Train(ing) Day

What: Choo Choo Bob’s Grand Opening and Canadian Pacific Kansas City 2816 Empress Tour Stop
When: May 3
Where: Union Depot, 214 Fourth St. E., St. Paul

Choo Choo Bob’s, the popular train-themed kids’ toy store and play area, is returning to St. Paul in the Union Depot. Admission is half-off all weekend as part of grand-opening events. In addition, the historic and extensively restored Canadian Pacific Kansas City 2816 Empress will make a stop in the afternoon and train fans can check out the locomotive for free.

DrePool Photography

Hopeful Performance

What: ‘Hope Renewed’ concert
When: May 3
Where: Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 Fourth St. S., Minneapolis

This choral performance by Vocalessence includes new work by prize-winning composer Kyle Pederson, the premiere of a commission from Daniel Godfrey, and spoken word poet Shanelle Gabriel.

Tribute Concert

What: A Look Bacharach
When: May 3
Where: Crooners, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis

Burt Bacharach was known for his influence on American popular songs before his death last year. Local Elevator Pop group RetroFizz hosts this tribute concert featuring special guests including Chan Poling, Prudence Johnson, Becky Schlegel, Cindy Lawson, Arne Fogel and more.

Kim Loo Sisters Musical

What: Blended 和 (Harmony) When: May 4-26 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.

Dan Norman

Theater on Wheels

What: ‘The Rink’
When: May 4-5, May 10–12
Where: Minnetonka The atre, 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka

Set in a decaying family roller rink on the Eastern seaboard, this musical about a fraught-but-funny mother-daughter relationship features an all-high school cast and some incredible roller-skating pyrotechnics.

Music in the Chapel with Mila

What: Mila Vocal Ensemble
When: May 5
Where: Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Hear the sounds of Mila, a professional women’s vocal ensemble that follows the harmonic traditions of Eastern Europe and Russia, perform in the intimate space of the Lakewood Memorial Chapel as part of the Music in the Chapel Concert Series.

Duluth Sounds Celebrated

What: Duluth Homegrown Music Festival
When: Through May 5
Where: Goldstein Gallery, McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave., St. Paul

The annual eight-day community celebration of the music of Duluth includes nearly 200 local musical acts at over 30 venues, a children’s music showcase, poetry, visual art, film, fire spinning, and a kickball game.

ONGOING

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.

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