It's a little bit of country and a little bit of rock ‘n' roll this week in CT arts
There's classic rock such as Grand Funk Railroad from 50 years ago but also the 20th anniversary of Of Montreal's 'Sunlandic Twins' album. Jeezy's back. There's an Indian Bollywood-based dance spectacle. And in a classic category all its own, there's a monster trucks event at the XL Center.
Wu Man, the internationally renowned player of the pipa, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, joins the New Haven Symphony Orchestra to solo on Du Yun's pipa concerto 'Ears of the Book.' The orchestra also plays Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Scheherazade' and Unsuk Chin's 'subito con forza.' March 23 at 3 p.m. $15. newhavensymphony.org.
Israeli stand-up comedian Modi brings his 'Pause for Laughter' tour to The Bushnell's Belding Theater on March 23 at 7 p.m. $39.50-$69.50; $99 'Platinum,' $144.50 'VIP.' bushnell.org.
Eclectic Latina vocalist Lila Downs does her own original works, classics and contemporary songs by others. She's also known for her storytelling skills and between-songs banter. Downs performs at Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts on March 23 at 7 p.m. $35, $25 Quick Center members. quickcenter.fairfield.edu.
The exciting female indie pop band Horsegirl formed in Chicago around five years ago then shifted its activities to New York City when some of the members went to college. Horsegirl plays on March 26 at 8 p.m. at Space Ballroom in Hamden with Free Range and Pulsr. spaceballroom.com.
Legendary Canadian indie pop act Of Montreal is marking the 20th anniversary of its seventh album 'Sunlandic Twins' with a tour that hits Norfolk's District Music Hall on March 26 at 8 p.m. $38.52-$64.26. districtmusichall.com.
Noam Pikelny, the bluegrass banjo player of Mighty Poplar and Punch Brothers fame, is touring with his musical friends guitarist Jake Eddy, bassist Dan Klingsberg, fiddler Julian Pinelli and mandolinist Teo Quale. March 27 at 7:30 p.m. $15-$50. jorgensen.uconn.edu.
Marc Cohn's big hit was 'Walking in Memphis,' but he originally hails from New Haven. March 27 at 8 p.m. $66-$70. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
Guitarist/singer/songwriter Ryan Montbleau, from Peabody, Massachusetts, tours incessantly. He brings his diverse folk/pop/jazz/Americana style to Infinity Music Hall Norfolk on March 28 at 7 p.m. $46.39-$56.70. infinityhall.com.
Country music legend Reba McEntire, who also has an acting career, has written bestselling books and runs a fashion brand and a restaurant, is at Mohegan Sun Arena on March 28 at 8 p.m. $103.25-$465.50. mohegansun.com.
The 1970s hitmakers ('Locomotion,' 'American Band') are back on tour with founding members Don Brewer and Mel Schacher. March 28 at 8 p.m. at Foxwoods' Great Cedar Showroom. $61.65-$82.20. foxwoods.com.
A bunch of cool youngish pop-punk bands are at The Webster on March 28 at 8 p.m.: New Jersey's Green Knuckle Material and New Haven's The Problem With Kids Today plus Wavy McGrady. $19.15; $609.15 VIP booth, $1,209.15 VIP suite. thewebsterct.com.
The trap hip-hop legend Jeezy put out an album last year, 'I Might Forgive… But I Don't Forget' and will give a memorable performance on March 28 at 8 p.m. at the Oakdale in Wallingford. $49-$179. livenation.com.
The late Meat Loaf, who lived in Connecticut for a while in the 1990s, is given an elaborate tribute at Foxwoods' Premier Theater by former members of his touring band and his music director Paul Crook, with Caleb Johnson handling the vocals on those classic Jim Steinman songs. March 29 at 8 p.m. foxwoods.com.
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra accompanies a screening of the penultimate Harry Potter film, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1,' for two nearly sold-out shows on March 29 at 1 and 7 p.m. $47-$128. hartfordsymphony.evenue.net.
Mammoth tricked-up trucks run roughshod through mountains of dirt in the XL Center on March 29 at 1 and 7 p.m. and March 30 at 1 p.m. $36.10-$52.05. xlcenter.com.
The Italian vocal trio of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble has been around for over 15 years. March 29 at 7 p.m. $71.10-$587.05 mohegansun.com.
The Sea Tea Improv sketch comedy troupe makes up an Agatha Christie-type whodunnit at their own Sea Comedy Theater on March 29 at 7 p.m. $10. seateaimprov.com.
Rhythm India is a dance spectacle with elaborate lighting and video projections, presenting a live variation of Bollywood movie musicals. March 29 at 7 p.m. $40.50-$82.10. shubert.com.
Country star Brantey Gilbert has tattoos and he is showing them off on his 'Tattoos Tour' March 29 at Bridgeport's Total Mortgage Arena. Special guests are Travis Denning and Austin Snell, who may or may not have tattoos, too. $36.50-$52.05; $235.35 and $321.45 VIP packages. totalmortgagearena.com.
The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra celebrates the new spring season with works by James Kimmo Williams, Missy Mazzoli, Sergei Prokofiev (his third piano concerto, performed by Adam Adov) and Robert Schumann. March 29 at 7:30 p.m. $40-$60. gardearts.org.
Comedian and 'Giggly Squad' podcaster Hannah Berner brings her stand-up act to College Street Music Hall on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. $59.62. collegestreetmusichall.com.
Contemporary country star Carly Pearce, known for her duets with Lee Brice and Ashley McBryde as well as a slew of solo hits, is at Foxwoods' Great Cedar Showroom on March 29 at 8 p.m. with opening act Tigirlily Gold. $49.35-$71.95. foxwoods.com.
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