The651.com

The Autumn theater and performance season kicks into high gear in St. Paul! With last week’s opening of the Ordway’s theater season it wasn’t long before other local dramatic hot spots followed suit. You can expect Autumn in St. Paul to be quite an exciting season for performance, dance, theater, music and everything else in between.

OTHELLO

@ Park Square Theater
Runs Oct 16th through Nov 8th

Ah, Shakespeare. How can you go wrong? The Park Square crew brings to life the classic tragedy, which brims with themes of love, treachery, jealousy and prejudice. Othello, a general in the Venetian army, is drawn into a complicated series of lies woven by one of his trusted comrades, who covets Othello’s new wife, Desdamona. Betrayal on multiple levels ensues and, as is typical for a Shakespearian tragedy, leaves a good number of the characters dead and/or ruined. Pretty heavy material, but since when has The Bard ever disappointed? The show runs through November 8th, so there’s plenty of time to plan your night. Park Square’s website also offers a number of nearby dining recommendations HERE.

For tickets and info visit www.parksquaretheatre.org

Bonus: This Sunday at 7pm hit up Park Square Theatre for Russian Seasons in Minnesota: an Homage to the 100th Anniversary of Russian Seasons in Paris, a special event filled with music, opera, ballet and art. For more info visit www.russianseasons-mn.com

HUNUMAN & THE GIRL PRINCE

@ SteppingStone Theatre
Runs October 23rd through November 8th

SteppingStone Theatre always amazes us with their sense of sheer originality, whimsy, and on-the-mark casting of some of the most charismatic kids in town. Their brand new musical production, Hanuman & The Girl Prince, is a sassy, colorful Bollywood-style comedy that focuses on a young Indian princess disguised as a prince who finds love with the helpful antics of the frolicsome Monkey King, Hanuman. The second play in SteppingStone’s bright, adorable Hunuman Trilogy, this production is a can’t-miss for families with boundless imagination. Online tickets will go off sale Thursday evenings prior to weekend performances. Tickets are generally available at the door.

For tickets and more info visit www.steppingstonetheatre.org

MOVING WORKS BY JAMES SEWELL BALLET

@ O’Shaughnessy Hall
Runs through October 25th

The always-innovative troupe at the internationally renowned James Sewell Ballet Company bring us Moving Works, a stunning, contemporary collection of four fantastical dance pieces that celebrate both music and motion. See work by choreographers James Sewell, Sally Rousse, and Penelope Freeh accompanied by the music of Steve Heitzeg, Ludvig von Beethoven, and local progressive jazz trio, The Bad Plus. There’s nothing like pairing the grace and strength of the ballet with wonderful, varied musical themes — and the eclectic and talented peeps at the James Sewell Ballet are definitely masters of that formula. This series of performances only runs through this Sunday, so step to it (no pun intended)!

For tickets and more info visit www.jsballet.org

OTHER COOL PERFORMANCES HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND:

Saturday, October 24th: Prairie Home Companion @ The Fitzgerald

Through Nov 1st: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story @ History Theater

Through November 8th: Little House/The Full Monty @ The Ordway

Besides all the great music happening at Taste of Minnesota (check out my preview of the event here), St. Paul’s got a ton of other great shows lined up this weekend. Here’s a sampling of the best:

Detroit Don King Band performing at Harriet Island Pavilion

THURSDAY, JULY 2

Detroit Don King Band at Como Lakeside Pavilion
As part of St. Paul’s Music in the Parks series at the gorgeous Como Lakeside Pavilion, local bluesman (via Detroit, of course) Detroit Don King and his Blues Band play all the blues and R&B standards – think BB King, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters. (7 p.m. Free. 1360 N. Lexington Pkwy., St. Paul.)

Also Thursday: Minnesota’s own grunge rock icons Soul Asylum at the Minnesota Zoo; and Philadelphia dark-folk-meets-Christian-hardcore band mewithoutyou at Station 4.

Toots Hibbert of Toots & The Maytals

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Toots at the Maytals at Minnesota Zoo
Reggae legend Toots Hibbert and his band The Maytals have been around since the ‘60s, and not only did they count Bob Marley as a contemporary, they’re credited for naming the genre of reggae. Nearly 50 years later, they’re still kicking out the grooves with their trademark mix of reggae, soul and gospel and recent collaborations with The Roots, Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt and Eric Clapton have kept their sound fresh. Wain McFarlane opens. (7:30 p.m. $43. 13000 Zoo Blvd. 952-431-9200.)

Also Friday: A local underground punk/indie showcase featuring Private Dancer, The Blind Shake and Birthday Suits at the Turf Club; Washington, D.C. reggae act Lucky Dub at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium; and ‘80s New Wave band The Romantics (famous for “What I Like About You” and “Talking in Your Sleep”) at Taste of Minnesota.

Kate Voegele performs at Taste of Minnesota

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Kate Voegele at Taste of Minnesota
Everyone knows Elvis Costello is the really hot ticket at the Taste, but Cleveland folk singer Kate Voegele is all-but-guaranteed to be the sleeper hit of the night. The 22-year-old just released her sophomore album A Fine Mess (which already hit the Top 10 on Billboard) and was featured on CW show “One Tree Hill” playing her single “99 Times.” (6:30 p.m. $10. Harriet Island, St. Paul. tasteofmn.com)

Also Saturday: Legendary rocker Elvis Costello at Taste of Minnesota; local acoustic/blues act Tap City at Station 4; and oldies act The Vogues (best-known for performing the “The Drew Carey Show” theme song “Five O’Clock World”) at Taste of Minnesota.

No Doubt headlines the Xcel Energy Center

SUNDAY, JULY 5

No Doubt at Xcel Energy Center
After Gwen Stefani’s solo career took off – including not only a music career but a clothing, fragrance, and shoe line – most assumed No Doubt were kaput. But they’re back with a new album that harkens back to the ska sound they made popular in the late-‘90s. Whether you’re a fan of Gwen solo or the band, she’s always the entertainer, and is sure to have some killer outfits. Paramore and Bedouin Soundclash open. (7:30 p.m. $39.50-80. 199 W. Kellogg Blvd. 651-265-4800.)

Also Sunday: Hitchville, a country/rock fusion band featuring Minnesota Music Award-winner Heidi Owens, at Taste of Minnesota; and Duluth country-blues musician Charlie Parr at Turf Club.

Brooklyn's Pterodactyl plays the Turf Club

MONDAY, JULY 6

Pterodactyl at Turf Club
Pterodactyl’s blistering beats, falsetto voices, and chiming guitars made them one to watch after their debut album “Bluebird” was released. Hot off a strong sophomore release “Worldwild” in June, the band’s sound goes everywhere from noisy punk to reserved psychedelic mood music. Also playing: Local band Gay Beast and Chicago’s Mayor Daley. (9 p.m. $6. 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

Also Monday: Soap Boxing Poetry Slam: IWPS Showdown Slam at Artists’ Quarter.

Cafe Accordion Orchestra performs at 9 Nights of Music

TUESDAY, JULY 7

9 Nights of Music: Café Accordion Orchestra at Minnesota History Center
Get out your beret and pack a beatnik picnic for this week’s edition of the Minnesota History Center’s summer music series 9 Nights of Music. Local band Café Accordion Orchestra perform a mix of French Musette, vintage swing, Latin and European folk music. Fun fact: It’s fronted by frequent Prairie Home Companion accordionist Dan Newton. (6:30 p.m. Free. 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul. 651-259-3000.)

VNV Nation headlines at Station 4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

VNV Nation at Station 4
London-based electronic music band VNV Nation have quite the cult following – they’ve been around since the mid-‘90s and helped establish the emerging electronic-goth genre. Their sound combines elements of industrial music, trance, synthpop and electronic body music; fans of modern-day electronic-infused acts like Interpol and Ladytron better get schooled and check them out. War Tapes and Ayria open. (6 p.m. $20-23. 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-298-0173.)