Bettye LaVette, Dominique Fils-Aime, Lucia, Mike Stern, Taj Farrant Featured in Star Tribune

America’s preeminent song stylist has been a regular visitor to the Dakota for two decades since she launched her comeback with “I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise.” At 80, she is entering a new phase in her remarkable career — working as a duo with pianist Etienne Stadwijk. In this intimate format, the Motown-reared LaVette will share stories about her attachment to songs. Recent setlists have included tunes associated with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Sinead O’Connor, Ray Charles, Tom Waits and Dolly Parton but LaVette invariably makes each song her own. Always recommended.

In his cameo performances at Paisley Park and Prince Block Party, this Australian prodigy, now 17, demonstrated that he’s a showy shredder. His recordings and setlists find him interpreting everything from Stevie Wonder to Stevie Ray Vaughan to an instrumental version of “Purple Rain.” Unlike a teenage Jonny Lang, Farrant’s voice doesn’t match his instrumental prowess, but this should be a curious coming-out for the kid.