Best Bets: Kendrick Smith, Godfrey, John Adams at SLSO, Nate Bargatze, 'Disney on Ice' and more

When 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28-29 • Where Ferring Jazz Bistro, 3536 Washington Boulevard • How much $10-$26; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info jazzstl.org

St. Louis saxophonist Kendrick Smith does some heavy lifting this weekend at Ferring Jazz Bistro. He has assembled his sextet to celebrate one of the most iconic albums of all time, “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis. By Kevin C. Johnson

When 7:30 and 10 p.m. Jan. 28-29, 7 p.m. Jan. 30 • Where Helium Comedy Club, St. Louis Galleria, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street, Richmond Heights • How much $22-$30 • More info heliumcomedy.com

Godfrey may be one of the hardest working comedians you’ve never heard of, if his long list of roles on TV and film is any indication — “Harlem,” “Soul Plane,” “South Side,” “Zoolander,” “Louie,” “30 Rock” and more. By Kevin C. Johnson

When 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28-29 • Where The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Square • How much $25-$45; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info metrotix.com

Duke Ellington’s jazz suite “Black, Brown and Beige” will be performed live onstage in this collaboration between the Big Muddy Dance Company, Jazz St. Louis and the Black Rep. The program in celebration of jazz also includes pieces by choreographers Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Cecil Slaughter, Marcus Johnson, Heather Beal and Ashley Tate and spoken-word monologues. The production will also stream online Feb. 4-6; tickets are $20. For more information, visit thebigmuddydanceco.org. By Calvin Wilson

When 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28, 8 p.m. Jan. 29 • Where Powell Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard • How much $15-$96; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info 314-534-1700; slso.org

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and composer John Adams have long been a magical musical combination. The orchestra has been performing his work since 1984 and has recorded a number of his works, including a Grammy Award-winning recording of “City Noir” and Saxophone Concerto. In this concert, Adams himself will conduct Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1, Gabriela Smith’s “Tumblebird Contrails” and Adams’ own piano concerto “Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes?” Pianist Jeremy Denk, a 2013 recipient of a MacArthur “genius” fellowship, is the soloist who will tackle Adams’ work, the first movement of which is descriptively titled “Gritty, funky, but in Strict Tempo; Twitchy, Bot-like.” If you’re not intrigued, I can’t help you. By Daniel Durchholz

When 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 29 • Where North Main Street, St. Charles • How much Free • More info discoverstcharles.com

Watch ice carvers compete on their own or as teams using chainsaws, chisels, knives and grinders to create icy sculptures that will be displayed on North Main Street in St. Charles. Each carver starts with a 260-pound block of ice and will carve as the day goes on. Outdoor fire pits will help spectators stay warm, and shops and restaurants will be open. By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When 8 p.m. Jan. 29 • Where Off Broadway, 3509 Lemp Avenue • How much $18; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info ticketweb.com

Country singer Josh Ward’s latest album is “Live at Billy Bob’s,” but this weekend he’s live at Off Broadway. The album features songs such as “Change My Mind,” “Broken Heart,” “Say Hello to Goodbye” and “Last Night’s Makeup.” The Off Broadway show originally was scheduled for an earlier date; original tickets will be honored. By Kevin C. Johnson

When 8 p.m. Jan. 29 • Where Blue Strawberry, 364 North Boyle Avenue • How much $20-$30, $25 for livestream; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info bluestrawberrystl.com

“Mrs. Robinson,” “The Boxer,” “The Sound of Silence,” “Homeward Bound,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” — that about sums up “Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits: Terry Barber and Jonathan Cummings Perform the Entire Album,” this weekend at Blue Strawberry. Barber takes on the Art Garfunkel parts, while Cummings plays Paul Simon. By Kevin C. Johnson

When 4 and 7 p.m. Jan. 29 • Where Stifel Theatre, 1401 Clark Avenue • How much $36.75-$66.75; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info ticketmaster.com

There are plenty of reasons to check out clean-cut comedian Nate Bargatze. Various publications and other comics have described him with any number of superlatives — he’s among Jim Gaffigan’s “Best New Comedians” in Esquire, Marc Maron’s “Comedians to Watch” in Rolling Stone, Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” and Vulture’s “50 Comedians You Should Know.” By Kevin C. Johnson

When 6 p.m. Jan. 29 • Where Purchase required for online access • How much $28-$30 • More info left-bank.com

A book purchase from Left Bank Books will give fans of Isabel Allende access to hear her talk about her latest novel, “Violeta,” a story of a woman who has lived from the time of the 1918 influenza outbreak up to the coronavirus pandemic. The novel was inspired by Allende’s mother, the author told the Associated Press, which says the story “deals with a wide range of themes, from feminism and verbal abuse, human rights violations and homosexuality, to amorous passions, infidelity and even global warming.” The book is available in both English and Spanish. By Jane Henderson

When Noon Jan. 29 • Where Various locations • How much $125 per car • More info stlmardigras.org

Soulard Mardi Gras organizers came up with a socially distant scavenger hunt last year, and it was so popular they decided to bring it back. Teams will solve clues that lead to iconic St. Louis locations, where players will answer questions, perform activities and compete in physical challenges. Organizers will hand out free treats along the way, and Roxie Valentine, Queen of the Grove, will host an award ceremony at the Bud Light Party Tent in Soulard, where more free beverages await. The first clue will be texted and emailed to the buyer of the ticket. By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When Jan. 29-April 24 • Where The Magic House, 516 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood • How much Free with $12 admission • More info magichouse.org

“Splash and Bubbles: Dive in, Lend a Fin!” was first created by the Magic House, the Jim Henson Co. and Herschend Enterprises in 2019. It returns to the children’s museum to welcome new and old fans with interactive, STEM-based elements such as a sunken ship and a kelp forest. Children will learn to protect and preserve their new undersea pals. By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When 3 p.m. Jan. 30 • Where Powell Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard • How much Free, but RSVP requested; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info slso.org/workshop

One of St. Louis Symphony Orchestra music director Stéphane Denève’s passions is championing the music of today and supporting the work of young composers to develop a richer classical repertoire for the future. With that in mind, the SLSO has launched its inaugural Composer Workshop, an annual multiday immersive program for composers pursuing post-graduate studies. Celebrated American composer-conductor and longtime SLSO collaborator John Adams leads the workshop, the culmination of which is a free concert featuring a piece by each composer: Nicky Sohn’s “Moon Bunny,” Peter S. Shin’s “Relapse,” Christian Quiñones’ “Switch-Up” and Aiyana Braun’s “Refractions.” SLSO assistant conductor Stephanie Childress will be on the podium for the free program at Powell. Reservations are requested. By Daniel Durchholz

When Jan. 30; time to be announced • Where Purchase required for online access • How much $28-$30 • More info left-bank.com

Daniel H. Pink is promising guest appearances by Malcom Gladwell, Anne Lamott and Al Gore during an online discussion, “The 10 Most Important Lessons I’ve Ever Learned.” Purchase of Pink’s “The Power of Regret” is required for access to the talk. That book will be released Feb. 1. Pink is the author of such popular nonfiction titles as “Drive” and “To Sell Is Human.” By Jane Henderson

When 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 • Where Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries, 3648 Washington Boulevard • How much $39; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info 314-534-1111; metrotix.com

“Salzburg Celebration” is the Chamber Music Society’s annual tribute to the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. On the program are the famed composer’s Piano Sonata No. 16, Piano Quartet No. 1 and Mozart/Bach’s Prelude & Fugue for String Trio No. 2. Also featured are works by Leopold Mozart and Michael Haydn. The live concert will be recorded for presentation online Feb. 28. By Daniel Durchholz

When Feb. 1-March 11, public reception 4-7 p.m. Feb. 3 • Where State Historical Society of Missouri St. Louis Research Center, 222 Thomas Jefferson Library, 1 University Boulevard • How much Free • More info missouri2021.org/bicentennial-quilt

To prepare for the Missouri bicentennial celebration in 2021, quilters from each of Missouri’s 114 counties and St. Louis each created a quilt block, which the Missouri Star Quilt Co. stitched together to make the Missouri Bicentennial Quilt. The quilt has traveled around the state and makes a stop in St. Louis at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “The quilt has brought many people together to tell a story of who we are and how we see ourselves and fellow Missourians in other counties,” said Beth Pike, Missouri Bicentennial coordinator for the state historical society. “One of our goals for the bicentennial commemorations was to help start and continue that conversation across the state.” By Valerie Schremp Hahn

When 7 p.m. Feb. 2 • Where Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries, 3648 Washington Boulevard • How much $10-$30; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info 314-534-1111; metrotix.com

Mark Sparks, recently retired as principal flautist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, will perform Bohuslav Martinu’s first Sonata for Flute and Piano and Robert Schumann’s Sonata in A Minor (transcribed for flute and piano by Sparks). Also on the program are Richard Strauss’ “Romanze,” Robert Schumann’s “Funf Stücke im Volkston,” and Franz Doppler’s Rondo for Two Flutes and Piano. A new work by Mizzou’s Robyne Sieh will be performed by O’Fallon, Illinois, native Isabella Saldaña, a student of Sparks’ and a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. By Daniel Durchholz

When 9 p.m. Feb. 3 • Where The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard • How much $25-$30, $79 for early entry; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info ticketmaster.com

Washington, D.C., rap star Wale, an old-school lyricist with new-school energy, released a key album in 2012, “Folarin.” His new “Folarin II” features assists by J. Cole, Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Shawn Stockman, Ant Clemons and more. He brings his “Under a Blue Moon Tour” to the Pageant. By Kevin C. Johnson

When 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 • Where The Factory, 17105 North Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield • How much $48-$59; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info ticketmaster.com

With the help of daughter Lela, rising country star Walker Hayes has a No. 1 single and a TikTok dance hit for “Fancy Like.” “I feel like every day is another pinch-me moment,” he said in a statement. “It’s been quite a journey for us. I mean, we’re looking at 17 years here in Nashville; it would have been safe to say I’ve reached my peak, and that if I could have stayed on cruise control there, I would have had a nice life as an artist and writer. But this is just out of the blue. We’ll take it.” The song is from “Country Stuff: The Album,” which also includes “Country Stuff” featuring Jake Owen, “What If We Did” with Carly Pearce and “Briefcase” with Lori McKenna.” By Kevin C. Johnson

When Feb. 3-6; performance times vary • Where Enterprise Center, 1401 Clark Avenue • How much $15 and up; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test required • More info ticketmaster.com

“Disney on Ice” returns to St. Louis for the first time since the pandemic — if you brought your toddler to the last show here in fall 2019, they’ll likely still love it as a preschooler. More than 50 Disney characters — led by Mikey Mouse — will skate and perform on the ice to popular Disney tunes. By Valerie Schremp Hahn