‘Bama Boys

FRI 9/30
The Crossroads District isn’t known for its indoor performances, but at 8 p.m. Friday, the Blind Boys of Alabama become the first players to take the makeshift stage — formerly a combination dock and truck-wash rack — at the Belger Arts Center for Creative Studies (2100 Walnut). The third-floor space has hosted several shows by the Musical Heritage Theater troupe, including America in Song and Guys and Dolls, but the Blind Boys stand out as an unprecedented touring attraction. The seven-piece gospel outfit was formed in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind. Founding members Clarence Fountain, Jimmy Carter and George Scott handle all the harmonizing, and two guitarists, a bass player and a drummer add contemporary funk-rock elements to the arrangements. The Grammy-winning group excels at infusing secular songs (from Funkadelic and Tom Waits, among others) with spiritual soul.

Susan Belger, director of development at the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired, tapped the Blind Boys to headline this fund-raiser for her organization, then chose the Arts Center — housed in the former headquarters of her family’s trucking business — as the site. “It’s the perfect intimate setting for an urban event,” she says. Admission costs $125; some standing-room-only tickets are available for $65. Call 816-841-2284, ext. 2017. — Andrew Miller

Shine On

This new company is music to our ears.

SAT 10/2
Here’s something we don’t get often enough: the low-key musical, one intimate enough in scope and setting that a small company can achieve its ambitions. Not that John Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years isn’t ambitious. A two-person drama that recalls Sondheim and Pinter, the show is an inquest into a marriage’s failure, narrated by its participants in complex songs that entwine and come together — doing all the things the couple never quite could. One spouse tells the story straight; the other spins it backward, meaning we climax with big break-up and first date. Star (and burgeoning impresario) Sarah Mae McElroy — with her new company, Shine Shows — is the force behind the production. Catch it at Union Station’s City Stage (30 West Pershing Road, 816-460-2020) at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday. — Alan Scherstuhl

Piano, Man

Billy and Twyla’s musical goes on tour.

10/4-10/9
Movin’ Out relocates audiences to ’60s-era Long Island and introduces them to characters familiar to Billy Joel fans. There’s Brenda and Eddie, the prom king and queen of “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant.” And there’s Tony, from the song that gives the show its name. Brenda, Eddie, Tony and their friends sing Joel’s songs and dance their way through two decades of love and war. Supporters of Joel’s classical music will be happy to find a few of his instrumental offerings, too. Conceived, choreographed and directed by modern-dance dynamo Twyla Tharp, the musical begins an eight-performance run Tuesday at the Music Hall (301 West 13th Street). Call 816-931-3330. — Rebecca Braverman

Star Trecka
Put Static Films in focus.

SAT 10/2
Static Films, a revolving lineup of musicians centered on songwriter Mark Trecka, markets itself as a new incarnation of soul. But we actually consider it dark, experimental folk. Trecka’s reedy warble either sends chills down your neck or makes you want to take an ax to your own arm. Decide when the band plays the Brick (1727 McGee, 816-421-1634) at 8 p.m. Saturday. — Annie Fischer