Priority list includes Neil Diamond, Angela Brown, more

This week's picks:

Neil Diamond

He’s had 37 Top 40 singles—and I’m guessing at least one of them started running through his had as soon as you read his name. But the singer/songwriting legend is still creating, with songs from his latest album, “Melody Road” set to be included on this tour. Don’t expect the 74-year-old Diamond to vary his hits very much, armed with a four-piece horn section and a troop of backup singers, expect him to continue has a lengthy history of crowd pleasing. April 17 Bankers Life Fieldhouse Details

“Cabin in the Sky”

One of the few African-American-cast movies of the first half of the 20^th century that, for the most part, can be watched without cringing at the stereotypes, this musical retelling of “Faust” includes Louis Armstrong, Ethel Waters, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson and Lena Horne. It also marks the directing debut of Vincente Minnelli. It’s screened here as part of the Madame Walker’s Throwback Thursdays Cinema series. April 16 Madame Walker Theatre Center Details

Butler ArtsFest

The festival continues with events including contemporary pole dance company Jagged (April 13), opera star Angela Brown and local talent performing “Mad Scenes!” (April 14),  Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars (April 15), “Stark Raving”—three contemporary one-person vocal pieces including a world premiere by Michael Schelle (April 16), Butler Ballet’s “Sleeping Beauty” (April 17), Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (April 18), and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (April 18). Various Butler University venues Details

“Into the Woods”

I don’t know if it’s smart or foolhardy programming to stage this musical just after the big-budget film production of the same material hits movie theaters. Regardless of the quality of the movie, though, the fairy-tale mash-up is likely to remain Stephen Sondheim’s most-produced show and is ideally suited for a college company such as IU Theatre. April 17-25 Ruth N. Halls Theatre, Bloomington Details

Also this week

Macy Gray headlines the 10th-annual Spirit Awards at the Madame Walker Theatre April 18.

“Mythbusters: Jamie & Adam Unleashed” brings a live version of the TV show to the Murat Theatre April 19.

Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock team up at the Palladium April 18.

Comedian Nikki Glaser performs at the Comedy Attic in Bloomington April 16-18.

Who’s Yer Con offers a free weekend of board and card gaming April 17-19 at the Wyndham Indianapolis West (I’ll be hosting a pub trivia game Friday night).