What the weekend wrought

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It was a good weekend for music in the Twin Cities. Gwen Stefani and No Doubt played at the Excel Energy Center on Sunday. Ross Raihala at the Pioneer Press writes the band is stronger than ever after Stefani's return from a solo career. The Star Tribune's Chris Riemenschneider said the concert captured the early days of the band, but didn't reflect how their lives have changed since then. "Stefani, 39, even looked like an ultra-buff 25-year-old, with a stomach you could grate cheese on," wrote Riemenschneider (FYI she's had two kids).

Rosanne Cash gave a more mature show at the Dakota in Minneapolis, filled with witty banter as well as soulful crooning.

Elvis Costello got a mixed review for his performance at Taste of Minnesota. Part of the problem may have been that Costello was surrounded by empty seats, as no one was willing to pay $50 to be up front.

Quinton Skinner writes that Cirque de Soleil's Kooza is quite a spectacle, with a price tag to match. Meanwhile, Star Tribune theater critic Rohan Preston had his face licked by a man playing the circus dog.

• After five years, State of the Arts comes to a close
• Park Square’s second stage to open Friday
• Most critics find ‘Romeo and Juliet’ a dreamy delight
• Michael Kareken fills two galleries with ‘Parts’