Whether you're ready for musical theater, a showcase of amazing young talent, catch world class opera, or witness a battle of some of the best local musicians around, we have you covered for that and much more in The 10 for the week of Jan. 23-29.

'Dream Girls' for three days at ASU

Alabama State University is home to the "Dream Girls" for three extra days — Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The musical that was a hit on Broadway is back at ASU for an encore run at the Leila Barlow Theatre, on the corner of North University and South Hall Street in Montgomery. Directed by Brian Martin, it's a story aout three young women — Deena Jones, Effie White, and Lorrell Robinson — who are chosen to perform as backup singers for the legendary James "Thunder" Early. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for a group of 10 or more and $10 for ASU students. Tickets may be purchased online at ticketreturn.com and at the Barlow Theater's box office beginning an hour prior to the show. For more information call 334-229-6929 or 334-229-4551.

Last week to catch ‘Jubilee’ at ASF

We’re down to the final five shows of ‘Jubilee’ at Alabama Shakespeare Festival this week. It’s an amazing group of talent performing spirituals and diving into the real-life history of Nashville’s Fisk Jubilee Singers, who toured the world to save Fisk University. The real-life versions of these singers continue today, 150 years later, with a new generation. ASF shows are happening Thursday 7 p.m., Friday 7 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. Get tickets online at asf.net.

Vann Vocal Institute Celebrity Recital

The world of opera is once again at Montgomery’s doorsteps, and it’s absolutely free! Come to the Van Vocal Institute’s Gala Celebrity Recital on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Wilson Auditorium in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. In it's 15 year presented by the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, it’ll feature performances by David Cangelosi (Van Vocal Institute’s artistic director), Derek Taylor, Roger Pines, Maya Lahyani, Steve Crawford, Kevin Thompson, and Kelly Cae Hogan. Cangelosi and his panel are also using Friday and Saturday for a "super master class" to help aspiring young vocalists with lectures and coaching. On Saturday, the most accomplished of these student singers will participate in an emerging artists recital at 5 p.m. $15,000 in prizes will be awarded to the students. This is also free to the public to attend.

Girl’s Night Out the Show at Carl’s

How many of you have seen the “Magic Mike” movies and thought, I wonder what it might be like to go to a male review? Now’s your chance. This one’s for the ladies, 21 and up. A special Girls Night Out: The 8 p.m. show is coming Thursday to Carl’s Country, 426 County Road 4 W, Prattville. Doors open at 7 p.m. General admission is $19.95, and there are extra options available. Get tickets online at https://tickets.girlsnightouttheshow.com/tickets/carl-s-country-21-249909#buy

BTW Showcase 2023

For the first time since 2020, the Booker T. Washington Magnet High Showcase is back on Friday  7 p.m. and Saturday 2 p.m. at the Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts, 251 Montgomery St. It’s two days of amazing student talents, and this year’s theme is “A New Dawn, A New Day.” This show is also helping relief efforts for survivors of the recent tornado in Selma. Guests can bring soap and deodorant to donate. For more information, contact Dr. Quesha Starks at 334-269-3617. Get tickets for Friday’s show at https://gofan.co/app/events/845706?schoolid=AL11824. Tickets for Saturday’s show are at  https://gofan.co/app/events/845732?schoolid=AL11824

International Kite Festival

All eyes will be on the sky Saturday at Blount Cultural Park in Montgomery, where the 2^nd annual International Kite Festival is being held. Have you got kite skills? Bring your best. Kites must be submitted by 1:30 p.m. prior to the 2 p.m. event. There’s one kite per entry. Sign up online at https://forms.gle/EhAWD19fhuF2badp8. The winner will be decided by popular vote of attendees, and announced at 3:30 p.m. This event is from A-KEEP, the Alabama-Korea Education and Economics Partnership. Call A-KEEP at 334-625-8515 for more information.

Black & Gold Anniversary Bash

E-Boy Promotions and DJ Trucker present the Black & Gold Anniversary Bash on Saturday 7 p.m. at My Place Uptown, 149 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery. They’ll have live performances by Arthur Young, King South, Ice Doll, with DJ Trucker and DJ Boosie on crowd control. General admission tickets are $30, and are available by calling 334-322-1616, or online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/e-boy-promotions-black-gold-anniversary-bash-tickets-474123264447

Coffee for Cougars at the Montgomery Zoo

Well, if this weren’t a Montgomery Zoo event, the title might have you thrown off. Coffee for Cougars is, of course, referring to the actual big cats. On Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon, the zoo will be selling three unique fresh brewed coffees from Hilltop as you enter the zoo. All proceeds are going to the Conservation Endowment Fund.

Art Talk & Tea in Pike Road

Award-winning artist Korey Roswell will share his passion for art, his creative process and more at the first Art Talk & Tea of 2023 with the Pike Road Arts Council.  Rowswell creates biomorphic textile sculptures and installations that explore environmental themes.

This free event being held Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at the Pike Road Arts Center, 944 Wallahatchie Road. Seating is limited, so registration is required. To register, send an email to patty@pikeroad.us.

Sanctuary Showdown

An amazing free event is back in Montgomery starting Sunday. Have you got an original music act that’s ready to shine? Want to be in the audience for some of the area’s brightest up-and-coming music acts? The Sanctuary Showdown is a four-part event at, of course, the Sanctuary, 432 S. Goldthwaite St., Montgomery. Thre are three qualifying rounds — Sunday, Feb. 19, and March 19 — before the final show in April. They’re giving artists a chance to shine on stage, and a possible spot in the finals for cash and studio time at Technical Earth Recorders. Audience members can enjoy some food and drink, and vote for their favorite acts. Want to get on stage with your original material? Sign up online at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/the-sanctuary. There’s a $5 refundable deposit to save your act’s spot in the showdown. For more info call 334-245-4546.

BONUS:

Prattville Band Mattress Fundraiser: No, sleeping at school isn’t generally smiled upon. But if kids wanted to at Prattville High School, this Sunday would be the day. PHS is hosting the 10^th annual Prattville High School Band Mattress Fundraiser on campus from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This one-day-only sale features brands like Simmons Beautyrest and Therapedic, at up to 40 percent below retail costs. Profits go directly to the Prattville Band.

Sip and Strokes Class: Here's your chance to create some amazing art Sunday with the help of Sarah Tanner at Old Alabama Town's Ware/Farley/Hood House, 450 N. Hull St., in partnership with the Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery. Each ticket is $50. Guests will create two abstract alcohol ink paintings, 5x7 and 9x12. You'll each get two drink tickets as well. Sign up at sarahtannerart.com.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: The 10: We've got a treasure for ears and eyes ahead