MPR News Arts Reporter Marianne Combs joins Jill Riley and Sean McPherson to talk about an upcoming concert at the Cedar Cultural Center that combines North African music and rock 'n' roll; a biographical play about sex therapist Dr. Ruth; and a celebration of the Loft Literary Center's 40th birthday.

Tinariwen at the Cedar Cultural Center — Taureg nomads who are playing at the Cedar Cultural Center. "They are awesome," Marianne says. "These guys are guitar rockers." Originally from Mali but were exiled to Algeria for some time, this band blends traditional North African music with modern rock 'n' roll. Tinariwen will play at the Cedar Cultural Center on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Becoming Dr. Ruth — The famed sex therapist known for her distinct German accent, Dr. Ruth Westheimer was a petite woman who would talk about things that made everyone blush. Opening tonight and running through Aug. 30, the Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company presents Becoming Dr. Ruth, a one-woman show starring Miriam Schwartz that tells the story of Dr. Ruth's fascinating life, which included fleeing the Nazis, training as a sniper, and scraping by as a single mother in America.

Loft 40 for 40 — Tomorrow and Saturday, the Loft Literary Center is turing 40 years old and it is celebrating with 40 events over 40 hours to mark 40 years. The array of events includes readings, setting poems to music, a bike tour past all the places the Loft has called home over its four-decade history; even a bowling outing. The complete listing of events can be found on the Loft's website.

Marianne Combs joins The Current's Morning Show for the Weekend Arts Roundup every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Read all the latest arts news from MPR News.

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• Tinariwen perform in The Current studio