Welcome to Best Bets, a weekly column in which The Oregonian's arts desk highlights selected theater, classical music and dance performances and visual arts events. Here are our picks for March 17-23.

Blitzen Trapper, "Wild and Reckless"

Portland rock band Blitzen Trapper makes its theatrical debut with what's being called a science-fiction dystopian kids-on-the-run story, featuring seven new songs that are part of a limited-edition soundtrack album. The show, which features characters such as The Scientist and The Professor, is part of Portland Center Stage's "Northwest Stories" series. The production is recommended for ages 17 and older. Various times and dates, through April 30, The Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave. $25-$75, pcs.org or 503-443-3700.

Lauren Weedman

Comedic actress and playwright Lauren Weedman also crosses the artistic streams with her first music-based theatrical production, "Lauren Weedman Doesn't Live Here Anymore." In this world premiere at Portland Center Stage, Weedman uses country music - in the styles of Loretta Lynn and John Prine - to explore heartbreak, love and all things that "she thinks make her look skinny and appropriately tragic." This production is recommended for ages 17 and older due to mature content, explicit language and adult situations. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, noon Thursday and additional performances, March 17-April 30, The Armory, 128 N.W. 11th Ave. Tickets start at $25; pcs.org or 503-445-3700.

"A Sondheim Celebration"

Portland Opera presents one of Portland's most popular singers, Susannah Mars, in a concert of solos, duets and ensembles from Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim's musicals. The concert will also feature four of the opera's resident artists: Antonia Tamer, Kate Farrar, Aaron Short and Ryan Thorn. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St. $12-$15, albertarosetheatre.com or 503-764-4131.

Beaverton Symphony Orchestra

The orchestra presents Camille Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony No. 3 - featured in the films "Babe" and "Babe: Pig in the City" - with organist Jane Mendenhall. Barbara Baker, Beaverton Symphony violinist, says, "To really appreciate the magnificence of this work, especially the final movement, it has to be heard live." The program also includes Dvorak's Carnival Overture and Debussy's Children's Corner Suite. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 19, VBC Grand Auditorium, 330 S.W. Murray Blvd., Beaverton. $5-$20, beavertonsymphony.org or 855-432-7276.

Portland Gay Men's Chorus

The chorus' "Peace, Love and Misunderstanding" concert features a 10th-anniversary performance of the cantata "BraveSouls and Dreamers," whose theme is the repercussions of war. The chorus commissioned the cantata and performed it in New York for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, Kaul Auditorium, Reed College, 3203 S.E. Woodstock Blvd. $16-$42, pdxgmc.org http://siteline.vendini.com/site/tickets.pdxgmc.org/events or 503-226-2588.

We've introduced the cast for the tenth anniversary performance of "BraveSouls & Dreamers." Now hear them sing! Tickets are on sale now at http://tickets.pdxgmc.org or by calling our box office. Posted by Portland Gay Men's Chorus on Friday, March 10, 2017

"Duality: An Immigrant Experience"

Local choreographer and performer Jayanthi Raman leads a U.S.-Indian cast of dancers in this Indian ballet story about a young woman who immigrates from southern India to Portland and the challenges she faces as a result. Raman says that she was writing the grant proposal for the performance two years ago, she didn't imagine "that this would resonate with so many as a theme of our time." 4 p.m. Sunday, March 19, Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway. $20-$50, portland5.com, Tickets West or 800-273-1530.

National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts

Portland turns into Ceramics Central as the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts comes to town for its 51st annual conference at the Oregon Convention Center March 22-25. Companion exhibits include:

"The Evocative Garden," the conference's international juried and invitational exhibition, curated by Gail M. Brown.

"All Land/Omnus Terra," works by U.S. and Australian ceramicists who juxtapose vessel forms and the experimental and figurative.

Bean Finneran and Jeffry Mitchell, new works by two West Coast ceramics artists.

"Community & Connection," juried show of regional ceramic works.

"Form Factor," solo exhibit by Emily Counts, whose works consist of precisely arranged handcrafted ceramic parts.

Hsin-Yi Huang and Lisa Conway, ceramics in porcelain and hand-built earthenware.

"Legacy Emergent," showcase of eight emerging wood-fire Oregon-based artists.

"Ritual Unmoored," group show by six Jewish ceramicists.

Potters for Peace, fundraising exhibition of works by U.S. and Nicaraguan ceramicists to benefit potters in rural Nicaragua.

Laura Hughes

Portland visual artist Laura Hughes has created a new site-specific installation for Pacific University, "The Tomb," that continues her explorations of light and reflection and that "offers a place of respite to contemplate dislocation of memory," according to a university statement. She'll speak about her work at an opening reception. Artist talk and reception, 4 p.m. Thursday, March 23; on view, 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, March 23-April 19, Kathrin Cawein Gallery of Art, Scott Hall, Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove. Free; pacific.edu or 503-352-1585.

If you would like your event to be considered for inclusion in Best Bets, email the details to fineartsbestbets@oregonian.com.