Genre-defying, freedom-fighting diva Mavis Staples has woven her music into a fabric of gospel, soul, folk, pop, R&B, blues, rock and hip-hop for the past 60 years. A pioneer of the Delta gospel sound created in the 1950s, Staples flourished as a solo performer and in her family group, The Staple Singers. She has collaborated with Ray Charles, Ry Cooder, Prince, Jeff Tweedy and Bob Dylan—and outshined them all.
Saturday 4/9. $24.50-39.50, 8pm. The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall. 979-1333.