Don’t call them side gigs — you will enjoy these appearances on their own terms — but several performers on Connecticut stages this week are known for other things. Some are solo artists who began with bands. Some try different styles in different situations, and some have had television success that might affect how they’re seen live.
Ghostface Killah remains an active member of Wu-Tang Clan when that legendary ensemble chooses to hold reunions, but he’s also had a major solo career since 1996 and is touring behind his 13th solo album. That’s nearly twice as many albums as the official seven Wu-Tang Clan studio releases.
Debbie Gravitte is a Broadway star and concert attraction who won a Tony Award for the 1989 musical “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway” but this week at Westport Country Playhouse she’s singing showtunes alongside a 1940s-style big band.
Robert Davi has appeared in over 130 movies, from “The Goonies” to “Die Hard” to “License to Kill” to “Showgirls.” About 15 years ago, the actor also became an old-school Sinatraesque singing star. He has continued to tour and record.
This is also a week when you can see TV competition stars live onstage.
Lee DeWyze, who has two shows in Connecticut this week, has albums out but his concerts are still promoted by mentioning his Season 9 win on “American Idol.”
Likewise, Michael Rapaport has been a busy, actor, comedian and podcaster for a very long time but is currently most recognized for his inelegant downfall on the current season of “The Traitors.”
Then there’s “Dancing With the Stars.” The ongoing success of the TV series led to an equally impressive annual live tour featuring many familiar faces plus special guests.
These are big arena spectacles dedicated to an art form that even many of the TV show’s biggest fans would agree is best appreciated live.
The Meadows Brothers and Belle of the Fall
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
Two wistful Connecticut Americana duos, The Meadows Brothers and Belle of the Fall, are at The Kate on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. $29. thekate.org.
Ghostface Killah
District Music Hall, 71 Wall St., Norwalk
The Wu-Tang Clan member has also been a solo artist for decades. His new solo album is “Supreme Clientele 2.” Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. $53.95-$84.86. districtmusichall.com.
Hartford’s Legacy in Song
Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave., Hartford
Internationally touring jazz vocalist Shenel Johns explores her Hartford roots (she is a native of the city and a graduate of the Hartt School) with a concert at Asylum Hill Congregational Church on Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. Free; registration recommended at hartfordchorale.networkforgood.com. Donations support Hartford Chorale’s internship and educational programs.
Lee DeWyze
Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
“American Idol” Season 9 winner, sultry singer/songwriter Lee DeWyze, has two shows in Connecticut this week: Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. at Fairfield Theatre Company ($42-$90; fairfieldtheatre.org) and Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at The Kate ($25; thekate.org).
Angela Flournoy
Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford
Novelist Angela Flourno, who is known for “The Turner House” and whose latest novel is “The Wilderness,” discusses her work with writer Sophronia Scott on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Mark Twain Museum. $10, $40 includes a copy of “The Wilderness.” marktwainhouse.org.
Ghost
Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville
The Swedish hard rock band topped the U.S. charts with their latest opus “Skeletá” and has now embarked on a live “Skeletour” on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena. $132.74-$194.30. mohegansun.com.
Experimental Projection and Performance from New England
Cinestudio, 300 Summit St., Hartford
The start of a unique live immersive series at Cinestudio features multimedia sound/light/projection/electronics/etc. works by KC1YMF, LOCULUS and Monochromatic Pool. The New Haven artist KC1YF’s piece is called “Vectors of Perception.” Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. $7-$10. cinestudio.org.
Michael Rapaport
Stress Factory, 167 State St., Bridgeport
Michael Rapaport — the longtime stand-up, actor and podcaster — has performed at the Stress Factory in Bridgeport many times, but he’s hotter than ever right now because of his recent exit as a Season 4 contestant on “The Traitors.” Rapaport does five sets this weekend: Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 30 and 31 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. $41. bridgeport.stressfactory.com.
Lettuce
Infinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
The funk/jazz/hip-hop/jam outfit Lettuce has toured with Ziggy Marley and Wu-Tang’s GZA. The band’s most recent album is “Cook.” Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. $47.42. infinityhall.com.
‘Jamuary!’
Sea Tea Comedy Theater, 15 Asylum St., Hartford
The month of special improv comedy jams at Sea Tea Comedy Theater ends with a “Jamuary!” experimental jam with Jambassador Jam Jar on Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. $5. seateaimprov.com.
Broadway star Debbie Gravitte stars in a series of “Big Band Broadway” concerts Jan. 29 through Feb. 1 at Westport Country Playhouse. (Bill Westmoreland)
Big Band Broadway
Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport
Westport Playhouse’s latest crossover concert of showtunes and pop stylings is a big band accompanying Broadway vocalist Debbie Gravitte. There are four performances Jan. 29 through Feb. 1. Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. $45-$65. westportplayhouse.org.
Otis & the Hurricanes
Black-Eyed Sally’s, 350 Asylum St., Hartford
R&B/blues/zydeco act Otis & the Hurricanes chases the bad weather away at Black-Eyed Sally’s on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. blackeyedsallys.com.
Tesla and Buckcherry
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
Two major rock bands of the 1990s, Tesla (named for the inventor before the car even existed) and Buckcherry (named after a drag queen the band knew) are together on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. $74.50-$95.05. foxwoods.com.
‘Bill’s 44th’
Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield
A midlife birthday party is dramatized with puppets and other theatrical effects in this hour-long performance by the puppeteers Dorothy James and Andy Manjuck at Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts. Jan. 30 and 31, with performances Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $25. quickcenter.fairfield.edu.
‘Dancing with the Stars Live!’
Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville
The annual live tour of “Dancing with the Stars” regular cast members and recent winners has two shows at Mohegan Sun Arena on Jan. 30 and 31 at 8 p.m. with special guest host Danielle Fishel. $290.85-$469.05; multiple VIP packages are available. mohegansun.com.
The puppet performance “Bill’s 44th,” about a fraught birthday party, is on tour and has three performances on Jan. 30 and 31 at Fairfield University’s Quick Center. (Richard Termine)
Comedy in the Capital
The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford
Four stand-up comedians plus host Jeff Snyder perform two 90-minute shows on Jan. 31 at 5 and 7:30 p.m. in The Bushnell’s Autorino Great Hall. Two of the comics, Leon Da Comedian and Emily Siero, are from Connecticut. Paul Valdes-Rodriguez is from New York City and Brian Plumb is from Massachusetts. $39.50. bushnell.org.
Hartford Symphony Orchestra Press Play: Anime
J Under the Dome, 1 Sequassen St., Hartford
Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s progressive chamber series finds violinists Simon Bilyk and Candy Lammers, cellist Peter Zay and violist Michael Wheeler at the J Under the Dome restaurant performing music from dozens of anime films and series. Selections include music from “Spirited Away,” “Demon Slayer,” “The Boy & the Heron,” “Ponyo,” “Attack on Titan,” “Death Note,” and many other animated classics. Jan. 31 at 5 and 7:30 p.m. $39.50. hartfordsymphony.org.
Robert Davi
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
The accomplished actor Robert Davi has a second career as a Frank Sinatra-style crooner. He celebrates the American Songbook at Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. $54.45-$73.45. foxwoods.com.
Gene Loves Jezebel
The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford
The 1980s act that brought you “Heartache”, “Desire (Come and Get It)” and “The Motion of Love” is coming to The Webster. This is the Michael Aston version of the band, which Aston started with his twin brother Jay. Jay is still out there with his own band playing Gene and Jezebel songs as well, and it can get confusing. There are three opening acts: Black Season Witch, Midnight Psychic and Silver Rein. Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. $21.15. thewebsterct.com.
Pool Kids
Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden
Tallahassee indie emo/math rock band Pool Kids has a new album out, “Easier Said Than Done,” and a national tour that brings Pool Kids to Space Ballroom on Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. with opening acts Old Soul and Cinema Stare. $32.34, $26.69 in advance. spaceballroom.com.