CRITICS PICKS: Daniel J. Kushner 

Daniel J. Kushner

Matt Witten, percussion — "Himmels-Tür"

Twentieth-century composer Karlheinz Stockhausen was a titan of the avant-garde, and his willingness to unabashedly explore sounds while pushing the boundaries of concert music is what makes his iconic compositions endure. Now Rochester music lovers will be able to hear his piece "Himmels-Tür" — "Heaven's Door" — for the first time when percussionist Matt Witten performs the work on a 7-foot door. (Sunday, September 20, 8 p.m.; Thursday, September 24, 7 p.m. Lyric Theater: Main Stage. $10. All ages.)

Maybird

Ever since brothers Josh (vocals and guitar) and Adam Netsky (drums) moved to New York City, local audiences have had far fewer opportunities to hear the Rochester-born rock quintet perform. With music tinged in indie Americana and smothered in the sound of high-octane guitars, Maybird's set is sure to be among the most danceable concerts of the Fringe Festival. (Sunday, September 20, 6:15 p.m. Gibbs Street Main Stage. Free. All ages.)

Sticks, Strings, and Paint

There are few events that say "fringe festival" more than multidisciplinary art performances. For the second consecutive year, Eastman School of Music alumni will team up with artist Lorraine Staunch to present contemporary classical music alongside live painting. The concept may be simple, but the results are sure to be engaging. (Thursday, September 17, 6 p.m.; Saturday, September 19, 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 20, 4:30 p.m. TheatreROCS Stage. $15. All ages.)

Cammy Enaharo

You need to hear Rochester singer-songwriter Cammy Enaharo. Equipped with a smoky, sweet voice brimming with soul and thoughtful yet straightforward baritone ukulele instrumentation, Enaharo is a mesmerizing musical presence you'll remember. (Saturday, September 26, 5:45 p.m. Gibbs Street Main Stage. Free. All ages.)

"Mysterious Landscape"

For "Mysterious Landscape," Eastman School of Music professor and composer Robert Morris merges electronic composition via laptop computer and recorded sounds from nature in a surreal soundscape. Add some improvisation, and you've got an immersive listening experience that brings alternative timbres to the concert hall. (Sunday, September 20, 7:30 p.m. Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music. Free. All ages.)

Son of Suddhodana

Can't get enough of the music-live painting combination? You'll want to see Ryan Barclay and Karsten Brooks's "Son of Suddhodana," a kind of Buddhism origin story set to music. Think of it as a musical biopic about Buddha. Complete with world music influences and spoken word, the performance is one of the more distinctive in the entire festival. (Friday, September 18, 10 p.m. MuCCC. $10. All ages.)

Institute for Creative Music

If you're like me, you're constantly looking for ensembles that add something different to the classical music paradigm. Rochester's Institute for Creative Music Collective is one such group, which will bring original compositions, experimental techniques, and engaging instrumentation to the Fringe Festival. (Sunday, September 20, 4:05 p.m. Gibbs Street Main Stage. Free. All ages.)