The Rake Magazine

Apparently, this has been a very big year for haunted houses. Seems like many of them have been sold out every night. Monday night, the Soap Factory's Haunted Basement was sold out within the first 20 minutes. I suppose tonight will be even worse. But if you're looking for great Halloween entertainment, here are some options:

A Thrill a Minute -- with leg-warmers and all

Tonight, First Avenue gives you two time periods to choose from for your Halloween festivities. In the Main Room, the Thriller 1980s party will feature a costume contest (judged by Ian of Drinking with Ian), cash prizes, a group of "Zombified Thriller Dancers," and DJing by SovietPanda. If that's too much big hair and leg-warmers for you, the 7th Street Entry will be hosting a Monster Mash oldies dance party -- none of the costume contest or cash prize craziness; just a night of grooving to Motown, British Invasion, and girl groups. --Danielle Kurtzleben

8 p.m., First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-332-1775; Thriller is $6 w/costume ($10 without); Monster Mash is $5 ($1 crossover from Main Room).

Two Heavy Metal Ghouls

Celebrate Halloween with the king of gore. I don't think he'll be biting the heads off of any doves tonight (although you never know with this guy), but Ozzy Osbourne is certainly prime ghoul material. This will be the heavy metal (and reality TV) legend's first solo concert in Minneapolis in over four years, and the show features special guest Rob Zombie. How appropriate! If you can't make the show, you might want to consider staying in and watching a few Rob Zombie flicks tonight. Blast the surround-sound, so you can scare all those trick-or-treaters away.

7:30 p.m., Target Center, 600 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-673-0900; $23-$87.75.

All Hallow's Hell

While Samhain actually represents the end of harvest season in Gaelic culture, we have conveniently ascribed the ancient holiday to the broader realm of the dead, in particular All Souls' Day, better known as Halloween. The end of harvest is a gruesome thing indeed. Deck yourself out in the goriest of costumes and head over to the Varsity Theater for Samhain: All Hallows' Eve "A Match Made in Hell". Apologies to death rock fans, but the precursor band to Danzig is not the headliner for this show. Decoding the actual musical lineup: E.L.nO. stands for Electric Light (no) Orchestra -- a band that occasionally forms in order to cover the sublime pop purveyed by Jeff Lynne's '70s-era E.L.O.; and MC/VL is the MC duo Mighty Clyde and Vicious Lee, who deliver rap in the vein of vintage Beastie Boys, with a clownishness fronting their book smarts. Headliners Dance Band, however, are as straight-up as their name indicates. Counting James Brown and Queen among their influences, and widely acknowledged as one of the Cities' best live acts, how likely is it that this show really ends at 11? --Julie Caniglia

8 p.m., Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. S.E., Minneapolis; $8.

Creature Feature

If you're like me and want nothing more than to avoid the Halloween bar crowds, without missing out on all the fun, some monster improvisation might be just what you need. Head over to the Brave New Workshop for tonight's Creature Feature -- a fully improvised, live-on-stage, comedic monster movie. Shout out your clever suggestions (only when you're asked for them), and watch a monster movie unfold right before your eyes, "chock full of colorful characters, high drama, monster movie atmosphere, and hilarity." Now that's more like it!

8 p.m., Brave New Workshop, 2605 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-332-6620; $10

Holy Haunted House

Of course, you could always opt for something completely non-Halloween-related. The only thing spooky about the Gov't Mule show this evening is the poster, and perhaps a heavy riff or two. Founded in 1994 as a power trio offshoot of the Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule draws from blues, folk, reggae, soul, and jazz. The band, originally consisting of guitarist/vocalist Warren Haynes, drummer Matt Abts, and bassist Allen Woody, has since added keyboard player Danny Louis, and bassist Andy Hess (following Woody's death in 2000). The result is a band with fervent energy, keen chemistry, and masterful playing. In 2005, Haynes was ranked No. 23 in Rolling Stone's list of all-time top guitarists. That's got to tell you something, no?

MUSIC
Walking in Minneapolis

Singer-songwriter Marc Cohen -- best known for "Walking in Memphis" -- is in town tonight promoting his latest album, Join the Parade. Cohen has come a long way since Carly Simon discovered him. He's even come a long way from that Best New Artist Grammy he won in 1991. In fact, he's no doubt among the top American lyricists today. Enjoy this evening's performance, with a gritty opening blues act by Amy Correia.

7:30 p.m., Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul; 651-290-1221; $51.50.

Al Di Meola World Sinfonia '07-'08

Celebrated by Guitar Players Magazine as the highest rated guitarists of all time, Al Di Meola has been at the forefront of jazz for over a quarter of a century -- something you'd never guess from the looks of him, but clearly evident in his playing. Di Meola has tried it all. He's explored numerous styles and voices. He's traversed the globe both physically and musically. He's played with greats in just about every musical genre, and from just about every country. And now he's here for two nights only.

7 & 9:30 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $45 & $30.

BOOKS & AUTHORS
Sixty-two Million a Year Ain't Peanuts

Given the acclaim that has greeted Schulz and Peanuts, the new biography of Charles Schulz, it's surprising that St. Paul has not rolled out the red carpet for its author, David Michaelis. After all, if one judges from the number of bronze Peanuts statues populating the city, it'd be hard not to conclude that Schulz, not F. Scott Fitzgerald, is its most favored son. Then again, boosterism via Peanuts statues is hardly the same thing as promotion for the man who has painstakingly researched the warts-and-all story of their creator. And from what we've read, there are a lot of warts. Anyhow, Michaelis will be appearing in Minneapolis on the University of Minnesota campus to discuss the self-described bland man who became the world's richest cartoonist. --Julie Caniglia

2 p.m., U of M Bookstore, Coffman Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis ; 612-625-6000.

SPECIAL EVENT
Mix It Up

Can't seem to settle on just one thing this evening? Try an evening of Music, Art, and Conversation at Homewood Studios. Join composer and guitarist John Penny for an acoustic set of sculpted and improvised jazz stylings. Enjoy the artwork of University students determined to translate oral narratives from Northside residents into works of art. View a few of John Penny's drawings as well. And engage your fellow artists and art lovers in some awe-inspiring conversation. (You can do it.)

7 p.m., Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-521-0399; $5.

SPORTS
Remember, There's That Other Sport

With so many losses all around us, it's time to broaden the playing field and support some of those teams you may be neglecting. I'm not talking Gopher Sports here, people. This is Minnesota. Remember hockey? I mean, when I was in high school here that's all anyone ever talked about. Of course, those were the Minnesota North Stars days -- before Norm Green took our team away. But this is still hockey country, regardless of El Niño, and the Minnesota Wild need our support. Granted, they dropped the ball (or the puck, in this case) against the Colorado Avalanche last week with three straight losses; but we're expecting the much-needed four-game homestand, against Pittsburgh.

6 p.m., Excel Energy Center, corner of Kellogg Blvd. and W. Seventh St., St. Paul; $22-$275.

BOOKS & AUTHORS
Frank Warren Can't Keep a Secret

Pssst. Wanna hear a secret? How about 100,000 of them? PostSecret contains over 100,000 postcards from across the globe, each with some kind of secret -- from the poetic to the perverse. And the man responsible for the site, Frank Warren, is in town today, promoting his new book -- just what you'd expect: A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book. This, I believe, is his fourth PostSecrets book; and if you go meet him this afternoon, you could be in the fifth. Pick up a PostSecret postcard at the event, and share your secrets with Warren (and perhaps the rest of the world). His latest collection "lays bare the confessions of people at every stage of life and ultimately offers a glimpse into our collective psyche, touching on the hopes, dreams and fears of our relationships and experiences." A Lifetime of Secrets is a photo collection of 4x6 postcards from people revealing their deepest secrets -- you know, all that stuff we're not supposed to see.

2 p.m., University of Minnesota Bookstores, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Coffman Memorial Union, Minneapolis; 612-625-6564; free.

MUSIC
David Sanchez Quartet

I've been a David Sanchéz fan for years. The man is from my home town in Puerto Rico, and true to our culture, has the most musical of souls. Influenced a great deal by the legendary Charlie Parker, Sanchéz has played alongside greats like Eddie Palmieri and Dizzy Gillespie. But the man doesn't need these big names to toot his horn. He's a master of the tenor sax and a prolific composer, with numerous Grammy nominations under his belt and a perfect sound that can do no wrong.

7 & 9:30 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $25 & $17.

FILM
There Never Was a Woman Like Rita

Gilda is Rita Hayworth at her finest -- the quintessential sultry redhead. "There NEVER was a woman like Gilda!" reads the movie poster. And there never was. Forget all these wannabe stripper-stars out there, like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears; Rita is the real deal -- without removing anything but her gloves. Yes, this is the film that gave us the now-so-familiar image of the stiptease kick-off with the long black satin gloves. Directed by Charles Vidor, this film noir plays on the post-war fear of Nazi war criminals escaping to South America.

8 p.m., Parkway Theatre, 4814 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-822-3030; $6.

Molding Young Minds

Universities shape mind. Universities teach us to "think." But do they teach us to think for ourselves, or simply to think like "they" do. And who are "they" anyhow? Do they really want diversity? Do they really want diversity of thought? These are some of the questions raised by Evan Coyne Maloney's new documentary, Indoctrinate U. Interviews with students and members of academia, combined with live on-campus footage, illustrate a repressive political climate that transforms education into indoctrination and threatens our freedom of thought. Don't expect the usual liberal film in which students complain that their radical ideologies are being suppressed. Maloney was once called the "conservative answer to Michael Moore" by The New York Sun.

7:15 & 9:15 p.m., Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis; $8 (students $6, members/seniors $5).

Not the Fictional Amadeus

Amadeus may have been a good film -- beautifully acted at least -- but its fictional nature did a disservice to the Master, and to the millions of people who walked away from it thinking they now understood Mozart. If you're one of these people, don't worry. Tonight you have an opportunity to learn about the real deal. In Search of Mozart paints a picture of Mozart's life and music, focusing on the parallels between the two. Framed as a detective story -- with the mission of finding the real Mozart -- this Phil Grabsky documentary follows a 25,000-mile journey "along every route Mozart every traveled." While the music certainly takes center stage -- as well it should -- interviews, personal documents and letters, expert commentary, and English actress Juliet Stevenson's narration come together to give a full picture of the beauty that was Mozart.

7 & 9:15 p.m., Bell Auditorium, 10 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis; $8 (students $6, members/seniors $5).

ART & WOMEN
In Our Own Right

What better way to celebrate the achievements of women in the arts than to spend an evening enjoying the "expressions, perspectives, and self-revelations" of local women artists. Tonight's In OUR Own Right performance and closing reception features performances by singer/songwriter JoAnna James (winner of two consecutive Minnesota Music Awards for "Female Vocalist of the Year"), storyteller and performer Amy Salloway, contemporary dance ensemble the SHE Collective, Perpich Center for Arts Education poets Ali Scott and Heather Campbell-Bezat, and spoken word artist Madame Mimi.

Friday at 8 p.m., The Minnesota Museum of American Art, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd. (at Market St.), St. Paul; 651-266-1030; free.

ART & MEDITATION
Clear Your Mind for Artistic Expression

While our creativity is certainly fueled by experience, by all the clutter around us, our environment. The truth is, it's also squelched by all the noise. Like all energy, creative energy must be allowed to flow, to move, to express itself. But getting there, freeing your mind from the chaos around you and appreciating the simplicity and brilliance of things as they are, can be quite a challenge for some of us. Need some help with this endeavor? The Minneapolis Shambhala Center invites you to participate in parts one and two of a five-part Shambhala Art Program based on the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa, meditation master, poet, and artist. The program uses contemplative exercises and meditation instruction to explore and celebrate artistic expression that springs from the meditative mind. Enjoy a free public talk this evening, and participate in the workshop Saturday and Sunday. No previous experience required.

Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Shambhala Meditation Center, 2931 Grand St. NE, Minneapolis; 612-331-7737; free public talk on Friday, $150 workshop on Saturday and Sunday; no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

ART
Frida Kahlo

On the centenary of Frida Kahlo's birth, a comprehensive retrospective can go a long way to rescue this tough, rich artist from her Art Heroine Poster Grrrl status. She deserves more. Kahlo was full of contradictions and had moments of heroism and weakness; she had blindness, insight, and a gift for telling a story with pictures. She also had talent -- maybe not quite enough for her desire, but that's true of many deservedly beloved artists: Edward Hopper and Paul Cézanne, for instance, were given deeper insight into the nature of the world by their own clumsiness at levering it into paint. Kahlo shares this divine thumbiness; it helps her create the new and make it accessible to her fellow mortals. --Ann Klefstad

Preview Party on Friday from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., opens Saturday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600.

SHOPPING
Discover Friends, Discover Treasures

Granted, collecting antiques -- or at least the romantic ideal of it -- is about long drives to the boondocks, sifting through dust and rejected "knick knacks," and discovering a treasure no one knew they had. In the end, it's usually about exploiting the seller's ignorance of the object at hand's value. True, somehow, I doubt that The Minneapolis Institute of Art is terribly ignorant of the value of any antique. But if you want to avoid the long drive and the dust -- if you're looking for a perfectly curated antique show, bringing together some of the finest antique dealers from across the country -- then you won't want to miss MIA's 24th annual Antiques Show & Sale this weekend.

Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday & Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p,m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Zuhrah Shrine Center, Harrington Mansion, 2540 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-871-3555; 612-870-3039; $10 (museum members $8).

FOOD & WINE - BENEFIT
Celebrate Bacchus and Do Some Good

Join Napa Valley Grille Executive Chef Matthew Fogarty this evening for a walk-around food and wine tasting with over 50 wines and 15 food sampling. For the first time ever, the Napa Valley Grille will close (open to you, of course) its doors this evening to host a benefit for the Second Harvest Heartland foodshelves. That's right: feeding yourself will feed others -- unfortunately for them, not with the same food. Tonight's menu will include cider-roasted stuffed suckling pig, seafood paella, roasted leg of lamb, imported cheeses and breads, plus a wall of dessert tiers in the wine cellar. Sample the food, indulge in the wine, and participate in a silent auction of 25 mystery wine grab bags. Earmarked at $25, these lovely bags will contain wine bottles priced up to $100. Sounds like a win win situation to me. And, of course, all proceeds will benefit Second Harvest Heartland.

Friday from 6:30 - 9 p.m., Napa Valley Grille, Mall of America, 2nd level West side, Bloomington; 952-858-9934; $65.

DANCE
James Sewell Ballet

The James Sewell Ballet presents its fall program this weekend, featuring the premiere of Kinetic Head, a piece commissioned by Richard and Sandra Jacobson on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary. Kinetic Head's choreography continues Sewell's exploration of multiple coordination in ballet, taking the movement patterns and layers to a new level of structural complexity. The music is designed to serve the choreography, and is compiled and engineered by Sewell from diverse music loops, plus music by John Scherf and J. S. Bach. Also on this weekend's agenda are Schoenberg Serenade, choreographed by Sewell for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2006, and excerpts from Raymonda, with choreography re-staged after the 1898 classic by Marius Petipa.

Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., The O'Shaughnessy at the College of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul; 651-690-6700; $32 (students $16); there will be a $10 First Chance Dance performance on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Playin' at the Pantages

When I first moved to Minnesota with my family so many years ago, my sister sat crying by my side as we left her East coast world of ABT (dance afficionados will no doubt recognize that as the American Ballet Theater). As a rising and promising -- though still young -- ballet dancer, she wasn't exactly excited about being land-logged here in the midwest. That is, until she learned that Loyce Houlton was teaching at the Minnesota Dance Theater. Houlton is a legend in the dance world, having studied with both Balanchine and Martha Graham (it doesn't get much better than that) -- and having choreographed so many wonderfully energetic and inspired pieces. And while she is no longer with us, she leaves her legacy at the heart of the Minnesota Dance Theater. This weekend, enjoy a touch of that legacy, that energy, that inspiration and beauty, as MDT opens its 2007-2008 season with two pieces by Houlton: 293.6, inspired by the 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the moon, and her more classical Boccherini Dances. Also on the slate for the evening is Eliot Feld's A Stair Dance, created in memory of Gregory Hines; Sir Frederick Ashton's Façade, a witty '20s piece; and Portrait Project, a collaboration of three former MDT dancers.

Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $31.50.

MUSIC
Bill Frisell Trio

Bill Frisell's loping, laconic guitar phrases are as implacably beautiful and subtly shape-shifting as a prairie landscape, a perfect soundtrack for compelling visuals. Indeed, two of the cooler items in his quilted discography were created to accompany the photographs of Walker Evans (This Land) and the films of Buster Keaton (Go West). Now the Walker has co-commissioned Frisell to provide the atmosphere on the photos of Mike Disfarmer, who made Evans-like images of the Arkansas poor in the '40s. But unlike the horn-oriented ensemble for This Land, Frisell will be joined by violinist Jenny Scheinman and lap-steel guitarist Greg Leisz. --Britt Robson, photo by Mike Disfarmer

Saturday at 7:30 & 9 p.m., Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
The 14th Annual BareBones Halloween Show

Yes, sirree. Halloween is right around the corner, and that means another big-time puppet extravaganza by the light of the moon. If you've been to the BareBones Halloween Show since its 1993 inception, you'll certainly want to repeat the experience. This is an all-out production, a real celebration of All Hallow's Eve (and then some). With over 150 artists involved, the show features larger-than-life puppets, shadow puppets, handpuppets, costumes, masks, choral singing, fire artistry, stilting, and a live musical score composed and performed by a 10 piece orchestra. Bring a blanket, dress warm, don your own costume -- at least a mask -- and experience the narrative unraveling before you. "This year's show begins on the Mississipi River Bank with the arrival of a macabre steamboat bearing a hilarious and satircal travelling carnival. River spirits arrive to guide audiences through a sublime river landscape (recreated in the forest) to a puppet river town. The arrival of Huck and Jim (from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) causes a town controversy from which the two have to flee. From there we follow their adventures down the river encountering wildlife, spirits, and the river's dark history. All culminates in the swamp of reckoning with a call for justice and flood of light." See what I'm saying? Big-time extravaganza! As always, you'll even have an opportunity to honor the dead. (Come on; it's Halloween.) And the audience is invited to stick around after the show for food, live music, and dancing.

Saturday through Wednesday at 7 p.m., Hidden Falls, base of the North Gate entrance, 1309 Mississippi River Blvd. S., St. Paul; 612-341-1038; free with donations encouraged.

And Now, We Sing for You

As a companion piece to their scaled-down production of La Bohème, Theater Latté Da presents three evenings of minimalist cabarets, somewhat appropriately titled Bohemian Rhapsodies, in which a bunch of local, aging bohemians gather around a piano and, from what we hear, sing for you. The first installment (this Sunday) features singer Ann Michels, storyteller and performer Josette Antomarchi, jazz vocalist Dennis Spears, poet and memoirist Patricia Hampl, and opera tenor Vern Sutton. Truth be told, we're more looking forward to the November 4 show because we've got an awfully soft spot for at least one of the following: It stars soprano Maria Jette, husband-and-wife duo Fred and Anna Mae Vagle (they're well known for their musicianship about St. Joan of Arc Church), folk singer Ann Reed, Russian singer Sima Shumilovsky, and co-host of The Current's semi-popular The Morning Show, Dale Connelly. --Christy DeSmith

Sunday at 7 p.m., The Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-340-1725; $18.

BENEFIT
A Toast to the Cedar

For 18 years, the Cedar Cultural Center has been bringing us great music and dance from across the globe. And while our fair city isn't lacking in venues, this one certainly contributes immensely to our rich cultural terrain. Sure, the best way to show your support and ensure they stick around for another 18 years, is to simply go to their shows. But tonight there's a little more you can do as well. Zipp's Liquor and The Seward Co-op bring you their bi-annual Wine Show and Tasting benefit for the Cedar. Sample over 150 wines, unique spirits, and beer, while you do our city some good.

6:30 p.m., The Cedar, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-338-2674; $25.

MUSIC
Music for Everyone

It's a great night to go out and enjoy a live music show -- no matter what your taste.

Rock
Better late than never. Each Thursday this month The Plagiarists have been playing at The Nomad, and tonight is their final show. If you're a Band of Horses fan -- and maybe even if you're not -- you'll enjoy The Plagiarist's catchy synth pop.

9 p.m., The Nomad World Pub, 501 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-338-6424.

Folk
Hailing from Texas and New York, Ana Egge brings her lulling vocal stylings to the Twin Cities this evening. You'll enjoy the perfect simplicity of her songs delivered by her beautifully haunting voice. Hell, even Lucinda Williams was impressed by her song-writing skills. Opening for Egge this evening is Mother Banjo (Ellen Stanley on banjo and vocals) and Gabe Barnett (with the spirit of Dylan inside).

8 p.m., 400 Bar, 400 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-332-2903; $8.

Soul & Funk
Average White Band is no doubt among the best soul and funk bands in the history of music. And frankly, at this point -- after more than 35 years in the music industry -- they pretty much embody the history of soul and funk. I mean, they were number one on the Billboard Pop and R&B Album Charts all the way back in 1975. "Pick up the pieces, uh, huh. Pick up the pieces, alright. Pick up the pieces, uh, huh. Pick up the pieces, whoo!" It must have been the lyrics. "Pick up the Pieces" was a worldwide hit, receiving a a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Instrumental Performance. This was just the beginning, as many albums, hits, and Grammy nominations followed through the years. Sure, they disbanded for five years in the '80s, but this was short lived, and they certainly made up for the lost time with six albums and a concert DVD since then. This is a must-see show for soul & funk lovers. And you're in luck, as they'll be playing through Saturday.

8 & 10:30 p.m., Rossi's Blue Star Room, 80 9th St. S., Minneapolis; 612-312-2828; $45 dinner show, $20.

Jazz
With thirteen solid albums under her belt, Claudia Schmidt has indeed achieved national success. We tend to overlook what's right in our backyard at times, but tonight just count your blessings as you make your way to the show. Sure, you could sit at home and listen to one of her many albums, but you'll miss out on her fabulous energy, which is best experienced live.

7 & 9:30 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $30 & $20.

Classical
World-reknown Russian violist and principal conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of New Russia Yuri Bashmet will be performing works by Shostakovich, Raykhelson, Skrowaczewski, Takemitsu, and Schnittke this evening with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. The Schnittke piece, Larghetto for Viola and Strings from Concerto for Three, was in fact written specifically for Bashmet, with violinist Gidon Kremer and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Enjoy the show this evening at Temple Israel, tomorrow evening at Wooddale Church, or on Sunday at the Ordway Center.

8 p.m., Temple Israel, 2324 Emerson Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-377-8680; SPCO 651-291-1144; $10-$25.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Le Chat Noir: A French Cabaret

Minneapolis takes on shades of Paris this evening, courtesy of Ballet of the Dolls. The company has been working its inventive and often wacky brand of dance theater for twenty-one years now, most recently with a take on the outer-space sex odyssey Barbarella. Artistic director and former Parisian Myron Johnson choreographed this latest show as a series of vignettes set to music both classic and funky -- think along the lines of Erik Satie remixes. In true cabaret form, patrons are invited to hiss, boo, and imbibe freely during the performance -- and no two performances will be alike. --Danielle Kurtzleben, photo by Desiree Olson

8 p.m., Ritz Theater, 345 Thirteenth Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-436-1129; $25.