Wheel Sexy Cabaret

Here's something to satisfy both the bicycle fanatic and burlesque appreciator in you: a cabaret inspired by bicycles and the babes who ride them. In a nod to the Twin Cities' diverse bicycling community, the Wheel Sexy troupe mixes burlesque, comedy and live jazz by performers spanning sexes, orientations and body types in celebration of the body and the bike. The cabaret's debut features jazz duo Smoking w/ Baby, dance troupe Mad King Thomas and Acrobatic Yoga Mpls, and "bicycle-inspired" burlesque from Au NaturElle and Retro Spectacle. -Jahna Peloquin

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Brian Regan

Rape! Suicide! Abortion! Please laugh! There's a glut of comics these days who'll try their damnedest to shock a chuckle out of you. The transparently desperate hack ratio? High. Comedian Brian Regan, on the other hand, doesn't coast on obscenities or taboos. For more than 20 years he has won fans and acclaim with performance gusto and earnest jokes. Regan's everyman act manages just enough edge through the cleanliness, resulting in a universal appeal that has landed him 24 Letterman appearances. His 2011 comedy album "All by Myself" scored plenty of critical praise. -Jay Boller

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Arena Dances

Arena Dances continues celebrating its 16th year with a fresh season of works at the Cowles Center. This weekend's program features three world premieres from the apparently very busy choreographer Mathew Janczewski. Among the highly anticipated pieces is "Frozen River," created for the dynamic guest-dancing duo of Susie Bracken and Heather Klopchin, plus "Forward Reminiscence," a solo for Janczewski choreographed by the Oregon-based Robin Stiehm, familiar to many for her Twin Cities dance roots. Rounding out the evening is "Anthem," rousing movement set to Michael Nyman's uplifting musical compositions, and selections from the Arena repertory. -Caroline Palmer

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'Blue Heaven'

Dancer and choreographer Lisa Conlin (well-known to Ballet of the Dolls fans) tackles the difficult subject of death in "Blue Heaven." Responding to the loss of both her parents as well as several other family members and friends over the course of 18 months, Conlin looks at the challenges that come with realizing the finality of a loved one's passing. While this is a sad topic, there will be moments of uplift and hope as well. Erinn Liebhard, Brian J. Evans, Jennifer Mack, Cari Riis Stemmler, Robert Skafte and Raena Smith join Conlin for this original production. Mike Hallenbeck will provide the music and sound design. -Caroline Palmer

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