OPENING

'Christmas of Swing'

Mixing Christmas with the Andrews Sisters seems on paper irresistible -- and it was for History Theatre audiences in 2004 and 2005. LaVerne, Patty and Maxene are back this year in the form of Jen Burleigh-Bentz, Ruthie Baker and Stacey Lindell. You needn't know anything more about the plot than this: The sisters are putting on a USO Christmas show, and they sing a ton of songs. It's great entertainment. (Previews 8 p.m. Fri. Opens 8 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. $15-$40. Ends Dec. 23. History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul. 651-292-4323 or www.historytheatre.com.) GRAYDON ROYCE

WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY

Hannibal Buress

A comic's comic at 29, Buress has had praise heaped his way by the likes of Aziz Ansari, Jim Gaffigan and Chris Rock. The hype is justified, too, as the wildly inventive and mellow yet cutting standup has made serious headway since beginning his career homeless in New York. The Chicago native and former "SNL" writer scored his first hourlong Comedy Central special this year. Buress could easily be playing theaters in a couple of years, so don't miss this club gig. He'll also appear 6 p.m. Wed. at Fifth Element in Uptown for a meet-and-greet signing. (8 p.m. Wed.; 8 & 10:30 p.m. Fri-Sat. $20. 18 & older. Acme Comedy Co., 708 N. 1st St. Mpls. 612-338-6393 or www.acmecomedycompany.com.) JAY BOLLER

FRIDAY

We're All Going to Hell

In honor of Black Friday, Black Hearts Burlesque has a show that is sure to aid in your post-Thanksgiving recovery. The Hell's Kitchen basement lounge will be transformed into a goth-tinged cabaret, with performances by Elektra Cuete (a dead ringer for Josephine Baker), Dahlia Dulce and the rest of the Black Hearts gang. Hosted by Mistress Victoria DeVille, the evening will also include guest acts Foxy Tann, Sheila Rouse and Hank Heat. (10 p.m. Fri. $10. Hell's Kitchen, 80 S. 9th St., Mpls. 612-332-4700. www.hellskitcheninc .com.) JAHNA PELOQUIN

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Kevin Kling and Mason Jennings

Ever since Jennings hit the road more than 10 years ago on his way to becoming one of the Twin Cities' most successful singer/songwriters, he has made a point of playing a local gig around the holidays. This year, he's taking part in a multi-faceted staging for Minnesota Public Radio that is actually about seasonal homecomings. "Back Home" pairs the indie-folk star with author, humorist and playwright Kling, MPR's artist-in-residence. The shows -- to be rebroadcast on the Current (89.3 FM) and KNOW (91.1 FM) -- will blend storytelling and music centered around the peculiar mix of love, family and sense of place that comes to a head this time of the year. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. $35. Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul. 651-290-1200.) CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER