Contempo Physical Dance

Friday-Saturday: This St. Paul-based Afro-Brazilian contemporary dance company brings a world premiere from Senegalese-French choreographer Patrick Acogny — son of acclaimed dancer/choreographer Germaine Arcogny — as part of its first international choreography residency and commissioning program. Acogny's "Cool Play" is a conceptual exploration of appearances, and the hidden tragedy that lies behind them. The work explores identity and ideas of place, and is based loosely on the environment and traditional dance gatherings in Senegal. Contempo artistic director Marciano Silva dos Santos also will show excerpts of his own work "Batuque," about the rise of samba in Brazil, and will perform in both works. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., the O'Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul. $15-$25 with discounts for students, seniors and more. 651-690-6700 or oshag.stkate.edu)

SHEILA REGAN