The fall dance season is off to a busy start, with four noteworthy events happening just this weekend that span a range of subjects, from the birth of human flight to "group think" and the collective power of the beat. Time to get moving!

Choreographer Penelope Freeh and composer Jocelyn Hagen already have had one successful partnership, with 2012's sublime "Slippery Fish," and now they are exploring the early years of aviation in the world premiere of the dance opera "Test Pilot." The work focuses on the story of the Wright Brothers, but told from the perspective of their sister, Katharine, using voice, dance and a live string quartet. Freeh and Hagen have added their own family stories to the poetic mix. Featured vocalists include soprano Carrie Henneman Shaw as Katharine, plus dancers Freeh, Stephanie Fellner, Cory Goei and Nic Lincoln. Filmmaker Justin Schell rounds out the artistic team.

7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., $17-$27, the O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul, 651-690-6700 or oshaughnessy.stkate.edu.

"Group think" has positive and negative connotations. There is power within consensus, but at the same time, repressed individuality has led to some of the worst moments in human history. With "The One and the Many," Time Track Productions, led by Paula Mann and Steve Paul, delve into this provocative topic using André Breton's "Surrealist Manifesto" as a guide. Expect vivid imagery and wry humor from a work that cites everything from Nixon to "Midnight Cowboy" as cultural touchstones.

8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun.-Mon., $12-$15 (Mon. pay-as-able), JSB Tek Box, the Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. Cash/checks only at door. Charge online at: www.brownpapertickets.com.

Shapeshift Dance is an up-and-coming troupe that uses a variety of hip-hop styles to tell stories about pressing issues including chemical dependency, discrimination and the challenges of relationships. This weekend's performance of "11:11" showcases this exciting collective of 17 dancers led by Herb Johnson and Ashley Selmer (whose recent collaborations include Prince's 3rd Eye Girl and the crew iLuminate from "America's Got Talent.")

7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., $15-$20, the Lab Theater, 700 N. 1st St., Mpls., 612-333-7977, www.thelabtheater.org.

The sixth annual Groundbreaker Battle returns downtown for a day of hip-hop celebration and hard-fought competitive break dancing with cash prizes for the best crews. Start the festivities off with a workshop on the fundamentals of breaking with B-girl Mona Lisa, learn how to beat box from Carnage the Executioner, catch music from Up Rock and Ill Chemistry, and cheer on the battles all afternoon, leading to the final throw-down starting at 7:15 p.m.

Noon-7:45 p.m. Sat. Free, Butler Square Parking Lot next to the Cowles Center, 5th St. and Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-206-3600 or www.thecowlescenter.org.