Twin Cities Tap Festival
Thursday-Sunday: The Twin Cities Tap Festival descends on the West Bank with workshops, performances and social activities. Headed up by artistic director Kaleena Miller, a founding member of Rhythmic Circus, the festival brings in tap artists from all over the country to teach and perform over four days, with classes at Southern Theater and the Courtyard Marriott, performances at the Southern and a special "Cutting Board" tap jam at Republic 7 Corners Sunday from 5-7 p.m. Things get started Thursday night with a student showcase, but what you'll most want to see is the Master Showcase Friday and Saturday. Out-of-town artists Sam Weber, Lisa LaTouche and Nico Rubio will perform alongside local rhythm dancers from Flying Foot Forum, Keane Sense of Rhythm and Elite Tap Feet, as well as Miller herself. (7 p.m. Fri & Sat., Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Av. S., Mpls., $30, or $40 bundle with student showcase on Thu., 612-340-0155, twincitiestap.com.)
'YES, SIR'
Friday: If you missed the phenomenal pairing of choreographer Nic Lincoln and singer Venus de Mars this summer at the Southern, you get a second chance to see the magic this weekend. In "Yes, Sir," Lincoln teams with De Mars and a host of other artists including choreographers Patrick Corbin, Carl Flink, Larry Keigwin, James Sewell and Chris Yon as well as composer Jocelyn Hagen for an evening to raise funds for Minnesota AIDS Project. Having recently left James Sewell Ballet, where he was a member of the company for 10 years, Lincoln is heading off in new directions. Here's a chance to not only see him dance solos, but share his own choreography as well. (8 p.m. Fri, O'Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul, $20-$30, 651-690-6700, oshag.stkate.edu.)
SHEILA REGAN
