Onstage spotlight: West African Dance, "The Thugs"

Opening: Francis Kofi started drumming and dancing at an early age under the guidance of his grandfather, and by 15 he was performing and touring. Before arriving in Minnesota, Kofi was a member of the Ghana Dance Ensemble, and now he's sharing his expertise with local artists and audiences. This weekend Kofi's Hayor Bibimma African Dance Company will present "Anyedo Hwendo (Rainbow Spirit)," a dance drama that draws upon traditional West African ceremonies and folklore. (7:30 p.m. today-Sun., plus 1:30 p.m. Sat. & 3:30 p.m. Sun. $12 ($10 advance/ $5 children under 5). Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway, Mpls. 763-208-6143, hayorbibimmadance.org or thecapritheater.org.)

CAROLINE PALMER

'THE THUGS'

Opening: Canadian playwright Adam Bock won an Obie for this play that makes most office politics seem tame by comparison. Scary rumors circulate as some temp workers seem to discover mysterious things happening in a big downtown law firm. Did someone die on one floor? Was it murder? Did anything happen at all? Some frightful shadows hang over "The Thugs," one of a couple of plays that Bock has set in dysfunctional workplaces (the other is "The Receptionist"). Steve Busa directs this one-act that features actors Jairus Abts and Leif Jurgensen. (8 p.m. today-Sat., 7 p.m. Mon., 8 p.m. Thu., Red Eye Theater, 15 W. 14th St., Mpls. 612-870-0309 or www.redeyetheater.org.)

ROHAN PRESTON

EURO-AMERICAN DANCE

Opening: Artists from Germany, Hungary, Russia and Minnesota share the stage in the Mississippi/Volga Dance Festival. Performances include U.S. premieres from choreographer Ferenc Feher (featuring local dancer Erin Thompson) and musician Dimitry Cheglakov (who will also join Jelloslave's Michelle Kinney and Jacqueline Ultan for a new work composed by Mary Ellen Childs). Rounding out the show are new dances from Judith Howard, Thompson and Laurie Van Wieren, plus experiments using light and movement by Till Poehlmann with Buckets and Tap Shoes. (8 p.m. today-Sat. $15. Open Eye Figure Theater, 508 E. 24th St., Mpls. 612-816-5472. www.linkvostok.org.)

CAROLINE PALMER