Friday: This MPR performance series pairs humor with harmony, aiming for a different magical mix each time. "It's how some people look at dinner parties; we look at people we love and try to think about who would have fun together," says producer Larissa Anderson. The chemistry should be crackling tonight, when SNL alum Julia Sweeney and singer/songwriter Martha Wainwright take the stage. As a YouTube clip of Sweeney explaining sex to her 8-year-old proves, she's still got the funny, and beyond Wainwright's musical pedigree -- sister of Rufus, daughter of Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III -- she's quite the quipster herself (one album title: "I Know You're Married, But I've Got Feelings Too"). Expect poignant moments, as well, as both are known for exploring loss and family. (8 p.m. Fri., Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul, $32-$42, 651-290-1221, or ticketmaster.com.)

KRISTIN TILLOTSON

TU DANCE Friday-Sunday: Founded by the dynamic duo of Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, this Twin Cities troupe regularly presents artistically innovative and technically skilled contemporary dance. This weekend marks the world premiere of Sands' "Feather and Bone," a meditation on the theme of companionship inspired by the work of Canadian photographer Gregory Colbert. The program also includes New York choreographer Camille Brown's fresh "Strum" (2012) -- one of the more impressive guest artist debuts this year -- plus Sands' cheeky-smart exploration of faith and followers, "Amusement of the Gods" and the Sage Award-winning "Earth." (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 S. Randolph Av., St. Paul, $18-$31, 651-690-6700, www. oshaughnessy.stkate.edu.)

CAROLINE PALMER