Nightlife notebook: Real fireworks

Bedlam, you had me at "fire whips." The offbeat West Bank theater is back again with its annual hot-hot-hot fire show. The mythic-themed production changes every year but it always showcases a bevy of flaming devices, including whips, wings, costumes and entire set pieces set ablaze. This time it's called "Persephone: Reign of Fire." Director Rah Kojis and her Infiammati Fire Circus have dreamed up a plot that is being described as "an innocent maiden's journey to the underworld, her rise to power as queen and her incandescent return to the living as harbinger of spring." Uh-huh. Most people will be coming for the fire -- and don't worry, there will be plenty. The spectacle (in Bedlam's parking lot) also will feature dance, stilting, puppetry and a musical score by Naomi Joy and Asylum Soundsystem. Sounds like a burning good time.

9 p.m. Fri.-Sun. and June 10-13. 1501 S. 6th St., Mpls. Adults: $15 advance/$18 door. Children: $7.50/$9. 612-341-1038. www.bedlamtheatre.org.

Chappelle's buddy at the MOA For fans of Comedy Central's "Chappelle's Show," Donnell Rawlings should be no stranger. The comedian was a regular Dave Chappelle collaborator on the show, most notably as "Ashy Larry," the downtrodden alleyway dice player. Rawlings brings his stand-up act to the Mall of America's House of Comedy Fri.-Sun.

8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. Sun. Fourth floor, Mall of America, Bloomington. $25.95. 952-858-8558. www.houseofcomedy.net.

Experience another side of downtown Maybe they're feeling left out of all that Twins synergy down on 1st Avenue? Whatever the reason, the restaurants and bars along S. 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis have banded together to better promote themselves. On Wednesday, the so-called 9th Street Experience hosts a "neighborhood open house" and free scavenger hunt. The hunt, 5 to 7 p.m., begins at the Campbell Mithun Atrium (9th St. and 3rd Av. S.), where scavengers will be given maps of the participating restaurants (Hell's Kitchen, Manny's, D'Amico Kitchen, Palomino and others). Raffle tickets will be awarded along the way for prizes that include a $500 J.B. Hudson gift card and a free night at the W Minneapolis-Foshay. An after-party follows on Solera's rooftop. More info on Facebook (search: "9th Street Experience").

TOM HORGEN