OUT THERE 25 - KICKOFF CELEBRATION

Thursday: Walker Art Center's groundbreaking Out There series turns 25 this week. From its beginnings at the Southern Theater to the monthlong festival it is today, Out There has delighted, stirred and outraged audiences with works variously interpreted as astonishingly original, wonderfully weird or utterly unembraceable. This year's series begins with a free preview fête, followed by a piece from Texas troupe Rude Mechs, which will infuse the concept of method acting with some real physical risk. There will also be swinging pendulums and talking tigers, of course. (6:30-7:45 p.m. Thu., free anniversary celebration; 8 p.m., "The Method Gun," by Rude Mechs. $18. Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-375-7600 or walkerart.org.)