'FIERCE/FEMININE: DANCE BY WOMEN CHOREOGRAPHERS'

Thursday-next Sunday: Minnesota Dance Theatre promises an evening of new and repertory works that challenge the imagination. The program features the world premiere of "Sonata No. 5 in D Major" by buzz-worthy New York-based choreographer Emery LeCrone. Her work will feature guest dancer Kaitlyn Gilliland, formerly with American Ballet Theatre. Also on tap is the lively trio "Kaitlyn, Katie and Sam," from Joanie Smith of Shapiro & Smith Dance, plus a work by the late MDT founder Loyce Houlton, "Knoxville, Summer of 1915," featuring live music by soprano Jennifer Baldwin Peden and pianist Barbara Brooks. (8 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 2 p.m. next Sun. $20-$32. Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-206-3600 or www.thecowlescenter.org.)