TWERKING AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Opens Saturday: Thanksgiving is not even here yet but, like many a lip-smacking merchant, the Brave New Workshop is getting a jump on the holidays. Unlike most retailers, they're selling laughter with their holiday revue, "Twerking Around the Christmas Tree." Katy McEwen directs this comic take on the inevitable family gatherings. The show features BNW regulars Lauren Anderson, Bobby Gardner, Andy Hilbrands and Melanie Wehrmacher. (8 p.m. Sat., 7 & 10 p.m. Fri. Ends Jan. 31, Brave New Workshop, 824 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., $28-$36, 612-332-6620, or bravenewworkshop.com.)

ROHAN PRESTON

THREADS DANCE PROJECT

Opens Friday: Threads Dance Project artistic director Karen L. Charles delves into the bleak history of American slavery for her first evening-length work, "The Secrets of Slave Songs." Charles draws inspiration from old spirituals, and how they were used as tools of survival for slaves seeking their freedom, to drive her expressive contemporary choreography. The work also takes a close look at the abolition movement and lingering consequences of slavery in today's society. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., $25-$30, Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-206-3600 or www.thecowlescenter.org.)

CAROLINE PALMER

STEVE PAXTON

Opens Friday: During the 1960s and '70s, Steve Paxton developed contact improvisation, a dance form that relies on the balancing and support of bodies in motion. Over the next two weekends his contributions to the evolution of contemporary dance will be celebrated at Walker Art Center. Friday night Slovenian dancer Jurij Konjar will perform Paxton's 1982 solo "Bound," and then on Nov. 21-22 Paxton himself will take the stage with Lisa Nelson for their 2004 duet "Night Stand." Paxton, 75, doesn't perform that often these days, so this performance promises a rare treat. To learn more, sit in on the free conversation "Talking Dance" with Paxton at 7 p.m.on Nov. 13. ("Bound," 8 p.m. Fri.; "Night Stand," 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Nov. 21-22, $25. Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-375-7600, or www.walkerart.org.)

CAROLINE PALMER

Paxton

RIGHT HERE SHOWCASE

Opens Friday: A new arts festival is always welcome, especially one that features local talent, and this weekend Paul Herwig, co-artistic director of Off-Leash Area, is adding the Right Here Showcase to the mix. There is an eclectic array of contemporary dance, movement theater, butoh and puppetry. There will be two different performances per evening. The first weekend has a rotating schedule with Bart Buch, Gadu Fukasawa Schmitz and Deborah Jinza Thayer. The second weekend features Kym Longhi, Rosy Simas and Vanessa Voskuil. (7:30 & 9 p.m., Nov. 14-16 & 21-23, suggested donation, $10-$25, JSB TEK BOX, Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-724-7372 or www.rhs.eventbrite.com. For further information on the schedule, go to www.righthereshowcase.weebly.com.)

CAROLINE PALMER