THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Twin Cities Horror Festival

How do you like your horror served? This 10-day festival has ghost stories, bloody Grand Guignol splatters, a live musical performance accompanying "Night of the Living Dead," a one-woman musical and a dance piece. Five shows, each an hour long, will alternate during the festival, which started with the comedy troupe Four Humors looking for a place to stage its piece "Harold," about two brothers who build a scarecrow just for fun! Once the Humors secured the Southern Theater, they invited other performers to join in. After all, it's scary to sit alone in the dark. (7 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 3:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. $13-$15 per show; $70 for unlimited pass. Ends Nov. 3. Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Av. S., Mpls. www.southerntheater. org.) GRAYDON ROYCE

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

James Sewell Ballet

The Twin Cities troupe celebrates ghoulies and ghosties with its two-weekend "Dance Macabre." The Halloween-esque program features the premiere of "Takes on Poe," inspired by the works of the delightfully dark-hearted classic author Edgar Allan Poe. The zany 2011 zombie mash "Grave Matters" returns from the dead (um, kinda) in search of more brains. And choreographer Sewell unearths his version of the graveyard set in "Giselle Pas de Deux." Perhaps this show will inspire the spirits who dwell in the Cowles Center to come out and boogie? (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Family-oriented show 11 a.m. Sat. $10-$36. Ends Nov. 4. Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-206-3600 or www.jsballet.org.) CAROLINE PALMER

SUNDAY

'Moonwalker: A Reflection of Michael'

When Michael Jackson left the building for the last time, he left a legacy that included one of the best stage shows of all time. Based on "Michael Jackson in Concert," which was developed shortly before the pop star died in 2009, this touring production features live vocals, full-scale dance numbers, multiple costume changes and a full setlist of his greatest hits -- sung by Jackson impersonator Michael Firestone, who apparently is an, er, dead ringer for the King of Pop and has the moonwalking, crotch-grabbing moves down cold. It's not the real deal, but it's the next best thing. (3 p.m. Sun. $51-$71. Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Av. S., Burnsville. 952-895-4685 or www.moonwalkershow.net.) JAHNA PELOQUIN