Keeping Mom cool on Mother's Day

This Sunday, sons and daughters across the Twin Cities will be taking moms out for the ceremonial brunch.

How predictable.

Instead, why not put some excitement in her life? Moms want to feel like they are a part of their children's lives. You like crafted cocktails? Take your mom to your favorite bar. You like hip-hop, take her to a hip-hop show (one that won't scare the bejesus out of her).

This weekend holds a bevy of entertainment options. Pair any of them with a great cocktail/dinner destination and you've got a fun night on your hands. (Squeeze in brunch, too, if you must.)

Ringo: Moms love the West End (another Hot Mama location just opened there). Ringo is the new restaurant on the block, with an ambitious global menu concept and a fun cocktail menu (try the Cherry Blossom). (5331 W. 16th St., St. Louis Park. 952-303-5574. www.ringorestaurant.com.)

La Belle Vie lounge: Moms are easily impressed by fancy-schmancy cocktails. But if you can't afford to splurge in the dining room, head for the lounge, where Johnny Michaels' concoctions take center stage. (510 Groveland Av., Mpls. 612-874-6440. www.labellevie.us.)

D'Amico Kitchen: D'Amico's reimagining of the dining/drinking options at the arty Chambers hotel is worth your mom's attention. The Italian is good, the courtyard (dubbed "Eden") is even better. (901 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-767-6960. www.damico-kitchen.com.)

W.A. Frost: The St. Paul institution is always mother-approved. But how about taking her out onto the large, super-lush patio? If the weather's bad, the new downstairs lounge is just as cozy (374 Selby Av., St. Paul. 651-224-5715. www.wafrost.com.)

Kevin Kling's Mom-O-Rama: The playwright and author is joined by accordion player Simone Perrin at the Cedar Cultural Center for a night of humorous storytelling dedicated to moms everywhere. (7:30 p.m. Sun. 416 Cedar Av. S., Mpls. $18-$20. 612-338-2674. www.thecedar.org.)

Women Stand Up! A Comedy Cabaret: This woman-focused comedy series (held at Bryant-Lake Bowl) usually hosts stand-up comedians. This month it'll showcase the finalists of its first movie contest (10-minute shorts made by women). A celebrity panel (including Lizz Winstead) will judge the winners. (10 p.m. Sat. 810 W. Lake St., Mpls. $12-$15. 612-825-8949. www.bryantlakebowl.com.)

Cadence Hip-hop Series: Your mom may be familiar with the Guthrie, but she probably hasn't seen it like this before. Set in the Dowling Studio, this hip-hop show is headlined by rapper/singer Dessa, who might be rap music's best ambassador to mothers worldwide: radiant voice, thoughtful lyrics. Soulful rocker Matthew Santos opens. (7:30 p.m. Fri. 818 S. 2nd St., Mpls. $17. 612-377-2224. www.guthrietheater.org.)

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?": You'll hug your mom even tighter after watching the lauded staging of Edward Albee's ferocious classic at the Jungle Theater. (Tue.-Sun, ends May 30. 2951 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. $20-$35. 612-822-7063. www.jungletheater.com.)

thorgen@startribune.com • 612-673-7909

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