Ragamala Dance Company kicks off its 25th season by honoring the woman who taught them everything they know. When Ragamala artistic director Aparna Ramaswamy was just 8 years old, she was selected by guru Alarmél Valli for training in Bharatanatyam, an ancient form of classical Indian dance. Aparna's mother and Ragamala co-artistic director Ranee Ramaswamy also studied under Valli. For more than 30 years, the Ramaswamy family — including now Aparna's sister, Ashwini — have traveled regularly to work with Valli in India. Now the Ramaswamys have brought their teacher to Minneapolis for a rare U.S. performance by the Bharatanatyam master. (7 p.m. Thu., 7:30 p.m. Sat., Cowles Center, Mpls., $15-$29, 612-206-3636 or thecowlescenter.org.)

Sheila Regan