A brand new burlesque academy ushers in its grand opening with a weekend of festivities. Founded by Gina Louise and Ophelia Flame of Lili's Burlesque Revue, the academy aims to teach burlesque and cabaret dance techniques, from the art of tassel twirling to pole-dancing tricks. On Friday, St. Louis troupe Gravity Plays Favorites teaches a prop and pole workshop, and New York City performer Miss Astrid instructs on acting and character development on Sunday. Don't miss Saturday's Burlesque Extravaganza, hosted by Miss Astrid and starring local burlesque luminaries Gina, Ophelia, Musette, Foxy Tann and Coco Dupree as well as Gravity Plays Favorites.

Two alleycat-style bike rides roll through Minneapolis this weekend, starting with the fifth annual Babes in Bikeland, geared toward women and transgender cyclists. Prizes (including custom framesets) will be given for the top racers, plus there will be a raffle and free New Belgium beer for racers. (6-10 p.m. Sat. $5. Race begins at the Soap Factory, 518 SE. 2nd St., Mpls. Pre-register at www.babesinbikeland.com or at 4 p.m. Saturday.) Postponed from July due to the state government shutdown, New Belgium's Urban Assault Ride sends teams of two cyclists on a citywide quest for checkpoints, where they'll perform various wacky challenges. Raffle prizes include a limited-edition bike. (Ride at 9 a.m. Sun. $40-$65. Registration 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. at Sneaky Pete's. Start and finish at Peace Coffee, 2801 21st Av. S., Mpls., www.urbanassaultride.com.)