'Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse': The hooves of majestic stallions will thunder under the big top in this fairy-tale-like blend of equestrian and performing arts, created by a founder of Cirque du Soleil. The relationship between a person and a horse will be expressed through riding feats, aerial stunts, acrobatics, dance and multimedia effects. -Melissa Walker

John Oliver: "The Daily Show's" favorite British correspondent is leaving Jon Stewart behind for a bit as he takes his hilarious shtick to the stand-up circuit. Oliver, who seems to overly commit to any political position (no matter its ludicrousness), should be a joy to watch, even if he's not interviewing Tea Partiers. (Sept. 24 • Pantages Theatre • $35) --Tom Horgen

'Burial at Thebes': Marcela Lorca, whose work is best defined by its stage flow and movement, will direct Seamus Heaney's adaptation of Sophocles' "Antigone" on the Guthrie proscenium stage. In Heaney's poetic adaptation, the elemental conflict is between individual humanity and the unyielding dictates of state power. -Graydon Royce

The Rapture: You don't need to protest the Iraq war or avoid seeing "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle"; it's not 2003. But the Rapture -- a prominent player in the early '00s dance-punk invasion -- is in town, so some nostalgia is warranted. Their strong comeback album, "In the Grace of Your Love," reaffirms the Rapture as a headier, more accomplished beast than most of the groove-based indie bands they inspired. -Jay Boller

St. Vincent: Dallas-bred singer/guitarist Annie Clark has grown from an interesting, Bowie-loving studio experimenter into a riveting, wow-inducing live act. It sounds as if she hasn't tamed her wild sound for "Strange Mercy," out Tuesday. -Chris Riemenschneider

The Haunted Basement: More than 10,000 people braved the dark, smelly, diabolical depths of the Soap Factory's Haunted Basement last October. Now in its fifth year, this adult haunted house is still the scariest around. The torture rooms, endless mazes and dimly lit corridors are designed by a group of artists. Appreciate their work while they scare the bejeezus out of you. -Tom Horgen

WAMdemonium: After being closed for nearly a year, the Weisman will reopen with four new galleries and a special studio for artistic collaborations. Designed by the museum's original architect, Frank Gehry, the additional 8,100 square feet of space will allow the Weisman to show more of its 20,000-piece collection. For this "reopening day" celebration, New York sculptor Sharon Louden and Korea's Eun-Kyung Suh are organizing new installations responding to Gehry's iconic building. -Mary Abbe

MNfashion Week: MNfashion Week is downsizing this fall, a move toward the industry standard of showing collections a season ahead. But the events confirmed so far show quality over quantity. Blacklist Vintage's owners will curate a retro-styled, in-store runway show that cleverly echoes fall runway trends. Plus-size boutique Bombshell will host a Fall Fashion Luncheon and debut the store's new Italian line, Elena Miro. Parc Boutique will host an in-store runway show and a trunk show from accessories designer Karen Cayetano. (Oct. 2-9 • www.mnfashion.org) -Jahna Peloquin

Jim Gaffigan: Nobody does whispering internal monologuing better than Gaffigan. The comedian's self-effacing comments about his pale skin and his love/hate relationship with Hot Pockets never gets old. Rightfully so, his awkwardness has attracted a large and devout following. -Tom Horgen

Zombie Pub Crawl VII: Are zombies still kitsch? Do young people still love to get hammered? All right then, the seventh annual installment of the Zombie Pub Crawl should be a smash. It's exactly like it sounds: a massive horde of costumed hipsters going bar to bar to catch local bands; epic amounts of fake blood and real cocktails are consumed. This year marks the first time St. Paul gets in on the flesh-eating. Organizers are aiming for a block party at Mears Park to win the Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of Zombies. ( Oct. 8 • West Bank, Mpls & Lowertown, St. Paul • $6.66-$20 • zombiepubcrawl.com) -Jay Boller

Odd Future: After stirring up controversy all summer, this young and brash L.A. hip-hop crew cemented its stardom at last week's Video Music Awards, where lead rapper/producer Tyler the Creator was voted best new artist. The group's violent, sexist, homophobic music has sent many a hip-hop hater (and plenty of devotees) into convulsions -- no matter how cheeky those sharp tongues are really trying to be. For better or worse, it's the most noteworthy new act coming to town. -Chris Riemenschneider

'La Cage aux Folles': This flashy, glammy show won the 1983 Tony for best musical. On this national touring production, George Hamilton stars as Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in Saint-Tropez. His romantic partner and the nightclub's main attraction is Albin, played by St. Paul native Christopher Sieber, who made his name with "Spamalot" and "Shrek the Musical" on Broadway. -Graydon Royce

'Edo Pop: The Graphic Impact of Japanese Prints': "Edo Pop" will feature more than 160 colorful ukiyo-e -- woodblock prints from the Edo era (1615-1868), many of which depict brightly costumed Kabuki actors, fashionable courtesans, country travelers and urbanites relaxing in elegantly decorated pavilions. Contemporary prints and videos carry ukiyo-e into the present with references to hip-hop, graffiti tagging and cartoons. (Oct. 30-Jan. 8 • Minneapolis Institute of Arts • $8) -Mary Abbe

Acme Comedy Co. 20th anniversary: Minneapolis' oldest comedy club simply needs to be commended for lasting this long in the cutthroat comedy business. To celebrate 20 years, owner Louis Lee is having 36 of his favorite comedians (including Jake Johannsen, Mary Mack, Ryan Stout and Tim Slagle) perform over five days. (Nov. 1-5 • Acme Comedy Co. • $15-$20) -Tom Horgen

Dawes & Blitzen Trapper: Two of the most heavily rotated Americana/twang-rock bands on the Current, they couldn't resist returning to First Ave on a fall co-headlining tour. Dawes' second album from June adds to its soulful Californian canon, and Blitzen's fuzzed-up fourth disc for Sub Pop has a good buzz going into its release Tuesday. -Chris Riemenschneider

Merce Cunningham Dance Company: The late choreographer's legacy will be recognized in several ways, including his company's interpretation of major works from his vast repertory. The performances will be historic -- they are among the last before the company disbands in December. The celebration includes exhibitions of the Walker's newly acquired costumes, set pieces and painted drops from MCDC plus related events featuring Cédric Andrieux and Valda Setterfield. -Caroline Palmer

ARENA Dances: Mathew Janczewski delves into the bullfighter's mind with the world premiere of "Matador." The artistry of the ring will be explored as well as its crueler and more dangerous traditions. Other highlights include the revival of "Kept," one of Janczewski's first solos (performed in 40-foot-long shirtsleeves) and the trio "Give/Get/Take" from guest choreographer Robin Stiehm. -Caroline Palmer

123Klan: Montréal-based crew 123Klan is bringing its brand of graffiti, graphic design and technology to Minneapolis. The group, founded in 1992, all but revolutionized the modern-day design studio, merging graphic design and street art and the digital era. In addition to design and branding work, the exhibition will include a large-scale, site-specific mural. (Opens Nov. 19 • CO Exhibitions • free) -Jahna Peloquin

Foster the People: No band in recent memory has blazed the journey from blog buzz to Top 40 airplay faster than Foster the People. The L.A. trio's hit single "Pumped Up Kicks" has reached an apex of ubiquity. They're stylish and handsome, their sound hints at former indie crossovers like MGMT and Peter Bjorn and John. Are they capitalist saboteurs, peddling callous ear candy through an indie lens? Hard to say. One thing is clear: "Torches," their major-label debut, reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200 -- not an easy task. -Jay Boller