Your weekend outlook: campy and sentimental

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Bradley Greenwald as the lady of the house in The Mystery of Irma Vep, opening this weekend at the Jungle Theater. Photo by Michal Daniel.

Looking for a bit of nostalgia? Or maybe just some ridiculous fun? We've got oodles of both this weekend.

Jungle Theater presents "The Mystery of Irma Vep," a send-up of Victorian melodrama featuring a werewolf, a vampire and an Egyptian princess, as well as the acting talents of local luminaries Steven Epp and Bradley Greenwald. Performances run through August 1.

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Ballet of the Dolls founder and choreographer Myron Johnson is a huge fan of John Waters, and it shows in his work. He describes his latest creation, "Dance of the Pink Flamingos" as "human nature at it's most perverted, danced out live on stage." You can enjoy the freak show this weekend and next at the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis.

You can check out the work of two local choreographers, Penelope Freen and Megan Mayer this weekend at the Southern Theater. Freeh is remounting her piece "We'll Survive if We Don't Protect Ourselves" which explores notions of safety and danger. Mayer's work "We Tried to Throw the Light" is inspired by The Lawrence Welk Show and '60s foreign films.

It's billed as the "first and only choreographers' evening dedicated to Hip Hop dance and its' roots in the Twin Cities." Patrick's Cabaret presents "Rooted: Hip Hop Choreographers Evening" curated by Maia Maiden and showcasing high school emerging and established choreographers. Shows are this Friday Saturday and Sunday.

Franconia Sculpture Park celebrates the summer solstice this coming Monday. Wander the park, enjoy dinner with resident artists and maybe even get your dancing shoes on. From 5pm to sunset, $10 donation for dinner.

Along the lines of sharing food with artists, Intermedia Arts is hosting its summer kickoff BBQ on Saturday, right in the middle of its art installation "We Work Here." This community project asks what does it take to make art work? How are artists and arts organizations re-imagining the creative economy? What ideas and projects does the community value, and what resources will it take to realize them?

Plan your driving wisely this weekend. The Minnesota State Fairgrounds is hosting the annual "Back to the 50s" car show, and approximately 11,000 street rods are going to be on display, and touring around the area. Add plenty of extra time to get from point A to point B, and enjoy the view.

The 2010 Twin Cities Jazz Festival livens up downtown St. Paul this weekend in Mears Park. Featured artists include Joe Lovano and US Five, John Scofield and Piety Street Band, John Ellis and Double-Wide, and trumpeter Sean Jones.

Of course this is just a fraction of what's out there on any given weekend. So what will you be doing?