Art Hounds: 'The Debutante's Ball'

This week Art Hounds take in "The Debutante's Ball," an evening of short performances at Bedlam Lowertown and paintings by Roger Nelson.

Dylan Fresco doesn't like to use the word adorable, but when it comes to "The Debutante's Ball," he says it's the most heart-warming show he's seen in a long time. Written by local playwright Eric "Pogi" Sumangil, the show focuses on a local rite of passage for teenagers in the Filipino community. "The Debutante's Ball" runs through April 12 at the History Theatre in St. Paul.

Katherine Werner is excited to see "Short Town Showoff" at Bedlam Lowertown this weekend. Each month Bedlam hosts an "idea-thon" and anyone can come to pitch their idea for a show. "Short Town Showoff" is an evening of short performances that have emerged from those idea-thons, and features a little bit of everything. Performances run through Sunday.

Painter Bob Mattson has great professional respect for the work of New Yorker Roger Nelson. Nelson has a show of paintings up at Ridgewater College in Willmar that are all inspired by places within a short walk of his home. Mattson loves how the paintings' simplicity, and the deep attention to detail. The show is up through April 17.