Carnival China Style

STAGE / CARNIVAL CHINA STYLE

Jan. 10: China is sending 60 of its top performing groups on a 10-city tour of North America to promote the history and breadth of Chinese culture. They'll be performing in a variety show format in Minneapolis. In addition to showcasing some of the best Chinese traditional musicians and dancers, there will be segments featuring Wang Feng, a popular rock star in China; two modern contortion artists; a Tibetan singing group called Snow Lotus; and even the woman who held the Guinness World Record for twirling the most hula hoops at once — 105. 7 p.m.; Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $35-$15; 800-982-2787 or caam.org or hennepintheatretrust.org.

SCIENCE / PHYSICS FORCE

Jan. 10: Physics Force, a team of six science instructors at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, makes physics fun in a public performance blending slapstick and daring demonstrations, including a team member dropping 20 feet in a harness while another shoots a soft cannon ball at him to show the effect of gravity on projectiles. 2 p.m.; Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. S.E., Mpls; free; www.physics.umn.edu.

DANCE / LUNCHTIME BALLET

Jan.

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12: The Landmark Center is launching a new series of free lunchtime ballet performances on the second Tuesday of each month. Dancers with Saint Paul City Ballet will perform previews and works in progress every month through April, to resume again in the fall. The kick-off program this week features children from Washington Technology Magnet, a school in the North End neighborhood of St. Paul, who have been studying ballet after school with Saint Paul City Ballet outreach director Bridget Higgins. Noon; Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul; free; 651-292-3225 or landmarkcenter.org.

EXHIBIT / DINOSAURS: LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

Through May 2010: Staff at the Minnesota Children's Museum used up-to-date research to design an interactive exhibit where kids can explore two distinct climates — the land of fire and the land of ice. Kids can walk through a bog, meet the animatronic T-Rex, climb icy steps and pretend to be a paleontologist by uncovering fossils with brushes. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; $7.95; 651-225-6000 or mcm.org.

HISTORY EXHIBIT / MINNESOTA'S GREATEST GENERATION

Ongoing: The Minnesota History Center exhibit uses recorded interviews, photographs, film footage and hundreds of artifacts to document the experiences of an entire generation, from childhood in the 1920s through World War II and into the present. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17, free for children age 5 and younger. 651-259-3000 or www.mnhs.org.

FILM / FREE FAMILY FLICKS

Ongoing: The Theatres at Mall of America shows free family flicks every Saturday at 10 a.m. Arrive early to get a seat. See theatresmoa.com to find out what's showing.

NATURE / BIRDING

Ongoing: See songbirds up close and watch experts band birds as part of an ongoing effort to help scientists learn more about bird migrations and habits. All ages welcome. Carpenter Nature Center has been capturing, banding and releasing birds for 26 years. 9 a.m.-noon every fourth Friday of the month, Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings; free; please call ahead to let them know you're coming; 651-437-4359 or CarpenterNatureCenter.org.