Ride the Cyclone runs April 12-21 at UWS Manion Theatre.

Ethel Ray Nance Commemoration
April 11-14
Multiple locations
Second annual event honoring the Duluth-born civil rights activist (1899-1992) who became the first African-American secretary in the Minnesota State Legislature, one of Minneapolis’ first African-American policewomen and more. Mayor’s Proclamation at City Hall Friday, book launch Saturday at the Nordic Center, reception and dinner at the Holiday Center Saturday evening.

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
April 12-20
UMD Marshall Performing Arts
Twelve-time Tony-nominated electropop opera based on Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” Natasha, a beautiful (and betrothed) ingénue visiting Moscow, is seduced by the dashing (and married) Anatole. Her only hope lies with Pierre, the lonely outsider who may be the key to everyone’s redemption.

Ride the Cyclone
April 12-21
UWS Manion Theatre
Rock musical about six members of the St. Cassian High School chamber choir of Uranium City, Saskatchewan who die in a freak roller coaster accident. (Is this “Final Destination 3: The Musical”?) Each student tells a story to a mechanical fortune teller for the chance to return to life.

Decision Height
April 12-21
Fitger’s Spirit of the North Theater
Story about friendship and the complex though essential role of women in wartime. With a cast of nine vibrant female characters, Decision Height offers a look into an under-recognized subset of American heroes.

The Greater Cumberland County Cooking Show
Saturday, April 13, 2:30 p.m.
Duluth Public Library Green Room
Moorhead filmmaker Janet Brandau wrote, produced and directed this movie funded by the state arts board and now touring around the state. It’s a comic look at rural Minnesota living and community ties in 1972, about locals who produce their local cable access TV show.

John Blatnik & Swante Norlund: Behind Enemy Lines in WWII
Tuesday, April 16, 6 p.m.
Duluth Public Library Green Room
Not only was John Blatnik a congressman with a bridge named after him, he was in the OSS and worked behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia.  He rescued many downed airmen, but this lecture is about one specific rescue, that of a B-24 gunner from Duluth named Swante Norlund.

Albert Cummings
Thursday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.
The West Theatre
Originally discovered and produced by the members of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble, Cummings’ energetic live shows are proof that he is one tough act to follow, and he has shared the bill with BB King, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Sheryl Crow and Susan Tedeschi.