CRITICS’ PICKS

MUSICAL

What: Hedwig and the Angry Inch Where: Metro Studio, 1411 Quadra St. When: Opens 8 p.m. tonight, continues to June 18 Tickets: $32 at ticketrocket.co or at 101-804 Broughton St. Why: Musicals and rock ‘n’ roll are uneasy bedfellows. The sugar-coated glossiness of the American musical tends to undermine the gritty abandon that defines the best rock music. One that bucks the trend is Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This 1998 show about a gender-fluid singer named Hedwig is replete with sardonic, hard-driving rock songs recalling such acts as David Bowie, Mott the Hoople and Iggy Pop. This production comes from Atomic Vaudeville, renowned for its successful musical Ride the Cyclone. — Adrian Chamberlain

AFRICAN ACROBATS

What: Kalabante Where: McPherson Playhouse When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $34, 250-386-6121 Why: As a youngster living in Guinea, West Africa, Yamoussa Bangoura used to practise his acrobatic routines on the beach. Today he performs in his 11-member acrobatic troupe Kalabante, making its Victoria debut on Saturday. Expect authentic West African music, costumes and jaw-dropping contortions from this Montrealbased company. The show is opened by the Victoria Percussion Orchestra. — AC

MUSIC

What: Hollerado with Little Junior and Everett Bird Where: Sugar nightclub, 858 Yates St. When: Friday, 8 p.m. Tickets: $22.50 at Lyle’s Place and Ticketfly.com Why: Three-time Juno Award nominees Hollerado are a decade into their career, without an end in sight. The group, which is known for its scrappy indie rock and hummable choruses, is touring to support Born Yesterday, its third studio album and first since an exhaustive 111-song project that was aimed directly at individual fans. With a track record in Victoria that includes several still-talked-about performances, fans should expect an evening of entertainment that puts an emphasis on fun. — Mike Devlin