Theater
Fur-tastic fun
David Ives' Tony-nominated comedy "Venus in Fur" is described as "a study of sex and power" and promises to be a show you'll be talking about long after you've left the theater. An actress auditioning to perform the part of a dominatrix in a new play is more ready for the role than the playwright expects. Think "50 Shades of Grey" except funny and entertaining. One of the most-produced new plays in the Lower 48 last year, it opens for a limited run at Cyrano's, 413 D St. with shows at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sundays through June 13. There will also be two additional Sunday evening shows at 7 p.m. on May 31 and June 7. The redoubtable Aaron Wiseman and Colby Bleicher star; Krista Schwarting directs. Ticket are available at centertix.net, but if you want to take a chance, there's some kind of "roll-of-the-dice" ticket price you can try at the ticket counter at the playhouse.
Music
Winning winds
Straight from his electrifying performance at the Anchorage Concert Chorus Winners Recital on May 16, oboist Remy Libbrecht will share the stage in a program of mostly wind music at Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 N St., at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 31. The young Anchorage musicians joining him include Anchorage Youth Symphony Concerto Competition winner Naomi Endres, Isabelle Libbrecht, Dane Breitung and Sterling Gingrich. The program runs from Bach to Led Zeppelin. Juliana Osinchuk and Marcia Stratman will assist with accompaniments. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to defray cost and keep Anchorage Lutheran's fine series of community concerts going.
Lecture
Baltic news
Žygimantas Pavilionis, ambassador to the U.S. and Mexico, will speak at the Alaska World Affairs Council meeting at noon Tuesday, June 2, at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel. Pavilionis will speak on how the small Baltic country has become a rising financial power in the past few years, with business-friendly taxes, a fast-growing Internet network, strong culture of entrepreneurship and an educated workforce, most of which speaks English, by the way. Lithuania has been a model for creating high-paying jobs and attracting foreign investment, both in Europe and the world. Alaska just might have something to learn. More information at alaskaworldaffairs.org or by calling 276-8038.
Cycling through the century
The Anchorage Museum wants you to join it for a spin. The museum is leading a bicycle tour of Anchorage looking at historical places from Dena'ina cultural sites to the Ship Creek tent city location, old Anchorage homes, decommissioned military facilities and more. The tour starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30. Registration is $10 at the museum's online calendar or box office, tickets.anchoragemuseum.org.