A new artists collective called Pilot has started up in town and they’ve not only got a clever Web site (I love the airplane that crashes and becomes a scribble), but they’ll be opening a gallery Uptown next Thursday, March 16, with a grand opening reception planned for April 8. The 12 artists include a few Rosalux members as well as others who have exhibited around these parts before, so although they call themselves “emerging” artists, their work is really quite polished and it all appears to complement one another well. Among the collective members is Jennifer Davis, whose work “Red Blooms” will be featured on the cover of the premier issue of MOQ (Minneapolis Observer Quarterly), watch this page for more on that little venture soon. The art space will be open Thursdays, 12-7, Friday-Sunday, 12-5, and by appointment. Pilot Arts, 3045 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis. www.pilotarts.com

Art Exhibitions & Openings

Did you know that Frank Stone Gallery has a new show and an opening reception every week? This week it features photographer Bill Kellet, silversmith Brittany Foster, and painter Patricia Schweitzer. Next week it’ll be iconic dollmaker Brenna Busse, with fabric artist Erika Mock, and photographer collaborators Bill Weaver & Marsha Studer. Open Thursday, 5-9 p.m., and Friday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m., with an opening party each Friday, 5-9 p.m. 1224 NE Second St., Minneapolis, 612/617-9965. www.frankstonegallery.com

Metropolitan State University in St. Paul will present their annual senior exhibition, Senior Salon 2006, with an opening reception next Thursday, March 16, 5-8 p.m. The show features works by nine graduating artists and writers, including paintings, photographs, poetry, and prose. Third Floor Gallery, Library and Learning Center, 645 E. Seventh St., St. Paul.

Theater

Did you hang on to your Fringe button from last summer’s festival? Bryant Lake Bowl is honoring them for a show happening now through March 26 that should make for an entertaining evening. We Are Ugly But We Have the Music explores love, loss and accidents -- they’re calling it a traveling love story. Featuring original music and new arrangements by Pablo. Created by the company, under the direction of Jon Ferguson (2005 City Pages Artist of the Year). Saturdays and Sundays through March 26, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6). $12-$15 (pay what you can); $10 with Fringe button. Bryant-Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, 612/825-8949. www.bryantlakebowl.com

Theatre Limina presents Baby with the Bathwater, a dark comedy by Christopher Durang in which parents John and Helen are too “polite” (or would that be prudish?) to determine their baby’s true sex and so raise the boy as a girl with the aid of a bipolar nanny. This absurdist satire explores the difficulty of parenthood and the dangers of being a child. Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m., March 16-18, & 23-25; Sunday, 2 p.m., March 19 & 26. $15 ($10 for seniors, students or groups of 10 or more); 612/822-4625. Minneapolis Theater Garage, 711 W. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis. www.theatrelimina.org

In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre is presenting Saturday Puppet Shows for Kids this month, at 10 a.m. and noon. This Saturday, March 11, it’s Punch & Judy in a brand new show by Fifth of November Puppeteers, which celebrates old English folk tales and promises a new twist on the Punch & Judy schtick. $1 for youth who live or go to school in Central, Phillips, Powderhorn or Whittier and their families, $3 donation for others. Seating is limited, arrive early. Avalon Theatre, 1500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, 612/721-2535. www.hobt.org

Heart of the Beast also continues their performances of Gotama: A Journey to the Buddha through March 26, relating the story of the boy who would become the Buddha, with fabulous music by Tim O’Keefe and Laura Harada. Recommended for ages 10 and up. The puppeteering is great, but the story is told in a somewhat impressionistic fashion and so would be best enjoyed if you have some familiarity with the story already; try The Prince Who Ran Away, a children’s picture book by Anne Rockwell, several copies are available at Minneapolis libraries. $15, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Avalon Theatre, 1500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, 612/721-2535. www.hobt.org

Community Events

The Center for Neighborhoods and League of Women Voters of Minneapolis presents a Neighborhood Leadership Breakfast, with guest speaker Mihailo Temali, executive director of Neighborhood Development Center/WIND, who will provide an update and preview of the new Midtown Global Market planned for the former Sears site. Free, space limited, call to reserve. Wednesday, March 15, 8:15-9:30 a.m. St. Martin’s Table, 2001 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis. Reservations: 612/339-3480, ext. 182. www.center4neighborhoods.org/

The Foundation for Immigrant Resources and Education (FIRE) along with Central Presbyterian Church are hosting a forum, Immigration Policy: Is There Another Way? to educate the public on policy recommendations and the economic, social, and cultural impact of immigration on the U.S. economy. Mayor Chris Coleman and Mexican Consul Nathan Wolf are scheduled to speak. There will be opportunities to sign up for organizations that serve immigrants and to learn more about ways to contact the state legislature. Translators will be available for members of the community with limited English. Tuesday, March 14, 7-9 p.m. Information: Heather Cox, 651/224-5334 or 651/224-4728 ext. 111.Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar St., St. Paul.

The Mill City Museum wants to tempt you with fresh-baked Irish treats Thursdays in March, 6-8 p.m. Staff members will prepare traditional Irish recipes in the museum’s Baking Lab, each week featuring a different recipe, copies of which (the recipes, that is) will be available to take home. 704 S. Second St., Minneapolis, 612/341-7555. www.millcitymuseum.org

Readings

Bart Schneider reads from Beautiful Inez, Monday, March 13, 7 p.m. Magers and Quinn Booksellers, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis. www.magersandquinn.com

Music

Friday Night Performance at Amazon Bookstore Cooperative this week features Jaspar Loes and Mother Banjo. Jaspar Loes is an up-and-coming local acoustic singer-songwriter who has released two albums, Songs for Charlie, and Billboard in This Faint Little Light. Mother Banjo is Ellen Stanley singing and playing banjo; fusing fresh folk-country covers with original tunes, a Mother Banjo show is a quirky mix of acoustic rock and haunting traditional sounds. Friday, March 10, 7 p.m. 4755 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/821-9630. www.amazonbookstorecoop.com

The Schubert Club Gamelan Ensemble & Sumunar Dance Ensemble, with special guest dancer Ngurah Kertayudha, present an evening of Indonesian Gamelan Music and Dance. Music will range from the dreamy and contemplative style of the classic repertoire to the lively rhythms of 21st-century pop. Friday, March 10, and Saturday, March 11, 8 p.m. $15/general, $10/students. 651/292-3268. Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul. www.ipaam.org

Debbie Duncan will join student musicians from Ramsey International Fine Arts Center in a benefit concert, All That Jazz, to raise funds for arts programs at the school. Sunday, March 12, 2:30-5:30 p.m. $30/adults, $15/ages 18 and under, includes show, light buffet and beverage, and raffle tickets; there will also be a silent auction for a gift basket. Tickets and information: 612/668-4061. Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. www.ramseyifac.com

Detail of a painting by Amy Rice, member of the new artists collective Pilot