Best bets

The Children's Theatre Co. of Minneapolis returns to the area this weekend with its one-man touring comedy, "Snowflake," starring actor-writer Gale LaJoye as a Red Skelton-like character.

The show played in Pequot Lakes a few weeks ago, but its curtain call at 2 p.m. Sunday in Staples Centennial Auditorium gives local fans another opportunity to catch it.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students at the gate.

Christian music

Joel Hanson of Baxter, former front man for contemporary Christian music sensation PFR, is proceeding with his solo career (using a backup band) with a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in Charles Martin Auditorium, Little Falls High School.

His sound will resemble PFR's -- after all, he was its principal songwriter and lead guitarist -- but expect lots of new tunes.

Tickets are $10, available at the gate, at area Christian bookstores or by calling 877-834-6999.

Eminem as movie star

Rapper Eminem takes a giant leap into the movie business with his first full-length feature, "8 Mile," which opens Friday across the country.

The film is billed as a semi-biographical about his early years in Detroit. Early reviews indicate a promising result, and the buzz has all but assured a box office hit.

But parents be warned: It's rated R "for strong language, sexuality, some violence and drug use." But Eminem fans may have to journey to theaters outside the immediate vicinity. It hasn't arrived at local screens, according to schedules published on the Internet.