1/15-1/17: Music, Comedy and Acrobats

GLITTER:  We start our Musical Mystery Tour at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, where Mariah Carey is taking the stage this weekend.  Mariah is back on top of the entertainment world, what with her critically acclaimed role in the critically acclaimed film "Precious," a hit record in "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," and even her one iPhone app called "Mariah Carey-oke."  Mariah has two shows at MGM's Performance theater, Friday and Saturday nights.  Tickets are $95 and $150.  Both shows are at 8pm.

MR. MARIAH:  While Mariah is playing this weekend, her husband, Nick Cannon (also known as the host of America's Got Talent) is also in town.  Cannon will stop at the Shrine Nightclub at MGM Grand at Foxwoods for a show Friday night.  Tickets for the show are $20.  10pm.

IN THE FLATS:  Country superstars Rascal Flatts can only be described as one thing, unstoppable.  Though that may be simply because that's the name of their latest album (their sixth).  The multi-platinum selling Ohio trio is taking over Mohegan Sun this weekend.  The band has shows Friday and Saturday nights.  And they're joined by a man who's no stranger to the spotlight.  Former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman turned award-winning country singer Darius Rucker is also on the bill.  Tickets for the shows are $85 and $115.  Both shows are at 8pm.

PREHISTORIC INDIE:  Remember that song "Feel the Pain?"  The band behind the '90s hit, Dinosaur Jr. is making a stop in Connecticut Friday night.  The band is taking the stage at the Daniel Street Club in Milford.  Dinosaur Jr.  formed all the way back in the '80s became an influential indie act and found some commercial success in the '90s  before disbanding in 1997.  The boys got back together 2005 and are touring in support of their latest effort "Farm."  Taking the stage tonight with Dinosaur Jr. is Kurt Vile & the Violators.  Tickets are $20.  9pm.

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM:  The Cirqueus is coming to Waterbury this weekend.  Cirque Dreams Illumination is playing at the Palace Theater Friday and Saturday.  The show offers an international cast of world-class acrobats, athletes and musicians who reinvent everyday objects, dangle from wires, redefine the risk of flight and in general transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.  This one's fun for the whole family.  Tickets are $49-$59.  Friday night's show is at 8pm, and there are two shows Saturday, one at 2pm and the other at 8pm.

REINVENTING THE CLASSICS:  We all know the story of Cinderella, but you've never seen it (or heard it) quite like this.  "Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans: A Salsa Fairy Tale" is playing this weekend at the Hartford Children's Theatre.  The show tells the story of Cinderella, an exchange student from Puerto Rico.  Our heroine comes to the U.S. to visit her "stepsister" Rosa, and the two have to work together to cross language barriers and cultural differences to come to an understanding.  The show features a fairy godfather and other twists to the classic fairy tale.  Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for kids.  The show runs through January 31.  Click here for show times and more info.

MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY:  It's a weekend filled with laughs in Torrington at the Warner Theatre.  We begin Saturday night with Lisa Lampanelli, Comedy's Lovable Queen of Mean herself.  Lampanelli has been described as a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker and a vial of estrogen (wow).  She says just about anything she wants and gets away with it (which may be why she's a fixture at Comedy Central's Roasts).  Tickets are $35.75  8pm.

Then there's the Young Actor's Series Night of Comedy at the Warner, which is actually two nights (go figure).  Treat yourself to a night of belly laughs with some of the funniest scenes from some of the funnies plays.  The show stars students of the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education’s Performance Lab.  There are shows Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre.  Tickets are just $12.50.

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