Leslie Ball is presenting lots of "Balls" this weekend at the Southern Theater. / Ochen Kaylan
Balls, the long-running cabaret founded by performer Leslie Ball, is celebrating a birthday this weekend and shaking things up.
Usually performed at midnight, Balls will shift to a more reasonable time for people who enjoy sleeping, 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday at the Southern Theater, for "Prime Time Balls." The time change is a way to invite more people in to enjoy Balls, which has been happening every week since 1991 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Southern (initially, Ball presented the show at the original Jungle Theater). Ball is donating proceeds from the $35 tickets to the theater.
Another change: Usually, the line-up is top-secret until the last minute but this week's acts have been posted at the Southern site. Thursday highlights include singer/actors Aimee K. Bryant and Thomasina Petrus, "Mystery Science Theater"'s Mary Jo Pehl and Ari Hoptman, who'll perform all three nights. Friday's lineup includes comedic musician Dean Johnson, journalist Neal Karlen, poet Thadra Sheridan and singer/actor Norah Long. Saturday's acts include juggler Benjamin Domask, musicians Pablo and Rhoda Reighard and choreographer Kaleena Miller.
Fans of Balls know to expect the unexpected. This week's acts are a bit starrier than usual but, as Ball put it last year, "You might see something offensive and artless, but two minutes later there's something that takes your breath away."
Saturday's show will be followed by a 10:30 reception and then, at midnight, back to business as usual with another late-night chapter of Balls.
