Verb Ballets' first appearance at the Beck Center this weekend also marks the debut of the troupe's Pops Program, a playful dance series aimed at novices and veterans alike. "We're always looking for ways to generate more audience members," says artistic director Hernando Cortez. The program includes a pair of reprises: "Moon Dogg," an oldies-themed piece that Cortez first choreographed in 2003, and "Laura's Women," a blues-inspired work by Ian Horvath. But it's the premiere of "Super Friends" a cartoon-themed romp featuring Saturday-morning TV favorites that has Cortez feeling most animated. "It's a surreal trip," he says. "But there's a bit of intelligence behind all the cartoon madness."
Jan. 20-21, 8 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 22, 3 p.m.