MPR News Arts Reporter Marianne Combs joins Jill Riley on The Current's Morning Show to talk about arts events that are nothing to do with the holidays but have plenty of sparkle all the same.

For those interested in fashion, two events are noteworthy:

Italian Style at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts — In this exhibition, visitors walk through and see mannequins sporting all kinds of outfits from the 1940s to today, including from such well-known designer houses as Gucci and Prada. Because the Italian fashion scene came out of that nation's recovery after World War II, it's a relatively new industry. This exhibit delves into the the history behind Italian fashion while displaying iconic dresses, jewelry, shoes and accessories, as well as archival photos. This exhibit continues until Jan. 4, 2015.

The Fashion Show at Weinstein Gallery — For a small-gallery look with a more focused lens, the Weinstein Gallery in southwest Minneapolis has a show spotlighting the work of female fashion photographers. With images that stretch from the 1940s to today, these beautiful photographs have been used to sell fashion — some are photos of the clothing itself, others are intended to create a mood around the clothing. This exhibition continues to Jan. 17, 2015.

And there's a new production at the Guthrie Theater:

Jonah and the Whale — Produced by a relatively new company called 7th House Theater, Jonah and the Whale , takes a familiar story from the Old Testament and turns it into a folk and bluegrass musical. This show features some great young acting talent, and it runs Dec. 19 to 28 in the Dowling Studio at the Guthrie Theater.

Marianne Combs joins The Current's Morning Show for the Weekend Arts Roundup every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Read all the latest arts news from MPR News.