MOVIES
The ensemble in Paul Haggis’ achingly good directorial debut “Crash” fires on all cylinders. They have to. Haggis – who co-wrote this rough roundelay about ethnic suspicion and misunderstanding set in Los Angeles – forgoes comfortable portraits of good or evil. Don
Cheadle, Sandra Bullock, Terrence Howard, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Matt Dillon and Michael Pena play just a few of the indelible characters who T-bone, sideswipe, head-on and hit-and-run each another.
– LISA KENNEDY
VISUAL ARTS
The Phototroph Gallery is gaining national attention as a regional photography showcase. It is marking its reopening in a new location at 16 Ruxton Ave. in Manitou Springs with an exhibition of 22 never-before-shown images of Italy by Andrea Modica. The Manitou Springs resident is one of the state’s most prominent photographers, with works in the Museum of Modern Art and many other prestigious institutions. The show runs through May 31. Call 719-685-1313 or visit www.phototroph.com.
– KYLE MACMILLAN
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Although just a little more than 10 years old, the Jerusalem Quartet already has made a name for itself internationally. As a measure of its accomplishments, the group has been invited in 2006 to perform the complete set of Dmitri Shostakovich’s string quartets at some of the world’s top concert venues, including Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In the meantime, the young ensemble will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Newman Center for Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Tickets are $17-$58. Call 303-357-2787 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
– KYLE MACMILLAN
TELEVISION
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“Bend It Like Beckham”) captures the essence of “Elvis” in the CBS two-parter, starting at 8 tonight on KCNC-Channel 4. (Part 2 airs at 7 p.m. Wednesday.) The narrative is familiar, but the vocals are all the King himself in some never-before-released tapes. Camryn Manheim is great as Elvis’ mama, and Randy Quaid hams it up as Col. Tom Parker. Warning: The biopic was made with the approval of the Presley estate.
– JOANNE OSTROW
POPULAR MUSIC
The beauty of The Shins’ delicious chamber pop is in the music’s simplicity. The orchestrations aren’t as complex as The Decemberists or as varied as The Arcade Fire, but they’re delightful nonetheless. The band is enjoying greater name and music recognition since playing what was basically a starring role in the indie hit film “Garden State,” and the Sub Pop Records band deserves it. The Shins play the Fillmore on Tuesday, and like most other shows around these days, there are still tickets available.
– RICARDO BACA
STAGE
The Denver Center Theatre Company’s WorkingStages new-play development program features Steven Cole Hughes’ “Slabtown,” a look into the rough and rollicking past of a mining town based on Leadville. Directed by Jamie Horton and starring John Hutton, Bill Christ and Mike Hartman. Performances at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ricketson Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Free, but reservations required at 303-893-4100.
– JOHN MOORE
NIGHT LIFE
The Church, 1160 Lincoln St., initiates a high-profile Saturday night event this week. DJ Skribble and DJ Hurricane are booked for the May 14 kickoff of “Rubber,” which also marks this hot spot’s ninth anniversary. An exclusive DJ set featuring Crystal Method is scheduled for the following week, with other tasty bookings (DJ Rap, BT) coming up. Ticket prices vary. Visit www.the-church.com or www.groovetickets.com for details.
– ELANA ASHANTI JEFFERSON
