MOVIES
Adults have a place in “Mad Hot Ballroom,” Marilyn Agrelo’s moving and entertaining documentary that follows fifth-graders from three New York City public schools as they tango, rumba and merengue their way toward a ballroom dance competition. But in the end, it’s the children of various economic circumstances and ethnicities who argue for sophistication and innocence, sensitivity and goofiness and the thrill of victory and the agony, however temporary, of defeat.
– LISA KENNEDY
VISUAL ARTS
Artists’ books differ considerably from traditional books. Indeed, they might best be described as book-inspired sculptures. A group of these works is on display as part of a touring exhibition titled “Stand and Deliver: Engineering Sculpture Into a Book Format.” It continues through July 14 on the fifth floor of the Denver Central Library, 10 W. 14th Avenue Parkway. Admission is free.
– KYLE MACMILLAN
TELEVISION
Hugh Jackman (“The Boy From Oz”) is host of the 59th Annual Tony Awards telecast tonight on CBS, 7-10 p.m. on Channel 4. Presenters include Bernadette Peters, David Hyde Pierce, Idina Menzel, Matthew Broderick and Kathleen Turner. The most-nominated shows: “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “The Light in the Piazza” and “Doubt.”
– JOANNE OSTROW
POPULAR MUSIC
Watch out when Sasquatch and the Sick-a-Billys come to town. Sasquatch will take down the rockabilly/blues-loving masses with his guitar, but not before the more able-bodied and quick-footed Miss Natalie invites all comers to a duel with her Southern-fried drumming. Johnny Custom, armed with his upright bass, is especially dangerous. Together, this power trio is like a rock ‘n’ roll Voltron, rocking out in unity and making the masses dance. The band plays Tuesday night at the Skylark Lounge.
– RICARDO BACA
STAGE
Two fine and funny examples of women behaving badly are on Fort Collins stages right now – the retro 1936 Clare Booth society comedy “The Women” at OpenStage & Company, and the more diabolically witchy “Ruthless! The Musical” by the upstart Nonesuch Theatre Company. Both are a campy good time. “The Women” plays at 2 p.m. today and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through June 18 at 417 W. Magnolia St. $13-$20 (970-221-6730). “Ruthless!” sends up “The Bad Seed.” It plays at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 13 at 216 Pine St. $20-$27.50 (970-224-0444).
– JOHN MOORE
CLASSICAL MUSIC
St. Martin’s Chamber Choir concludes its season with “Choral Milestones,” an anthology of works that have influenced the history of choral music. Included will be plainchant, polyphony, partsongs, motets and impressionistic choral music, plus a world premiere. Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1600 Grant St., and June 12 at St. Elizabeth’s Church on the Auraria campus. Tickets are $18. Call 303-298-1970.
– KYLE MACMILLAN
NIGHT LIFE
Local synth-punk band The Funeral returns from touring to unleash its first show at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway, on Friday. The trio has a knack for drama and showmanship, and its electronic soundscapes are impossible to ignore. The music starts at 9 p.m. with The Vulpes and Firetrees. $6.
– ELANA ASHANTI JEFFERSON
COUNTRY MUSIC
Country superstar Kenny Chesney last month was named entertainer of the year by the Academy of Country Music. So naturally his “Somewhere in the Sun Tour” is one of the hottest shows on the road. It certainly helps that he has last year’s breakout star, Gretchen Wilson, as his feature act. Texas singer Pat Green opens the show at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Pepsi Center. Tickets are $49.50-$59.50, at 303-830-8497 or ticketmaster.com.
– ED WILL
