Wingin’ it at Dazzle
JAZZ|Trombonist Curtis Fuller has played alongside some of the truly legendary names in jazz since the ’50s, including Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith and, what’s most notabe, John Coltrane, as a supporting performer on the saxophonist’s revered “Blue Train” album. Fuller performs with a host of Denver’s finest improvisers, including saxophonist Keith Oxman and omnipresent bassist Ken Walker.|7 and 9 tonight|Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St.; 303-839-5100.
Art of the Mapuche
ART|Major exhibitions just keep coming at the Museo de las Américas. The latest focuses on past and present art of the Mapuche, a little-known indigenous people of southern Chile and Argentina. It continues through Sept. 25.|Opening reception, 6-9 tonight|Museo de las Américas, 861 Santa Fe Drive; $4 general public and free for members; 303-571-4401.
SATURDAY
Out in the streets
STREET FAIR|Arts and crafts vendors, an interactive kids zone, a vintage car show, food and beverages, and continuous music are part of the 23rd annual Highlands Square Street Fair. Musical acts booked for the event include Aimee Bushong, Dotsero, Emilio Emilio, The Reals, Filthy Children, Irie Stills, Lil Brian & the Zydeco Travelers and Deja Blu.|10 a.m.-dusk Saturday|West 32nd Avenue from Perry to Julian streets; free; highlands-square.com.
A Steinway celebration
CLASSICAL MUSIC|The Rocky Ridge Music Center has restored a 1931 Steinway grand piano that was the centerpiece of the summer program’s activities for nearly 50 years. Former piano students will return for a musical celebration of the return of the historic instrument. They include Margaret Cheng Tuttle and Catherine Herbener.|3 p.m. Saturday |Rocky Ridge Music Center, 465 Longs Peak Road, Estes Park; $15; 970-586-4031.
Blowin’ in the wind
WORLD MUSIC|Larrikia musician Ash Dargan from Australia’s Northern Territories has gained international recognition for his artistry on the native flute and didgeridoo. His latest body of work is titled “Stories of Wind.” |7:30 p.m. Saturday|Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts, 200 E. Baseline Road, Lafayette; $15; 303-665-0599.
Art ON Larimer
STREET ART|Some 200 professional, amateur and student artists take pastel chalks in hand and cover the asphalt along Larimer Square with re-creations of masterpieces as part of La Piazza dell’Arte. Festivalgoers can watch the creative process from beginning to end and enjoy food and entertainment.|10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday|Larimer Square, 1400 Larimer St.; free; 303-685-8143.
Art like a “Wheel”
ART|The area near the main entrance of the Denver Art Museum has been dramatically transformed by “Wheel,” a circular sculptural installation 50 feet in diameter. Created by Oklahoma artist Edgar Heap of Birds, the work’s 10 12- foot-tall red towers recount the history of American Indians in Colorado. |Dedication, 11 a.m. Tuesday|Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway; free; 720-865-5000 or denverartmuseum.org.
Alpine garden tour
WILDFLOWERS|Alpine forget-me-nots, fairy primrose, chiming bells and sky pilots are among the hundreds of flowers hikers will see on the Denver Botanic Gardens wildflower tour. The 1.5-mile guided tour is on the M. Walter Pesman Trail of Mount Goliath, which is 17 miles from Idaho Springs. Reservations are required. |8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 4, plus July 2, 16 and 30, and Aug. 6|U.S. Forest Service Clear Creek Visitor Center, 101 Chicago Creek Road, Idaho Springs (Exit 240 on Interstate 70); free; 720-865-3577.
Film showcase
FILM|This month’s installment of the Denver Film Society’s “Colorado Filmmakers Showcase” brings you the second annual Best of Group 101 screening. The local chapter of the world’s largest content provider of short films encourages filmmakers to make iconoclastic, micro-cinema gems. Fourteen directors will have work shown Monday night, and filmmakers will be on hand to field questions.|7 p.m. Monday|Starz FilmCenter, Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway; $5.50-$8.50; 303-820-FILM
Keyboard encounter
ORGAN MUSIC|About 20 teenage students from across the country are expected to attend Pipe Organ Encounter, a week-long educational event sponsored by the Denver chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Several public concerts are scheduled, including one featuring faculty and other instrumentalists.|8 p.m. Monday|University Park United Methodist Church, 2180 S. University Blvd.
