STAGE
Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Topdog/Underdog” is having a searing regional premiere at Shadow Theatre Company. Actors Jeffrey Nickelson and Damion Hoover have delivered perhaps the crowning achievement in the eight-year history of Denver’s only fully functioning black theater company. Parks’ tale of sibling rivalry and revelry is exquisitely performed, deeply moving, terribly sad and at times miraculously funny. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays at 1420 Ogden St. Tickets $25 (303-837-9355; adult situations, profanity).
– JOHN MOORE
MOVIES
“My Summer of Love” is a hothouse flower of a film about what happens when Mona meets Tamsin one summer in Yorkshire, England. It stars Natalie Press (in a triumphant debut), Emily Blunt and Paddy Considine. Brit-based director Pawel Pawlikowski put two of our most contentious issues – same-sex desire and religiosity – in close proximity and made a film that is tough-minded, poetic and fantastically droll, anything but ideological.
– LISA KENNEDY
VISUAL ARTS
Denver artist John McEnroe has delved into what might best be described as painting as sculpture, picking up in many ways where noted artist Lynda Benglis left off. In the late 1960s, Benglis poured pigmented latex and polyurethane foam onto the floor, creating blobby puddles of color. McEnroe is doing much the same thing, but has added some innovative twists. An exhibition of his newest works continues through Saturday at the Plus Gallery, 2350 Lawrence St. Call 303-296-0927 or visit plusgallery.com.
– KYLE MACMILLAN
POPULAR MUSIC
Hot Hot Heat isn’t afraid to turn the heat up in its live show. The Canadian neo-garage band is fiery and fun, and the hooky music that dominates its older catalog is some of the best stuff out there. But now the band is touring the lackluster new record “Elevator” and refining its keyboards-meets-guitar garage stylings, and it seems as if the band is trying to find its true sound. All you have to hear is “Make Up the Breakdown” to know that these guys have it in them. And that alone makes their show, Monday night at the Ogden, a must-see.
– RICARDO BACA
CLASSICAL MUSIC
The Aspen Music Festival, the state’s largest and most widely recognized summer festival, will kick off its 2005 season at 8 p.m. Wednesday with the first of two performances by the Boulder-based Takács Quartet. As part of its program, the world-renowned ensemble will join pianist Andreas Haefliger for Antonin Dvorák’s Piano Quintet in A major. Tickets are $42. Call 970-925-9042 or go to aspenmusicfestival.com.
– KYLE MACMILLAN
NIGHT LIFE
Donkey Den owner Tosh Berman held tight to the name of his Mexican restaurant and tequila bar at 1109 Lincoln St. But last weekend Berman budged on the controversy surrounding his menu titles and marketing, and for this the entrepreneur deserves credit. He should be applauded for ending a dispute with community activists by removing potentially offensive titles from his menu and suspect language and images from his bar. So give the spot a try for the newly renamed “Boycott Burger” and other health-conscious eats, the daily happy-hour specials or the weekend dance parties.
– ELANA ASHANTI JEFFERSON
COMEDY
Garrison Keillor is a busy man. The beloved humorist and other investors are buying the historic Minnesota supper club where he first thought of the fictional town of Lake Wobegon, made famous on his public radio series “A Prairie Home Companion.” Keillor also is set to launch a nationally syndicated newspaper column in July and will join the cast for a Robert Altman film. Keillor is on an extended national tour with a live show that comes to the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets are $70. Call 866-468-7624 or visit ticketweb.com.
– ED WILL
