Artist Chihuly in person
ART|Celebrated glass artist Dale Chihuly will make a rare appearance today in conjunction with a continuing blockbuster exhibition of his eye-catching works at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. He will sign books purchased in the museum’s shop. Participants are urged to arrive early, because a long line is expected.|2:30-3:30 p.m. today|Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St.; 719-477-4306.
Birthday party and a Song
FAMILY ACTIVITIES|The Children’s Museum of Denver celebrates its 32nd birthday with a family party that includes a magician, balloon animals, face painting, art projects and ice cream. It also features the opening of its Song of Korea exhibit.|10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, outdoor activities free|Children’s Museum of Denver, 23rd Avenue and Interstate 25; 303-433-7444 or mychilds museum.org.
“Menopause the Musical”
THEATER|The New Denver Civic Theatre’s unlikely hit celebrates its first birthday with this show in which four women sing popular songs with lyrics changed to reflect “the change.”|5 p.m. with a post-show party|721 Santa Fe Drive; other performances 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; $32.50-$39.50, $27.50- $29.50 for groups of 15-plus.
“Sunday in the Park”
BALLET|The Boulder Ballet concludes its season with a free outdoor performance spotlighting popular repertoire dances such as Ana Claire’s “Country Spring” and Peter Davison’s “Bella Luna.”|7 p.m. Sunday|Bandshell at Boulder Central Park, Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. Information at boulderballet.org.
Seven days of culture
DANCE FESTIVAL|The weekend event “Convergence of Creative Cultures” marks the beginning of seven days featuring 24 dance companies, soloists and choreographers in nearly as many genres. The first performance spotlights Celtic, Russian Folk and Russian Ballet styles; subsequent shows highlight movement art from around the globe.|7:30 p.m. Sunday|Crossroads Theatre, 2180 Stout St., $10, 303-296-0212, denvercross roads.com
Greeks throw a party
GREEK CULTURE|The annual Greek Festival offers everything Hellenic: live music, costumed dancers, marketplace, cultural center, arts and crafts vendors, cathedral tours and food, including gyros, dolmathes, souvlaki and calamari. And don’t forget the pastries, such as baklava, powdered cookies, honey balls and coffee cookies.|11 a.m.-11 p.m. today-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.|Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4610 E. Alameda Ave.; $1; 303-388-9314.
Party after the party
LATE-NIGHT MUSIC|Anyone shut out of this weekend’s sold-out Widespread Panic concerts, or fans who just can’t stop boogeying even after the headliner wraps up, should check the band Outformation tonight and Saturday after Widespread Panic’s Red Rocks shows. The Southern roots-rock trio is closely tied to Widespread Panic as longtime friends of keyboardist JoJo Hermann. The band also performs a song by late Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser.|Doors open at midnight after Friday’s and Saturday’s concerts, party at 1 a.m.|Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway, $10, Ticketweb.
For pets, and owners, too
ANIMAL EXPOSITION|Local veterinarians Robert Taylor, Holly Knor and Kevin Fitzgerald from “Emergency Vets” are part of Animal Planet Expo. The event also features Jeff Corwin, host of Animal Planet’s new series “Corwin’s Quest.” Pets are welcome and will have their own swimming and watering holes. There also are kids’ activities and pet demonstrations, products and education.|10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday|City Park, East 17th Avenue and York Street; free; discovery.com.
Low-budget but thrilling
FILM|Is no place sacred? Certainly not a Denver Tech Center parking structure once writer-director James Seale decided to shoot his low-budget thriller there. In “Throttle” (formerly “E5”), a not-so-nice guy gets stranded in a garage, only to find someone’s gunning (his engine) for him. The film is reminiscent of Spielberg’s “Duel.” Before “Throttle” hits the DVD market in August, see what one of local filmmaking’s bright lights did on a shoestring. Seale will be at tonight’s first screening for a Q&A|7:45 and 9:45 p.m. today; 5:15, 7:45 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday; 3, 5:15 and 7:45 p.m. Sunday.|Starz FilmCenter, Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway; $5.50-$8.50; 303-820-FILM.
Aspen debut
CLASSICAL|Jonathan Biss is catching the attention of the classical-music world, and it’s through consummate artistry, not glitz and glamour. The 24-year-old pianist makes his Aspen Music Festival summer debut this weekend with a chamber music concert Saturday and an appearance with conductor David Zinman and the Aspen Festival Orchestra on Sunday.|4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday|Saturday, Harris Concert Hall; Sunday Benedict Music Tent; Saturday, $35; Sunday, $65; 970-925-9042 or aspenmusicfestival.com.
Multimedia artist
MUSIC AND ART|Few people have led a more diverse life than John Cohen, cofounder of the folk band New Lost City Ramblers and an acclaimed photographer. In conjunction with the opening of an exhibition titled “There Is No Eye: Photographs by John Cohen,” he will present an evening of music and conversation.|8 p.m. Tuesday|Phillips Hall, Mizel Center for Arts and Culture, 350 S. Dahlia St.; $8; 303-316-6360.
