Central City lineup
OPERA|Central City Opera’s critically praised season continues through Aug. 7. Four performances are scheduled this weekend, offering attendees a chance to all three of the company’s offerings.|2:30 p.m. today and Sunday, “Paul Bunyan;” 2:30 p.m. Saturday, “Vanessa,” and 8 p.m. Saturday, “Madama Butterfly.”|Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka St.; $34-$89; 303-292-6700 or centralcityopera.org.
Two-wheeled party
SCOOTER RALLY|Prepare yourself, Denver. Your streets are about to be taken over by a horde of Vespas, Lambrettas and Stellas as Mile High Mayhem 8 hits the Mile High City. The scooter rally is the largest in the region, and it’s also key to note that this is its last year. (Although it’s assumed that a rally of another name will likely take its place.) Much of the rally is scooter-centric, of course, but the non-scooter-driving public can party with the scooter kids at Saturday’s Magic 8 Ball Prom featuring the frat-rock of The Orangu-Tones and the flashy flesh of Burlesque as It Was.|7 p.m. Saturday|Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St., MileHighMayhem.com.
The Bard, unplugged
THEATER|Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” will be performed by No Holds Barred the old-fashioned way. In Shakespeare’s time, actors did not rehearse together; they would prepare individually, trusting in the notes provided in advance by the director.|6:30 p.m. Saturday|lawn of the historic Elitch Theatre, 38th Avenue and Tennyson Street in northwest Denver; free; call 303-564-1374
Orthodox food fest
ETHNIC FOOD, DANCE AND MUSIC|Visitors to the second annual Orthodox Food Festival can sample foods and deserts from countries including Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Greece, Italy, Serbia, Slovakia and Mexico. The festival also features a market with Eastern European and Eastern Orthodox books, jewelry and decorative and gift items, as well as folk music and dance. Games and attractions for children and cathedral tours are part of the event. |11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday|Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Cathedral, 349 E. 47th Ave., free, 303-294-0938.
Buffalo Bill Days
OLD-WEST FESTIVAL|A parade, kids’ activities, live music, food, and arts and crafts are all part of Golden Buffalo Bill Days. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Eighth Street and Washington Avenue Day-long activities are also planned both days at Astor House Museum, 822 12th St., and Clear Creek History Park, 11th and Arapahoe streets.|5-11 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday|Parfet Park, 10th Street and Washington Avenue, Golden, free, 303-384-0003 or buffalobilldays.com.
Batura paintings
ART|Stephen Batura, who is working on a giant mural for the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, has managed to squeeze in time to complete some smaller works. These pieces, along with recent paintings by James Colbert, will be on view Saturday through Sept. 17.|Opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Thursday|Robischon Gallery, 1740 Wazee St.; free; 303-298-7788 or robischon gallery.com.
Vail Dance Festival
DANCE|This weekend marks the beginning of an eclectic, week-long mountain celebration of the art of movement with performances by the Inaki Ballet Concierto from Argentina.|7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday|Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail, prices range from $55 for a single performance to $320 for the entire festival, 970-476-2918.
On collecting art
ART|Ever thought about art collecting but didn’t know where to start? Art collector David Irving and Jack Kunin, an art appraiser and former art-history teacher at the University of Denver, will discuss the hobby and offer secrets to differentiating the great find from the run of the mill.|7 p.m. Tuesday|Museo de las Américas, 861 Santa Fe Drive; $8 general public, $5 museum members; reservations requested, 303-571-4401.
Ballet in Telluride
DANCE|The Colorado Ballet concludes a three-day visit to Telluride this weekend under the auspices of Dance! Telluride.|7:30 tonight, mixed program; 2 p.m. Saturday, children’s program, “The King Who Danced”|Today, Michael D. Palm Theatre for the Performing Arts, Telluride; Saturday, Telluride Conference Center, Mountain Village; $15-$125; 800-525-3455 or tellurideticket.com.
Lewis and Clark lit
HISTORY|Journals penned in English, Dutch, French and German, expedition narratives, maps, contemporary newspaper accounts and government documents from the early 19th century are part of this topical touring exhibit opening Monday.|Gallery hours: Mon.-Tues., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m.-5 p.m.|Denver Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Western History and Genealogy Department, free, 720-865-1821.
