Colorful moths
NATURE EXHIBITIONS|Although sometimes they are scary looking, moths rank among nature’s most colorful and beautiful creatures. The Wildlife Experience will showcase them in two exhibitions opening Saturday and running through Jan. 1, 2006. “Mothing: Digital Prints by Joseph Scheer” consists of 60 richly detailed photos of moths, and “Out of the Dark/Into the Light” features specimens of butterflies, moths and beetles assembled by local collector Russell Witkop.|10 a.m. Saturday, exhibition tours followed by Scheer signing his book, “Night Visions”|The Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker; $6; 720-488-3300 or wildlifeexperience.org.
This is the big one
LIBRARY GARAGE SALE|One of Denver’s biggest sales happens this weekend. The Denver Public Library offers more than 120,000 used books, CDs, DVDs and videotapes. All genres are available. Paperbacks are 50 cents; hardbacks and CDs are $2. Also, a better book section will feature rare and more valuable items priced individually. Proceeds go to the library’s books and materials budget.|10 a.m.-5 p.m. today-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday|Denver Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave.; free; 720-865-2051 ordenverlibrary.org.
Up in the sky!
GIANT BALLOONS |The Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival 2005 boasts 60 hot-air balloons, including one of Smokey Bear. The event also includes music, food and a children’s play area. |6-8 a.m. today, 6 a.m.-noon and 4-9 p.m. Saturday, 6 a.m.-noon Sunday|Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton; free but park admission is $6 per vehicle without a pass; 303-697-1039 or rockymountainballoonfestival.com.
A favorite
OPERETTA|”Die Fledermaus (The Bat)” by Johann Strauss II is generally considered the greatest of all Viennese operettas, and its popularity continues unabated. Opera Fort Collins is the latest company to offer its take on the comic masterpiece, with a production directed by Peter Anthony and conducted by Wes Kinney.|7:30 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday|Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins; $30-$40 general public and $20 students; 970-221-6730 or lctix.com.
Lilt of the Tenors
CELTIC MUSIC|For music with an Irish touch, few recent groups have topped the popularity of the Irish Tenors. The versatile trio, which joined voices in 1998, consists of John McDermott, Anothony Kearns and Finbar Wright. Its next album, “Sacred,” is set for release Sept. 13.|8 p.m. Thursday|Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets; $48-$68.50; 303-830-8497 or ticketmaster.com.
