MOVIES
It’s no accident George Clooney is involved in some of the year’s most intriguing movies. Far from staying satisfied as one of Hollywood’s pretty faces, Clooney challenges himself and audiences with tough projects, good writing and demanding acting roles. For this week’s “Syriana,” he taxed his body with weight and exhaustion to play a lowly CIA agent unsure of his loyalties, and his effort makes the highly political movie hum along. Meanwhile, Clooney’s “Good Night, and Good Luck” continues to draw audiences and make money, a good omen for his future creative ventures.
– MICHAEL BOOTH
VISUAL ARTS
You’ve got questions about the bold expansion to the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, and “Building Out of the Box,” sets out to provide some answers. Running through Fall 2006, the exhibit offers a primer on the 146,000-square-foot structure. It is free with regular museum admission. 720-865-5000 or denverartmuseum.org.
– KYLE MACMILLAN
POPULAR MUSIC
The cornerstone idea of Wednesday night’s showcase at the Larimer Lounge is the solo artist. At the core is Eric Bachmann, who is touring his Crooked Fingers as a solo outfit on this tour. The former Archers of Loaf frontman released the album of his career, “Dignity and Shame,” earlier this year, and he’s been playing with a renewed enthusiasm. Also on the bill are Nick Urata, who injects the soul into DeVotchKa as singer-guitarist for the Denver group; Aaron Hobbs, one of the area’s most evocative and honest songwriters and the frontman of Hobbs, NM; and Ian O., a master storyteller also competent in cello and keys who plays with Uphollow when he’s not telling his stories solo.
– RICARDO BACA
TELEVISION
NBC investigative correspondent Lisa Myers goes into even greater depths as she travels to Europe and Asia in an hour-long special, “On the Trail of Terror: Jihad in Iraq,” tonight at 7 on MSNBC.
– JOANNE OSTROW
STAGE
It’s not so important whether you buy the conspiracy theory at the heart of Tracy Letts’ taut thriller “Bug” – that the government has implanted a race of Iraqi-killing insects in a Gulf War vet’s molar. It is only important whether you believe that his sad, trailer-trash girlfriend believes it. In the regional premiere of “Bug” at the Curious Theatre Company, remarkable actors Rhonda Lee Brown and Chris Reid sell Letts’ snake oil by the 10-gallon drum, and I, for one, bought every drop. Final performances 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets $13-$30 (303- 623-0524 or curioustheatre.org). Warning: nudity, adult content.
– JOHN MOORE
CLASSICAL MUSIC
The Colorado Symphony celebrates the yuletide with an international pops program titled, “Christmas Around the World.” Performances are 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets. Attendees Saturday evening will take part in a live broadcast of the program on KCNC-TV Channel 4 and cbs4denver.com. Tickets are $15-$65. 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org.
– KYLE MACMILLAN
NIGHT LIFE
Beyond nightclub at the Denver Pavilions is hosting a sexy new party on Saturday. “Fantasy Fête,” conceived by belly-dancing performing artists Kaya and Sadie, is a Vaudevillian spectacle featuring exotic costuming, sensual choreography and hot dance music courtesy of DJs Melinda Dickson, Orange Peel Moses, Candice & Jaime of Groove du Monde, Brandy Dew and Melinda Rivers. t 9 p.m. 303-623-9643.
– ELANA ASHANTI JEFFERSON
