FRIDAY
Drawing a bead
ART|The exhibition is titled “It’s All About Beads,” and we’re not talking about the mass-produced kind found in hobby shops. On view are handmade glass beads as well as jewelry, sculptures and other bead works by 30 artists from across the country. The show continues through May 26.|Opening reception, 6-8 p.m. today|PISMO Fine Art Glass, 2770 E. Second Ave.; free; call 303-333-2879 or visit pismoglass.com.
“Contemporary Clay” ART|More than 120 works by 63 ceramic artists will be on view in “Contemporary Clay 2006.” A pair of jurors chose 80 selections from among more than 400 entries by artists working in the 11 states west of the Continental Divide. The remainder come from other American ceramicists invited to take part. The show continues through June 24.|Opening reception, 7 to 9 p.m. today|Western Colorado Center for the Arts, 1803 N. Seventh St., Grand Junction; opening reception free, regular admission $3; 970-243-7337.
SATURDAY
Crazy Kinetics
FESTIVAL|Boulder’s annual rite of spring, the KBCO/Miller Lite Kinetics, celebrates its 27th year with Los Lobos and the John Butler Trio providing the musical entertainment. The stars of the event, of course, are the men and women who power the wacky kinetic sculptures that race over land, mud and water. Organizers warn that gates to the event may close as early as noon. Parking is $10 per car and $40 for RVs. Free shuttle buses run from Boulder. For bus schedules and stops, visit kbco.com.|6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday|Boulder Reservoir, east of Boulder on Foothills Parkway; call 303-830-8497 or visit ticketmaster.com
Back in time in Golden
HISTORY|Clear Creek History Park celebrates the opening of its eighth season with free admission. Children can visit the park’s baby chicks and play pioneer games such as walking on stilts. Visitors can pan for gold and watch demonstrations that include blacksmithing and cooking on a wood stove at the 3-acre living-history museum.|10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday|Clear Creek History Park, 11th and Arapahoe streets, Golden; free; call 303-278-3557 or visit clear creekhistorypark.org.
Free day at Museo
FAMILY FUN|Target Family Free Day offers a chance for the whole family to enjoy the Museo de las Americás. Children can take part in mask-making and toy- making workshops while parents tour the exhibition “Never Leaving Aztlán.” Best of all, admission for everyone is free. |noon to 5 p.m. Saturday|Museo de las Americás, 861 Santa Fe Drive; free; call 303-571-4401 or visit museo.org.
THE WEEKEND
Get the Wiggles
MUSIC FOR PRESCHOOLERS|The Wiggles, an Australian-based musical and dance quartet, are the top-selling preschoolers’ group in the world. Each Wiggle has studied preschool education and uses that knowledge and experience to make the group’s simple songs educational. The Wiggles are back in the United States on the “Sailing Around the World Live!” tour. They are scheduled for four concerts in the metro area.|1:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday|Lecture Hall at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St.; $15-$30; 303-830-8497 or ticketmaster.com; and 1:30 and 5 p.m. Sunday|Budweiser Events Center, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland; $15-$30; 877-544-8499 or comcasttix.com
Strong “Seraglio”
OPERA|Opera Colorado is ending its 2005-06 season on a high note: a clever, wonderfully entertaining production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio.” Stage director James Robinson has moved the action to the famed Orient Express, which is beautifully evoked by Allen Moyer’s inventive set design. Most important, the cast is uniformly strong.|7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday|Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets; $22-$157; call 303-357-2787 or visit operacolorado.org.
