MOVIES
I keep hearing from people who don’t want anything to do with another Tom Cruise movie. Call it TomKat fatigue, but it’s real, and it’s out there. We don’t expect it to dent the box office much, though, and it shouldn’t: Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible III” is a terrific popcorn movie to kick off the early-summer season. It’s full of bravura action sequences and just enough heart and soul from new director J.J. Abrams to make it all hang together. At area theaters – 4,000 across the nation, to be precise|Michael Booth
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Confounded by the sometimes lofty ticket prices for opera productions? Opera Colorado has the perfect remedy. Its outreach ensemble of professional singers is presenting six public performances of a new bilingual opera the company commissioned for its educational programs. The work, titled “La Curandera,” was created by composer Robert Xavier Rodriguez. Tickets are just $20. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Eugenia Rawls Courtyard Theatre in the King Center on the Auraria campus. 303-357-2787 or operacolorado.org.|Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
Chicago’s venerated Second City improv group isn’t going anywhere, but its inaugural offering at the Denver Center’s Galleria Theatre will be scared off after May 21. “Red Scare,” Second City’s 91st original comedy revue, is a series of short sketches that satirize the current political and cultural climate. Topics include underpaid teachers, SUVs, political sex scandals and black Republicans. The third act is completely improvised each night, with the goal to develop new material for the replacement show, the all-localized “How I Lost My Denverginity,” opening June 23. 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7 and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays. Tickets $25-$28 (303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org).| John Moore
TELEVISION
The season finale of “Gilmore Girls” has Lorelai pouring her heart out to a shrink. This episode also marks the departure of the original creative team. Viewers may decide, like the writers did, that enough is enough. 7 p.m. Tuesday on the WB.| Joanne Ostrow
VISUAL ARTS
Today is the last day to view “Colorado Clay 2006” at the Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St., Golden. This year’s installment of the biennial exhibition – one of the best in recent memory – features 118 works by 15 artists. All the participants live along the Front Range, except for Julie McNair of Telluride. Today’s viewing hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $3 for the general public, $2 for seniors and free for students and members. Information: 303-279-3922 or foothillsartcenter.org| Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
Yes, Wednesday night’s Tool show at the Temple Buell Theatre is sold out. That doesn’t mean tickets are an impossibility. You’ll no doubt pay a premium, but this is a case where it’s worth it. Tool, which has always specialized in artful, post-industrial hard rock, is playing these small dates in honor of its brand-new “10,000 Days” and the arena tour that is sure to follow this summer. Many hard-core fans are already counting this as the must-see show of the summer as Tool’s blistering music will surely rock this house, normally a host for theater.| Ricardo Baca
NIGHT LIFE
Three Kings Tavern will host a benefit starting at 1 p.m. today for Scott Philipp, a friend and patron of Three Kings who suffered a debilitating motorcycle accident in April. A $5 donation gets you in the door, after which you can take part in a raffle and silent auction, munch on free grub from Capone’s and Famous Pizza, enjoy drink specials, check out DJs and live music from Soul Patch, and more. Philipp, who has two daughters and a son, woke up from his coma a week ago but remains in critical condition at a long-term-care facility and could use every dollar you’re willing to donate. The event, sponsored by Bonaro Tattoo and Sinfultration Tattoo, takes place at 60 S. Broadway.| John Wenzel
