MOVIES
“Goal! The Dream Begins” is such a sweet example of the sports saga, its producer can be forgiven for calling the family- friendly movie the first soccer flick. (What, “Bend It Like Beckham” doesn’t count?) Kuno Becker stars as Santiago Munez, whose family illegally crossed the border into the U.S. Years later, when an ex-soccer scout tells him he’s good enough to play professionally in England, Santiago’s hopes and his father’s dream of a landscaping business collide. If it sounds familiar, that’s because in many ways “Goal!” is. But director Danny Cannon, his appealing star and a smartly understated support cast make fine teamwork of it. | Lisa Kennedy
CLASSICAL MUSIC
“The Lord of Rings” trilogy was among the most popular set of movies of all time, and at least a small part of its appeal can be credited to Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning music. The composer has taken the three scores and condensed them into a six-movement work titled “The Lord of the Rings Symphony.” The Colorado Symphony and Chorus and Colorado Children’s Chorale will present the work for the first time in Denver during performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. May 21 in Boettcher Concert Hall. Tickets are $17.50-$75. 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org. | Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
With classic songs like “The Impossible Dream,” “Man of La Mancha” was one of the first great substantive musicals. It asserts: “It is madness to see life as it is, not as it can be.” Country Dinner Playhouse ends one of its more ambitious efforts of late with final performances at 1:45 and 7:45 p.m. today at 6875 S. Clinton St. in Greenwood Village. Tickets $38-$44, 303-799-1410. | John Moore
TELEVISION
Oprah Winfrey is more than a self-made industry. She’s a force for the recognition of legendary black women. Monday at 7 p.m. on KMGH-Channel 7, her “Legends Ball” celebrates 25 notables, including Coretta Scott King, Aretha Franklin, Halle Berry and Maya Angelou. Followed at 8 p.m. by the two-hour second-season finale of “Grey’s Anatomy,” also on ABC. | Joanne Ostrow
VISUAL ARTS
Just opened this weekend at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., should be one of the better art exhibitions of the summer. Featured are solo showcases of three diverse female artists with regional and national reputations – Emmi Whitehorse, Tracy Krumm and Rebecca DiDomenico. The best known is Whitehorse, an American Indian artist who draws on her heritage to create semi-abstract works of considerable power. The exhibitions run through July 29. 303-443-2122 or bmoca.org. | Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
It has been a while since James Taylor produced any noteworthy new work, and that’s almost OK when you had a run like he did from 1968 to 1977. Eight records in nine years, and from the eponymous debut to the initialed “JT,” it was a prolific time for the singer-songwriter. He gave us his pointedly sensitive takes on singles such as “Fire and Rain,” “Carolina in My Mind,” “Country Road” and “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight.” Taylor plays the Paramount Theatre on Tuesday to record an episode of Etown, the nationally syndicated radio program. And the episode will be a special one, celebrating the show’s 15th anniversary. | Ricardo Baca
NIGHT LIFE
DJ nights are a dime a dozen in this dance-friendly city, but big names mean big crowds, especially at intimate venues. That’s why Wednesday’s DJ night at Rock Island with Prince Paul, Lovebug Starski and others promises to be packed. Besides being an accomplished MC and solo artist, Prince Paul has worked with a who’s who of hip-hoppers: Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul and Dan the Automator among them. Lovebug Starski, who began his career in ’70s New York, is widely credited with coining the term “hip-hop.” Resident DJs Tone B Nimble and DJ Vajra round out the bill. The event is free if you RSVP to scion.com/metro. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., 1614 15th St. | JohnWenzel
