MOVIES
As niche film festivals go, metro Denver’s are smartly programmed affairs. Communities get resonant stories even as the movies reach beyond divides. Thursday, the Ninth Aurora Asian Film Festival opens at the Fox Arts Center with an ideal example of this balancing act: Eric Byler’s “Americanese.” The romantic drama, which won the South by Southwest Film Festival’s audience award, stars Chris Tashima and Allison Sie as ex-lovers. The two leads, along with Byler and novelist Shawn Wong, will attend. Nine other films – from Mongolia, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore – screen during the four-day fest. For information, go to auroraasian.org or denverfilm.org, or call 303-326-8695. | Lisa Kennedy
CLASSICAL MUSIC
A small yet significant body of music exists for the violin and cello. The Zephyr Duo will perform three significant works for the combination by Johann Sebastian Bach, Fritz Kreisler and Zoltan Kodaly. The ensemble is made up of violinist Allegra Wermuth and cellist Judith McIntyre, both members of the Colorado Symphony. The concert will take place at 2 p.m. today in Hampden Hall at the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for anyone younger than 18. 303-806-8196. | Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s presentation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s light opera “The Pirates of Penzance” is an unrelenting pleasure from the start. Lighthearted comic assuredness rules the day. There also are an awesome pirate ship, a powerful of a 10-piece orchestra, colorful costumes, clever choreography and a bevy of 26 gorgeous voices. Final performances 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. today and June 4 at 30 W. Dale St. Tickets $24-$29 (719-634-5583). | John Moore
TELEVISION
In advance of next week’s season finale, HBO gives “The Sopranos” a replay of the three most recent episodes tonight, 7-10 p.m. Tony’s loosening grip on both his families, Christopher’s dark descent, Paulie’s health problems, AJ’s emptiness and Carmela’s revitalizing trip to Paris are capped by the inevitably grim subplot involving gay Vito. | Joanne Ostrow
VISUAL ARTS
Wondering what’s going on in the visual arts of this region? The 2006 Rocky Mountain Biennial offers at least a partial answer. Unlike some of the packed offerings of the past, this edition focuses on just 23 artists – most from Colorado. The exhibition opens Tuesday at the Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art, 201 S. College Ave., and runs through Aug. 19. An opening reception is set for 6-9 p.m. Friday. 970-482-2787 or fcmoca.org. | Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
When it comes to The New Cars and Blondie playing on the same stage, as they will on Tuesday at the Coors Amphitheatre, the hits speak for themselves. The New Cars, now headed by Todd Rundgren in Ric Ocasek’s place, have a vast catalog from which to pick: “Shake It Up,” “Good Times Roll,” “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “Just What I Needed” included. In the Blondie camp are other ’70s and ’80s mega-hits: “Rapture,” “Atomic,” “Call Me,” “Heart of Glass,” “Tide Is High” and “Dreaming.” Tickets are still available: ticketmaster.com or 303-830-8497. | Ricardo Baca
NIGHT LIFE
Before all things ’80s became cool again, goth nights were a dicey proposition. Not because they don’t do well in Denver – quite the contrary – but because they appeal to such a specific audience, potentially turning off the bread-and-butter crowds. But since the Cure now enjoys at least the same level of influence as the Clash, Rock Island’s long-running Unscene nights make more sense. The regular Sunday DJ sets at 1614 15th St. feature DJs IX and MFR spinning the latest goth and industrial; downstairs in the Vendetta Room DJs VTS, Siren and Dave Vendetta spin dark progressive tracks with a European flair. Free before 10 p.m. for 21 and up, $3 for 18 and up. | John Wenzel
