Friday
Decades of top art
EXHIBIT|Perhaps the most important art exhibition of the summer, “Decades of Influence: Colorado 1985- Present,” opens today and runs through Aug. 27. It will focus on 72 of the most influential artists who have lived and worked in the state during the past two decades.|Opening reception, 6 to 9 p.m. today| Center for Visual Art, 1734 Wazee St.; Carol Keller Project Space, 1513 Boulder St.; Gates Sculpture Triangle, 1551 Wewatta St.; and Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver, 1275 19th St.; call 303-298-7554 or visit mcartdenver.org.
History in photos
ART|China’s Cultural Revolution remains something of an enigma to most Americans. “The Politics of Power,” an exhibition ending today, offers a rare, multifaceted look at this tumultuous and ultimately debilitating period in Chinese history. At its centerpiece are 23 gripping black-and-white images by Li Zhensheng. In 1963, he became a photographer for the Heilongjiang Daily, placing him in an ideal position to witness – and document – all that was to come.|9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today|Museum of Outdoor Arts, Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway; free; 303-806-0444 or visit moaonline.org.
Saturday
Highland fun
STREET FAIR|Once a year, the Highland neighborhood throws a party and invites the whole city. This year’s street fair features food, vendors, children’s activities and an array of live music on three stages, including singer-songwriter Dwight Mark at noon, the Reggae Cowboys at 3 p.m. and vocalist Nina Storey at 4:45 p.m.|Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to dusk|Along West 32nd Avenue from Julian to Perry streets; free; 303-594-7767 or highlands-square.com.
Step this way
IRISH MUSIC|Three internationally recognized artists in the Irish traditional music scene promise a night of dance and music presented by The Rocky Mountain Uilleann Pipers Club. Frank Claudy, Eliot Grasso and Roger Landes will perform, along with guest dancers from the McTeggart Irish Dancers and Heritage Irish Stepdancers.|7 p.m. Saturday |The Denver Press Club, 1330 Glenarm Place; $16 in advance, $20 at the door; 303-903-4985.
Buntport wedding?
THEATER|Those tricksters at the Buntport Theater: Their wildly popular live sitcom, “Magnets on the Fridge,” completed its fifth and final season last month, but with a real surprise ending: There’s one more episode! “The Magnets Wedding Special” will be staged, complete with pre-party and reception. There may (or may not) even be a wedding!|6:15 p.m. Saturday|717 Lipan St.; $15; 720-946-1388.
The Weekend
A ride on Thomas
CHILDREN’S SHOW|Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the PBS show “Thomas and Friends,” will host visitors for a 30-minute ride as part of a family festival this weekend. It’s the 11th annual U.S. tour for Thomas, who visits Durango as part of a 10-month ride through more than 40 U.S. cities.|10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. today, Saturday, Sunday and Monday|Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave., Durango; $16 for ages 2 and up; 888-TRAIN-07 or visit durangotrain.com.
Grand opening
ART|Nine10Arts, a new visual arts complex with studios, exhibition space and a coffee shop, marks its grand opening this weekend with guided tours and children’s art workshops.| 3 to 8 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; guided tours at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. today, also 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday|910 Santa Fe Drive; free; 303-333-2820 or 910arts.com.
The Week
Denver’s own Tonys
THEATER|The Colorado Theatre Guild presents its first Henry Awards, honoring excellence in the 2005-06 theater season, with an awards celebration. Awards will presented in 20 categories.|7 p.m. Monday |the New Denver Civic, 721 Santa Fe Drive; $30 (or $20 to watch on a video feed from the Civic’s adjacent studio theater; call 303-778-7724.
Movies under stars
FILM|Experience the cartoon wilderness in the friendly confines of the parking lot at Aspen Grove, where each Wednesday night brings a free outdoor movie. Pack a folding chair and a picnic, or pick up food at the center’s fast-casual restaurants, then settle in for the movie under the stars. This week’s pick is “Madagascar.”|dusk Wednesday|Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton; free; call 303-794-0640.
A wee bit short
FUNDRAISER|North High School is still $5,000 short of the $65,000 it needs to send 15 drama students to Edinburgh, Scotland, to perform “Simply Maria” in the American High School Theatre Festival. It presents a fundraising screening of Jack Black’s new film “Nacho Libre” at Cinema Latino. The Scottish fest includes 39 American high schools in August, including Douglas County presenting “Scapin.”|7 p.m. Wednesday|777 Peoria St., Aurora; $10; 720-423-2941.
Not THAT congress
MUSIC SUMMIT|In an effort to involve young people in social action, the Hip-Hop Congress will host the Fifth Annual Hip-Hop Congress National Conference, a four-day event, next weekend. The conference will include discussions about health care, international hip-hop, the future of emceeing, youth violence and more. There will also be a nightly music artist, including independent acts from Colorado (Black Pegasus) and around the nation (Bay Area artists Dlabrie and Jacka).|6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. June 23, 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. June 24, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 25|Boulder Outlook Hotel, 800 28th St., Boulder; $20; call 408-332-6262 or visit hiphopcongress.com.
Hot sounds on mall
POP MUSIC|Hot Sounds at the Pavilions – free outdoor shows at the Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall – kick off again this week with Hazel Miller. Other artists performing for eight consecutive Thursdays include Opie Gone Bad, Railbenders, Chris Daniels and The Kings and Dotsero.|Starts Thursday, 5-9 p.m., and for the next seven Thursdays.|16th Street Mall at Glenarm; free.
