FRIDAY
Top-notch, and free
CLASSICAL MUSIC|Given the pricey tickets of many classical music offerings, a free concert is always welcome. Today’s event is meant to heighten the profile of the Rocky Ridge Music Center near Estes Park and will feature an array of the summer school’s faculty from across the country.|7:30 p.m. today|University of Denver, Hamilton Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.; free, but donations accepted; 970-586-4031 or rockyridge.org.
SATURDAY
Flicks on the ‘Fax
FILM|The outdoor movie season is in full swing, and this week’s recommendation takes you to Aurora for “Flicks on the ‘Fax.” Fletcher Plaza will host “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at dusk. Bring your own blanket or chair.|dusk Saturday|9898 E. Colfax Ave.; free; 303-326-8804.
Kim Robards preview
DANCE|Kim Robards Dance company performs the culmination of its Summer Intensive Company Project. Pre-professional and professional dancers selected from a national audition process will perform alongside Denver-based KRD dancers in this sneak preview of the company’s fall show. Dance techniques include modern dance, with a little ballet and even tai chi mixed in.|7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Saturday |1379 S. Inca St.; $6; 303-825-4847
A “Contrived Ending”
THEATER|Josh Hartwell, a member of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and an accomplished playwright, will have his newest play, “Contrived Ending,” read aloud. It is a “mostly true, somewhat existentialist, dark comedy set in an old movie theater lobby in a smallish town in the early 1990s.” Readers include respected local actors Rhonda Brown, Russell Costen and Laura Norman.|6:30 p.m. Saturday|Douglas Buck Community Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave., Littleton; $5; 303-797-8787.
SUNDAY
Blues in the Gardens
MUSIC|The Hudson Gardens summer concert series turns to Delta blues this weekend with Willie Houston, billed as “Colorado’s Elder Statesman of the Blues.” He’s joined by the Erica Brown Band on the grounds of the beautiful display gardens along the South Platte River.|Gates open at 5:30 p.m., concert at 6:30 Sunday.|Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive; $7.50, $5 for members; 303-797-8565.
What’s old is new
THEATER|An unusual Shakespearean acting company called No Holds Bard is back, presenting “Measure for Measure.” NHB performs plays the way they were presented in the Bard’s day. Lines are not memorized as a full script. Each actor only receives his lines and cues in advance, then meets with the rest of the cast the day of the show to briefly rehearse only fights, dances and music. The rest of the play unfolds for the actors as they are performing it for the audience – at no time have they read it all before the first show. |6 p.m. Sunday and July 1|in front of the Elitch Theatre; $10; 720-252-6182.
A little nostalgia
CLASSICAL MUSIC|The Boulder-based Colorado Music Festival kicks off its summer offerings with a concert re-creating its opening concert 30 years ago. Music director Michael Christie will lead the program, which includes Alban Berg’s “Seven Early Songs” and arias from the “The Marriage of Figaro” with soprano Lina Tetruashvili.|7:30 p.m. Sunday|Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder; $10-$45; 303-440-7666 or coloradomusicfest.org.
THE WEEKEND
Hip-hop
MUSIC SUMMIT|The fifth annual Hip-Hop Congress National 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). The conference is organized to help inspire young people to get involved in social action.|9:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday|Boulder Outlook Hotel, 800 28th St., Boulder; $20; call 408-332-6262 or visit hiphopcongress.com.
Visit Aurora’s artists
ART|Art and Aurora do belong in the same sentence. More than 20 galleries, studies and other art spaces will be open to the public during Aurora’s 2006 Summer Art Walk. A map is available at auroragov
.org/artwalk.|5 to 8:30 p.m. today and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday|East End Arts District along East Colfax Avenue, Aurora; free; 720-203-3575.
THE WEEK
Tune up the tubas
BRASS MUSIC|Perhaps not 76 trombones, but there will be plenty of gleaming brass when the United States Air Force Academy Band performs as part of the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference. Fittingly, prelude music will be provided by the United States Marine Band Tuba-Euphonium Quartet.|7 p.m. Wednesday|University of Denver, Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.; free; 303-832-4676.
Pavilions happenings
MUSIC|Hot Sounds at the Pavilions brings musicians Rebecca Folsom and Opie Gone Bad to the stage Thursday for its second concert this summer. The event includes music and a tent with foosball tournaments and prizes. Guests can register for competitive games, scheduled at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. New this year to the concert series is an Urban Market, which will feature fruits, vegetables and art each week. Hot Sounds kicked off its annual summer concert series Thursday and will host two new acts each Thursday through Aug. 10, at 5 and 7 p.m. |5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday|500 16th St. at the Denver Pavilions complex; free; 303-260-6000 or denverpavilions.com.
