Friday
Modernism
ART|A strong strain of modernism has run through the art of Colorado since the early decades of the 20th century. Noted Denver artist Tracy Felix serves as guest curator for an exhibition that traces the regional history of the tradition and highlights many of the state’s top practitioners. Titled “Colorado Modernism: 1930-1970,” it runs Saturday through Sept. 3.|Opening reception, 5:30-8 p.m. today|Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St., Golden; $3 adults, $2 seniors, free for students and members; 303-279-3922 or foothillsartcenter.org.
Team effort
SYMPHONIC MUSIC|The Colorado Symphony teams up with the National Repertory Orchestra, a pre-professional training ensemble, for a concert today in Breckenridge. Jeffrey Kahane, the CSO’s music director, will serve as soloist for Mozart’s Piano Concert No. 22, and share conducting duties with Carl Topilow, music director of the repertory orchestra.|7:30 p.m. today|Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge; $25-$35; 970-547-3100.
Smooth
JAZZ CONCERT|Sophie Milman performs at the Strings in the Mountains Music Festival. Milman, 23, has been nominated for both a Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) and a Smooth Jazz Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album of the Year.|8 p.m. Friday|Strings Music Festival Park at Mount Werner Road and Pine Grove Road in Steamboat Springs; $25; through Strings in the Mountains at 907-879-5056 or stringsinthemountains.com.
Saturday
Bands on the march
CORPS COMPETITION|Seven drum corps will perform Saturday in the “Drums Along The Rockies” competition. The event includes the 2005 Drum Corps International World Champion Cadets from Allentown, Pa., as well as teams from Illinois, California, Wisconsin, Seattle and Denver’s Blue Knights drum corps. |7 p.m. Saturday|Invesco Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant Street; $15-$80; through drumsalongtherockies.com or 303-424-6396.
“Gems” for a cause
CLASSICAL MUSIC|Soprano Christine Brandes shines in the title role of Central City Opera’s production of “The Coronation of Poppea.” During a break in the opera’s run, she will join two musicians from the production’s pit ensemble for a concert titled “Baroque Gems.” Proceeds will benefit Parents, Families and Friends of Gays of Denver.|6:30 p.m. Saturday|Sixth Avenue United Methodist Church of Christ, 3250 E. Sixth Ave.; free, but donations accepted; 303-573-5861.
They just “Dew” it
EXTREME SPORTS|The Dew Action Sports Tour returns to Denver for the second year and offers fans the opportunity to meet athletes, try new products and test their skills. In Denver, more than 250 athletes will be competing, including Shaun White, Dave Mirra and Travis Pastrana. The weekend also features music – 30 Seconds to Mars at 9 tonight at City Lights Pavilion – a deejay, an airbrush tattoo parlor and a PlayStation 2 Gaming Lounge.|3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday|Pepsi Center at Speer Boulevard and Chopper Circle; $7.50-$15 advance, $9-18 day-of; 502-361-3100 or ticketmaster.com.
The Weekend
Pushing the envelope
PERFORMANCE ART|She’s back. The ever-controversial, ever-provocative Karen Finley returns to Boulder for the national debuts of her two latest works – “The Dreams of Laura Bush” and “The Passion of Terry Schiavo.” Expect them to be outré and even a little raunchy, as she once again pushes the limits and examines the state of American sociopolitics.|8 p.m. today and Saturday|Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder; $25 general admission; 303-443-2122 or bmoca.org.
Boulder fair
ART|More than 50,000 people are expected for this year’s edition of the Downtown Boulder ArtFair. In addition to works by nearly 160 artists from across the country, the event will feature jazz and classical-guitar performances.|10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday|Pearl Street from Ninth to 15th streets, Boulder; free; 303-449-3774 or boulderdowntown.com.
Have a spree
KIDS FESTIVAL|The 11th annual KidSpree Aurora returns this weekend, as kids can climb a ladder, slide down a chute, meander through a giant maze, dress up, dance, squeeze clay and slop paint on a real car. The festival also includes life- size board games, stilt walkers, living statues and more than 60 hands-on activities and entertainers. Parking is free at the Town Center at Aurora’s southwest parking lot, with free shuttle transportation.|10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday|Bicentennial Park, 13655 E. Alameda Ave. in Aurora; free; 303-326-8FUN or auroragov.org/kidspree.
PHAMALy’s “Wiz”
THEATER|The Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League begins performing “The Wiz” this weekend. The play brings an urban, R&B perspective to L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The show runs through July 30.|7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday|Space Theater at 13th Avenue and Curtis Street; $20-$28; through The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 303-893-4100 or denvercenter.org.
The Week
Music on the winds
CHAMBER MUSIC|Each year the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival hosts a composer-in-residence. Taking his turn this summer is Kenji Bunch, who has written a new wind quintet that will be premiered Tuesday by the nationally recognized Imani Winds. Also on the program will be works by such composers as Mozart and Dvorak.|6 p.m. Tuesday|Vilar Center for the Arts, Beaver Creek; $27; call 877-812-5700 or visit vailmusicfestival.org.
