MOVIES
Period pieces should be made with a relentless intensity and attention to detail; unless everything looks perfect, the audience is distracted by nitpicking and second-guessing. Is that the right costume? Would they really have said it that way in 1908? “The Illusionist” successfully creates that, well, illusion, of accuracy and self-importance. It helps to have actors on board like Edward Norton, as Eisenheim the Viennese magician. No one has ever accused Norton of sleepwalking through a role. Here he sells the idea of a master conjuror with bravado and soul. He’s backed up by meticulous, period-appropriate tricks re-created by Ricky Jay and other consultants. All in all, the hard work of writer-director Neil Burger makes for a satisfying diversion from modern life. | Michael Booth
DANCE
The Cleo Parker Robinison Dance Ensemble’s latest offering, “Isis Rising,” showcases works by four top female choreographers, including Nejla Yatkin and Victoria Dale. It is the first time in the company’s 36-year history that it has devoted an entire program to works by women. Performances are set for 8 p.m. Saturday evening and Sept. 16 and 2 p.m. Sept. 10 and 17 at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Tickets are $18-$38. 303-871-7720 or ticketmaster.com. | Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
The best of the recent Boulder International Fringe Festival has been brought back for command performances all weekend. Today’s remaining reduxes are Buntport’s “Something Is Rotten” (2 p.m.), the Boulder Film Collective’s “Selected Shorts” (3:30 p.m.), TinHouse Experimental Dance Theatre of Jamestown’s “Heartache for Branches With Green Leaves” (4 p.m.) and Crazy for Jane (from Berlin) performing “Desperate Serenade” (5:30 p.m.). All performances at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. (the 4 p.m. show is in the parking lot); 720-563-9950 or go to boulderfringe.org). | John Moore
TELEVISION
Coloradans were well aware of the 1988 Yellowstone wildfires, thanks to daily news updates and superb local documentaries during and after the event. Now A&E offers a movie version celebrating firefighters, sort of inspired by real events but set on a tourist-filled July 4 weekend. “Firestorm: Last Stand at Yellowstone,” airing Monday at 8 p.m. on A&E, features Scott Foley (“Felicity”) and Richard Burgi (“Desperate Housewives”). | Joanne Ostrow
VISUAL ARTS
East End Applied Arts, a gallery at 1556 Florence St. in Aurora that specializes in fine crafts, has invited 27 artists from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom to take part in an exhibition titled “Cutting Edge.” All are widely recognized for taking innovative approaches to paper and fiber. Three judges, including Alice Zrebiec, consulting curator for textiles at the Denver Art Museum, will award cash prizes. The show opens with a reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. 720-203-3575 or eastendarts.com. | Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
The Larimer Lounge will feel like a Pacific Northwest punk party Tuesday as The Gossip and Erase Errata arrive to flay the audience with their fiercely tuneful indie rock. Both of the politically conscious, female-
fronted groups could headline their own show, but having them together under one roof promises to be an explosive and wholly satisfying experience. 2721 Larimer St. $12, 8 p.m. | John Wenzel
NIGHT LIFE
Sending off summer in style, several nightclubs will host “White Parties” Sunday to commemorate the unofficial start of fall. Seize your last chance to wear your best and brightest duds by hitting Tracks’ white party, hosted by Chocolate Sundays, featuring DJ Aziatic and DJ Andre. Vinyl will host its own bash, with Manufactured Superstars, Denver Bronco Al Wilson, the 3 Deep Crew and DJ Chief Rocka. Visit TracksDenver.com and 1082Broadway.com for times and cover charges. | John Wenzel
