MOVIES
This fall season has been memorable for the chance to watch a handful of actors use good films as a vehicle to elevate their performances beyond anything we have seen before. First Forest Whitaker accomplished the difficult task as Idi Amin in “The Last King of Scotland.” Now Derek Luke makes the same effort in the true South African story “Catch a Fire.” Luke plays Patrick Chamusso, an African-American family man enjoying the fruits of a middle-class life until the full horrors of the apartheid system finally cross his doorstep. Luke has been competent and likable, but a bit of a cipher, in previous roles for movies such as “Glory Road” and “Antwone Fisher.” As Chamusso, Luke adds a mature, quiet and self-deprecating dignity to his other skills, promising more great things to come in future roles. | Michael Booth
CLASSICAL MUSIC
A year ago, the Colorado Symphony’s music director, Jeffrey Kahane, led a program in which he investigated the history, symbolism and inner workings of Ludwig van Beethoven’s landmark Symphony No. 5, concluding with a full performance of the landmark work. This year, Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World,” will get the same treatment during concerts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Boettcher Concert Hall. Tickets are $15-$67.50. 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org. | Kyle MacMillan
TELEVISION
It’s the seventh leg of the journey on the 10th season of CBS’s “Amazing Race,” at 7 tonight on Channel 4, and the contenders are off to Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean. Beyond hustle and street smarts, strategy includes helping certain competitors through a ticket line. | Joanne Ostrow
STAGE
“Cannibal! The Musical” is tons of tacky fun in its limited engagement at the Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge, thanks to Charlie Schmidt’s thoroughly winning portrayal of Colorado carnivore Alfred Packer. “Cannibal!” is the silly stage adaptation of “South Park” co-creator Trey Parker’s first full-length film, shot in 1993 as a student at the University of Colorado. The 90-minute show, directed by Joseph Norton, has a great, low-art comic sensibility and many light melodramatic touches, such as the lovely Kristin Hathaway’s sweet portrayal of Denver Post reporter Polly Pry. Guffawing audiences are encouraged to cheer whenever they hear “Breckenridge” – and boo whenever the musical “Oklahoma” is mentioned. Final performances 7:30 p.m. today through Tuesday at 121 S. Ridge St. $18 (970-453-0199). Adults only. | John Moore
VISUAL ARTS
Since its first acquisition in 1966, Regis University has put together one of the country’s top collections of contemporary Spanish colonial art. It focuses on santos, sculptures of religious figures created primarily in Colorado and New Mexico. A selection from the holding, titled “Santos: Sacred Art of Colorado,” opened Tuesday and will remain on view through Dec. 8 in the school’s O’Sullivan Art Gallery. An opening reception is set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 2 to 8 p.m. Thursdays. 303-964-3634 or regis.edu/osullivan. | Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
Regardless of our mountain geography, Colorado carries rich traditions in reggae and other island music. Reggae on the Rocks, the annual summertime concert at Red Rocks, is a legendary event with a storied past, an international slate of performers and a big draw for reggae fans from throughout America. But the music thrives in the snowier months too. And when fans catch Ziggy Marley’s show tonight at the Ogden Theatre, they’ll be rocking out with a legend in his own right – one who also happens to be the eldest son of Bob Marley, who remains the single most influential figure in reggae’s history. Samantha Stollenwerck opens the show. Tickets, $29.50, are available via TicketWeb. | Ricardo Baca
NIGHT LIFE
Halloween night is always saturated with worthy parties, both elaborate and modest. On the latter end is Play Coed Denver’s Monster Mash, an unpretentious “bowling bash” at downtown’s Lucky Strike lanes. Granted, the venue is a hipster hangout relative to most bowling alleys, but it’s better than paying a $15 cover to watch a dude in makeup pass out in the bathroom. A costume contest will award prizes hourly while you roll deep to a live DJ. Tuesday at 7 p.m. 500 16th St., Suite 340. $45 per lane. | John Wenzel
