MOVIES
Asked if she had any awards-season advice, Oscar-winner Emma Thompson, who stars with Will Ferrell in “Stranger Than Fiction,” offered sage words. To actors: “Get plenty of rest.” To critics: “Don’t overhype the movie.” Yet when is love ever hype? Not since “Groundhog Day” has a tickler been so metaphysically engaging while being just as lovingly entertaining. While this tale about an IRS auditor who discovers that he’s a character in a novel and is soon to die also stars an “SNL” alum, it achieves its abundant, generous moral with nary a smirk and maybe even a few tears. Dustin Hoffman and Queen Latifah add flavor to this delight, directed by Marc Forster (“Finding Neverland”) and written by newcomer Zach Helm. | Lisa Kennedy
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Bass-baritone Simon Estes, the grandson of a slave, has enjoyed an extraordinary international career. The Iowa native made his professional debut in 1965 at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, and, a year later, received the bronze medal at the Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow. The Colorado Symphony Guild will present the singer in recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Trinity United Methodist Church, 1820 Broadway. Tickets are $30, with proceeds benefiting the symphony’s education program. 303-363-6677. | Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
“Hats” is the story of a woman on the precipice of a milestone birthday who encounters one Red Hat Society woman after another. After commiserating about empty nests, diets, wrinkles and breast cancer, our protagonist is, of course, 50 and fabulous. It’s simple and formulaic, but the impact on its target audience is wonderful to behold: These women leave with renewed confidence that they are part of a larger community. The cast of mostly big-time Broadway veterans departs by the end of December, when an all-local cast takes over. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays at the New Denver Civic Theatre, 721 Santa Fe Drive. $37.50-$39.50 (303-309-3773, 866-464-2626, ticketswest.com, all King Soopers locations. | John Moore
TELEVISION
Even cuter than the animated kind! They march, they waddle, they balance eggs on their feet when it’s 50 below zero – just like in the movies but with more attention to the changing global climate, on PBS’s new “Nature” documentary. “Penguins of the Antarctic” premieres tonight at 7 on KRMA-Channel 6. | Joanne Ostrow
VISUAL ARTS
The Open Press Gallery, 10 E. Ellsworth Ave., has the ideal way to enjoy some quality printmaking and do a little Christmas shopping at the same time. The art space is presenting its third annual small-prints show, “Over 300 works $300 or Less by 30 Artists.” Also on view will be original prints by such widely known artists as Pierre Bonnard, Herbert Bayer and Janet Fish. The exhibition opens with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and runs through Dec. 23. 303-777-7539 or open pressltd.com. | Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
When 30 Seconds to Mars takes to the Fillmore Auditorium’s stage as headliner of MTV2’s $2 Bill Tour on Wednesday, it will be Jared Leto’s cold blue eyes that are the evening’s true stars. While this band holds a limited appeal with the kiddies, it’s obvious they wouldn’t be headlining auditoriums of this size were it not for the star power of their singer-guitarist. Regardless, 30 Seconds has seen its popularity skyrocket since the release of last year’s “A Beautiful Lie.” Constant touring has been good to the band, which has increasingly heard its songs on FM radio and television. Head Automatica, The Receiving End of Sirens, Cobra Starship, Rock Kills Kid and Street Drum Corps open. Tickets, $22-$25, are available via Ticketmaster. | Ricardo Baca
NIGHT LIFE
Denver’s biggest DJs will assemble for a night of celebration and support as Vibernt recording artist ben A releases his first studio effort in more than two years. With high-energy names like Wyatt Earp, DJ Foxx, Juan P and Joseph Newman in attendance, the night promises to last a bit longer than most. Wednesday at Slim 7 on Larimer Square, 1443 Larimer St. #1. $3 Absolut drink specials and $95 bottle services. The first 200 people get a free copy of ben A’s “Walking Through Crowded Streets.” | John Wenzel
