MOVIES
Christopher Guest seems too well-balanced to make a whole movie about his frustrations at the Hollywood system. But he would have every right to. His polished, subtly hilarious pictures don’t fit into the traditional awards categories, so Guest has been largely overlooked for such treasures as “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show” and “This is Spinal Tap.” Now, of course, comes the irony: His latest film pokes fun at the corrosive effect of awards buzz on everyday actors, and “For Your Consideration” may finally benefit from some Oscar buzz. Catherine O’Hara is the main target of the buzz, and for good reason. | Michael Booth
DANCE
The Boulder-based Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet strives to shake up and reinvigorate the centuries-old dance form. The small-scale troupe will premiere its third work of the year at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., in Boulder. The piece, titled “Alien Nation,” addresses themes of isolation and connection in a foreign landscape. Tickets are $22-$32. 303-444-7328 or thedairy.org. | Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
Adorned only in a top hat, sneakers and a sign that reads, “Something’s Going On,” Sonny is ready to jump off a Times Square ledge on Halloween night. Like Vesuvius, he’s boiling over with anxieties. The title of this world premiere musical does triple-duty here: It’s also the theme and name of the new production company staging it at the Theatre Café in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Principles, playwrights and performers Jim Mossutto and Sherrie Scott take us on a journey of discovery from the typical doctor-patient relationship to one of profound spiritual connection. Final performances 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $25; 303-623-7733. | Bob Bows
VISUAL ARTS
Like Hollywood and pop music, the art world manufactures its own set of celebrities ranging from Jackson Pollock to Matthew Barney. In a lecture titled “Genius, Visionary, Icon: The Culture of Celebrity in the Contemporary Art World,” Erika Doss, a widely respected professor of art history at the University of Colorado at Boulder, will examine this phenomenon. The free talk will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Colorado College’s Worner Center, 902 N. Cascade Ave., in Colorado Springs. 719-389-6607 or coloradocollege.edu. | Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
When Jay-Z talks, people listen. And so when the multiplatinum rapper, considered by many to be among the best MCs in hip-hop history, paid homage to the young Talib Kweli, it was news. Kweli first got noticed as part of Black Star, a troupe he co-fronted with his buddy Mos Def. And just as Mos Def has gone on to a different career in acting, Kweli has become rap’s next great savior. Much of his music will be on display when he takes on the Ogden Theatre on Friday. | Ricardo Baca
NIGHT LIFE
Get out your ice skates and Eurotrash ski wear, Denver. The Rink at Belmar is hosting an ’80s Skate Night on Thursday with free skating and a fluorescent ’80s ski wear theme. Synth-pop hits from the Reagan era will propel skaters around the rink while the adjacent Baker Street Pub offers live ’80s cover tunes and “après skate” drink specials. 440 S. Teller St. BelmarColorado.com. | John Wenzel
