MOVIES
“I’m finding that space where I’m committing to the truth of the character,” said an excited Will Smith while in New York City to promote “The Pursuit of Happyness.” “I’ve been there two other times, with ‘Ali’ and with ‘Six Degrees of Separation.”‘ He’s right. Smith digs deep and mines jagged moments as Chris Gardner, a devoted father whose plunge into homelessness coincides with the opportunity he’s dreamed about: an internship, albeit a non- paying one, at Dean Witter. Many will cheer Gardner storming the corporate ramparts. But it’s the other places Gardner and his 5-year-old son Chris (Smith’s son Jaden) take us – the shelters, the church services, the public spaces made private – that make this journey so powerful. | Lisa Kennedy
CLASSICAL MUSIC
If you still need a fix of holiday music, it’s not too late. The Colorado Springs Philharmonic will present its Christmas program at 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave. Joining Music Director Lawrence Leighton Smith and the orchestra for the “Hallelujah” chorus and an assortment of other yuletide favorites will be the Colorado Springs Chorale and Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble. Tickets are $12-$50. 866-464-2626 or ticketswest.com. | Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
The best and most frustrating thing about the Buntport Theater is that none of its 20 collaborative, original productions are derivative of anything that has come before it. The newest effort, “Winter in Graupel Bay,” seems inspired by Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” with its oddly sweet and melancholy tone. In this poignant yet elusive tale, the ensemble simply introduces us to about 15 eccentric but identifiable characters in a small town on the shortest night of the year. It’s neither heavy nor particularly comic; it’s more like a snapshot that lingers. Final performances 6 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. $12-$25 (720-946-1388, buntport.com). | John Moore
TELEVISION
The 1965 chestnut, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” with the pathetic tree whose knockoffs are now shamelessly marketed on the Internet, airs at 6 p.m. on ABC (KMGH- Channel 7) followed at 7 p.m. by “The Santa Clause 2” (2002), starring Tim Allen. For relief from enforced holiday cheer, see Billy Wilder’s “Sunset Blvd.” (1950) on TCM, tonight at 6 | Joanne Ostrow
VISUAL ARTS
Looking for something to do when the relatives are in town over the holidays? What better than a visit to the Denver Art Museum’s much-publicized new $110 million addition? It will impress even your snooty in- laws from Palm Springs who can’t quite shake the image of Denver as a cowtown. The museum will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and closed Christmas Day. Advance purchase of admission tickets is recommended. 866-409-0278 or denverartmuseum.org | Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots nabbed the top spot on The Denver Post’s Best Underground Band poll in July, and a visit to one of their live shows reveals why. Lead singer Munly Munly commands attention with his deep, tortured vocals, while the Harlots’ harmonies and string work add a gorgeous, mildly unsettling femininity. The band will headline the Larimer Lounge’s holiday party on Friday with like-minded acts Reverend Deadeye, Bad Luck City, Painted Saints and Sputnik Slovenia. $10, 8 p.m. 2721 Larimer St. | John Wenzel
NIGHT LIFE
The Loft has officially been open since August, but many clubgoers have yet to visit the generically named lounge on the corner of 22nd and Champa streets. That’s a shame, since its brick walls, high ceilings and spacious booths more than live up to its name. Two distinct levels offer luxury VIP booths, a dance floor and more specialty nights than you can shake a stick at (Martini Manicure Mondays, Classic Cinema Sundays). Next up: Resident DJs Dealer and Mike Marasch throw down Friday as part of the Dirty Sexy Funky series. 821 22nd St. 303-296-4604. | John Wenzel
