Friday
Solstice celebration
SEASONAL MUSIC|With today’s arrival of the winter solstice, the cold settles in but the days gradually begin to grow longer. The Breckenridge Music Festival marks this turning point and the Christmas season with its “Winter Solstice Celebration.” The holiday program features trombonist Jemmie Robertson, pianist Michael Bunchman and sopranos Christine Robertson and Jessica Medoff Bunchman.|7 p.m. today|St. Mary’s Church, Breckenridge; $20; 970-453-9142 or brecken ridgemusicfestival.com.
The Weekend
Springs orchestra
HOLIDAY CONCERT | Beethoven once called him “the greatest composer that ever lived,” so it’s no surprise Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” from his famous oratorio “Messiah,” remains one of the most popular pieces of Christmas music more than 250 years after its creation. The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra will present that and a handful of holiday sing-along favorites this weekend, with the 120-voice Colorado Springs Chorale and Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble.|8 p.m., Friday; 2:30 p.m. Saturday|Pikes Peak Center, 190 South Cascade Ave. in Colorado Springs; $12-$50, TicketsWest or 866-464-2626.
“Gremlins”
FILM|It’s Christmastime, so why not indulge in the goodness that is “Gremlins.” Many forget that this brilliant Joe Dante film was set around the holidays, but their negligence is understandable. Santa was hardly the star of this movie. Instead the stars are the little mischievous creatures who shouldn’t be exposed to light, gotten wet or fed after midnight. Fittingly, this weekend’s showings of the film start promptly at midnight – so get your popcorn and other snacks ready.|Midnight, tonight and Saturday.|Esquire Theater; $7; 303-352-1992
Sunday
B-i-n-g-o!
BAR GAMES|If you like your comedy coated in irony and your games lubricated by cheap beer, Sputnik’s bingo night is right up your alley. Host Ben Kronberg isn’t just funny. He’s ridiculous. And he’s as much a target as you are in his understated comedy. From his bingo night’s website listing: “Drinks, Prizes, More!!!” And what else do you need from a bingo night?|9 p.m., Sundays|Sputnik, 7 S. Broadway; free; hi-dive.com
Jonathan Winters
RADIO BROADCAST|Veteran comedian Jonathan Winters puts his inimitable stamp on the holiday season with a reading of “A Christmas Carol.” With a little help from Mimi Kennedy, the famed vocal impersonator portrays all the story’s principal characters in this National Public Radio production.|4 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. Monday|Colorado Public Radio: 1340 AM in Denver, 1490 AM in Boulder, 1230 AM in Pueblo, 89.5 FM in Grand Junction, 88.3 FM in Montrose and 88.3 FM in Craig; 303-871-9191 or kcfr.org.
The Week
Eroica Trio
CHAMBER MUSIC|Balancing youth, pulchritude and considerable musical talent, the all-female Eroica Trio has gained widespread recognition in the chamber-music world. The piano trio will be the featured performer for the Strings in the Mountains Music Festival’s annual holiday gala concert.|Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. concert, 6:30 p.m. champagne reception|Sheraton Steamboat Springs Resort and Conference Center; $65; 970-879-5056 or stringsinthemountains.com.
Ferrell’s “Fiction”
FILM|It may not have jumbo cupholders or ear-splitting surround sound, but the historic Boulder Theater offers a movie-viewing experience like no other. The velvet curtains and ornate décor of the 100-year- old theater subtly enhance even the lowliest flick. Lucky, then, that a solid contender like “Stranger Than Fiction” should come along. The smart Will Ferrell comedy didn’t get the praise it deserved its first go-round, so check it out the way it was meant to be seen.|7:30 p.m. Wednesday|The Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St.; $6, all ages; bouldertheater.com.
“Peter and the Wolf” MARIONETTES|Tired of “The Nutcracker”? Jim Gamble uses his cast of marionettes to bring to life another beloved Russian classic, Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.” This annual family production in Steamboat Springs typically sells out, so a second performance has been added this year. |3:30 and 5:30 p.m Thursday|Sheraton Steamboat Springs Resort and Conference Center; $10 adults and $1 children 18 and younger; 970-879-5056 or stringsinthemountains.com.
Naughty night
BURLESQUE|If you missed tickets to Lannie Garett’s sold-out Big Band Holiday Show, never fear. Her Clocktower Cabaret, located in the historic Daniels & Fisher Tower on the 16th Street Mall, has something for you: Pierre Jean-Pierre St. Pierre and his cast of outrageous burlesque dancers. Their show offers classic stripteases from the ’30s and ’40s, comedians, singers, naughty puppet shows, belly dancers and magicians. If you’re easily offended or underage, look elsewhere.|8 p.m. Thursday|Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, 16th and Arapahoe streets; $12 for show, $45-$80 for show and three-course dinner at Rialto; 303-293-0075 or lannies.com.
Asian works
ART|In the past 10 years or so, the eye of the art world has been firmly fixed on China, where an explosion in creativity has mirrored spectacular economic growth. The Robischon Gallery offers an exciting glimpse at this Asian giant’s booming art scene, with more than 25 paintings and sculptures. A show worthy of a contemporary-art museum, showcasing artists grappling with ancient traditions amid the flux of the now, it is an unusually ambitious undertaking for a Denver commercial art gallery.|Through Dec. 30|Robischon Gallery, 1740 Wazee St.; free; 303-298-7788 or robischongallery.com.
Going, going…
Catch these events before they disappear after this weekend:
“The SantaLand Diaries”
COMEDY THEATER|The one and only Gary Culig wraps us his eighth holiday stint starring in The Bug’s theatrical adaptation of David Sedaris’ hilarious essay about his previous life working as a Macy’s SantaLand elf.|ENDS SUNDAY|Final performances 8 p.m. today, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at 3654 Navajo St. Tickets $20-$25 (303-477-9984).
“A Christmas Carol” and “Season’s Greetings”
THEATER|The Denver Center Theatre Company’s parallel holiday offerings – one the traditional Dickens classic; the other a dry British comedy about a dysfunctional family – end Saturday (“Season’s Greetings”) and Sunday (“A Christmas Carol”). Final performances: Both play at 8 p.m. today, and 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “A Christmas Carol” has additional showings at 4:30 p.m. today and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
