FRIDAY
Sign of the cross
ART EXHIBIT|Cuban-born artist Alejandro Mendoza isn’t afraid to modernize beloved cultural symbols, especially the Catholic cross. His work forsakes sensationalism for thoughtful, varied reimaginings of the cross through sculpture and drawings. His mixed- media works opened Thursday night at the Walkway Gallery and will be on display through mid-February. |8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 12:30-5:30 p.m. Saturdays; today-Feb. 13|The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St. in Fort Collins; Free; 970-416-2789, ci.fort-collins.co.us/lctix.
SATURDAY
Ohana’s works
CLASSICAL GUITAR|Not exactly a household name, Maurice Ohana was nonetheless an important figure in 20th-century music, living in Paris from 1946 until his death in 1992. Born in 1913 in Casablanca, he spent most of his childhood in the Spanish Basque country, absorbing its rich musical traditions. Guitarist Jonathan Leathwood, pianist Heidi Brende and percussionist Hiroko Hellyer will present a program of Ohana’s chamber music. |7:30 p.m. Saturday|University of Denver, Hamilton Recital Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Illiff Ave.; $18 general public, $16 seniors and free for students; 303-871-6412 or du.edu/lamont.
SUNDAY
“etown” for kids
RADIO SHOW TAPING|Dan Zanes creates smart, family-friendly folk music and was recently nominated for a Grammy. Colombian party group La Cumbiamba eNeYé brings energy to traditional South American songs. The acts will join forces to tape Boulder’s latest “etown” radio show and, to cater to the youngster set, will get an early kickoff.|5 p.m., Sunday|Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St.; $15; 303-786-7030 or bouldertheater.com.
THE WEEKEND
Poets’ roundup
COWBOY POETRY|Yippie ki-yay! It’s time for the 18th Annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which brings together 40 performing groups from the United States, Canada and Australia. Cowboy poets, Western balladeers and yodelers bring to life the Western lifestyle, which continues to draw on its 19th-century roots while responding to contemporary changes.|Mainstage performances, 7:30 p.m. today; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday|Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd.; Daytime sessions, $14, mainstage performances price, $28; 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org/cowboy.
THE WEEK
“Rainforest Odyssey”
CHILDREN’S BALLET|If you thought “children’s show” and “contemporary ballet” were mutually exclusive, think again. David Taylor Dance Theatre’s “Rainforest Odyssey” has continually wowed audiences of all ages with its eye-popping visuals. The show takes kids through different levels of life in a rain forest with costumes, props, and special lighting effects – all without losing sight of the skilled dancing that forms its core.|5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday- Jan. 19|The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St. in Fort Collins; $7-$9; 970-221-6730, LCtix.com.
Ute Lemper sings
CABARET|Berlin-born cabaret singer Ute Lemper, widely considered one of the world’s best, will visit Denver to invoke the dark, decadent feel of cabarets in pre- war Berlin and Paris. Lemper’s international theater background, including award-winning roles in shows like “Cats” and “Chicago,” will step aside as she focuses on the work of George Gershwin, Bertolt Brecht, Jacques Brel and contemporary artists like Nick Cave and Tom Waits. |7:30 p.m., Thursday|Neman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.; $25-$65; 303-357-2787 or ticketmaster.com.
Ed Ruscha lecture
ART|Ed Ruscha, a kind of living old master, is among this country’s most celebrated artists. He emerged in the 1960s and has remained a vital force since, continuing to influence the American and international scene. He will lead off the Denver Art Museum’s Logan Lecture Series, which features 10 renowned contemporary artists and runs through Dec. 13.|6:30 p.m. Thursday|Denver Art Museum, West 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock Street; $18 general public, $15 museum members and $12 DAM Contemporaries members; 720-913-0150 or damcontemporaries.denverart museum.org.
Not just for art’s sake
ART|The Critical Art Ensemble brings together art, technology and activism, working in such realms as computer graphics, performance art and photography. Two members of the collective, Steve Kurtz and Steve Barnes, will appear Wednesday at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. Kurtz drew national attention in 2004, when he was detained as a potential bioterrorist.|5:30 p.m., panel discussion on the history political art, 7:30 p.m. presentation by Kurtz and Barnes|Steele Auditorium, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, 1600 Pierce St., Lakewood; free; 303-753-6046 or rmcad.edu.
Hey, ladies …
COMIC MONOLOGUE|Britt Swenson’s one-woman “So Many Ladies” is a Lily Tomlinesque series of diverse character monologues that has returned to the Bovin Metropolis for a series of Thursday night performances. The Boulder resident and Groundlings veteran offers Laura Bush, a Broadway star, a motivational therapist and many more. |7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Feb. 15|1527 Champa St; $12; 303-758-4722.
Keaton classic
SILENT FILM|The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra knows a thing or two about making silent films come to life. The quintet will provide live accompaniment for a presentation of Buster Keaton’s classic comedy “Sherlock, Jr.” (1924). A cinema projectionist falls asleep and dreams of becoming a master detective and falling in love.|7 p.m. Wednesday|Steamboat Mountain Theater, Ski Times Square, Steamboat Springs; $25; 970-879-5056, ext. 100, or stringsinthemountains.com.
