VISUAL ARTS
What’s the most popular piece in the Denver Art Museum’s contemporary collection? That’s easy: John DeAndrea’s lifelike sculpture, “Linda.” Because it is made of a polyvinyl material that is sensitive to light, the museum cannot keep Linda on display regularly. The work will go on view this week for the first time in the newly opened Hamilton Building on West 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock Street. It can be seen Thursday through March 4 on the third floor. 720-865-5000 or denverartmuseum.org. | Kyle MacMillan
MOVIES
Peter O’Toole has been nominated for the Academy Award eight times. Hasn’t won yet. Hollywood legend has it that he turned down a career achievement Oscar because he still hoped to win on a single year’s merits. This eighth nomination, for the worthy and surprisingly affecting “Venus,” gives him a good shot, though he’s up against another swell of admiration and sentiment for Forest Whittaker in “The Last King of Scotland.” Regardless of the statuette distribution, go see O’Toole as he leers, loves and learns in the early, early May/late, late December relationship of “Venus.” | Michael Booth
STAGE
The seminal line of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” comes when the newly deceased Emily asks the story’s narrator, “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?” The additional impact from having that line delivered by an actor in a wheelchair is impossible to miss. Wilder wrote Grover’s Corner to be the most ordinary town in America. But when the theater company is the handicapped troupe called PHAMALy, that’s just not possible. Not when every resident of Grover’s Corner is physically or mentally challenged. Final performances 2 p.m. today, 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Aurora Fox Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax Ave. Tickets $20-$22 (303-739-1970 or phamaly.org. | John Moore
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Since joining the Takács Quartet in the early 1990s in the all-important position of first violinist, Edward Dusinberre has been a big reason the ensemble has soared to the pinnacle of the string-quartet world. Dusinberre steps away from his usual role in that close-knit foursome and takes the spotlight as soloist with the Boulder Philharmonic. He will join the orchestra in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Macky Auditorium on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder. Tickets are $10-$65. 303-449-1343, ext. 2, or boulderphil.org. |Kyle MacMillan
TELEVISION
“Beauty and the Geek,” at 8 tonight on KWGN-Channel 2, is a kinder reality show than the title suggests. The goal is understanding and self-improvement, for both the pretty but skin-deep female characters and the smart but socially inept men. (Besides, tonight’s “Desperate Housewives” is a repeat.) | Joanne Ostrow
DVDS
Maybe it’s the intelligently cooked-up chemistry between Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher as Coast Guard rescue swimmers at different ends of their careers. Or maybe it’s the fine independent streak of their love interests (Sela Ward and Melissa Sagemiller). Or maybe it’s simply a relief to take in a movie free of terrorists of unknown nationality or heroes defusing bombs and dodging bullets. Likely, it’s the pleasant convergence of all these qualities that makes Andrew Davis’ “The Guardian” such fine popcorn fare. | Lisa Kennedy
NIGHT LIFE
All-in-one infomercial mainstay K-Tel International probably has sold more music compilations than all the Virgin Megastores combined. Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs” repeatedly name-checked the series via Steven Wright’s laconic DJ shtick. DJ John Rumley, (Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Tarantella) will spin those earth-toned ’70s hits every Monday at Bender’s Tavern, so be sure to stop by if you’re feeling like a night of polyester excellence. Just don’t forget the period dress (Saigon sunglasses not required). 314 E. 13th Ave., 9 p.m. No cover. | John Wenzel
POPULAR MUSIC
Some bands are harder than Slayer, yes. But there isn’t a band touring at this level with a more punishing one-two punch of drums and guitars. You leave a Slayer show feeling bruised and battered, even if you avoided the pit. The band likes its music loud, but, more important, Slayer writes and performs its music with menace. Each song slugs you in the chest – the kind of punch that feels good and cleansing. (Although I would definitely advise earplugs.) Slayer plays the Fillmore Auditorium on Wednesday with Unearth and local rock heroes Cephalic Carnage. More: fillmoreauditorium.com. | Ricardo Baca
