“108 Blue Cranes”
ART|With works in the collections of such institutions as the M.H. de Young Museum in San Francisco, Yoshi-
tomo Saito is one of the Denver art scene’s most distinguished newcomers. A new solo exhibition titled “108 Blue Cranes” will give area viewers their first in- depth look at his contemplative works. It opens today and runs through March 17.|Opening reception,
6 to 9 p.m. today.|Rule Gallery, 227 Broadway; free; 303-777-9473 or
rulegallery.com.
Worth a gander
FILM|Whenever we hear Ryan Gosling’s name, we think of something young and downy. In “Half Nelson,” the actor’s turn as a Brooklyn junior high school teacher addicted to ideas (and crack) is worth a gander. For his touching work, Gosling recently earned an Oscar nod for best actor. And the Starz FilmCenter has been good enough to schedule director-co-writer Ryan Fleck’s tale of a compassionate mess of a teacher and the student who might save him. Though she wasn’t nominated, Shareeka Epps debut as Gosling’s student Drey provides audiences with a performance bonus. |Starts today|
Starz FilmCenter, 9th & Auraria Pkwy; $5.75-$8.75; 303-820-3456
Irish jazz rock
MUSIC|Anyone who can describe the eclectic, high-energy music of Grand Dérangement deserves to be in the group. The Canadian band melds Acadian (French Canadian) music, rock, jazz, and traditional Louisiana and Irish rhythms into something entirely original. A pair of step dancers augments the Nova Scotia group’s breathless performances.|7:30 p.m., Saturday|Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway; $26; 303-987-7845 or lakewood.org.
Paul Taylor & Co.
MODERN DANCE|Dance doesn’t get any better than the Paul Taylor Dance Company. The legendary choreographer is bringing his company to Beaver Creek for a program that will include two of his most celebrated works – “Company B” and “Esplanade,” a vibrant modern-dance masterpiece by any definition.|7:30 p.m., Saturday|Vilar Center for the Arts, Beaver Creek; $58; 888-920-2787 or
vilarcenter.org.
‘I’m Starvin”
COMEDY|John Pinette’s self-deprecating humor has much to do with his ample size, as evidenced by his new Comedy Central special and DVD, “I’m Starvin’.” That humor has taken him through festivals, TV and movie parts, and recently, Broadway’s “Hairspray” in the role of Edna Turnblad. His sets at Comedy Works, which started Thursday, run through the weekend.|various times, today-Saturday|Comedy Works, 1226 15th St.; $32; 303-595-3637 or
comedyworks.com.
Violin recital
SYMPHONIC MUSIC|Born in San Diego in 1970, violinist Anne Akiko Meyers appeared on “The Tonight Show” at age 11. She has since managed a graceful transition from child prodigy to an adult performer with a flourishing career. She will be in Colorado for a recital and a pair of concerts with the Colorado Symphony, with whom she has made regular appearances.|Colorado Symphony, 7:30 today and Saturday; recital, 6:30 p.m. Monday|Today and Saturday, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, $15-$67.50, 303-623-7876 or colorado symphony.org; Monday, Vilar Center for the Arts, Beaver Creek, $45, 888-920-2787 or
vilarcenter.org.
Dead comics
MUSICAL TRIBUTE|”Death Comedy Jams,” a title that riffs on the influential Def Comedy Jam night, pays tribute to dead comedians like Bill Hicks, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Sam Kinison, Mitch Hedberg and Andy Kaufman through music. Hosted by comedian Chuck Roy with jazz music by the Hate Camels (regulars at Dazzle and El Chapultepec), the event promises to tickle the ears from multiple directions.|8:15 p.m., Wednesday|Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave.; $5; 303-455-2124 or theorientaltheater.com.
Jewish heartache
FILM FESTIVAL|The ever- expanding 11th Denver Jewish Film Festival gets underway with “Live and Become,” Radu Mihaileanu’s festival fave about an Ethiopian boy airlifted from Sudan to Israel. Only the young African isn’t Jewish. This saga about a child’s necessary identity theft launches a festival that deals “with the heartache of diversity,” promises the Mizel Center’s Eric Hubler. The movie follows a reception honoring Gay Curtiss-Lusher.|Reception Thursday, 5:30 p.m.; program 7 p.m.; movie to follow; movie repeats at 5p.m., Feb. 13|The Mizel Center for Arts and Culture at the JCC, 350 S. Dahlia St.; $125 opening-night film and party; 303.316.6360 or mizelcenter.org
Spring preview
GARDEN SHOW|These frigid days may seem years away from spring, but thankfully we’re only a couple of months from that glorious season. Get in a green mood this week by visiting the massive 48th annual Colorado Garden & Home Show. Indoor gardens, free how-to seminars and life- sized robotic dinosaurs will fill the 400,000 square feet of space.|10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday-Feb. 11|Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St.; $10-$12, kids under 12 free; 303-932-8100 or
gardeningcolorado.com.
Grammy nominee
VOCAL MUSIC|Baritone Patrick Mason’s career got a big boost in December when he was nominated for a Grammy Award. The associate professor of voice at the University of Colorado at Boulder was cited in the category of best classical vocal performance for his recording of art songs by the little-known American composer Amy Beach (1867-1944). Days before the Grammy winners are announced, Mason will present a recital of British and American songs titled “Crossing the Pond.”|7:30 p.m. Tuesday|CU-Boulder, Grusin Music Hall, Imig Music Building, 18th Street and Euclid Avenue; free; 303-492-8008 or
colorado.edu/music.
