Friday
Western scenes
ART|Dan Coen depicts familiar Western scenes in a not-so-familiar way. He combines large, sometimes exaggerated scale with bold, saturated colors to create realistic works with a decidedly contemporary edge. A solo show of his work opens today and runs through April 6.|Opening reception, 6-9 p.m. today|William Havu Gallery, 1040 Cherokee St.; free; 303-893-2360 or williamhavugallery.com.
Handicrafts, films
AFRICAN CULTURE|The fourth annual African Extravaganza, timed to coincide with Black History Month, celebrates African culture with traditional dance, drumming, food and dress. But wait, there’s more: 20 local and national organizations working in Africa will host booths and sell African handicrafts, and African documentaries will be screened. Most important, it’s free!|6-9 p.m. today|University of Denver, Driscoll North Ballroom, 2005 E. Evans Ave., free, 303-871-4626 or du.edu.
Shelter benefit
ART SHOW|Art is the respite of many souls, but it’s especially therapeutic to those experiencing hard times. The Delores Project, an overnight shelter for homeless women, will hold its sixth annual art exhibit and reception, “Reflections,” to raise money for the shelter. The art was produced by the women of The Delores Project and notable local artists. A silent auction will feature various items from the local business community.|6-8:30 p.m. today|Art Students’ League of Denver, 200 Grant St., free, 303-564-3187, thedeloresproject.org.
Saturday
Jazz to aid school
FUNDRAISER|Like many schools, Lincoln Elementary at East Seventh Avenue and Pennsylvania Street has endured its share of recent budget cuts. That’s why its third annual Jazz Festival at Dazzle means so much this year. Sponsored by the Gift of Jazz, the performances by smooth vocalist Rene Marie and her band will help raise money for music, art and after-school programs, as well as helping offset recent staff cuts.|7 and 9 p.m. Saturday|Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St., $20, 303-839-5100 or dazzlejazz.com.
Freddi-Henchi Band
SOUL MUSIC|Saturday’s show by the Freddi-Henchi Band at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret is billed as a reunion, but really, the storied Colorado soul group seems to reunite every few months for a festival or benefit. That’s OK, as its live set is one of legend, with choreographed routines and high-energy performances. In the past it’s even won them spots with James Brown, Tina Turner, Elton John and B.B. King.|8 p.m. Saturday|Lannie’s, 1600 Arapahoe St., $20, 303-293-0075, lannies.com.
Sunday
Oscar Party
FILM|A little Ennio Morricone mixed with your DeVotchka perhaps? That’s not the only surprise cocktail they’ll be serving as the Denver Film Society takes its annual Oscar Party to its very own Starz FilmCenter. Did someone say there’s no place like home? DJ Silas Cooley spins from the box office. Comfy lounges serve drinks with names like “The Rosebud,” sure to jog your movie memories. There’s plenty of chow. And what more fitting screens to watch red-carpet strutters, hostess bantering and acceptance speech sputtering. Proceeds benefit the DFS. |5 p.m.-midnight Sunday|Starz FilmCenter, Ninth & Auraria Pkwy; $100 general admission; $75 DFS members; must call for tickets by 4 p.m. today: call Shawnna Gauss at 303-595-3456 ext. 218.
Weekend
Joyce Yang
CLASSICAL MUSIC|At age 19, Joyce Yang won the silver medal at the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. That honor generated considerable buzz, which has only grown since as she performs around the country. This weekend, she will join conductor Lawrence Leighton Smith and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic in performances of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3.|8 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday|Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs; $12-$50; 866-464-2626 or ticketswest.com
Concertmaster solos
SYMPHONIC MUSIC|The Colorado Symphony’s fine concertmaster, YuMi Hwang-Williams, will get her moment in the spotlight this weekend, serving as soloist for the orchestra’s performances of Barber’s Violin Concerto. Also on the program, which will be led by guest conductor Christian Arming, is Stravinsky’s famed ballet “Petrouchka.”|7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday|Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets; $15-$67.50; 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org.
“Without Borders”
BALLET|The most exciting works in ballet often combine classical technique with modern form, showing both athleticism and attention to detail. Boulder Ballet’s “Without Borders,” which opened last week in Northglenn and will now move to Boulder, nods to its name with versatile choreography. All three works – “Light Fandango,” “Diana Krall Songs” and “Come Undone” – use contemporary music as the soundtrack to their exciting, exploratory dance.|8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday|Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St. in Boulder, $10-$20, 303-444-7328 or boulderballet.org.
The Week
Finkel and Wu Han
CHAMBER MUSIC|The husband-and-wife team of cellist David Finckel (of Emerson String Quartet fame) and pianist Wu Han know how to ignite musical fireworks. The two have earned a national reputation for performances of unusual intensity and intimacy. The duo will make two stops in Colorado next week. |7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Macky Auditorium, University of Colorado at Boulder; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Edna Rizley Griffin Concert Hall, Colorado State University, Fort Collins|Boulder, $10-$50, 303-492-8008 or cuconcerts.org; Fort Collins, $22, 970-221-6730 or lctix.com.
Going, going…
Catch these events before they disappear after this weekend:
“Aphrodisiac”
THEATER|Curious Theatre’s regional premiere of Rob Handel’s dark comedy looks at Beltway scandals through the eyes of two young adult siblings whose father may have been involved with the disappearance of an intern (think Gary Condit).|ENDS SATURDAY|Final performances 8 p.m. today and Saturday at the Acoma Center, 1080 Acoma St. ($24-$28; 303-623-0524 or curioustheatre.org).
“The Subject Was Roses”
THEATER|Frank D. Gilroy’s melancholy classic kitchen drama, which won the 1965 Tony and Pulitzer for best play, is set in the Bronx, 1946. Timmy has just returned from the war without a scratch – but little does he know he’s just entered the war at home. |ENDS SUNDAY|Final performances 7:30 p.m. today, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. ($36-$46; 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org).
