STAGE
The Aurora Fox has turned gentle regional comedies into a cottage industry. Following the success of “Escanaba in da Moonlight” (Upper Michigan) and “Guys on Ice” (Wisconsin) comes “Almost, Maine,” a series of gentle sketches addressing small-town romance in the loneliest corner of the country. If you’re a cynic, skip it. If you are a romantic, you’ll relish these melancholy and magical romantic vignettes. A great cast, including John Arp and Rhonda Brown, is nicely directed by Bev Newcomb Madden – and no one does nice like Bev Newcomb Madden. Final performances 2 p.m. today and March 25, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 9900 E. Colfax Ave. $20-$24; 303-739-1970 or aurorafox.org. | John Moore
MOVIES
In a combination biopic and documentary about Ralph Nader, don’t expect the story arc of obscurity-fame-self-destruction found in the usual VH1 tale. “An Unreasonable Man” jokes about how lifelong activist Nader doesn’t have any personal life in which to search for scandal – “Ralph’s personal life is his job,” as one observer puts it. Even his biographers can’t tell if he’s ever had a girlfriend, or a boyfriend, or a private thought. What “An Unreasonable Man” does extremely well is briefly explore a happy, intense childhood that set Nader on his crusading path. And then comes plenty of controversy about whether Nader has conducted his campaigns to suit his ego or save the world. | Michael Booth
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Ivan Moravec might not have the name recognition of some of his peers, but few veteran keyboardists are more revered in the piano world. The Colorado Symphony has scored an impressive coup with his engagement as guest soloist in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 14. Because of music director Jeffrey Kahane’s bout of severe hypertension, he will be replaced on the podium by guest conductor Christoph Campestrini – a change that has resulted in Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 replacing two previously announced selections. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. March 25. Tickets are $15- $67.50. 303-623-7876 or coloradosymphony.org. | Kyle MacMillan
TELEVISION
“Galápagos,” a three-part gem accenting gorgeous natural photography – underwater, aerial, up-close, personal, living and breathing – launches on National Geographic at 6 tonight. The islands Darwin made famous are still enigmatic in this, the first full-access film shot there in 20 years. The producers say 95 percent of the prehuman biodiversity of the Galápagos remains intact; no other island ecosystem comes close. | Joanne Ostrow
VISUAL ARTS
Even though all the attention has been on the opening of the Denver Art Museum’s new addition, the more ordinary facets of the institution’s activities, such as acquisitions, have continued with little interruption. “Debut,” an exhibition which opened Saturday on the sixth floor of the museum’s original building, introduces 21 previously unseen works acquired by the textile department in the past seven years. Included are such objects as a Tibetan Buddhist meditation mat and an Amish doll quilt. The show continues through Nov. 25. 720-865-5000 or denverartmuseum.org. | Kyle MacMillan
POPULAR MUSIC
The Walnut Room is one of the state’s finest venues, and the intimate rock club in downtown Denver’s warehouse district is celebrating its two- year anniversary this week. Head over in the coming weeks for some of the local and national acts playing the space. Thursday’s Soul Asylum (pictured is Dave Pirner) show kicks off the anniversary festivities, and Friday’s mostly locals bill of Laylights, Soular, Cat-a-Tac, the Sunset Curse and the Hero Factor keeps things going strong. On Saturday, ’90s pop powerhouses Gin Blossoms will play the room. It continues with shows March 30 (George & Caplin, The Life There Is, Bela Karoli and Dormir), March 31 (Love. 45, Vonnegut and Beneath Your Ego) and April 3 (Veruca Salt and Charlotte Martin). More: thewalnutroom.com. | Ricardo Baca
DVDS
The best movie coming out on Tuesday’s slate of new DVDs is “Blood Diamond,” and you’ll hear plenty about that worthy film. But take a moment to appreciate a nicely made family film on Tuesday’s roster, “The Nativity Story,” by former skateboard punk Catherine Hardwicke. With the help of the beatific, troubled face of Keisha Castle- Hughes as Mary, Hardwicke takes a straightforward approach to the revered story of Jesus’ birth. The director humanizes the legend and makes us all feel for the universal struggle of a young couple trying to bring a baby safely, miraculously, into this world. | Michael Booth
