MOVIES
“Disturbia” pays respects to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” while also giving the nod to other horror/thriller traditions. You’ll appreciate a reference to “Blow Up,” when Shia LaBeouf notices an image in the corner of his videocam screen and quickly enlarges it to solve part of a mystery. And there are some just plain “had to do it” moments for the directors, in the habits of the genre, including the kitchen knife that will reappear in a crucial scene, the old scary-guy-behind-the-refrigerator-door, and other familiar touches. Yes, it’s a fine line between homage and rip-off, and “Disturbia” usually gets it right. | Michael Booth
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Denver isn’t exactly a hotbed of baroque music, so the emergence of the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado has been a welcome development. The group will conclude its second season with “The Glories of Venice,” featuring a group of works by some of Italy’s most renowned composers. Three performances are scheduled in three venues, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday in St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1350 Washington St. Tickets are $20. 303-889-1012 or bcocolorado.org. | Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
Of the many stories written about slavery, Carlyle Brown’s “Pure Confidence,” now at the Denver Center Theatre Company, is unique in its brave, bold humor and insights into the personal details of the relationships between owners and slaves. Based on the life of the greatest pre-Civil War horse-racing jockey, the story cuts a swath from the bluegrass of Kentucky to the bluebloods of Saratoga, N.Y., following Simon Cato’s quest for freedom and his relationships with his owner and other whites who were sustained by his athletic talent and horse sense. Final performances 6:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 1:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Stage Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex. $36-$46 (303-893-4100, 866-464-2626, all King Soopers or denver center.org; 800-641-1222 outside Denver). | Bob Bows
TELEVISION
It’s game night on “Brothers & Sisters,” and that means the Walkers are intent on keeping up with the Joneses, their longtime rivals. Jenna Elfman and Susan Sullivan (who played awkward in-laws on “Dharma & Greg”) guest star as pregnant Lizzie and her mother, Miranda. At 9 tonight on KMGH-Channel 7. | Joanne Ostrow
VISUAL ARTS
Two well-known Denver artists – Bruce Price and John McEnroe – will be featured in solo exhibitions opening Saturday at Plus Gallery, 2350 Lawrence St., and continuing through May 26. Both were included in the Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver’s showcase of the state’s recent best, “Decades of Influence: Colorado 1985- Present.” Also on view will be a smaller exhibition of works by Evan Colbert, another noted Denver artist. An opening reception is 6-9 p.m. April 26. 303-296-0927 or plusgallery.com. | Kyle MacMillan
DVDS
It’s troubling that the Jonestown suicide/massacre doesn’t loom even larger than it does in the American psyche. Perhaps it’s just too much for any of us to handle. But I found the PBS-sponsored documentary “Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple” to be a mind-expanding reminder of a truly horrifying day in recent American history. More than 900 people died in a steamy clearing in the Guyana jungle; the strength of the documentary is in revealing how followers of the Jim Jones personality cult could have reached such a point of desperation, and how Jones and his lackeys had trained them to do his bidding, even to the point of coerced suicide. This important documentary, available on DVD this week, makes for an invaluable history lesson. | Michael Booth
NIGHTLIFE
One rarely comes across a cool, late-night event that doesn’t involve prodigious alcohol consumption or deafening music. The CU Late Night Committee is working to change that. The university funds the group to provide non-binge drinking events for Boulder’s night owls. On Saturday it will host its 4th annual Poetry Slam, purportedly the state’s biggest. After weeks of competition, the final five poets are competing for prizes and the top spot in a laid-back coffee-stop environment with complimentary drinks. University Memorial Center, Club 156, 8 p.m. to midnight, dscc@colorado.edu. | John Wenzel
POPULAR MUSIC
What’s in a name? A lot if your name is Sean Lennon. The son of John and Yoko Lennon received solid press notes when he released his 1998 solo debut, “Into the Sun.” But the singer-songwriter then took a long and sporadic eight years to return with his sophomore record, “Friendly Fire,” released late last year. His marks were mostly positive, but critics rightfully expected more from the famous son, especially because he took his sweet time with this round of sweet-natured art-pop. Lennon plays the Bluebird Theater on Saturday with Women and Children and Kamila Thompson. Tickets, $20, are available at ticketmaster.com or 303-830-8497. | Ricardo Baca
