Going, going…
Catch these events before they disappear after this weekend:
“How We May Know Him”
THEATER|Paragon Theatre commissioned and over two years developed this surreal new play by Denver’s Ellen K. Graham about a mysterious zealot who causes unrest among residents of a gated community. |ENDS SATURDAY |Final performances 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday at the Phoenix Theatre, 1124 Santa Fe Drive. $17- $19; 303-300-2210 or paragontheatre.com.
“Power to Pleasing: The Sex Lives of Teenage Girls”
THEATER|Giving Voice Productions’ performance is staged in the ladies’ bathroom at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder. Outrageous, real teen stories offer a contemporary look at age-old issues every woman can relate to. |ENDS SUNDAY|Final performances 8 p.m. tonight; 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday (teens only), at 2590 Walnut St. $12-$15 (303-444-7328).
Friday
Cleo’s “Steppin”‘
DANCE|You know summer is almost here when Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents its annual spring concert. Now in its 37th year, this vibrant, cross-cultural celebration showcases a variety of dance forms tracing their roots back to Africa. Founder Cleo Parker Robinson’s own “Sankofa” is the centerpiece, bolstered by Vikki Baltimore Dale’s “Continuum II” and Ronald K. Brown’s “Ebony Magazine to a Village.” This year’s theme is “Steppin’ to a New Day.”|Various times, today, May 25, May 27|Gates Concert Hall, Newman Center at DU, East Iliff & South University, $17-$34, 303-871-7720 or ticketmaster.com.
KGNU’s Marty Party
BENEFIT|KGNU’s Marty Party fulfills two roles: a fundraiser and a celebration of KGNU studio manager Marty Durlin’s 20-year tenure in community radio. Treats from Black Cat Café, Frasca’s, New Moon Bakery and others joins music and dance, including Mollie O’Brien, gospel singer Madame Andrews and Dexter Payne. A silent auction features work from renowned local artists, including Vance Kirkland.|5:30 p.m. Today|Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., $10-$30, 800-737-3030 or faye@kgnu.org.
Saturday
Avant garde affair
ART & MUSIC|Plus+Gallery will present a night of exciting, avant garde music as part of its Experimental Performance Series. The show will mix free-form imagery with laptop and turntable manipulation, courtesy of en.vel.ope., Brett Fox and Johnny Hong Kong. Comedian Ben Kronberg will also be on hand.|8 p.m. Saturday|Plus+Gallery, 2350 Lawrence St., free, 303-296-0927 or plusgallery.com.
Sunday
Ben’s last days
EXHIBIT|This weekend is your last chance to see Founding Father, inventor and all-around genius Benjamin Franklin commemorated in the exhibit “In Search of a Better World.” More than 250 priceless original Franklin artifacts are on display, including signed, original versions of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Treaty of Paris.|Through Sunday|Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., $6-$10, 303-322-7009 or dmns.org.
Hogs and pork
RIDE & PIG ROAST|Get your motors runnin’: HAMS (Hogs Against Multiple Sclerosis) will hold its first Poker Run & Pig Roast in Kremmling Town Square. Founded by Atlanta neurologist and Harley enthusiast Ben Thrower, the event seeks to raise funds and awareness for the fight against MS – and to create some fun, with an awards ceremony, live music, food, a raffle giveaway and more.|8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday|Registration at Champps at Aspen Grove, Santa Fe and Mineral, just north of C-470, $10-$30, 720-318-1893 or calkins@mscenter.org.
The weekend
“Mango Street”
THEATER|Chi-town’s Esperanza Cordero comes alive onstage at Denver’s North High when José Mercado’s Black Masque Theatre Company presents its final production, an adaptation of Sandra Cisneros beloved novel “The House on Mango Street.”|7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.| North High School, 2700 W. 32nd Ave, $3-$7, 720-423-2700 or 720-423-2941
Powwow at Fort
INDIAN MARKET|Colorado’s largest authentic Indian Market weaves art and storytelling into its varied program. The seventh annual Indian Market & Powwow, presented by the Tesoro Foundation, features exquisite art native to Colorado and the Southwest, plus an array of dancers, storytellers and music.|10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday|The Fort, 19192 Colorado 8 in Morrison, $3-$6, children under 12 free; 303-839-1671 or tesorofoundation.org.
A Stanwyck tribute
FILM|Later generations knew Barbara Stanwyck as the matriarch of the Barkleys in “The Big Valley.” During the ’30s and ’40s, Brooklyn-born Ruby Stevens offered a vision of armored vulnerability and working-class ambition in a slew of roles. This weekend get acquainted with one of Hollywood’s finest with a bold trio: Frank Capra’s uncorny “The Bitter Tea of General Yen,” Howard Hawks’ screwball treat “Ball of Fire” and Billy Wilder’s unsavory classic “Double Indemnity.” |Friday-Sunday; go to starzfilmcenter.com for showtimes|Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, Ninth Street & Auraria Parkway; $5.75- $8.75; 303-820-3456
The week
Champion skaters
ICE SHOW|A who’s-who of Olympic and world champs will convene for the appropriately-named Champions on Ice next week. But lest you think this is a staid affair, check out the acrobats, hula hoop artists and comedians – all on ice.| 7 p.m. Wednesday|Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle, $25-$125, 303-830-8497 or Ticketmaster.
