Friday
An eye on galleries
ART|In a new body of work, “Close and Distant Dangers,” Czech-born artist Lenka Konopasek continues her exploration of man versus nature while addressing current political issues. Also on view is “Surprise!” an exhibition featuring works by Peter Illig, Wes Magyar, Jenny Morgan, Christel Perkins, Robin Schaefer and Riva Sweetrocket. Both shows will be on view today through July 7.|Opening reception, 6 to 9 p.m. today|Plus Gallery, 2350 Lawrence St.; free; 303-296-0927 or plus gallery.com
Saturday
Betty Carter tribute
JAZZ|Tributes are a common occurence in jazz, and why not? They allow today’s performers to pay homage to their heroes, and they let audiences hear the best of past and present. Marguerite Juenemann, a founding member of the Grammy-nominated vocal group, Rare Silktext, and semi-regular performer on the Denver scene, pays tribute to the great jazz vocalist Betty Carter. Joining her will be a combo that includes pianist Eric Gunnison and bassist Mark Simon, who backed Carmen
McRae during the final years of her career.|8 p.m. Saturday|Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, 16th Street Mall at Arapahoe Street; $20; 303-293-0075 or lannies.com.
Take a seat with art
ART|For its first project, the city and county of Broomfield Public Art Committee commissioned 10 artists to create outdoor benches. The resulting works were installed in the fall. The public will have a chance to tour the benches and meet the artists who created them as part of the annual Broomfield Trail Adventure.|8 to 11 a.m. Saturday|Broomfield Amphitheater, Community Park, 3 Community Park Road; free; 303-464-5835 broomfieldpublicart.com.
One man: Darrow
ONE-MAN SHOW|Attorney and civil libertarian Clarence Darrow stood at the center of some of the 20th century’s most galvanizing trials, whether it was defending thrill killers Leopold and Loeb or standing up for John T. Scopes in the famous creation vs. evolution “Monkey” trial. Portrayer Gary Anderson’s one-man take on Darrow has drawn comparisons to Hal Holbrook’s Mark Twain show.|7:30 p.m. Saturday|First Universalist Church, 4101 E. Hampden Ave., $12-$20, 303-347-1758 or clarence darrowgaryanderson.com.
Sunday
In the Springs
FOOD/MUSIC|Colorado Springs’ third annual Sunday on the Town ties restaurants, art galleries and musicians together to raise funds for the Downtown Parternship and Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra. Entry gets you food samples at 27 restaurants, many with live music, and special discounts and prize drawings at the 16 participating galleries.|2 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday|Downtown Colorado Springs, $15-$30, 719-886-0088 or csphilharmonic.org/sunday onthetown.
Basically Brett
COMEDY|Brett Butler’s aw-shucks humor cuts to the heart of the blue collar Catch-22: Hard work doesn’t always pay, but fame and money lack soul. This weekend she’s at Denver’s best comedy venue.|7 and 9 p.m. Friday, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday|Comedy Works, 1226 15th St., $30, 303-595-3637 or comedyworks.com.
The Weekend
Welcome home, Nina
MUSIC|Boulder native Nina Storey has lately been living in Los Angeles, but she returns to Colorado this weekend for a pair of shows at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret. The vocalist will perform new tunes with a band tonight and acoustically on Sunday.|8 tonight, 7 p.m. Sunday|1600 Arapahoe St., $15-$20, 303-293-0075 or lannies.com.
East meets West
FILM FESTIVAL|The Aurora Asian Film Festival screens a weekend of varied and entertaining works. Some highlights: “The Go Master,” filmmaker Tian Zhuangzhuang’s bio-pic about the famed player of the game, Wu Qingyaun (tonight, 6:30); Satoshi Kon’s adult-themed anime wonder “Paprika” (Saturday 6:30 p.m.); Linda Hattendorf’s documentary “The Cats of Mirikitani” about Japanese-American artist Jimmy Mirikitani’s travails in New York City, (Sunday 4 p.m.) |through Sunday|Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave; $8 general admission for most films; 303-326-8695; for more information, go to auroraasian.org
In love with Ludwig
SYMPHONIC MUSIC|Beethoven and more Beethoven. The Colorado Symphony concludes its 2006-07 season with a 10-day festival devoted to the great composer. The event kicks off this weekend with all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos performed over two evenings. The orchestra’s music director, Jeffrey Kahane, will serve as conductor and soloist. Colorado Public Radio will broadcast both concerts live beginning at 7 p.m.|7:30 p.m. today and Saturday|Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets; $12.50-$67.50; 303-623-7876 or colorado symphony.org.
The Week
Bring out the tie-dye
FILM|In 1969, an appealing Haight-Ashbury denizen shared his theory of marijuana. Four-year-old Sean Farrell’s star turn in Ralph Arlyck’s documentary short “Sean” garnered the then- film student critical attention and spurred debate. In a fine season of DocNight programming by the Denver Film Society, “Following Sean” stands out. See the film (2005) that reconnects filmmaker to subject and era. Hear the director in an evening hosted by Denver Post film critic Lisa Kennedy.|7:30 p.m., Thursday|Starz FilmCenter; $5.75-$8.75; 303-820-FILM
