Friday
Wordplay
ART|Few artists are more intimately involved with words than Roland Bernier. They are the very stuff of his highly varied multimedia works. This significant Denver artist will be featured in a 20-year retrospective, titled “Wall Words and Floor Phrases.” It runs through July 21.|Opening reception, 6 to 9 p.m. today|Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave., free, 303-355-8955 or
Phast Phreddie
CLUB|Tonight’s Lipgloss kicks off with the “i heART fashion” show, featuring summer styles by local designers and live music by the Laylights. Then, from New York, it’s guest DJ Phast Phreddie the Boogaloo Omnibus, specializing in ’60s soul, “psycho instrumentals” and garage rock. Phreddie Patterson, the resident DJ at NYC’s monthly Subway Soul Club party, is a longtime music-scene insider and journalist who currently writes the obituary column for Goldmine magazine.|9 p.m. today|Fashion show $7; $5 cover after 10 p.m. La Rumba, 99 W. Ninth Ave.; 303-572-8006.
Saturday
Lords and ladies
FESTIVAL|The 16th century comes alive when the Colorado Renaissance Festival opens its eight-weekend run in Larkspur. Besides the jousting and turkey legs, this year dives into the pirate craze with a life-size ship, The Pearl’s Revenge, and music from the Scallywags & Captain Jack at the Pirate’s Pub. Celtic songs, magic shows, rides, food and more augment the 350-acre wooded site.|Weekends, Saturday-July 29|Exits 172-173 off I-25, $17.95, 303-688-6010 or for directions.
The weekend
Hot and cold
FESTIVAL|This year’s Chili Pepper & Brew Fest will benefit from $400,000 in upgrades to the lighting and sound stages in Snowmass Village. That means the strains of Ziggy Marley, David Grisman and others will sound even sweeter as you sample 40 microbrews and spicy chili treats.|Today-Sunday|Snowmass Village, $15-$30 per day, 888-649-5982 or info@stayaspensnowmass.com.
Head to Parker
FESTIVAL|Downtown Parker will buzz with music and entertainment this weekend as the 30th annual Parker Country festival takes root. Check out tunes from acts like Wendy Woo, the Indulgers and Willie Houston while enjoying carnival rides, food and local arts and crafts.|various times, today- Sunday|Downtown Parker, concerts free, carnival tickets $25,
Students League
ART|More than 270 artists showing in 170 booths. In short, a heckuva lot of art in an array of styles and media. It will all be on view during the Art Students League of Denver’s 15th Annual Summer Art Market. A Kids ArtBooth will also be on site, and Three Tomatoes Catering will provide food and refreshments.|10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday|Grant Street between Second and Third avenues and Second Avenue from Logan to Sherman streets, free, 303-778-6990 or
Menotti masterwork
BALLET THEATER|Gian Carlo Menotti was one of the 20th century’s most celebrated composers for the stage. Three Colorado Springs organizations – Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Classical Youth Ballet and Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble – are joining forces for rare performances of “The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore.” This little-known masterwork, which the New York City Ballet first presented in 1956, is a parable of the abuse of power, tyranny of fashion and neglect of the artist.|7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday|Louisa Performing Arts Center, Colorado Springs School, 21 Broadmoor Ave., $25, 719-633-9373.
Beethoven fest
SYMPHONIC MUSIC|The Colorado Symphony’s 10-day Beethoven Festival continues this weekend with two very different programs. Jeffrey Kahane, the orchestra’s music director and a renowned pianist, will perform a solo recital today. On Saturday and Sunday, the symphony and its chorus take on Beethoven’s Fantasia in C minor for Piano, Orchestra and Chorus, Op.80, “Choral Fantasy,” and Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125, “Choral Symphony.”|7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday|Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets; Today, $12.50-$25, Saturday and Sunday, $15-$67.50; 303-623-7876 or
The week
Fast and furious
FILM|Yes, you auteur hopefuls could watch Fox’s sort-of-reality series “On the Lot,” in which filmmaking hopefuls compete for a DreamWorks contract. Or better, you could head to the Starz FilmCenter for Group 101’s tri-monthly screening as part of the Denver Film Society’s Colorado Filmmaker’s Showcase. Members of the local collective commit to making one flick every 30 days for a span of six months. Someone has a need for speed. The good news is a few of these movies impress, and some have even had their close-up at the Starz Denver Film Festival. |7:30 p.m. Monday.|Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, 9th & Auraria Parkway; $8.75, $6.75 seniors, $5.75 film society members; 303-820-3456
Going, going…
Catch these events before they disappear after this weekend:
“Mall*Mart, the Musical”
MUSICAL THEATER|Curious Theatre presents this ambitious, home-grown musical – the first half a fictionalized account of the rise of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton; the second a contemporary look at how things play out in a small town where a proposed superstore will replace a beloved marsh.|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).
“Greater Tuna”
THEATER|The Wescliffe Players present this venerable, two-man comedy that brings more than 20 residents of Tuna, Texas, to comic life.|ENDS SUNDAY|Final performances 7:30 p.m. today through Sunday at the Jones Theatre, 119 Main St. $10 (719-783-3004 or).
