MOVIES
How strange to be speculating on the possible demise of a certain wizard hero even as we celebrate his, Hermione and Ron’s return in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” This being J.K. Rowling territory, David Yates’ well-paced installment in a quality franchise is hardly short on loss. Death sniffs, snaps and hungers around Harry and his allies, even as the Minister of Magic confounds matters by hounding Harry and denying the return of Voldemort. But return the shadowy lord has, and this saga is darker for it. Even the comic relief – Imelda Staunton as Hogwarts’ new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Dolores Umbridge – has an edge. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint star. But with bold turns by Gary Oldman, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman and others, they are merely the tip of the magical wand. | Lisa Kennedy
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Osvaldo Golijov is a hot commodity in the classical-music world, a phenomenon that helps explain why such widespread attention greeted the Santa Fe Opera’s 2005 debut of a revised version of the composer’s one-act opera, “Ainadamar.” In what has to be seen as a coup for the Colorado Music Festival, the series is presenting a concert version of the work, which revolves around the life of the martyred Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday in Boulder’s Chautauqua Auditorium. Tickets are $15-$45. 303-440-7666 or . | Kyle MacMillan
STAGE
Theatre Company of Lafayette has distinguished itself in recent years with its commitment to sprawling original projects (“The Frankenstein Experiment”) and other untested new works. This summer, it offers a clever spin on our enduring love/hate relationship with the automobile with the first full staging of David Golden’s “Tales from the Great American Roadway.” The play follows 16 characters as they seek connections and meaning in their individual journeys. Final performances 7:30 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. July 22 at the Mary Miller Theatre, 300 E. Simpson St. Tickets $10-$15 (all seats $8 Monday). And here’s a clever twist: $3 off to anyone with an AAA membership card. 720-209-2154 or. | John Moore
VISUAL ARTS
One week remains to catch “LookingUp,” a boisterous exhibition of suspended sculptures by Lawrence Argent, Jennifer Ghormley, Anne Mudge and Patrick Marold. These four artists, chosen by curator Jennifer Garner, animate the lofty galleries at the Center for Visual Art, 1734 Wazee St., in inventive ways. The show ends July 21. Admission is free. 303-294-5207 or mscd.edu/news/cva. | Kyle MacMillan
TELEVISION
It’s not a guilty pleasure so much as a barometer of what’s wrong with our culture: “Big Brother 8,” in which several people who share unpleasant pasts are part of the unpleasant crowd sharing a house fitted with cameras and microphones, continues with alliances, embarassments and vetoes at 7 tonight on KCNC-Channel 4. | Joanne Ostrow
POPULAR MUSIC
It’s Sunday, and you’re in a mellow mood. After a lazy day in the mountains or a busy day in the yard, you need some chill music to bring you down. Lucky you, there are two contrasting options in Denver tonight. The first is the Neville Brothers, who will play the Denver Botanic Gardens. These New Orleans legends specialize in multi-ethnic soft rock that has spawned an enthusiastic fan base. The second option is the Nightwatchman, a.k.a. Tom Morello, who plays the Larimer Lounge tonight. Morello became famous as the Harvard-educated guitarist in Rage Against the Machine, then moved on to Audioslave after Rage’s demise. Now he’s touring his solo project – political folk, you might call it – in hopes of raising awareness of his own songwriting and the causes near to his heart. | Ricardo Baca
DVDS
“After the Wedding” resonates for months after viewing, like a sad song you can’t get out of your head. The 2006 Oscar nominee for best foreign film (should have been the winner – sorry, “Lives of Others”) arrived on DVD last week ($19.95), and it’s a must-see for any fan of movies made by and for adults who feels shortchanged by Hollywood so far this year. It’s the story of Jacob, (Mads Mikkelson) returning home to Denmark from India to a mysterious wedding and a series of life-changing revelations. You’ll feel emotionally spent, and glad of it. | Michael Booth
NIGHTLIFE
Triad Dragons’ Global Fridays at the Church already offer lots of incentive for the electro-dance crowd – free admission for ladies 21 and up, a diverse slate of styles, a gorgeous gothic setting. But this Friday you can gear up for the July 24 Global Dance Festival at Red Rocks with the GDF Pre-Party. Resident DJs Dragon, Trajikk, Hycloud and Ascension will spin in the main room, with Blend, Kemo and Bobby Hook in the hip-hop room, and DJ Gary in the industrial retro room. Come early for a GDF ticket giveaway. 1160 Lincoln St., 9 p.m. $10, 303-832-3528 or. | John Wenzel
