Friday
Get happy
HAPPY HOUR SONGS|Yes, Jim Yelenick is old buddies with the late, great Joe Strummer. (Strummer fronted the Clash, for the uninitiated punks out there.) But Yelenick is a punk legend in his own right. His roots stretch far and wide in too many bands to count, but many local fans pay tribute at the punk altar – i.e. the bar – at Yelenick’s weekly acoustic happy hour singalong, Fridays at the Larimer Lounge. Forget the stage – Yelenick usually just pulls up a barstool, and a couple pints later, he’s moved his way through the Ramones, Turbonegro and some traditional drinking songs. And you’d be surprised to hear how many people are singing along. |6 p.m. Fridays.|Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St., no cover,
Sunday
Muddier yet
RIDE & RUN|Think of it as the Kinetics race, only muddier: Boulder’s 9th annual Muddy Buddy Ride & Run Series takes place at the Boulder Reservoir this weekend. Teams of two traverse a 6-mile obstacle course on feet and wheels, leapfrogging each other until they reach a 50-foot- long mud pit, which they must crawl through in tandem. Sounds like good, dirty fun, right? Food and free beer from Redhook and a kid’s version of the race round out of the muddy festivities.|8 a.m. Sunday|Boulder Reservoir, 5100 N. 51st St., free (to spectators), .
Gospel and ice cream RADIO FUNDRAISER|So what if Denver’s a mile high and utterly dry? We can still channel the livewire energy of the muggy South with KGNU’s Gospel Tent show & Ice Cream Social. The fundraising event features Heavenly Echoes with Madam Andrews Gospel Queen of Denver, Tony Tenenbaum & the Shapenote Singers, Clay Kirkland, Rex Peeples and other local Gospel greats. Ice cream is provided by Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato. Scoops and sundaes will benefit KGNU.|4-6 p.m. Sunday|Bigtop tent at KGNU studios, 4700 Walnut St. in Boulder, music is free, 303-449-4885 or .
The weekend
Parades, crafts
WESTERN EVENTS|Each year, Western Welcome Week earns an estimated $250,000 for area nonprofits. The 40-odd events include local artist exhibits, a pig roast and dance, live music (bluegrass, rock, church choirs), kid’s activities, food and more. Saturday’s highlights, expected to draw more than 90,000 visitors, are the grand and children’s parades and the 48th annual craft fair. Check out the website for locations, times and prices.|Today-Sunday|Various locations in downtown Littleton, most events free, 303-794-4870 or .
Golden fest
ART|Ceramics. Textiles. Glass. Jewelry. Painting. Photography. Sculpture. More tha 140 artists working in these media and more will show their work during the 17th annual edition of the Golden Fine Arts Festival. Adding appeal to this event are the extras: free carriage rides, live music, artist demonstrations and the Kids Art Zone, with hands-on activities for youngsters. Visitors can also enjoy the Golden Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and visit the exhibition, “American Print,” at the Foothills Art Center.|10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday|Near 11th Street and Washington Avenue, Golden, free, 303-279-3113 or .
Koi show
GARDENING|Looking for something truly different to do this weekend? Why not check out the Rocky Mountain Koi Show? Koi are a kind of brightly colored fish. Because of their hardiness and longetivity (they can live 75 years and reach lengths of 3 feet), they are popular for garden ponds. The Rocky Mountain Koi Club sponsors this annual event, which showcases an array of specimens of the fish.|10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday|Tagawa Gardens, 7711 S. Parker Road, Centennial, free, 303-690-4722 or .
Free shows
SYMPHONIC MUSIC|Music Director Michael Butterman and the Boulder Philharmonic are offering an array of free opportunities to hear the orchestra in and around Boulder this weekend. The light programs will range from Antonio Vivaldi to Duke Ellington to John Lennon.|Noon today, Pearl Street Mall, between 13th and 14th streets, Boulder; 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Lafayette Peach Festival, West Chester Street and South Public Road; 6 p.m. Saturday, Twenty Ninth Street Mall, Boulder|Free, 303-449-1343 or .
Ethiopia’s Mesgana
DANCE|The Mesgana Dancers of Ethiopia have performed across the United States, with the proceeds of their appearances benefiting education and literacy in their home country. The 11 members of the troupe – girls ages 7 to 12 – attend school in Addis Ababa with the support of sponsors in the United States.|7 p.m. today, East High School, 1545 Detroit St., and 7 p.m. Saturday, Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder|$20 adults and $10 youths 12 and younger, 303-440-7666, chautau
. or .
The week
Doug Benson
STAND-UP COMEDY|Doug Benson, known for his snarky turns on VH1’s “Best Week Ever” and season five of “Last Comic Standing,” doesn’t mind being seen as an idiot. He just wants to make sure he’s seen. In fact, the TV regular (Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) stays quite busy, touring in “The Marijuana-Logues,” which he co-wrote, between national stand-up appearances. Catch Benson next week when he starts a five-day Denver stint.|Various times Wednesday-Aug. 26|Comedy Works, 1226 15th St., $17-$25, 303-595-3637 or .
