Movies
There’s blood. But nothing’s simple in Joel and Ethan’s Coen’s exquisite adaptation of “No Country for Old Men.” The brothers match Cormac McCarthy’s novel of grace and demise – of the good, the bad and vast in between of the American West – shot-for-shot with this spare beaut about a Texan, a satchel of drug money and a monstrous killing machine who goes by the name Anton Chigurh. The performances from the leads find complementary turns by lesser-known folk. Tommy Lee Jones provides weary wisdom as Sheriff Bell. Josh Brolin does wonders with moral ambiguity as Llewelyn Moss, finder and keeper of $2 million in dope money. Javier Bardem unnerves as Chigurh. Kelly Macdonald nears kindly perfection as Llewelyn’s wife, Carla Jean. Is “No Country” great art? Sure feels like it. At the very least, the Coens have delivered the year’s finest film to date. Lisa Kennedy
Classical music
Few classical works have gained a larger popular following than Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” Judith Ingolfsson, 1998 gold medalist of the International Violin Competition of Indian- apolis, will join the Colorado Symphony ensemble Up Close and Personal for a performance of the work at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Hampden Hall in the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. The program, under the sponsorship of Englewood Arts, will also include Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” and Austin Wintory’s “Much Ado About a Midsummer Night’s Wedding.” Tickets are $15, with a $5 discount for students younger than 18. 303-806-8196 or . Kyle MacMillan
Television
The annual American Music Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, promises performances by Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion, Daughtry and Rihanna. The broadcast, at 7 tonight on KMGH-Channel 7, is “same-day live-to-tape,” meaning there is plenty of lag time in case ABC wants to censor colorful language. Joanne Ostrow
Visual arts
Last winter, the Denver Art Museum acquired its second piece by Denver sculptor Carley Warren – a 1980 acrylic piece titled “Diatribe.” The work recently went on view on the fourth floor of the museum’s Hamilton Building. Warren is also featured in a solo show of new works, running through Saturday at Artyard, 1251 S. Pearl St. Titled “Containers,” it is a kind of follow-up to her display of split-cedar sculptures at the gallery two years ago. Warren is a major figure on the local artistic scene, and her work is always worth a look. 303-777-3219. Kyle MacMillan
Stage
“Noises Off,” a silly little romp that follows a hapless touring British theater company, is easily the best farce of the past 25 years, which you would only know if you’ve seen it performed at its best: Doors slam with precision timing, rejoinders are witty, the slapstick uproarious, the sexual innuendo … naughty, naughty! OpenStage’s sweaty new effort is mostly worthy, with all its stair-running, heavy panting, de-pantsing and general buffoonery. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 1, plus 2 p.m. today and Nov. 25, and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins. $13-$20 (970-221-6730 or .). John Moore
Popular music
Chris Cornell has one of those voices. You know, the kind that you recognize anytime and anywhere. Cornell is a busy performer who has never allowed himself to be unfamiliar to the public. He was known, loved and celebrated throughout the ’90s for his work in Soundgarden. After he left that band, he created Audioslave with the remaining members of Rage Against the Machine, releasing three multiplatinum mainstream rock records. That project may or may not still be alive, but Cornell has long emphasized that he will always have a solo career. And that’s the show he is bringing to the Fillmore on Tuesday. New York rockers Earl Greyhound open. More information: . or 303-830-8497. Ricardo Baca
Night life
Last year’s tribute to Dave Hall, a.k.a. Rasta Dave, went so well that his friends in the reggae community decided to make it annual. Hall, who was murdered in Denver on Nov. 29, 2006, left behind three children and countless contributions to the local reggae scene, which is why so many acts have assembled to remember him. The Rasta Dave Remembrance Concert will feature Bambu Station, Jus Goodie, Black Rhino, Spellbinder, Sandra Dee, Cannon, Wayne of Lion Souljahs and World Citizen Band, with opening sets by DJ Uplifter, Da Teacha and Bloodpresha. Vendors, food and drinks will round out the event, which benefits the Island Center of the Performing Arts at St. Croix, Virgin Islands. 9 tonight, Herb’s Hideout, 2057 Larimer St. $20. John Wenzel
