Film
The beautiful truth about Julian Schnabel is that while he was one of those slightly aggravating, larger-than-life painter-celebs that rocked the go-go art market of the ’80s, he’s become one of our finest directors. There’s great humility and sincere artistry at work in “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” which opens Christmas Day. Ronald Harwood adapted Jean-Dominique Bauby’s slim, perfect memoir about living encased in his body after a catastrophic stroke. The former French Elle editor dictated the work with blinks and a specially devised alphabet system. Two other terrific films open Tuesday: Denzel Washington’s “The Great Debaters” and Tamara Jenkins’ “The Savages.” Even in this fine company, Schnabel’s subtitled gift shimmers, soaring and plunging into the aching wonder of being human. Lisa Kennedy
Television
Helen Mirren won an Emmy for her gritty performance in “Prime Suspect: The Final Act,” last year’s PBS miniseries providing the long-awaited final chapter on the career of British Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison. Depressed, approaching retirement and hiding her alcoholism, the detective takes on one more case in a rerun at 9 tonight on KRMA-Channel 6. Joanne Ostrow
Popular music
With fewer national acts touring around the holidays, it’s a great time to catch up on the brilliant music coming out of Colorado. Tonight’s bill at the Bluebird Theatre is an excellent showcase of local music. And while both American Relay and Action Packed Thrill Ride make music that would sound perfectly at home in the deep South, they are very different bands. American Relay is a loud and fierce blast of garage-blues with a vocalist who has the potential to blow the roof. Action Packed Thrill Ride is an atmospheric group that is as back-porch twangy as it is alley- waltz folky. Tickets, $8-$9, are available 303-830-8497 or . Ricardo Baca
Dance
Still looking for a holiday offering for the whole family? It’s not too late. The Colorado Ballet’s annual presentation of “The Nutcracker” continues with three more performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. today and 1 p.m. Monday at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Much about this year’s production is little changed from years past, and that’s the way most attendees like it. Perhaps more than any other ballet, this holiday offering is about tradition, recalling childhood memories and making new ones. Tickets are $19-$145. 303-837-8888 or . Kyle MacMillan
Stage
It’s “Blue Skies” for “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” the Denver Center Theatre Company’s first foray into producing a new Broadway-scale musical. Though, being an adaptation of the 1954 film classic, it feels old — in the best ways. It has old-fashioned nostalgia, an aw- shucks enthusiasm, long dance breaks and a pretty impressive dumpage of snowflakes at the curtain call. This harks back to the Golden Age of musicals, and darn that Mike Hartman (as Gen. Waverly) for inducing a tear or two at the end. The Christmas week schedule: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Saturday and Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday (no shows today, Tuesday or Thursday). Closes Dec. 30. At the Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets. $10-$95. 303-893-4100, 866-464-2626 (800-641-1222 outside Denver), all King Soopers or . John Moore
Visual arts
Reactions have been mixed, but there is no denying that it is a major show with objects from one of the world’s great art museums. Time is ticking away to visit “Artisans and Kings: Selected Treasures from the Louvre,” which runs through Jan. 6 at the Denver Art Museum, West 13th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock Street. It contains more than 125 selections, including 45 drawings and 11 paintings by such key old masters as Jean-Simeon Chardin and Rembrandt van Rijn. But most of the show is devoted to decorative objects. Tickets are $18 with discounts for seniors and students. It is a good idea to buy them ahead of time, because this show will likely be popular during the holidays. 720-865-5000 or . Kyle MacMillan
Nightlife
Heeb magazine has lately distinguished itself as an exemplary purveyor of up-to-the-minute culture and humor, and while you don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate the tome for Hebrew hipsters, it doesn’t hurt. Now the magazine is co-sponsoring a Heebonism night on Christmas Eve with Merage Foundation, an alternative to the eggnog-swilling celebrations many of us will no doubt fall prey to. Improbably good New York rap trio Team Facelift will join DJ Klaw at the Loft nightclub for an evening of music, humor and drink. Forget the Matzo Ball and give Heeb a chance. 821 22nd St. 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. $25-$36. 303-808-9238 or eric@widefoc.us. John Wenzel
