An unexpected pairing at Belmar Lab
Ongoing.Paintings and films. As its name suggests, the Laboratory of Art and Ideas at Belmar never likes to do things the conventional way. Its latest round of offerings, which opened Thursday and runs through Aug. 31, consists of an unexpected pairing of rarely seen silent films with an exhibition titled “Bedroom Paintings.” The Lab is at 404 S. Upham St. in the Belmar shopping district in Lakewood. $5, free for students and members. 303-934-1777 or . Kyle MacMillan
Visual art
Today. Paintings. Looking back at such artists as Pierre Bonnard and Edward Hopper yet working in a distinctly contemporary vein, Denver artist Mary Connelly explores the longing and emptiness sometimes associated with interior spaces. About a dozen of her works go on view today in the Rude Gallery, a new, intimate exhibition space at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, 1600 Pierce St. A public reception is set for 6 to 9 p.m. today. Free. 303-225-8575 or . Kyle MacMillan
Music
Tonight. Pop music. Admit it. You like being ahead of the curve, knowing about bands before they make it to FM radio and MTV. That’s the reason tonight’s show at the Hi-Dive shouldn’t be missed. Sure, headliner Langhorne Slim is a folky champion who writes love songs that slay and ragers that excite. But get there early for Portland’s the Builders and the Butchers, a group that knows its way around a pop melody. (They’re also one of the Decemberists’ Colin Meloy’s favorite new bands!) More: hi-dive.com. Ricardo Baca
Tonight-Saturday. Pop music. You know Mike Ness all too well from his work in Social Distortion. But his solo efforts, including his Gothic Theatre shows tonight and Saturday, are decidedly more twangy. Note: Tonight’s show is sold out, but there are still tickets for Saturday night at gothic . Ricardo Baca
Saturday. CD release. Its giggle-inducing name, Pee Pee, is an apt moniker for this ramshackle Denver indie- folk act. The band has lately spit-shined and expanded its sound for its debut full-length release “Castile Jackine is Vooded at Broonus Mousin: Volume 1,” and will release the disc Saturday at the Mercury Cafe with help from New Denver Orchestra, the Qui Quegs and Paper Bird. 2199 California St. 9 p.m. All ages. $6. John Wenzel
Saturday and Sunday. Brass music. The Denver Brass loves themed programs. This weekend, the local ensemble celebrates Memorial Day with a program titled “Tribute to America’s Heroes.” The musical lineup consists of tried-and-true patriotic classics, ranging from “America the Beautiful” to “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave. Tickets are $18 and $22, with student and senior discounts. 303-832-4676 or . Kyle MacMillan
Film
Wednesday.Director appearance. Rocky Mountain PBS’s monthly Community Cinema series continues as Socheata Poeuv brings her award-winning documentary “New Year Baby” to town. It was Christmas 2002 when the former “Dateline” staffer’s parents shared secrets of their lives and escape from Cambodia with their children. Poeuv, born in a Thai refugee camp on Cambodian New Year, learned her sisters were not her sisters. They were the children of her mother’s sister, who was murdered by the Khmer Rouge. Revelations did not end there. But Poeuv’s journey to recover on film her family and Cambodian history began with that sitdown. Since making “New Year Baby,” Poeuv has embarked on a project to collect the stories of Cambodians who survived Pol Pot’s reign of terror (khmer .). The Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway, Wednesday; reception, 6 p.m.; screening 7 p.m. Both are free but reservations are recommended. . Lisa Kennedy
Events
Today-Sunday. Festival. If you haven’t visited Windsor lately — and chances are you haven’t — this is the perfect weekend to start. PelicanFest 2008 is a three-day festival taking place on the shores of Lake Water Valley, 45 minutes north of Denver. The mix of entertainment (music, hot air balloons, river boat rides, food, crafts) and athletics (triathlon, strongman contest, water ski competition, 5K run) is uniquely Colorado. Most events are free. Visit . for more information. John Wenzel
