Britten’s “Rape of Lucretia,” set in 1940s London
Today. Opera. The title can be off-putting, but don’t be deterred. Benjamin Britten is one of the great opera composers of the 20th century, and “The Rape of Lucretia” is small-scale yet compelling work by him. Originally set in ancient Rome, a new Central City Opera production shifts the action to 1940s London. Mezzo-soprano Phyllis Pancella takes the title role. The presentation opens at 8 p.m. today with five other performances through June 20. Tickets are $45-$99. 303-292-6700 or . Kyle MacMillan
Comedy
Saturday. Comedy. Thanks to his titular, hugely influential sitcom, Jerry Seinfeld has long been embalmed as the comedy titan of the 1990s, but the occasional theater tour helps remind us of his humble stand-up roots. Saturday at the Temple Buell Theatre, 950 13th St. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $45-$75. 303-830-8497 or . John Wenzel
Lecture
Thursday. Lecture series. What’s more disparate than soda pop and the extreme death rituals of Borneo? Nothing, and that’s the point of Mixed Taste, the Lab at Belmar’s lecture series that pairs colorful, completely unrelated topics for a night of expert lectures. The series, which kicked off last week, continues every Thursday through Aug. 28. 404 S. Upham St. in Lakewood. 6 p.m. $7.50-$12.50. 303-934-1777 or . for a complete schedule. John Wenzel
Classical Music
Today. Choral music. The Denver Gay Men’s Chorus, Out Loud: Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus and Mosaic Youth Chorus are all taking part in the upcoming International Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses Festival in Miami. In advance of the trip, the three groups are presenting a “bon voyage” concert at 8 p.m. today in Trinity Methodist Church, 1820 Broadway. $20. 866-464-2626 or . Kyle MacMillan
Saturday. Chamber music. Among the great chamber works are the clarinet quintets of Brahms and Mozart. Both pieces will be the focus of the final concert of the 2007-08 Englewood Arts season at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hampden Hall at the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. It will feature the Zephyr Ensemble, composed of members of the Colorado Symphony, including clarinetist Abby Raymond. $10, $5 youth younger than 18. 303-806-8196. Kyle MacMillan
Visual Art
Ongoing. Mixed media. Contemporary Vietnamese art, especially by women artists, is virtually unknown. The reason is simple. Little of it has ever been shown in the United States until now. “Changing Identity,” a touring exhibition spotlighting 10 such artists, opened Thursday at the Center for Visual Art, 1734 Wazee St., and runs through Aug. 2. Free. 303-294-5207 or . Kyle MacMillan.
Ongoing. Sculpture. The title pretty well explains it: “The Sculpture Show: Figure and Pattern.” The Emmanuel Gallery on the Auraria campus has assembled the group exhibition, which will consist primarily of local artists with works by a few international figures sprinkled in, including Manuel Neri. The offering was organized in conjunction with the Western Cast Iron Art Conference taking place this week in Denver. Free. 303-556-8337 or . Kyle MacMillan
Pop music
Tonight. Americana.Emmylou Harris and John Prine are legends in their own right, and so it’s kind of a big deal when they join forces for a shared bill such as the one taking over Red Rocks Amphitheatre tonight. They’re co-headlining, but Harris will play first. More: . Ricardo Baca
Tonight-Saturday. Indie rock. Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger are siblings and bandmates, and the fruit of their creative labors is the Fiery Furnaces — the prolific indie-rock outfit that thrives in experimental noise anthems alongside big, Beatlesesque pop outings. The band plays the Fox Theatre in Boulder tonight and the Bluebird Theater in Denver on Saturday. More: . Ricardo Baca
Saturday. Indie rock. The Denver Post and its many friends throughout the local music scene are gearing up for the 8th annual Underground Music Showcase, which will take over South Broadway on Aug. 1-3 this year. (See . for more.) And this year we’re getting things started early with a number of lead-up shows throughout June. Saturday’s pre-UMS bill at the Lion’s Lair is unstoppable: Pee Pee, the Pseudo Dates, Vitamins and Laura Goldhammer. More: . Ricardo Baca
Wednesday. Rock. Don’t diss the KOOL Koncert, the annual oldies round-up. It’s always a good time: Sun, lawn seats and the acts you grew up with on the radio. This year’s line-up: Chicago and the Doobie Brothers. Oh yeah. They’ll take over Fiddler’s Green on Wednesday. More: . Ricardo Baca
Film
Tonight-Saturday. Event Cinema. Ready yourself for a marathon night of movie love when Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino’s “Grindhouse” returns to the big screen the way it must be seen. Theatrical double-bill “Planet Terror” and “Death Proof” came with crazy 70s-style previews and sly intermission trailers, not included on the DVD releases. (Yet they were part of what made the movie a 4-star experience.) As for the movies, Kurt Russell has too good a time as the baddie in “Death Proof,” which also features one of the best muscle-car stunts ever. Former pole-dancer and “Juno” scribe Diablo Cody cited Rose McGowan’s turn as a go-go dancer in “Planet Terror” as the real deal. Take a nap. Drink a triple espresso. Do what works, but don’t miss this brilliant execution of a movie-loving idea. June 6 & 7, midnight at the Esquire, 590 Downing. 303-352-1992. $7. . Lisa Kennedy
