Saturday. Roots music. “Raising Sand” was one of the more interesting records of 2007, pairing rocker Robert Plant with bluegrass favorite Alison Krauss. With the capable help of T-Bone Burnett, the album was a lovely experiment in dueling personalities in the context of folk music — and now the tour is ready for its Colorado debut at 8 p.m. at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. (More: .) Ricardo Baca
Underground Music Showcase preview
Tonight-Sunday. Rock ‘n’ roll, comedy. This year’s Denver Post Underground Music Showcase will be bigger than ever, taking over South Broadway with 100-plus bands and even more comics, DJs and performance artists Aug. 1-2. In anticipation of the region’s premiere local music festival, we’ve planned a showcase Lead-up Series that includes three shows this weekend. Tonight has Sleeper Horse, b.sous and Killfix at the Falcon Bowl in Englewood. (More: .) On Saturday, there’s a big Wrist Deep Productions stand-up comedy showcase at the Old Curtis St. Bar — a show that also doubles as a release party for the locally produced Yellow Rake zine. (More: .) And on Sunday, the Larimer Lounge is throwing a UMS-themed barbecue with Panal, St. Elias, Pena, Portamento, Asphodel, the Messengers, the Legendary River Drifters, the Kissing Party, Josephine and the Mouse People and Hunter Dragon and the Faucet Monsters. (More: .) Ricardo Baca
Pop Music
Tonight.Noise. Oregon psychedelic noise metal band Frozen Body and Denver counterparts Spellcaster are scheduled to rock Rhinoceropolis, 3553 Brighton Blvd. Neither band is recommended for those who cherish their hearing, but both bring an intensity that makes the ringing in your ears almost worth it. Witness the sound of sound dying. Marlon Frisby
SaturdayMixed bill. This year’s Southern Comfort Music Experience tour comes to Denver, rocking the Coors Field parking lot (you know where Coors Field is) with Gnarls Barkley and opener Blonde Redhead. Redhead’s enthralling brand of shoegaze indie rock will delight listeners’ ears. No doubt that Gnarls Barkley’s electronic pop soul will force all comers to get down. Marlon Frisby
Tuesday. Chamber pop. Some bands have their obvious points of inspiration. The Explorers Club is one of them and if you talk to any of its members on Tuesday when they play the Lion’s Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave., don’t make a fool out of yourself by asking them, “So I guess you guys really like the Beach Boys?” Ricardo Baca
Tuesday. Rock. “Money for nothin.’ Chicks for free.” Mark Knopfler has given us some tremendous music over the years, and he continues to churn out the kind of material that makes us think — and smile. He plays Red Rocks at 8 p.m. Tuesday. (More: .) Ricardo Baca
Wednesday. Jazz. Let’s be honest. Columbus, Ohio, is not exactly the first city that comes to mind when someone thinks jazz. Yet it is home to the well-regarded Columbus Jazz Orchestra, which presents more than 40 concerts a year. The group will open this summer’s Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Vail’s Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. $23-$59. 877-812-5700 or . Kyle MacMillan
Classical Music
Sunday.Classical Music. The Colorado Music Festival returns this summer for its 32nd season in Boulder’s historic Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Baseline Road. The multifaceted series opens at 7:30 p.m. Sunday with a concert featuring 15-year-old Shannon Lee as soloist for Barber’s Violin Concerto. Also on the program is Schnittke’s “Moz-Art u la Haydn” and Schubert’s Symphony No. 1. $12-$47. 303-440-7666 or coloradomusicfest . Kyle MacMillan
Visual Art
Today.Multimedia.Timmy Flynn’s Hardware Store opens today, but don’t expect any grand-opening deals on nails or screwdrivers. Rather, it is a group exhibition at the Edge Gallery, 3658 Navajo St., that pays tribute to the classic family hardware store. The front portion of the gallery will be designed to have a mercantile feel, with a check-out counter, cash register and store aisles. Tim Flynn has invited 17 other area artists to take part in the project, which continues through July 13. A public reception is set for 7 to 10 p.m. today. Free. 303-477-7173 or . Kyle MacMillan
Ongoing. Political Memorabilia. With the Democratic National Convention coming to town, interest in all things political is running high. The Aurora History Museum , 15051 E. Alameda Parkway, is looking back at previous campaigns when the Internet didn’t exist and political buttons and medals were omnipresent. The exhibit, titled “Presidential Campaigns,” will feature materials from such candidates and eventual presidents as Dwight Eisenhower, Alfred Landon, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Adlai Stevenson. Free. 303-739-6666 or . Kyle MacMillan.
Film
Friday.Talk. You could go to “Get Smart.” Or you could, well, get smarter by attending Alan Arkin’s talk this evening at Mile High Church in Lakewood. “Crossing the Chasm from Theatre to Life” covers the Oscar and Tony winner’s journey from struggling actor to Broadway performer to big-screen success in “The Russians Are Coming, the Russians are Coming,” “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter,” “Wait Until Dark” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” to name a few. Of course, Arkin might like it if you saw him in person, then onscreen. He’s “Chief” in the movie version of the 1960s TV series “Get Smart.” Tonight, 7 p.m. at Mile Hi Church, 9079 W. Alameda Ave. Tickets $30 for general admission, $40 preferred seating available at . or 303-232-4079. Lisa Kennedy
Wednesday.Shorts. Wednesday marks the second successful year of the Bike Shorts Film Festival, a collection of short films that — as the name says — rejoice in the many wonders of the bicycle. The festival will also give folks an early start on promoting next year’s Bike to Work Day. 8 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, $10. Marlon Frisby
