Thursday. The birds in your backyard want a designer domicile. Those rickety nests in the trees? Dingy and drab. Check out this year’s Birdhaus Bash at the Denver Botanic Gardens for your birds’ new digs — or pick up something to feather your own nest. The silent auction of birdhouses decorated by local artists and celebrities benefits the gardens’ educational programs. When you’re not bidding, take a stroll in the gardens, enjoy the entertainment or have a snack and a drink. A special kids area will host educational activities, including demonstrations with live birds of prey. 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St.; 720-865-3500. Tickets are $50 for adults, $40 for gardens members and $10 for children ages 4 to 15.
Purchase advance tickets by phone at 720-865-3521 or online at .
Tonight-Sunday. Beat the heat, and escape the holiday crowds at Copper Mountain’s Three Ring Weekend, starting tonight. The eco-friendly festival stars tonight with a concert by Angie Stevens and continues all weekend with art installations, games and craft activities. At 10 a.m. Saturday, kids can decorate bikes, skateboards, strollers or anything else at “Primp my Ride,” then join a patriotic parade. Rusted Root — parents will remember their hit “Send Me on My Way” — will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday, followed by a sweet fireworks show later on. Sunday is full of even more family-friendly fun, including a concert at 1 p.m. by “kindie” rocker Justin Roberts. The best part: All the Three Ring Weekend activities are free. 6-8:30 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Copper Mountain Resort, west of Frisco on Interstate 70; 800-458-8386. Free.
Tuesday. The classic story of Hansel and Gretel gets the “Fractured Fairy Tales” treatment in “Gretel and Hansel” at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. This thoroughly modern adaptation of the Brothers Grimm tale mixes traditional over-the-top British panto theater with a taste of hip-hop. This time, the hapless siblings must escape the wicked witch, Carmen Monoxide, with a couple of enchanted furry friends. Adventure, songs and laughter ensue. The play runs through July 19. 10 a.m. Tuesday. Showtimes are 10 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with additional 1 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays. The Tramway Theatre at the Robert and Judi Newman Center for Theatre Education, 1101 13th St. Tickets are $6 each, with group discounts available. For advance tickets, visit . or call 800-641-1222.
Today. Get your metabolism going before the holiday hot-dog feast by hopping over to the Denver Zoo for First Frog Friday. It’s the Year of the Frog at zoos all over the country, and the Denver Zoo sets aside the first Friday of every month to celebrate the plucky amphibians.
Frog species are dwindling worldwide, so speakers and demonstrations will show visitors how to help save the frogs’ habitats. Get a close-up view of some of the zoo’s ribbit-y residents, learn about the zoo’s frog conservation programs, and enter to win froggy prizes.
Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St.; 303-376-4800. Zoo admission is $12 for guests ages 12 to 64, $9 for seniors 65 and older, $7 for kids 3 to 11 and free for kids younger than 2.
