Directors step out from behind the camera
Film
Wednesday and Thursday. Directors in person: Putting filmmakers in front of inquisitive audiences is one of the things Denver Film Society folk do best. This week, they do it twice: with screenings of two documentaries about very different musical traditions. Part of the month-long “Next Stop, Hip Hop” series, director Marcy Garriott arrives with “Inside the Circle,” about Austin’s battling B-Boy culture. (Who knew?) Joining her: B-Boy Marlon. The next night, Ben Niles visits the Starz FilmCenter along with his ebony-ivory star for a DocNight showing of “Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037.” Both directors will do a post-screening Q&A. “Inside the Circle” Wednesday. 7 p.m. “Note by Note” Thursday, 7 p.m. The Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway. $6-$9.50. 303-820-FILM. Lisa Kennedy
Classical Music
Sunday. Symphonic music. The Crested Butte Music Festival has a history of presenting musicians who play unexpected instruments. Continuing that tradition, the festival will feature balalaika virtuoso Andrei Gorbachev as soloist for an unusual Russian- themed program that will include Nikolay Budashkin’s Concert Piece for Balalaika and Orchestra. Also on the lineup will be the premiere of Mark Sforzini’s Theme and Variations on a Slavic Song. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the Crested Butte Center for the Arts. $40. 970-349-0617 or . Kyle MacMillan
Saturday. Chamber music. It’s going to be a big summer in Colorado for up-and-coming Korean pianist Joyce Yang. Her series of appearances in the state begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday when she joins violinist Kathryn Eberle and cellist Nicholas Finch under the auspices of Salida Aspen Concerts. The performance will take place in the John Held Auditorium at Salida High School, 10th and D streets. $15. 719-539-1021 or salidaaspenconcerts . Yang also will perform at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Aspen Music Festival, and she will join the New York Philharmonic on July 23 at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. Kyle MacMillan
Ongoing. Musicals. The Colorado Light Opera ranks among the Denver- Boulder area’s most popular summer traditions. Instead of operetta, the company, composed of professionals and University of Colorado at Boulder music students, is showcasing two classic musicals this year in the Music Theatre in CU’s Imig Music Building, 18th Street and Euclid Avenue. Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” runs through Aug. 3, with performances at 7:30 p.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday. Frank Loesser’s “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” kicks off its run with performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. It continues through Aug. 2. $25 and $30. 303-492-8008 or . Kyle MacMillan
Visual Art
Through Sunday. Design. The clean, economical and thoroughly functional design of Florence Knoll’s influential, still-contemporary 20th century furniture epitomizes modernism. The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, 1311 Pearl St., celebrates the accomplishments of the design giant with “Florence Knoll: Defining Modern,” a compact, high-powered exhibition that concludes Sunday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. $6, $5 seniors, students and teachers. No one younger than 13 admitted, and youths ages 13- 17 must be accompanied by an adult. 303-832-8576 or . Kyle MacMillan
Pop Music
Tonight and Saturday. Pop. Nels Cline is a mysterious man. When he’s not playing guitar with Wilco, he’s doing his own thing — and right now that is the Nels Cline Singers. In Cline’s own words from his website: “My working band that plays my own type of instrumental music is called THE NELS CLINE SINGERS. As it is the nature of so-called ‘jazz’ and freely improvised musics, I am often found collaborating with a large and sometimes unpredictable pool of musicians from all over the place. Don’t get confused, this is fun!” The group plays tonight at the Boulder Theater and Saturday at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, opening for the Charlie Hunter Trio both nights.
Tonight. Pop. Local power-pop fans need to take a cue from the kids: Single File isn’t to be missed. The Westminster three-piece, famous for its popular “Zombies Ate My Neighbors” single, will play a rare local show tonight at the Marquis Theatre, 2009 Larimer St. Ricardo Baca
Tonight. Rock. Whether you know and love Todd Rundgren via his progressive rock work or via his stint as the frontman for the New Cars, you’ll be happy to know that he’s still touring the solo show, including a stop Monday at the Boulder Theater. Ricardo BacaThursday-SundayWorkshop. Are you the type that sits in the audience at concerts wishing you were the one on stage? Maybe you should explore it at the Music in the Mountains 2008 Performance & Songwriting Retreat. With workshops like “Songwriting,” and “Engaging Your Creativity” and instructors like the talented Celeste Krenz and Rebecca Folsom, the retreat can help you find your inner music star. Live your dreams, we say. The event takes place at the Ben Tyler Homestead Bed & Breakfast, near Bailey. The cost is $450, or $435 for members of the Swallow Hill music group. You need to register at ., or 303-777-1003.
