Art plays its ace as politics takes over Denver
Saturday. Multimedia art. International artists taking part in “Dialog:City,” a civic-oriented art program coinciding with the Democratic National Convention, will show other works in “Dialog:Denver.” The exhibition at the Robischon Gallery, 1740 Wazee St., will open Saturday and run through Sept. 20. Also on view with be politically themed works by 17 Colorado artists, including Jack Balas, Wes Hempel, Kevin O’Connell, Sarah McKenzie, Floyd Tunson and Rebecca Vaughan. A public reception is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Free. 303-298-7788 or . Kyle MacMillan
Theater
Today-Sunday. Retro furnishings. The Denver Modernism Show continues to grow, taking over the National Western Complex’s Expo Hall this weekend with a variety of local and out-of-state dealers offering retro, art deco, pop and contemporary furnishings. Missing that perfect mod ’60s chair for the basement bar or kitschy pottery for the living room? They’ve got you covered. Also check out the go-go and hula dancers and tiki bar. $5-$10. . John Wenzel
Classical music
Friday and Sunday. Opera. The Emerald City Opera in Steamboat Springs might not be Colorado’s biggest or even second-biggest company, but it can still attract notable talents. Soprano Korliss Uecker, who has made a number of appearances at New York’s Metropolitan Opera, will appear in the central role of Violetta in Emerald City’s production of “La Traviata.” Also taking part will be singers David Malis and David Ward, who have appeared at major opera houses, as well. Performances, which will take place in the newly renovated auditorium in the Steamboat Springs High School, are set for 7 tonight and 3 p.m. Sunday. $19-$69. 970-879-1996 or . Kyle MacMillan
Visual art
Wednesday. Cartoons and illustrations.Jules Feiffer ranks among the most distinguished illustrators and cartoonists of the past four decades. His cartoons, which have ranged across topics, political and not, ran in the Village Voice for 42 years. About 40 of his cartoons, prints and illustrations will be on view at Michele Mosko Fine Art, 136 W. 12th Ave., in an exhibition opening Wednesday and running through Nov. 2. The show is timed to correspond with the Democratic National Convention, and the gallery will have extended hours — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 23-31 — to accommodate DNC attendees. Free. 303-534-5433 or michelemosko . Kyle MacMillan
Theater
Sunday. Community project. “Five Two Eight O” is a multidisciplinary exploration about what it is to live together in Denver’s disparate neighborhoods. It’s a series of five evenings of stories developed and told by neighbors within different neighborhoods. This week is dedicated to the area around Santa Fe Drive. On Thursday, local residents told their personal, 10-minute stories, suggesting important themes and hidden concerns of deep importance to their community, often the kind that cannot easily be articulated at traditional community meetings. In attendance were visual artists, playwrights, choreographers, poets, photographers and performers, watching and listening for inspiration. Today and Saturday, those artists will be creating new work inspired by the stories the residents told. Then, at a 4:30 p.m. reception Sunday at Globeville Studios (635 Santa Fe Drive), the resultant artwork will be exhibited and the stories performed, followed by a community dialogue. Info: 303-731-3104 or email info@fivetwoeighto.org. John Moore
Pop music
Tonight. Old-school hip-hop. You remember all the old-school hip-hop songs. “Bust a Move.” “Wild Thing.” “O.P.P.” “Fantastic Voyage.” It’s all coming back tonight at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre when a cadre of old-schoolers will take the stage in the name of nostalgia. The line-up: Young MC, Coolio (above), Tone Loc, Naughty By Nature, Lisa Lisa, Stevie B. and others. More: . Ricardo Baca
Tonight. Crate-packing DJs. If you missed DJ Peter Black and his crew at the UMS afterhours party, here is your chance to hear some of the most exciting sounds coming from Denver DJs. Black and his buddies have some of the freshest, most mind-bending music out there, and they’re happy to share their record collections with you at their monthly Analog Space parties. This month’s installation takes over the Meadowlark on Friday night. More: . Ricardo Baca
Sunday. Chill-out rock. Sunday. Jack Johnson’s “Sleep Through the Static” was one of the biggest records of the year, and it helped solidify the surfer-turned-singer-songwriter as a bona fide star. He headlined a date at Coachella in California and a date at All Points West in New Jersey, both this summer, and his Red Rocks Amphitheatre show on Sunday has been sold out for months. He’s not the most original artist, but you can’t deny his mass appeal. Opening the Red Rocks show are Rogue Wave and Neil Halsted. More: . Ricardo Baca
