TODAY
through Oct. 26
The Vietnam war as prelude for Iraq takes center stage in “Summertree,” a powerful play that Denver theater critic John Moore says evokes Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree.” An unnamed Young Man remembers his mercurial life in a story paralleled 58,000 times in Vietnam and more than 4,100 times today in Iraq. Jeff Haas stars, with Shawn Cremer playing his younger self. 6 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Oct. 26, Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington St., Golden; 303-935-3044,
TODAY
Castles, princes, princesses and a living doll take the stage as the Ballet Society of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic present Stravinsky’s “The Firebird Suite” and Delibes’ “Coppelia Suite.” Tickets: $15 adult, $9 children. 2:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, 190 South Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs; 719-520-7469,
TODAY
Homeless Gear used-gear drive collects outdoor gear to distribute to the homeless of northern Colorado. The drive, an Eagle Scout project by Boy Scout Troop 119, starts today and continues through Oct. 26. Needed: Backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, other outdoor gear and cash donations. Pick-up available on Nov. 2. 9 a.m., REI Co-Op, 4025 S. College Ave., Fort Collins; 970-223-0123, homeless
MORE FOR THE WEEK
WEDNESDAY
Free Day at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science offers families and other visitors a chance to see permanent exhibits along with the new traveling exhibition, “Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries.” Also: Kaiser Permanente dietitians present “Extreme Meal Makeovers,” 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving away reusable shopping bags. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver; 303-322-7009,
THURSDAY through Oct. 26
The International Experimental Cinema Exposition offers avant-garde films and discussions led by filmmakers and cinema scholars from throughout the world. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. Friday through Oct. 26, Paradise Theater, 215 Grand Ave., and other venues in Paonia; 970-527-6610, experimen ,
THURSDAY
The Transcendence Gospel Choir, the world’s first all-transgender choir, performs and shows “The Believers,” an award-winning documentary about the choir, in the first installment of the Thursday evening Bad Religion series. Admission: $10. 6 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m., The Lab At Belmar, 404 S. Upham St., Lakewood; 303-934-1777,
THURSDAY
“Connoisseurs in the Garden” with horticultural consultants and designers Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer- Ogden, who introduced several dozen plants to the nursery trade. Both are authors. Springer-Ogden’s “The Undaunted Garden” was named one of the best 100 gardening books of the 20th century. The couple will sign copies of their new book, “Plant-Driven Design.” Preregistration, $22; day of event, $25. 7 p.m., Mitchell Hall, Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., Denver; 720-865-3580,
FRIDAY through Oct. 26
Mile High Bargain Fine Art Fair offers thousands of antique and vintage prints, drawings and original paintings. Look for 30 paintings by celebrated Colorado artists, including Charles Partridge Adams, Ethel Magafan, Hayes Lyon and Charles Ragland Bunnell. Prices start at $2 for original prints, watercolors and maps from the 17th and 18th centuries., vintage oil paintings. Free. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 26, Gilmore Art Center, 2119 Curtis St., Denver; 303-483-1762
SATURDAY
VeloSwap celebrates its 20th anniversary, showcasing the Yellow Designs stunt team, scores of vendors representing Mavic, TRP Brakes, Wizard Kinetics, Crocs and other bicycle and environmentally friendly products. Bicycle designer Lennard Zinn will speak about bike mechanics, and bicycles will be for sale. Admission: $6 online in advance, $8 at the door. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver; 303-245-2180,
SATURDAY
Denver Gorilla Run features hundreds of gorilla-suited runners, walkers, skaters and skateboarders racing (or sauntering) through the 5.6-kilometer course. A few just walk over the “Start” line and go straight to the Wynkoop for a Silverback Ale. The $99.95 registration fee includes a gorilla costume to keep, and proceeds benefit the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund. 9 a.m. registration and costume-judging, 11 a.m. run, Wynkoop Brewing Co., 1634 18th Street, Denver; 720-244-9938,
