Lar Lubovitch Dance Company shows are worth a drive west
Sunday and Tuesday. Modern dance. The celebrated Lar Lubovitch Dance Company is marking its 40th anniversary with its first American tour since 1995. The company will make two Colorado stops but, unfortunately, none in the Denver-Boulder area. It is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the Aspen District Theatre and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek. Aspen tickets are $20-$64 and are available at 866-449-0464 or . Vilar tickets are $52 and are available at 888-920-2787 or . Kyle MacMillan
Visual Art
Sunday. Paintings. After a significantly extended run, the Denver Art Museum’s preview of what viewers might see in the planned Clyfford Still Museum will close Sunday. The small but powerful exhibit includes 13 prototypical drawings and paintings offering a cross-section of the abstract- expressionist’s underappreciated output. The selections are drawn from Still’s estate holdings, which will be housed at the privately funded museum to be located on Bannock Street between West 12th and 13th avenues. Free with regular DAM admission. 720-865-5000 or denverartmuseum . Kyle MacMillan
Classical music
Saturday. Opera. The Rocky Mountain regional round of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The event is open to the public. Some of the country’s best-known opera singers have emerged through this annual competition. Nine district winners will take part in this round, including 26-year-old Denver soprano Brittany Robinson. The judges will include Jonathan Friend, the Met’s artistic administrator, and famed soprano Cynthia Lawrence, a former Coloradan. Admission is free. Kyle MacMillan
Today. Spirituals and art songs. Denver launches its four-day celebration of the 80th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s birthday with the “Dream Concert.” Star mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, right, will join the 70-member Spirituals Project Choir for a program of spirituals, art songs and other music. The event will take place at 7 p.m. today in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets. Limited seating is available. $15-$100. 866-464-2626 or . Kyle MacMillan
Theater
Tonight. Art and theater mix. Stories on Stage offers widely varying dramatic readings of short fiction stories read by professional actors. “Everybody Loves a Train Wreck (Unless You’re on the Train)” consists of juicy original stories by Colorado writers about political leaders who have fallen from grace after compromising choices and adulterous scandals (think Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy, Larry Craig). Each story was inspired by a work of art created by the Art Students League of Denver. Images of the art will be projected onto the stage during tonight’s 7:30 performance at the Jones Theatre, 13th and Arapahoe streets, 303-494-0523 or . ($22). Authors include Jody Romero, Edith Wharton, Etgar Keret and Richard Ford. The art will remain on display at the Art Students League, 200 Grant St., through Feb. 25. Admission to that exhibit is free. John Moore
Film
Thursday Documentary. This month’s DocNight at the Starz FilmCenter cuts close to home with “Haze.” Colorado-based filmmaker Peter Schuermann’s documentary recounts the death of Lynn Gordon “Gordie” Bailey Jr. in 2004. The freshman was discovered unconscious after a night of forced drinking at a University of Colorado fraternity. In addition to Bailey’s story, Schuermann delves into the culture of underage binge drinking on campuses. Anticipate a spirited post-screening discussion with Schuermann about documentaries and advocacy — but also distribution. Last October “Haze” had a simultaneous online “premiere” during its screening at the Hamptons International Film Festival. 7 p.m. Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway. $6-$9.50. 303-820-FILM. Lisa Kennedy
Family fun
Monday Celebration and march. This year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrates what would have been King’s 80th birthday. It’s also the 24th year that Denver residents have gathered for the MLK Day Marade. A mixture of a march and a parade, the marade honors King’s life and work in the civil rights movement. It all starts in City Park: Come early for a presentation before the marade assembles and marches to Civic Center, about 3 miles away. A closing ceremony begins immediately afterward. Bring along old cellphones and nonperishable food to donate. 10 a.m. Monday. The Marade starts at the “I Have a Dream” memorial in City Park, East 17th Avenue and York Street, and ends at the Greek Theater at Civic Center, 14th Avenue and Broadway. Free. Kathleen St. John
Today-Sunday Western lore. Cowboys and cowgirls from across the country have been riding the range to Arvada this week for the 20th annual Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Today and Saturday, little buckaroos get their own seat at the campfire with two kid-friendly shows. Today’s children’s show features rope tricks, storytelling and music performed especially for kids. Everyone will want to come along on Saturday for a “Family Friendly Matinee” with yodeling cowgirls, tough vaqueros and live music from the O’Brien Family Band. Children’s shows starts at 10 a.m. and noon today. Family Matinee starts at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Arvada Center for the Arts, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd.; 720-898-7200. Children’s show tickets are $8, family matinee tickets are $26 for adults and $12 for kids ages 5-14. . Kathleen St. John
Saturday Happy New Year! The Chinese New Year starts Jan. 26, but the Parker Arts Council is celebrating a little early at the 2009 Parker Asian Festival. Learn about traditions from Asian cultures with music, dance, ceremonial dress, martial arts and more. Of course, there will be lots of tasty food, plus merchandise, art and children’s activities. 2-6 p.m. Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E. Plaza Drive, Parker. Admission is $5 per person, and free for kids under age 3. Kathleen St. John
Saturday Kids concert. The Denver Brass cultivates kids’ interest in music and musical instruments in “Tiny Tots Love Music.” A quintet of Denver Brass players will perform a program of kid- friendly tunes in a relaxed environment. The concert is specially designed for the 4-and-under set — and their parents — so they can learn all about live music. 3:30 p.m. Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. $5. Purchase tickets in advance at denverbrass . 303-832-HORN. Kathleen St. John
Comedy
Today-Saturday. Comedy. Any fan of “The Office” knows Darryl, the deadpan Dunder-Mifflin warehouse supervisor. But not everyone knows that Craig Robinson, the actor behind the character, has brought his talents to “Friends, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Bernie Mac Show,” as well as flicks like “Knocked Up.” Robinson takes the stage at Comedy Works in Larimer Square tonight and Saturday. 8 and 10 tonight; 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday. $25. 1226 15th St. 303-595-3637 or . John Wenzel
