Visual art
Molding a fresh vision in clay
Given the abundance of artists making functional pottery, such work can easily blur together. But newcomer Lynda Ladwig of Lafayette is energizing the field with a fresh, distinctive vision.
Her latest works can be seen through Thursday at East End Applied Arts, a design-oriented space at 1556 Florence St., Aurora.
Ladwig began working in clay after more than 25 years as an architectural designer, and that unconventional background has helped her put a new spin on form and function. Her impeccably constructed porcelain pieces — bowls, tumblers, trays, — have a minimal look in primarily white and black with a few glazed color accents.
Balancing the formalism is the deliberate, whimsical irregularity of the forms. In one group of six tumblers, no two are the same. Viewing hours are noon to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Free. 720-203-3575 or . Kyle MacMillan
Friday rethought
Today. Art and Music. The Denver Art Museum’s “Untitled” series is back. On the last Friday of each month through September, the museum lets down its hair with themed evenings geared toward a younger crowd. Students receive 2-for-1 admission. This year’s kickoff, “Untitled #20 (Trip)” centers on the popular rock-poster exhibition “The Psychedelic Experience.” Activities from 6 to 10 p.m. include printmaking demonstrations and music by DJ Eddie B. 720-865-5000 or . Kyle MacMillan
Pop music
Earplug rock
Tonight. Shoegaze rock. Fans of this noisy subgenre of rock ‘n’ roll are rejoicing. My Bloody Valentine plays the Fillmore Auditorium tonight, an extremely rare North American date. In the mid-’80s, My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus and Mary Chain and others created a movement of distortion, noise and tremendous volume. Tonight’s show has the potential to be monumental — an opportunity for the original fans to catch up and a chance for new fans to learn the true worth of a good set of earplugs. Tickets, $39.50, are still available at . Ricardo Baca
Forever young
Monday. Rock. While Neil Young’s latest CD, “Fork in the Road,” may be inconsistent, there are shining moments in the sprawling record, a tribute to road trips and to traveling songs. The CD will surely be the centerpiece of Young’s Magness Arena gig on Monday, and while you don’t need to hear many of these songs live, some would argue that there is no such thing as a bad Neil Young concert. Tickets, $62-$157, are available at Ticketmaster outlets. Ricardo Baca
Events
Women first
Saturday-Sunday. Women’s expo. More than 6,000 people — women and men alike — are expected for the Colorado Women’s Expo at the Colorado Convention Center this weekend. Whether you’re into fitness, fashion and finance or cooking, creative design and crafting, speakers Cathie Filian (host of “Creative Juice”), Judie Schwartz and Evelinda Urman (Style Matters columnists) and Linda Koopersmith (“Beverly Hills Organizer”) have you covered. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. 700 14th St. 303-932-8100 or . John Wenzel
Dance
Look up
Today-Sunday. Aerial dance. The 11th Aerial Dance Festival isn’t until August, but catch some high-flying action this weekend at the Dairy Center with the last few performances of “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” The multi-choreographer work from Frequent Flyers Productions features artistic director Nancy Smith and members Danielle Hendricks, Darden Longenecker and others in all-new pieces. 8 p.m. today and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $13-$27. 888-512-7469 or . John Wenzel
Classical music
Great opera, great deal
Through the weekend. Opera. Bizet’s fiery “Carmen” ranks among the most popular operas in the world. The University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music is offering a cost-conscious way to see a fully staged production and support emerging talents. Tickets are just $11-$26 ($9-$24 for students and seniors). The performances, with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and Lamont Opera Theatre, are set for 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. 303-357-2787 or . Kyle MacMillan
Music here and now
Saturday. New music. Listeners don’t have to travel to one of the coasts to hear new music. Colorado has its own community of composers and works by several will be featured in the Third Annual Colorado Composers Concert. Among those showcased will be Timothy Brown, Hubert Ho, Conrad Kehn, Loretta Notareschi and Trey Pernell. Performing will be The Playground, a University of Denver ensemble. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the King Center on the Auraria campus, with a preview lecture at 6 p.m. $10, $8 seniors and $5 students. 303-556-2296 or . Kyle MacMillan
Family fun
A twist on the circus
Tuesday-Wednesday. Acrobats and clowns. Fans of Cirque du Soleil will flip for “Nebbia,” a joint production by French Canadian circus Cirque Eloize and Swiss acrobatics troupe Teatro Sunil. Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, director of Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo,” “Nebbia” explores the world of the imaginary, featuring dancers, trapeze artists, musicians and more. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The Buell Theatre, 14th and Curtis streets. Tickets are $20-$70, available at . Kathleen St. John
Four-legged friends
Today-Sunday. Horses and more horses. For nearly 30 years, the Lipizzaner Stallions have been leaping, prancing and dancing all over the world. This weekend, they make two stops in Colorado to perform their elaborate dressage show. The elegant white horses and costumed riders will show off their best moves set to classical music. 7:30 p.m. today at the Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, Loveland; 970-619-4100. Tickets are $20.50-$27.50, available by calling 877-544-TIXX. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Broomfield Event Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane; 303-410-0700. Tickets are $28.50-$33.50, with discounts available for children and seniors. Buy tickets online at . or call 303-830-TIXS. Kathleen St. John
