Greg Fitzsimmons has quietly established himself as one of our most inventive touring comedians and writers. A talk-show and cable-TV veteran, Fitzsimmons uses his sharp sarcasm to slide slivers of observational brilliance into your unsuspecting brain. Friday and Saturday at Comedy Works. $22.
Bonobo’s name, taken from a dwarf chimpanzee found only in the Congo, reflects a warm exoticism in the British act’s songs. Like a jazzier DJ Shadow auditioning for Thievery Corporation, principal member Simon Green mixes and matches styles while keeping the enterprise grounded in smoky, irresistible grooves. Saturday at the Ogden. $25-$30.
Phoenix continues the victory lap from last year’s slick breakout “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” with a concert at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday. And while the moppy French pop-rockers sold out that set a few weeks ago, their rising international fame — and 2009 American breakthrough status — hints they’ll be back before too long.
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
