Today.Ceramics. Colorado Springs artist Jason Theel made an impressive debut last year at Pirate: Contemporary Art, 3655 Navajo St., with an exhibition of his inventive, technically sophisticated send-ups of piggy banks. Theel is back with a new group of the stylized clay works. They will go on view during a public reception from 6 to 10 p.m. today and remain on display through May 23. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. 303-458-6058 or . Kyle MacMillan
Comedy
Bovine turns 10
Today.Improv comedy. It’s been exactly 10 years since Denver’s Bovine Metropolis Theater opened its skinny little door on Champa Street with “The Confession Stand” — an original sketch comedy delving into the realm of secrets, dreams and fantasies — so what better way to celebrate the decade than by bringing that show back? Bovine, one of the metro area’s rare all-ages improv theaters, will kick off the show’s return tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., followed by shows every Friday and Saturday through June 20. 1527 Champa St. $16. 303-758-4722 or . John Wenzel
Classical music
The Colorado Choir sings tunes old and new Today and Saturday. Choral Music. The 34-year-old Colorado Choir, led by conductor Kelly Parmenter, makes appearances at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave. The mixed program will include the Gloria from Schubert’s Mass No. 2 in G, Hallelujah from Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus” and contemporary selections. $15, $12 seniors and students. 303-892-5922 or . Kyle MacMillan.
Pop music
Tripping forward
Thursday.Trip-hop redux. On its Barsuk Records debut, “Eyelid Movies,” atmospheric New York duo Phantogram have pulled off an impressive trick: resurrecting the feel of moody ’90s trip-hop while subtly moving the genre forward with stuttering synths and gorgeous, indie rock-inspired melodies. The band headlines the Larimer Lounge on Thursday with Light Pollution and Tommy Metz (of Denver’s Iuengliss). 9 p.m. 2721 Larimer St. $10. 303-291-1007 or . Read our exlusive interview with Phantogram only at Wenzel
Family fun
The good stuff Mom loves
Tonight-Saturday.Food fest. If Mom is a chocoholic, this Mother’s Day might be the best ever: The Colorado Chocolate Festival is taking over the Denver Merchandise Mart Boasting “30,000 square feet of chocolate heaven,” the festival is filled with free samples of chocolate in all its forms. Candies, cakes, cookies, brownies, fudge — if it’s got chocolate in it, it’s probably here. Chocolate-themed activities and speakers abound, too, including a market of Mother’s Day gifts. Tonight’s kickoff event is a classy soiree with a cash bar, live music, wine tastings and more. 6-10 p.m. tonight and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave.; 800-289-6278. Admission for tonight is $12. Saturday admission is $7 for adults, $3 for kids ages 5 to 12. Kids younger than 5 are free. Learn more at . Kathleen St. John
Run fast, and run good, too
Saturday.Family fitness. Help a kid’s wish come true at the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Race for Wishes. Presented by MAW’s Colorado chapter, the race raises money to grant wishes for sick children. Run the 5K, a qualifier for the Bolder Boulder, walk it, or gather the gang for a 1K fun run/walk around Ferril Lake. Everyone who finishes gets a goodie bag and a coupon for two-for-one admission to the Denver Zoo on Saturday. Post-race partying includes kids’ activities, food and live music. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, race starts at 9 a.m. City Park, 17th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Race-day registration is $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, $30 for teens ages 13-18, $15 for kids age 12 and younger. The whole family can register for the fun run for $25. Learn more at . Kathleen St. John
Centennial parties for the season
Saturday.Town fete.Everyone’s invited to the Centennial Spring Fling, an outdoor romp for the whole family. Jam on the karaoke stage, see the Colorado Disc Dogs and check out the “Come Out and Play Pavilion” and The Game Zone. Join in a life-sized game of checkers, chess or Chutes-and-Ladders, too. Little ones will especially enjoy the balloon sculptors and face painters, plus a special “Tot Town” area. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. deKoevend Park at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial. Admission is free. Kathleen St. John
Yes, this one is for the birds
Saturday-Sunday.Railroads and geese. Get ready for a goofy good time at the Colorado Railroad Museum’s Galloping Goosefest. Named after the now-retired “Galloping Goose” trains of the Rio Grande Southern fleet, the highlight of Goosefest is taking a ride on one of the strange-looking railcars. Of course, there’s plenty more to do, too: special Mother Goose activities for kids, a Wild Goose Chase and touring the rest of the museum’s collection. Since it’s Mother’s Day weekend, moms get in free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Colorado Railroad Museum, 17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden; 800-365-6263. Admission is $5 for children ages 2 to 16, $10 for seniors over age 60, $12 for adults. A family package for two adults and children under 16 is $25. Learn more at . Kathleen St. John
