Pop Music
She Carries the country torch
Thursday.Pop-country. Singer Carrie Underwood knows how to work a record. Her seven-month-old “Play On” has legs, and the vaguely country record is still going strong. She rocks like Shania Twain on the sassy “Cowboy Casanova” to introduce us to her new world, and after the weepy ballad “Temporary Home” wooed country radio, she’s coming back with a third single off the record — the hotly produced “Undo It.” (The song could have easily been a single for Underwood’s fellow “Idol” champ Kelly Clarkson.) Underwood is playing secondary markets in Colorado, with this tour swinging north (1stBank Center in Broomfield on Thursday) and south (World Arena in Colorado Springs on June 4) of Denver. Tickets for her Broomfield show: $35-$55, . And for the Springs date: $35-$55, . Ricardo Baca
You know this trio
Wednesday.Familiar harmonies.. David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash never stay away from Colorado long enough for us to really miss them. And so it’s hardly an occasion when they route tours through this familiar territory — unless sometimes-bandmate Neil Young is playing with them, as that’s more of a rarity. Even so, some fans who have been with the group since its roots in the late ’60s won’t miss a show. And that familiarity runs both ways. Sure, we know these three guys pretty well, but they’re also all too familiar with Colorado, its people, its sights. And they’ve told us many times before that Red Rocks is one of their favorite places to play, so it’s little surprise that Crosby, Stills & Nash will play the Morrison amphitheater on Wednesday. Tickets: $49.50-$101.50. Ricardo Baca
Holiday
A long tradition marches on
Saturday.Parade. Salute the nation’s fallen servicemen and women at the Denver Memorial Day Parade. A tradition for more than 80 years, the parade includes military personnel and veterans marching through downtown Denver. All branches of the service are represented. The parade is sponsored by the Denver United Veterans’ Council, Denver County Veteran Services Office and the city of Denver. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Downtown Denver, between Broadway and Welton Street, and 14th Avenue and 17th Street. Admission is free. Kathleen St. John
Family fun
Boulder throws itself a celebration
Saturday-Monday.Food, music and more. Celebrate the start of summer, Boulder style, at the 23rd annual Boulder Creek Festival. A swath of downtown Boulder becomes the festival grounds for three days of food and festivities. It’s enough to fill an afternoon — and an evening: live music, rides, yummy food and shopping, plus a kids’ stage and a teen battle of the bands. A highlight of the festival is the Great Rubber Duck Race at 4 p.m. Monday. Festivalgoers purchase a duck to float down Boulder Creek and win prizes. The money from duck purchases goes to Boulder Parks and Recreation. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. Bandshell performances and food courts are open until 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Along Boulder Creek, Ninth Street to 14th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder. Admission is free. Visit bceproductions for more information. Kathleen St. John
This strip parties, too
Saturday-Monday.Neighborhood fete. Get ready for fun in the sun at the 31st annual Old South Gaylord Street Memorial Day Festival. Each day of the event starts with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m., with strolling magicians and balloon art just for kids. Grown-ups are also welcome for rockin’ sets by bands including Jockamo, the Neil Bridge 7+ and the Spin. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday. South Gaylord Street between Tennessee and Mississippi avenues. Park at South High School, 1700 E. Louisiana Ave., for free and catch a free shuttle to the festival. Admission is free. Kathleen St. John
Flitter on down
Saturday. Garden demos. It’s a Plant Conservation Day party at the Butterfly Pavilion’s Bloomapalooza. The pavilion will be buzzing — more than usual — with activities for nature lovers of all ages. See demonstrations on all sorts of topics, from beekeeping to composting, join a “garden safari” or get up close with some of the Pavilion’s butterflies. Kids can expend some energy too on a climbing wall, a tropical obstacle course, relay races, craft activities and more. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster; 303-469-5441. Admission is $8.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors age 65 and older, $5.50 for kids ages 2 to 12. Learn more at . Kathleen St. John
Classical music
Remembering through music
Saturday-Sunday.Concert. Get in the patriotic spirit with Denver Brass at “Fanfare for the American Spirit.” The ensemble’s Memorial Day celebration features the stirring sounds of American composers from Irving Berlin to John Philip Sousa. Expect a couple of Aaron Copland pieces, too: “Fanfare for the Common Man” and “A Lincoln Portrait.” Bring along a can of food to donate and receive $2 off admission. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.; 303-871-6200. Tickets are $22-$43 for adults, $19-$37 for students and seniors, $11-$21.50 for kids ages 12 and younger. To buy advance tickets, call 303-832-HORN or visit . Kathleen St. John
