Theater
Get Happy — and for free
Saturday-Sept. 26. Musical. Forget Beckett. This “Happy Days” is a new musical based on the hit TV series that brings back Richie, Potsie, Ralph Malph and Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli. Return to 1959 Milwaukee, where the beloved Arnold’s drive-in malt shop is in danger of demolition. The gang teams up to save their favorite hangout with a dance contest and a wrestling match. This family-friendly musical launches a new collaboration between Stapleton MCA and the Aurora Fox Theatre to bring free theater to the community in an outdoor setting. Yep — free. At Founder’s Green, East 29th Avenue and Quebec Street, Denver, 303-739-1970 or . John Moore
Pop music
Shred that gnar, yo
Tonight. Snowboarding music and film festival. No, the Rockies aren’t covered in blankets of powdery snow — yet. But with winter just around the corner, the folks behind tonight’s Snowboard on the Rocks event want to help you prepare for the forthcoming season. The festival will feature some refreshing hip-hop, with performances from the Cool Kids, Del the Funky Homosapien and others. And there will also be a couple world premieres of snowboard films, including Never Summer’s “Made in America” and Think Tank’s “Right Brain/Left Brain.” Did we mention that a ticket purchased for Snowboard on the Rocks ($22.50, ) includes a free lift ticket to Echo Mountain? Shred that gnar, yo. More: . Ricardo Baca
Familiar, and familial, sounds
Saturday. Reunion. For the first time since their 25th anniversary concert in 1998, Colorado’s celebrated all-female Mother Folkers, “the most carefully-pronounced name in show business,” will reunite for a concert to benefit one of their own. The perfomance is a fundraiser dedicated to mandolinist Ellen Audley, whose health problems left her family with enormous medical bills. The performance reprises the MoFos’ unique musician-led arrangements of celtic, blues and other genres. At the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St., 8 p.m.; Tickets $25; 303-777-4786. Claire Martin
Film
Movies that made a difference
Thursday. Talk. After its inaugural outing, The Colorado Cinema Salon reconvenes at the Starz FilmCenter with a new installment and new theme, “The Movies in My Life.” Oscar-nominated director Daniel Junge (“The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner”) and Colorado state Sen. Michael Johnston share three films that have left them changed. There will be clips. Critic and filmmaker Bob Denerstein moderates. Gallery 30 at the Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, Ninth Street and Auraria Parkway. 8 p.m. $7-$9.75. or 303-820-FILM. Lisa Kennedy
See the movie, read the book
Tuesday. Community moment. As part of “One Book, One Denver” festivities, the Department of Cultural Affairs is offering a free film series to deepen the conversation about Kathryn Stockett’s novel “The Help.” This week’s movie, “Far From Heaven,” is a terrifically smart follow-up to last week’s showing of the Douglas Sirk melodrama, “Imitation of Life.” After all, director Todd Haynes based his tale about the affair of a black gardener (Dennis Haysbert) and a 1950s Connecticut housewife (Julianne Moore) on Sirk’s Jane Wyman-Rock Hudson beaut, “All That Heaven Allows.” 6:30 p.m. The Starz FilmCenter. Free. 303-820-FILM or . Lisa Kennedy
Family fun
Suds, yes, but kid stuff too
Through Sept. 26. Oktoberfest. The annual Oktoberfest Denver is now a family affair. Back again after nearing extinction last year — the event was sold by its previous owners and later picked up by a new one — the festival is six days of German-centric revelry in the Ballpark neighborhood. Oktoberfest is about more than beer and sausage. The “Karneval” offers rides and games for the kiddies, and this weekend’s visit by the PlayStation Experience Tour is a video-gamer’s dream. Special events are sprinkled throughout: Saturday starts with the Das Hustlehoff 5K/10K race, and Dachshunds get their day in the sun at the third annual Long Dog Derby on Sept. 26. 5 p.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Larimer Street between 20th to 22nd streets. Free. For more information and a full schedule, visit . Kathleen St. John
Boulder gets a little Hawaiian punch
Today-Sunday. Celebrate the state. Boulder goes tropical at the Colorado Aloha Festival. It all starts tonight with the Ho’ike Hula Concert, featuring Hawaiian dance from Maui’s Halau Kulia Ika Nu’u group, plus live music by Loea Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and Daniel Ho. The fun continues with the University of Hawaii football game against CU on Saturday, plus a street fair running all weekend at the 29th Street Mall. Concert: 7 p.m. tonight. Macky Auditorium, 17th Street and University Avenue, Boulder. Tickets are $15-$65, available by calling 720-233-5318. Festival: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 29th Street Mall, 28th Street and Canyon Boulevard, Boulder. Free. Learn more at colorado . Kathleen St. John
A run for everyone
Sunday. Fun and fitness. Hit the ground running at the Children’s Museum of Denver’s “Hop, Skip and a Jump Start.” A full morning of fitness-related activities, the event starts with a stroller-friendly 5K run along the South Platte River. After that, kids get the spotlight with races designed especially for little legs. Colorado Rockies mascot Dinger will be on hand to cheer everyone on, and Rockies announcer Reed Saunders will help call the races. Day-of registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, 5K and expo start at 9 a.m., Mini Meets start at 10 a.m. Children’s Museum of Denver, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive; 303-433-7444. 5K registration is $30 through today, $35 on Sunday. Mini Meet registration is $12 through today, $15 on Sunday. Visit for more information. Kathleen St. John
Broomfield parties — dogs invited
Saturday-Sunday. Weekend-longfete. Fall is fun at the Broomfield Days parade and festival. The party starts early with breakfast in the park, and then continues with music, dance performances, shopping, games and more. Broomfield Days is a special treat for dog lovers too. Running alongside the fest, and on Sunday, is BowWow Broomfield, a dog-friendly area filled with vendors, demonstrations and lots of treats. Watch games of Flyball, see the leaping Rocky Mountain DockDogs and possibly pick out a new friend from the Humane Society’s adoptable animals. 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Parade, 10 a.m. Midway Park, Midway Boulevard and Laurel Street. Free. Visit . Kathleen St. John
Seasonal ritual
Today-Saturday. Mountain celebration. Prepare for the winter to come at Crested Butte’s 25th annual Vinotok celebration. Based on ancient European rituals, Vinotok marks the change of seasons with food, wine and entertainment. Tonight, a community dinner hosts local musicians, writers and poets. Saturday when singers parade through town, followed by a short play. Then, a huge bonfire will burn “The Grump,” an effigy of everyone’s grumpy feelings. Community dinner, 5:30 p.m. tonight at Rainbow Park Pavilion. Dinner is $12 for adults, $6 for kids under 10. March and bonfire, 5-8:30 p.m. Saturday. Downtown Crested Butte. Admission is free. Kathleen St. John
