Family fun
Nick’s TV superstars take the stage
Saturday-Sunday. Familiar characters. The Nickelodeon network’s preschool heroes get the star treatment in “Storytime Live!” at the 1stBank Center. Featuring characters from four Nick shows — “Dora the Explorer,” “The Backyardigans,” “The Wonder Pets” and “Ni Hao, Kai-Lan” — the theatrical production includes songs and adventures especially for youngsters. Nick’s Moose A. Moose and Zee are the hosts, leading kids through fairy-tale travels with Dora, cloud-jumping with Kai-Lan and more. 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 1stBank Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane; 303-410-0700. Tickets are $15-$39. Buy advance tickets at , or call 866-461-6556. Kathleen St. John
Where the cool cats will be this weekend
Saturday-Sunday. Pets. Cat lovers, this one’s for you: The Ragdolls in the Rockies Cat Show brings together local cat enthusiasts to compete, compare notes and learn about their feline friends. The show features a group of more than 70 Ragdolls, a supercute breed of cat, plus more than 100 cats of all breeds. Attend seminars, watch pedigreed-cat judging, shop the silent auction and generally mix and mingle with the cat crowd. Proceeds from the silent auction, and $1 from each admission fee, are being donated to help animal shelters in need after the recent wildfires outside Boulder and Loveland. Donations of supplies — cat litter, blankets, toys — will be accepted too. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 15500 E. 40th Ave.; 303-371-9494. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for seniors age 55 and up and children ages 3 to 12. Buy a family four-pack for $20. For more information, visit .Kathleen St. John
Dance
For Robards dance, a new place to show off
Thursday. Dance kickoff. Longtime Denver choreographer and dancer Kim Robards will show off her company’s new, 24,000-square-foot space next week when Kim Robards Dance holds its “Fall Into Fall” fundraiser and season kickoff. Dance lovers can get a sneak preview of Robards’ “Breaking New Ground” show, which leads her company’s 24th season on Oct. 9, as well as donate to the cause and sip some cocktails. Admission is free, and the public can RSVP by calling 303-900-3430 or e-mailing info@corkandpetal . Kim Robards Dance Theater, 1387 S. Santa Fe Drive, . John Wenzel
Classical music
The return of Olga Kern and the CSO
Through the weekend. Symphonic music. The classical-music season gets started in earnest this weekend, with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra leading the way. The orchestra will open its 2010-11 Masterworks with Russian pianist Olga Kern — a local favorite — performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Also on the program is what might be Beethoven’s biggest hit — his Symphony No. 5. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Boettcher Concert Hall. $58-$115. 303-623-7876 or . Friday’s performance will be broadcast live on Colorado Public Radio (KVOD 88.1 FM in Denver), with pre-concert interviews starting at 7 p.m. 303-871-9191 or 800-722-4449 or . Kyle MacMillan
A taste of Mendelssohn at Englewood Civic Center
Saturday. Chamber music. Any list of the 10 greatest chamber works is likely to include Mendelssohn’s Octet in E flat major for Strings, Op. 20. Members of the Colorado Symphony will perform the transcendent piece as the kick-off of the 2010-11 season of the Englewood Arts Concert Series. The concert will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hampden Hall in the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. $15, $12 seniors and $5 youth. Also available are tickets for the entire 10-concert season: $130, $110 seniors. 303-806-8196 or . Kyle MacMillan
Be Italian
Today and Saturday. Baroque music. The Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado gets back into action with a program titled “Bach Italian Style.” Among other things, it examines Vivaldi’s influences on the great German composer, with performances of two of his Italian-tinged concertos. Soprano Amanda Balestri will serve as guest artist. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. today at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd., and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church, 1128 Pine St. in Boulder. $24, $19 seniors and military personnel and $5 students. 303-889-1012 or . Kyle MacMillan
Pop music
Saddle up for the Fillmore
Wednesday. Rock ‘n’ roll. The best show of 2010 so far? How about Band of Horses’ sold-out March 16 date at the Ogden Theatre. The South Carolina rock powerhouse crafts wall-of- sound jams that are ideal for the live setting. The band returns to Denver for a gig Wednesday night in a much larger room, at the Fillmore Auditorium. Listen to its “Funeral,” which got significant play in a 2008 Ford commercial, and you’ll hear what makes Band of Horses special. The ticket price is a little steep at $35.25, but the group’s live show is worth it. . Ricardo Baca
Visual Arts
Gallery to stage sendoff for artist Bill Amundson
Bill Amundson has no doubt rubbed a few people the wrong way with his acerbic humor and unstoppable loquaciousness.
But for the past 35 years, there has been no more beloved or influential figure on the Denver art scene than the enormously talented, if eccentric and sometimes neurotic, artist.
Besides taking part in scores of exhibitions, Amundson has nurtured subsequent generations of artists through his extensive teaching and shared his wit as a radio disc jockey and frequent master of ceremonies at area art functions.
But it’s time to say, “So long.” Amundson and his wife, Anita, are set to move to his home state of Wisconsin. To celebrate his contributions to Denver and bid him farewell, the Plus Gallery, 2501 Larimer St., is holding a public party from 5 to 8 p.m. today.
In addition, the gallery is showing nearly 30 of his whimsical, pop-flavored drawings, in which he imbeds subtle and not-so-subtle commentary on consumer culture, urban sprawl and societal intolerance. They will be on view noon to 5 p.m. today and Saturday. 303-296-0927 or . Kyle MacMillan
