Aziz Ansari had a landmark year in 2010, and it’s no surprise that he’s playing the Paramount Theatre after a successful string of shows at Comedy Works during his last trip to Denver. The short, young, high-pitched, wide- eyed, seemingly always caffeinated comedian is a familiar face on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” His breakout role, however, came in the 2009 dark comedy “Funny People,” a Judd Apatow gem in which he played the charmingly cocky Randy — a bro’d-out wannabe that audiences have come to love as an integral part of Ansari’s live act. Randy is, in essence, a hyperbolic version of Aziz, a reflection in a department store mirror wearing clothes and posing in ways that will never leave the dressing room. That’s what makes Ansari’s act so brilliant — the bits are hilarious enough on the surface, and when taken in greater context, they strike a much more real, self-deprecating chord. Get tickets for tonight’s show, $37.50, through Ticket Horse. Read our “Why So Serious?” Q&A with Aziz on .
Keller Williams is a virtuoso of the acoustic guitar whose lyrics have always been quirky but not particularly groundbreaking. His October release, “Kids,” is a surprisingly awesome children’s album, with all the musicianship of past “serious” releases coupled with prepubescent harmonies and lyrics about goats, car seats, hula hoops and bubble baths. His approach to music is part bluegrass, part folk and part modern jam, with fingerpicking and funky rhythms at its core. Sunday, Williams records for eTown with legendary bluegrass duo the Keels, with whom he has shared the stage on multiple occasions. Tickets, $18.75, at .
John Hendrickson: 303-954-1785 or jhendrickson@denverpost.com
