Music
Bluntly “beautiful” at Fillmore
Saturday. British singer-songwriter James Blunt is all about being open to chance encounters. A few years ago, he visited a London studio at the suggestion of his drummer. The platinum- selling artist ended up staying at the studio for more than a year. Blunt’s in the middle of a massive, year-plus tour for “Some Kind of Trouble,” and he’ll play the Fillmore Auditorium on Saturday night. Christina Perri opens the show. Tickets, $46.70, are available at — and you can read a Q&A with Blunt on . Ricardo Baca
Theater
Season 6 of “Trunks” is packing it up
Saturday. Over the past six years, Buntport Theater’s “Trunks” has become one of the most endearing and enduring children’s amusements in Denver. It’s an award-winning live comic-book serial that follows the good works of three delightfully dubious young superheroes – Walter Cosmic (he’ll glow!), Trixie Truddfeldt (she’ll make you sneeze!) and Scott the Parrot (he’s … a parrot!). Written on a tight schedule and based on books suggested by previous audiences, a new story is performed at 1 and 3 p.m. every other Saturday at 717 Lipan St. Now pushing 80 original episodes, Season 6 comes to a close with Saturday’s offering (April 30), inspired by Kathryn Lasky’s “The Capture.” Tickets $5-$7. 720-946-1388 or ). John Moore
Spark, Cherry Creek theaters take first bow
Through May 22. Two promising new theater companies debut this weekend by taking on daunting creative challenges. The new Spark Theater, performing in an initimate 30-seat space in the Baker neighborhood, presents “Dangerous Liaisons,” the classic story of the the Marquis de Merteuil and his wager with her friend the Vicomte Valmont over whether she can seduce her engaged cousin. The classic play is a glimpse into the minds of two people with a taste for pleasure, regardless of the consequences. At 240 S. Broadway. 303-319-1342 or . The new Cherry Creek Theatre, performing out of the Shaver Ramsey Showroom, 2414 E. 3rd Ave., bows with “Side by Side by Sondheim,” a musical revue celebrating the best-known works of Stephen Sondheim from landmark shows including “Company,” “West Side Story,” “Follies,” “Gypsy,” “A Little Night Music” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” 303-800-6578 or . John Moore
Classical music
Pianist, DU violinist to stage benefit recital
Today. Conductor Lawrence Golan, best known locally as music director of the University of Denver’s Lamont Symphony Orchestra, also happens to be a fine violinist. He joins pianist Alice Rybakin a benefit recital for the orchestra at 7:30 p.m. today at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. In addition to sonatas by Grieg and Mozart, the two will play a group of classical show pieces selected by the audience. $25, $15 seniors and students. 800-982-2787 or . Kyle MacMillan
Art museum to host musicians, performers
Today. Musicians from the University of Colorado at Boulder’s Pendulum New Music program will take part in”Untitled No. 36 (Obsolete),”the latest installment in the Denver Art Museum’s after-hours series. The performers will offer demos and performances in various parts of the museum during the event, which runs from 6 to 10 p.m. today. Also: a VJ battle and a new segment of the Buntport Theater’s “Joan and Charlie Discuss Tonight’s Theme.” Free with regular museum admission, plus two-for-one discounts for students. 720-865-5000 or . Kyle MacMillan.
Visual art
Two new exhibitions installed at Foothills
Today. The Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St., in Golden, debuts two new exhibitions with a reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today. “PostSecret”is a worldwide project in which artist Frank Warrenasked strangers to anonymously send him their secrets on postcards. Running concurrently will be “Intention: The Nude,”exploring the mystery and taboo of the human form. Both shows continue through June 26. $5, $3 seniors. 303-279-3922 or . Kyle MacMillan
Cinco de Mayo music, food and fun
Sunday. Get an early start to the Cinco de Mayo revelry at Mile High Marketplace’s Cinco de Mayo celebration. Stop into the Event Center for live music, including sets by Lunaticos, Tierra Jerezona and Super Suave. Kids can party on fun rides, like the giant slide and dragon kiddie coaster, while grown-ups stop by the beer station and check out the food. 12:30-5 p.m. The Event Center at Mile High Marketplace, East 88th Avenue and Interstate 76; 303- 289-4656. Admission $3 per person; kids under age 12 get in free.
“Touch-a-Truck” has big rigs on display
Saturday. Ever wondered what it’s like inside an ice cream truck or what the view looks like from the seat of a big rig? Stop by the “Touch-a-Truck” event and find out firsthand. All kinds of cool trucks will be parked and available to explore. The event is a benefit for Denver Public Schools’ Swigert-McAuliffe International School; bring cash or checks to buy a ticket at the door. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot at Sam’s Club, 7805 E. 35th Ave. Admission is $5 per person, or $40 for a four-person VIP package.
Symphony takes a swing at “Casey at the Bat”
Sunday. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra shows off its sporty side in “Casey at the Bat.” The family-oriented concert features a recital of the classic poem by actor Frank Oden, plus a full program of sports-themed music. The orchestra also will offer a symphonic rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets. Tickets: $25 for adults, $13 for children; call 303-MAESTRO or visit coloradosymphony .
Say hi to Rinny, Benny on World Tapir Day
Saturday. Is it a pig? Is it a hippo? Is it an anteater? Nope, it’s a tapir, and he gets his own holiday: The Denver Zoo celebrates World Tapir Day on Saturday. Visit the zoo’s two Malayan tapirs, Rinny and Benny, and learn all about these thick-skinned grazers from South America and Asia. Also, get a preview of the zoo’s upcoming Asian Tropics habitat for endangered Asian wildlife. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St.; 303-376-4800. Activities free with admission: $13 for adults, $10 for seniors age 65 and older, $8 for kids ages 3 to 11.
Get an intimate view of the opera world
Sunday. Youngsters get an up-close view of the world of opera in “Young Hands on Opera and Art,” presented by Central City Opera and the Denver Art Museum. The program focuses on Ravel’s “The Child and the Enchantments.” Central City Opera ensemble members will perform scenes from the opera and then let kids have their turn wearing the costumes, acting and singing. Afterward, get a free guide to kid-friendly art activities and explore the museum. 1-3 p.m. Sunday. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway; 720-865-5000. Tickets are $10 and include museum admission. Purchase tickets at or call 303-292-6700. Kathleen St. John
See Holocaust film “Shoah” in its entirety
To mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Denver Film Society is offering the rare and daunting opportunity to see Claude Lanzmann’s masterwork, “Shoah,” in its entiretyall 9 1/2 hours — on Sunday.
Before there was “Schindler’s List,” there was Lanz mann’s dogged chronicling of the Holocaust. Not once does he resort to archival images. Instead, the French resistance fighter-turned filmmaker spent 12 years interviewing survivors, participants and bystanders to make this epic and essential work about evil.
It has been nearly 25 years since I first saw “Shoah.” Night had fallen when I emerged from that theater; to this day, the scenes with Polish villagers whose homes were near a concentration camp remain indelible. Poor, uneducated, they are far too obliging as they offer their recollections.
Those interviews provide a dual (and humbling) lesson in the sins of being a bystander and the power of the camera to get people to perform for it. Denver FilmCenter/Colfax, 2510 E. Colfax. “First Era,” noon; 4 hours 33 minutes.”Second Era,” 5 p.m. 4 hours 52 minutes. Separate admissions; $15-$20 for either, $25-$35 double feature. 303-820-3456 or . Lisa Kennedy
