Critic’s pick
Elitch’s is opening; summer must be near
Saturday. It’s opening day at Elitch’s, and the coasters will be rolling once again. The park is under new management this year, but expect to see all your old favorites. Days and hours are sporadic over the next few weeks, but the doors open daily starting Memorial Day weekend. The water park at Elitch’s will open that weekend, as well — keep your bathing suits in the drawer just a few more weeks. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle; 303-595-4386. Tickets: $37.99 for guests 48 inches tall and over, $27.99 for guests under 48 inches. Seniors age 62 and older get in for $27.99. Kids age 3 and younger admitted free. . Kathleen St. John
Family Fun
Viva Cinco de Mayo celebration!
Saturday-Sunday. Join thousands of revelers in Civic Center Park for the 24th annual Cinco de Mayo Celebrate Culture Festival. The fun begins with a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by two days of food, live music and family activities. Three stages of entertainment will be going, featuring a variety of bands and dance ensembles. Come early on Sunday, Mother’s Day, for a special “Mariachi Mass” at 10 a.m. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Civic Center, West Colfax Avenue and Broadway. Free.
Walk in Wash Park with your four-legged friends
Saturday. Hundreds of paws will hit the pavement at the Furry Scurry at Washington Park. A major fundraiser for the Dumb Friends League, the 2-mile walk brings out animal lovers of all stripes for a stroll in the park. Enter cute contests too, like “Best Tail-Wagger” and “Best Pet/Person Lookalike.” Keep in mind that dogs are welcome at the event, but kitties should stay snoozing at home. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Washington Park, 1000 S. Downing St. Registration is $50 per person.
Boulder Ballet stages “The little Mermaid”
Sunday. Celebrate Mother’s Day with the Boulder Ballet when the company presents “The Little Mermaid,” Keep in mind: The show isn’t just for grown-ups, but don’t expect singing lobsters or sea gull sidekicks. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. The Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder; 303-786-7030. Tickets are $36.50 for reserved seats, $27.75 for general admission, $19.50 for students and seniors.
Lipizzaner stallions prance into Colorado
Through May 14. The “World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions” gallop into Colorado starting Saturday in Broomfield. The ethereal white horses put on quite a show, going through their paces with costumed riders in the saddle. This weekend, the show visits Broomfield and Loveland; Cortez hosts the stallions on Tuesday, with a final stop in Colorado Springs on May 14. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1stBank Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane, Broomfield; 303-410-0700. 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, Loveland; 970-619-4100. Tickets $22.50-$32.50, with discounts for students and seniors. Kathleen St. John
Visual Art
Rule Gallery opns doors on RiNo home
Today. The Rule Gallery debuts its new space, above, in the River North Art District with an exhibition featuring the latest group of expressionistic works by veteran Denver artist Margaret Neumann. The show, titled “As I Once Knew It . . .,” opens with a public reception from 6 to 9 p.m. today and runs through June 24. Rule’s new quarters are at 3340 Walnut St., next to the Ice Cube Gallery in the Dry Ice Factory. Free. 303-777-9473 or . Kyle MacMillan
Theater
Paragon’s “Pride” a potent love triangle
Through June 4. In “Pride,” Paragon Theatre’s challenging new stage drama by Alexi Kaye Campbell, Oliver, Philip and Sylvia are caught up in a potent love triangle that spans decades. Jumping from 1958 London to the present and back again, the threesome is driven up against societal and personal assumptions about sexuality and friendship. As loyalties are questioned and passions revealed, each discovers what it means to be proud of who they are. Through June 4. Presented by Paragon Theatre, 1387 S. Santa Fe Drive, 303- 300-2210 or John Moore
Classical music
Guitarist Iznaola with Young Artists Orchestra
Sunday. Ricardo Iznaola, a Denver classical guitarist with a national reputation, will join the Denver Young Artists Orchestra for a performance of Joaquin Rodrigo’s fiery “Concierto de Aranjuez.” Also on the program are Aaron Copland’s “El Salon Mexico” and Leonard Bernstein’s Dances from “West Side Story.” The concert is set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. $15-$30. 303-433-2420 or . Kyle MacMillan
Colorado Music Festival chamber music series
Saturday and Sunday. The Colorado Music Festival continues its 2010-11 chamber- music series with two concerts this weekend featuring five members of its summer orchestra who come from across the country. The woodwind quintet’s program will include Samuel Barber’s “Summer Music for Wood Quintet” and John Deak’s “The Town Musician of Bremen.” Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts, 200 E. Baseline Road, Lafayette, ($12) and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Chautauqua Community House, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder ($15). 303-449-1397 or . Kyle MacMillan
Art duo opens “Galileo’s Gardens”
The Denver art scene boasts its share of powerhouse couples, but few have higher profiles than Tyler and Monica Aiello.
The husband-and-wife duo were best known the past decade as the owners of Studio Aiello, an influential art gallery, and the Tar Factory, a studio facility — both of which are now closed.
In recent years, the two have focused on their own fast- growing artistic careers, showing primarily in museums, galleries and other venues outside the city.
But they are back with “Galileo’s Garden,” their first major Denver exhibition in four years. The beautiful, large- scale offering fills every nook of the front and rear rooms of Space Gallery, 765 Santa Fe Drive.
Monica Aiello builds up multiple layers of acrylic, varnish, ink and fiber to create abstractions that closely emulate the geomorphology of planets and moons in our solar system. This series of works continue to evolve in complexity, with a greater sense of depth and richer array of visual effects.
Tyler Aiello’s mix of impeccably crafted steel sculptures, which jut from the floor, hang from the ceiling and adorn the wall, draw their inspiration primarily from flora.
The exhibition runs through June 11. Free. 720-904-1088 or . Kyle MacMillan
