Critic’s pick
Barrel of laughs at Wit’s End Comedy Club
THURSDAY-DEC. 23. Denver’s best stand-up comics spend the majority of their year on the road — or on cruise ships, as has often been the case with “Tonight Show” veteran Phil Palisoul, right, — so the holidays are an excellent time to catch up with their latest material. That’s especially true for next week’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” shows at Wit’s End Comedy Club, which will feature rapid-fire sets from Palisoul, Eugene Kenny, Vic Alejandro, Hippieman, Lori Callahan, Bob Meddles, Jake Sharon, Ron Ferguson, Nora Lynch, Sam Tallent, Dan McGowan and others. The Thursday and Dec. 23 shows double as Wit’s annual holiday fundraisers, so if you don’t have the $10 cover, bring a canned food item, winter coat or a children’s toy instead. 7:30 p.m. both nights. 6080 W. 92nd Ave., Suite 100. in Westminster. 303-430-4242 or . John Wenzel
Family Fun
Brace for a wild time in Breckenridge
Through Sunday. It’s going to be a wild weekend in Breckenridge — in addition to hosting the kickoff of the 2011 Dew Tour, it’s the 50th anniversary of the town’s ski resort. The Dew Tour is the main event, with ski and snowboard competitions all day through Sunday. The birthday activities begin today at 4:45 p.m. with a street party outside the Breckenridge Theatre at 121 S. Ridge St. — snag a cupcake and settle in for a fireworks display at 5:15. Then, Gov. John Hickenlooper will kick off a free concert by Los Lobos at the Riverwalk Center (150 W. Adams Ave., Breckenridge) at 6 p.m. The fun continues throughout the weekend. Info at
Gather for high tea at the Byers-Evans House
Saturday, Wednesday. Have an old-fashioned Christmas with teas at the Byers-Evans House. Saturday’s tea is especially for children, starting with a guided tour of the historic home. The former residence of two prominent Colorado families, the house will be fully decked out for the holidays. After the tour, guests gather for high tea with sandwiches, pastries and fruit. Wednesday’s Christmas Tea is similar, but aimed at older audiences. 1:30-4 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Byers-Evans House Museum, 1310 Bannock St.; 303-620-4933. Tickets are $15 for children, $20 for adults. History Colorado members receive a discount. Call for reservations.
Evergreen players’ take on “A Christmas Story”
Through Sunday. An all-American holiday tale comes to the stage in the Evergreen Players’ production of “A Christmas Story.” Based on the 1983 movie, the staged reading tells the story of young Ralphie Parker and his desperate wish for a Red Ryder BB gun under the Christmas tree. Everybody together now: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” 7:30 tonight and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Center/Stage, 27608 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen; 303-674-4934. Tickets are $10 for adults, seniors and students; $8 for youth ages 12 and younger. Call or visit to buy seats in advance.
Catch “Rocky Mountain Holiday” while you can
Through Thursday. These are the final days to catch “A Rocky Mountain Holiday” at Miners Alley Playhouse. The cozy Christmas play makes the audience part of the action — they’re among the “travelers” stranded in fictional Silver Bells, Colo., when snow blocks the highway through town. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Tuesday-Thursday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave., Golden; 303-935-3044. Tickets are $19-$26.50, with discounts for students and seniors.
Get down to brass tacks of the musical kind
through December. Horn in on holiday fun at two Denver Brass concerts: “‘Twas the Brass Before Christmas” on Saturday and “Joy to the World!” on Sunday and Dec. 22-23. “Brass Before Christmas” features a full program of holiday favorites, including a selection of sing-along Christmas carols. Santa is slated to pay a visit, too. Then, on Sunday, “Joy to the World!” fills the Newman Center for the Performing Arts. The Brass teams up with Dave LeMieux and House of Soul, a gospel/jazz ensemble, for a swingin’ Christmas extravaganza. “Brass Before Christmas”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village. Tickets are $20-$24 for adults, kids age 12 and younger are $5. “Joy to the World!”: 4 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22-23. Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.; 303-871-7720. Tickets are $24-$43, with discounts available for seniors, students and kids. .
Holiday music
Singing, and ringing, in the season
Saturday. You don’t have to live in Arvada to know that the Arvada Chorale is one of the more spirited performing arts groups in the region. Over the past quarter-century the community chorus has mastered a broad repertoire that covers classical, pop and jazz. It sings in the season this weekend with a program highlighted by traditional selections like “Carol of the Bells” and “Sleigh Ride.” Co-starring at the concerts are the Rocky Mountain Ringers. The groups will perform separately and together on a rousing version of “He Is Born.” It’s set for 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Arvada Covenant Church, 5555 Ward Road. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 students and seniors, $6 for kids 12 and under. More info at www. or 720-432-9341. Ray Mark Rinaldi
Comedy
Women stand up and deliver yuks, too
Saturday. Denver’s stand-up comedy scene has grown rapidly over the past few years, but despite our bevy of open-mics and weekly showcases, it’s mostly a dude’s game. That’s starting to change with nights like Ladies Laugh-In — Heather Snow’s third-Thursday-of-the-month show at Beauty Bar — and LadyFace, the Mile High City’s only all-female sketch comedy troupe. The group, which consists of stand-up and improv regulars Mara Wiles, Timmi Lasley, Chella Negro, Kristin Rand, Melanie Karnopp and Nicole Qualtieri, is presenting its “Greatest Story Ever Told…” show at the Spark Theater on Saturday, including a mix of stand-up, sketch, live music and videos. “To be honest, I did not set out to have it be an ‘all female’ sketch show, it just kind of ended up that my female comic friends were the ones that wanted to give it a try,” Wiles said. With special guest Jordon Doll. 7:30 and 10 p.m. 240 S. Broadway No. 102. $5. 720-346-7396 or . Be sure to check out our “Why So Serious?” Q&A with Wiles on . John Wenzel
