Night & Day

Thursday
September 17
Colorado Poet Laureate Mary Crow is here on a mission--she'll preside over Words on the Wing: Making Poetry Visible in Denver, a two-day program featuring readings, workshops and a public forum with the state's high poetess. It all kicks off this afternoon at 3 with a special teacher's workshop at Flood Middle School, 3695 S. Lincoln St., Englewood, followed this evening at 7 with a reading and discussion at St. Cajetan's Event Center on the Auraria campus. Crow wraps up tomorrow at the center with a public forum focusing on ways to give poetry a boost locally; for details, call 1-970-491-6843, 303-458-7952 or 303-556-8447.

He's young, but he's no slacker. Sierra Club president Adam Werbach began his career in environmental activism at age eight, when he solicited signatures in an effort to oust Reagan-era Interior secretary James Watt. Since then, it's all been an uphill climb for Werbach, who's now written a book, Act Now, Apologize Later, that's part memoir and part call to arms. Werbach appears tonight at 7 at the Glenn Miller Ballroom, University Memorial Center, CU-Boulder campus, for a lecture and book signing; admission is free. Call 303-492-3396 or 303-492-6892 for information.

Friday
September 18
Artists don't really live such secret lives. Find out just how similar they are to you this weekend and next when a large cross-section of Boulder-area artists, more than 100 in all, play host to the public during Open Studios '98, a self-guided trek that will take visitors into the heart of a thriving local art community. The event kicks off tonight from 5 to 8 with a show and reception at the Boulder Public Library, 1000 Canyon Blvd., where you'll have a chance to see finished works by some participants; tours go from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To guide your way, an optional illustrated guidebook/catalogue is available for $12.95 at the Tattered Cover Book Stores and H.R. Meininger in Denver or the Ideal Market in Boulder. For more information call 303-444-1862 or log on to www.openstudios.org.

When the Colorado Symphony Orchestra opened its season last week, it got all of the fanfare out of the way courtesy of special guests Andre Watts and Yo Yo Ma. Now the ensemble gets down to business with a multi-arts extravaganza featuring jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and members of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre--a performance that not only is being staged to entertain the local troops but is also slated for eventual broadcast across the nation by PBS. The cameras will roll as Roberts and crew pay tribute to American music greats, including George Gershwin, James P. Johnson and Duke Ellington, tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 in Boettcher Hall, 14th and Curtis in the Plex. To reserve tickets, $12 to $46, call 303-830-TIXS.

Saturday
September 19
It's your last chance this year to catch a few bargains at the Ballpark Market, a neighborly flea market taking place today at the southwest corner of 22nd and Larimer streets. The event's promoters promise quality vendors and a friendly ambience, and even if you don't find the lampshade of your dreams, it's still a swell way to while away a Saturday morning. Coffee, pastries and fresh produce will be available as well. Market hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; call 303-297-8156.

Soccer may be an acquired taste in this country, but it's not so tough to get in the spirit with this kind of enticement: The local major-league futbol outfit will love its devotees tender during Colorado Rapids Fan Appreciation Night, a fun-filled evening at Mile High Stadium that starts out with action, segues into campy fun and ends with a bang. Beginning at 7, the Rapids meet the Columbus Crew. And after the last goal is scored, none other than the pompadoured and sequined-suited Flying Elvi will drop from the heavens in choreographed formations made famous in the film Honeymoon in Vegas. A spectacular Rock 'n' Roll Fireworks Show caps the night; for tickets and information, call 303-299-1599 or 303-830-TIXS, or log on to www.coloradorapids.com.

Sunday
September 20
How many people have wondered what might happen if they let their pooches loose after Rusty, the mechanical bunny at Mile High Greyhound Park? Here's a chance to find out the awful--or perhaps surprising--truth: Register Fido for today's Hound Dawg Derby, an eighty-yard dash around the track especially for amateurs, and--win or lose--you'll at least be helping to raise a little dough for the track's Recycled Racers greyhound adoption program. Register beginning at 9 a.m. for races between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; winners will return next Saturday night to compete in the finals. Mile High is at 6200 Dahlia St. in Commerce City; registration fees are $5 in advance ($7 event day), and spectators will be admitted free. Call 303-288-1591.

Local musicians usually have to push and shove for a few moments in the limelight, but once a year, the Westword Music Awards Showcase puts some of that seemingly unending rigor to rest. This is their night, after all. Our crack committee has come up with a roster that reflects the Denver music scene's cream of the crop; 36 bands will perform tonight beginning at 6:30 at a group of hand-selected venues, and you, ballot in hand, make the final selections as to who outplays whom in the local market. Best of all, a $5 wristband is all you need to gain access to a whole lot of music, including an entire gamut of pop styles. Turn to page 22 or log on to www.westword.com for a complete schedule and details, or call 303-293-3540.