This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Tuesday, August 26

As of today, Pussycat, you have only 140-some hours left to hit this year's Colorado State Fair. What are you waiting for? Jump in the SUV and head south to the Pueblo fairgrounds for the Centennial State's annual extravaganza of mutton-busting, horse shows, rodeos, Ferris wheel rides, boxing matches, concerts and more. Classic crooner Tom Jones hits the stage tonight at 8 p.m.; tickets for that show are $17. General admission is $5 Monday through Thursday, $7 Friday through Sunday; call 303-830-TIXS or visit www.coloradostatefair.com. Whoa-whoa-whoa-o!

Wednesday, August 27

Burn one down: Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals will jam alongside surfer/songwriter Jack Johnson tonight and tomorrow night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison. Harper is setting the charts on fire once again with his newest release, Diamonds on the Inside, and Johnson, who hit the big time with his 2001 debut album, Brushfire Fairytales, is hanging tough with the recently released On and On. With this much talent on stage -- from laid-back lyrics to electrified percussions -- it's gonna be a hot one. The show starts at 7 p.m.; for tickets, $35 to $40, call 303-830-TIXS or log on to www.ticketmaster.com.