February 25
There are damn few throat singers in the world, let alone Tuvans--all of which serves to make an appearance by Huun-Huur Tu: Throat Singers of Tuva even more rare and wonderful than it already is. The Tuvan troupe, Eastern horsemen who hail from a remote area near Siberia and Outer Mongolia, are masters of the same rumbling, polytonal vocal technique practiced by Tibetan monks, but they use the technique in unique ways, imitating the sounds of horse hooves and peeping frogs while singing of simple, worldly concerns. There's nothing like it anywhere, except, perhaps, back home in Tuva. Huun-Huur Tu performs at 8 at the Boulder Theater, 2030 14th St., Boulder; for tickets, $10 to $16, call 303-786-7030.
Friday
February 26
It's easy to imagine a pack of morbid collectors descending on Duet: The Artwork of Miles Davis and Jerry Garcia, a weekend exhibition at the Hotel Monaco, 1717 Champa St., like a flock of vultures. And they probably will. But maybe the artwork's more than a curiosity, too, and worth a look-see from that point of view. We'll leave that up to you. Davis's contributions list toward the dark and sexy side, with a Kandinsky-esque aesthetic thrown in, while Garcia's work tends to be sunnier and sometimes comical. The show opens for public viewing at 11 daily today through Sunday; promoters will also be raising funds for Feed the Children. Call 303-296-1717.
Unbuckle your belts: One of the best things about Black History Month gets laid out on the table today when CU-Boulder hosts a Soul Food Fest, featuring the down-home concoctions of Chef Willie Bradley, beginning at 4:45 p.m. on campus in the Sewall Dining Hall. It will cost $8.25 to fill your platter with a heapin' helping of fried chicken, black-eyed peas and greens. Mmmm-mmm, that's good. Call 303-492-1863.
Saturday
February 27
Some of you mountain men and women never seem to leave the comfort of your armchairs--but that's okay. That's why there's a Banff Mountain Film Festival "Best of the Best" Tour, featuring a dizzying selection of outdoor films culled from the annual November festival in Alberta, Canada--possibly the largest exhibition of its kind in the world. Two different programs, screening at 1 p.m. today and 6 p.m tomorrow at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden, include everything from standard but pristinely photographed climbing and kayaking adventures to the locally produced Grandpa's in the Tuff Shed, a tongue-in-cheek documentary about Nederland's most famous cryonic man. Admission is $9 to $10 per program; call 303-756-3100 or 303-279-3080.
There's dinner theater, and then there's theater with dinner--it's a whole different, drool-worthy concept that nets audience members more than just a plate of spaghetti and a rehashed Broadway musical. Gastronomie Litteraire, a benefit by and for local French-language theater company l'Alliance & Company, features theatrical interpretations of food-related excerpts from French literature performed while the very recipes referred to are prepared on stage. Confusing? Not to your stomach--just think of it as food for thought. Chef Alain Veratti will have the cooking honors, and when all is said and done, the actors will serve up his delicious dishes. The performance takes place at 5th and Quebec on the former Lowry Air Force Base (behind Stanley School); admission, $50 to $60, includes the eats. For reservations call 303-831-0304.
An entire thirty-year career's worth of musical styles and experimentation come together tonight at 8 when pianist and jazz-fusion pioneer Chick Corea brings his current combo, Origin, to the Boulder Theater, 2030 14th St., Boulder, for an evening of new music that pays homage to Corea's many artistic stages. Admission to the concert, part of the Boulder Theater's ongoing jazz series, ranges from $21 to $34.50 (discount available for a series package that includes upcoming concerts by T.S. Monk and Sonny Rollins); call 303-786-7030 for reservations.
Sunday
February 28
Parrots and opera may seem like strange bedfellows, but the folks at the Denver Botanic Gardens seem to think there's room for both. The gardens will host a visit from the Gabriel Foundation, an organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned parrots (some of which will be available for adoption) today from 11 to 5, as well as a performance of operatic favorites by members of the Denver Opera Company from 1 to 3. Both events are free with the regular DBG gate admission of $2 to $4.50 (members and children under five free); call 303-370-8187 for details. The gardens are located at 1005 York St.
The West, wild and otherwise, is the focus of two events today, beginning with a local favorite. Buffalo Bill's Birthday gets its annual fete today at the Buffalo Bill Museum, 987 1/2 Lookout Mountain Rd., with a slate of family-style nonsense that includes a whole posse of bearded and mustached, buckskin-wearing, fringed Buffalo Bill ringers, a buffalo-chip-throwing contest, birthday cake and more, taking place from noon to 4. Admission is free; call 303-526-0744.
No foolin'--the second event is a Black History Month Celebration, something that natives, who know black cowboys are a part of the Western tradition here in Colorado, should have no problem swallowing. Hence the full lineup of professional black country musicians, led by journeyman country crooner Rudy Grant, performing tonight from 7 to 9 at the Scoreboard Restaurant and Lounge, 3940 York St. Country dancing continues at the club until midnight; call 303-293-9232.
Monday
March 1
One of Littleton's best-kept secrets, Hudson Gardens, is always magnificent in season, but even more little-known is the fact that, on a nice day in March, the public gardens provide a pleasant environment for nature lovers--even when its growing things still rest in wintry repose. Folks at the gardens say the Conifer Grove and ornamental-grass displays are still easy on the eyes in winter and that a variety of creatures, including raptors, rabbits, deer and even a lone coyote roam the grounds--but Hudson's best feature may be that admission is free there through the end of the month, making it the perfect place for a secluded stroll. Hudson Gardens is open daily, weather permitting; call 303-797-8565 for hours.
Tuesday
March 2
Rob Becker just keeps on slaying audiences across the country, and he does it without having to swing a club. Instead, it's his performance piece, Defending the Caveman, that has had them in the aisles since 1991. That's just what happened here when he brought the show to town two years ago, and there's no reason not to expect more of the same when Becker returns to the Auditorium Theatre, 14th and Curtis streets, tonight at 8. A one-man confection that pokes fun at male-female relationships, Caveman continues daily except Monday through March 14; for tickets, $29.50 to $44.50, call 303-893-4100 or 393-830-TIXS.
Wednesday
March 3
It's that sinking feeling...Just when you thought you'd had enough, the boat is back, though Leonardo isn't aboard this Titanic--the Tony Award-winning Broadway stage version. The touring company cruises in with a boatload of a cast that'll sing and dance its way through a local run at the Buell Theatre, 14th and Curtis streets, beginning tonight at 8. Shows continue through March 21; admission ranges from $15 to $65. Call 303-893-4100 or 393-830-
