16-LOVE at the Denver Film Center Colfax (Friday-Sunday, $7-$9.75) Director Adam Lipsius and his Denver-based company Uptown 6 produced this teen tennis flick opening tonight. The sweet comedy, which premiered at the Starz Denver Film Festival in November, follows a teen tennis star who twists her ankle and winds up training a dreamy rookie. If the trailer's any indication, there's bound to be some heartwarming canoodling between stars Lindsey Shaw and Chandler Massey.
The Crane Wife at the Boulder Public Library Canyon Theater (Friday, free) If the last puppet show you attended was the Casa Bonita variety, you're definitely in for a treat with Margarita Blush's Japanese-inspired adaptation of the traditional folktale The Crane Wife. The custom built puppets and sets by Dimitar Dimitrov and new take on the children's story are sure to be something a little different, and delightful.Recalcitrant Mimesis at the David B. Smith Gallery Visit the David B. Smith Gallery tonight for a fresh take on the work of Clyfford Still. Liz Miller will talk about her new art installation, which was inspired by the abstract impressionist's paintings. It's a unique opportunity to pick the artist's brain about these bright, colorful mixed media works.
Best of the Santa Fe Arts District 2011 at eventgallery 910Arts (Friday, free) This arts awards show will not only recognize some of the best works of 2011, but it will also catch you up on the amazing shows you may have missed. Browse the show, see the awards, eat some cake, and reminisce about another great year of art in Denver.
Down and Derby at theEXDO Event Center (Friday, $5-10 presale) Beauty Bar is bringing back all of your favorite middle school pastimes tonight at this retro bash: rollerskating, drinking, and of course, the limbo. The night is sure to be a nostalgic blast with a '70s disco theme, tons of contests and prizes. And don't worry, if you break your arm on the floor, all your friends will be stoked to sign your cast on Monday in homeroom. Before you lace up, be sure to check out Bree Davies' dos and don'ts of adult rollerskating. Chinese New Year Celebration at the Denver Art Museum (Saturday, $3-10) If your New Year's Eve wasn't as magical as a certain insipid movie suggests it should be, you'll get a do-over today with a much more colorful, less booze-filled New Year celebration. The Denver Art Museum will host this educational Chinese New Year event, complete with a Dragon Dance Troupe and guided tours of Xu Beihong's Modern Chinese Painting exhibit.Bad Shadow Affair at Lost Lake Lounge (Saturday, free) The Bad Shadow Affair regularly hosts this poetry reading at Lost Lake, and tonight will be no different. A variety of acclaimed poets from Denver as well as out of town will step up to read tonight, including Heather Green, Peter Streckfus, Kristin Naca, and Richard Froude. It's always nice to see poetry outside of hallowed academic halls, and in a fun, lively setting.
Chuck Close: A Portrait in Progress at the Denver Public Library (Saturday, free) Artist Chuck Close was almost completely paralyzed by illness, but that sickness became the catalyst for his art. Close created a series of giant portraits of his friends, and the DPL's Fresh City Life will show the inspiring documentary chronicling his story as well as hold a group discussion after the screening.
Findings at Illiterate Gallery (Sunday) Illiterate Gallery's events are known for being unique and interesting, and this should be no different. This evening of new lectures, curated by Adam Milner, will feature work from Max Bernstein, Tobias Fike, Kelcy Chase Folsom, Laura Shill, Joel Swanson, and Xi Zhang as well as a reception and Q&A. Primos Hardcore Wrestling: Retirement Match at Casselman's (Sunday, $10) What better way to end the weekend than watch two dudes beat the shit out of each other? See shirtless champions Trajan Ender and Lonnie Valdez battle it out, and ponder the age old questions of whether or not wresting is staged, and why we like to watch people beat each other up.
