Stardust is less an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 1999 novel than of its dust-jacket synopsis. That will come as disconcerting news to fans of the author, who thus far has avoided the fate of fellow fantasy writers and comics creators who’ve had their works mangled by the studios’ clumsy assembly…
Right before Segway scooters were unleashed onto the world, there was talk of this new machine that was going to change the way America travels. A social revolution, the press releases promised. Then they hit the streets and people asked, “Why would I pay $4,000 for a machine that walks…
Urinetown, the Musical, the show about a world in which a money-grubbing corporation controls a population’s right to relieve itself by charging exorbitant fees, is not as odd and daring as it once seemed, but it remains highly entertaining, cleverly written and filled with witty, hummable songs in several styles,…
There’s a reason why All¹s Well That Ends Well is rarely performed: The play is far from Shakespeare’s best. For the most part, it lacks the usual poetry and insight, and the plot is highly problematic. Helena, one of those smart, resourceful, charming heroines we’ve seen in other Shakespearean comedies,…
Around the World in 80 Days. The Victorians became increasingly fascinated with stories of adventure as technological advances in travel made their world smaller and more accessible. It didn’t hurt that so much of that world map was colored an imperial red. In his famous novel Around the World in…
If you’re from somewhere else — or if you aren’t paying attention — you may have a misperception about the art scene in metro Denver. I was led to this observation by a conversation I had recently with San Francisco-based art-and-culture critic Glenn Helfand, who was in the area to…
Oh, it has been a scorcher lately, hasn’t it? That’s why it strikes me as being extremely counterintuitive for Ironton Gallery (3636 Chestnut Place, 303-297-8626) to be doing Glacial right now, an exhibit organized around a wintry theme. Then again, Glacial may be about the cold, but it’s definitely hot…
The American Landscape and Carny. Rule Gallery has typically presented single solos since landing in its new space several months ago, but this time, there are two different shows in that long and narrow sales room. The two work well together, though, as both are made up of photographs about…
Tonight’s Open House Celebration — organized to honor the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa’s 115th birthday — is invitation-only. Those who weren’t lucky enough to make the guest list will miss out on a cook-off between chefs from the hotel’s Palace Arms and Ellyngton restaurants, 115 tiered cakes, wine tasting,…
The historic shopping districts sprinkled throughout this city are precious hubs where arts, gastronomy and community can come together on an intimate scale. They are the gems of Denver, so Old South Pearl Street is aptly named. Today, Swallow Hill Music Association joins forces with the Old South Pearl Street…
MINI Coopers pack a big punch — they’ve been named both rally racing championships and European Car of the Century — and they contain ten million possibilities for “Ultimate Youification,” which probably explains some of the fascination with these bulldog-looking cars. Whether you already own one or you’re just a…
Mercury Cafe owner Marilyn Megenity keeps a diary to track Colorado’s produce, year in and year out. According to her estimation, the peaches in her backyard should be ripe just in time for the Organic, Local Food and Wine Pairing she’s hosting tonight. “This is the time when Colorado’s produce…
Grab your phasers, glue on those pointy ears and practice, practice, practice that new Klingon phrase, because Trek 5280: Starfleet International Conference is beaming down to the Adam’s Mark Hotel, 1550 Court Place, tonight at 7 p.m. The four-day event includes four “Away Missions” to Coors Field for the Cubs/Rockies…
I always love catching the Perseid Meteor Shower, a rain of “shooting stars” visible in early August every year. Of course, normally I’m catching the shower by accident when leaving whatever bar or club I’m frequenting. City light pollution dims the effect, though, and who’s going to find a nice,…
Colorado now has 63 wineries. Yes, 63! That number alone was reason enough for the Front Range Winery Association to band together for a tasting. Throw in some food and live music and you’ve got yourself the first-ever Boulder Food and Wine Festival. Today from noon to 5 p.m., $40…
Every year, Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital’s birthday celebration gets a little bit bigger and a little bit better. “Last year was the first time we moved the event outside, brought in a band and had an agility course,” remembers Harrison’s Melannie Frantz. This year’s Harrison Memorial’s 17th Birthday Bark-B-Que features…
Post 9/11, the future for William Gibson is now. Since his 1984 novel Neuromancer, Gibson has propelled cyberpunk as a science-fiction genre with postmodern thrillers that examine the impact of technology on politics and the human psyche. In 2003, he shifted from the dystopia of the near future to the…
The first time I saw an Eames lounge chair in person, I sort of lost my breath. It was the first time I ever really felt speechless. I had seen so many of the iconic molded-plywood-and-leather lounge chairs in design and architecture magazines, but to come into physical contact with…
Laccaria and boletes and telephora, oh my! They’re not plants, they’re not animals, they’re delicious and deadly poisonous and even psychedelic. Experience the wonderful world of mushrooms at the thirtieth annual Mushroom Fair of the Colorado Mycological Society today at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street. Have experts, including…
Littleton Western Welcome Week actually takes place over eleven days, so you’ve got plenty of time to partake in the festivities. But today is so jam-packed with fun, it would be a travesty to miss it — after all, between the family pancake breakfast, kids’ games of old, a concert…
Producers Gary Schnell and Alex Ryer are uniquely qualified to stage The Great American Trailer Park Musical, which enjoys its Denver premiere tonight. The couple have a flair for music-oriented theater pieces, having earned plaudits for Pure Piaf, a one-woman show about French songbird Edith Piaf that starred Ryer. Moreover,…
Bubba Ho-tep Limited Edition (MGM) Intentional camp is difficult to do well. It’s a contradiction that usually comes off cutesy and forced. The old Batman series pulled it off, and it’s been B-movie god Bruce Campbell’s livelihood. But in a long career of overacting and mugging, Campbell’s peak may be…
