Holiday Picks

Sunday.30
[Holiday Theater] We’re all looking for a little magic in the holiday season, whether you’re living near Central Park or working in a rail station in the middle of nowhere. The Christmas Express tells a story about railway workers stumbling onto a little magic of their own, thanks to a mysterious visitor. 2 p.m., Festival Playhouse, 5665 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, 303.422.4090

Monday.1
[Music] Remember that totally awesome scene in Kill Bill where Uma Thurman’s character surprises David Carradine’s character with the Five Finger Death Punch? Yeah, well the band’s almost as awesome, except without the yellow jumpsuit. 7 p.m., Fillmore Auditorium, 303.830.TIXS, $11+

Tuesday.2
[Sports] Wine, chocolate and a presentation on backcountry adventure from free-heeling Snow Divas’ extraordinaire. Learn from Colleen Cannon of Women’s Quest and Leslie Ross of Babes in the Backcountry. Colleen Cannon. That just sounds badass. 7 p.m., 1133 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.449.3482, Free

Wednesday.3
[Comedy] Juggling, magic, music, and audience participation. Consider TC Hatter & Marcianne’s comedy show your post-Thanksgiving workout. 8 p.m., Wits End, 8861 Harlan St., Westminster, 303.430.4242

Thursday.4
[Music] Okay, so maybe the Omega Moos weren’t the hottest sorority on campus, but they made up for it with sheer enthusiasm, and that’s gotta count for something, right? It’s possible the Revenge of the Nerds reference is lost on the young-uns, but this might be the coolest-named band since Save Ferris. 9 p.m., Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder, 303.447.0095, $20+

Friday.5
[Kids] Take all the awesomeness of the High School Musical movies, strap on a pair of ice skates, charge admission and watch the dough roll in. It’s called Disney’s High School Musical: The Ice Tour (thru Dec. 07). 7:30 p.m., Broomfield Event Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane, Broomfield, 303.410.8497, $15+

Saturday.6
[Art] No, it’s not some silly new-fangled form of animal psychology—the annual Art for the Animals show and boutique is really a collection of art for humans, but a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit animals at the Longmont Humane Society (and we don’t think there will be any prints of dogs playing poker, either). Longmont Carriage House, 11938 Oxford Road, Longmont, 303.682.8957

Sunday.7
[Holiday Music] For almost 20 years, the Broomfield Civic Chorus has been a community choral group open to all who want to sing somewhere other than their shower (indeed, they prefer the choir members clothed and dry). This year’s annual Christmas concert will feature a bonus: guest artists from Broomfield’s Dance Arts Studio will be on hand to add a physical element to the production. 3 p.m., Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield, 303.460.6800, Free

Monday.8
[Theater] There’s a reason Our Town is one of the most-performed plays in American theater: it touches on the themes in American life that draw us together. Things like finding love, building a life, facing tragedy—all set in the small hamlet of Grover’s Corner. The only thing missing is a Wal-mart. 7:30 p.m., Naropa University, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303.444.0202, $15

Tuesday.9
[Holiday Music] Sure, you could head to a bar tonight, or catch a flick or take up scrapbooking. But none of those things would give you the opportunity to catch the Skyline High School Choir as it performs a special holiday concert. Heck, go to the concert, take a bunch of pictures and then make a scrapbook about it. 7:30 p.m., Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, 600 E. Mountain View Ave., Longmont, 303.651.0401

Wednesday.10
[Holiday Music] There are impersonators and then there are impersonators, and Chris Barber is neither of the above. He’s more than a schlocky Vegas also-was—he’s a man with his own show, a send-up unparalleled this side of Memphis. You can be sure The Velvet Elvis Christmas Show is worth the price of admission. 7:30 p.m., Nissi’s, 2675 North Park Drive, Lafayette, 303.665.8101, $10

Thursday.11
[Holiday Celebration] What is it about the holidays and lights? Maybe it’s the way they twinkle in the eyes of a loved one, or the way the snow glistens like magical crystals in their shine… or is it all a conspiracy by the electric company to get us all to spend too much money on the power bill? Either way, the Longmont Lights Holiday Ice Show is a great way to enjoy them. 7:30 p.m., Ice Pavilion in Roosevelt Park, Longmont

Friday.12
[Music] Do you think that back in the ’40s, people got together around the holidays and listened to ragtime and danced jigs? Did they have “retro” back then? Well, maybe not, but we have a soft spot in our hearts for the heady ’40s and the sounds of big band swing. Live it up at the Coffeehouse Concert series featuring The Olde Town Swing Band. 7:30 p.m., Louisville Arts Center, 801 Grant Ave., Louisville, 303.666.4361

Saturday.13
[Holiday History] The Lafayette Miner’s Museum is an amalgam of history about Lafayette herself, from its early pioneer days through the struggles of the coal mines to present day and everything in between. Use its Annual Holiday Open House as an excuse to learn more about it. 11 a.m., Lafayette Miners Museum, 108 E. Simpson St., Lafayette, 303.665.7030

Sunday.14
[Holiday Theater] What would the best Christmas pageant ever be like? We’re thinking ninja robots, buxom babes on trampolines, superfast cars exploding while jumping over flaming barrels. And monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys. Well, we’re not in charge (thankfully) so we’ll leave it to the good people at the Jester’s Dinner Theater to produce the Best Christmas Pageant Ever; it probably won’t be anywhere near as awesome as ours. 6 p.m., Jester’s Dinner Theatre, 224 Main St., Longmont, 303.682.9980, $20+

Monday.15
[EDUCATION] From the Egyptians’ fascination with the scarab beetle to China’s development of silk worm farming, bugs have been as important to the evolution of culture and science as Bill Nye the Science guy. Bug-A-Pedia explores it all in living, pulsating, Technicolor for you. Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Broomfield, 303.469.5441

Tuesday.16
[SPORTS] Now that hometown hero Chauncey Billups is back in blue and white, Nuggets tickets might be getting hard to come by. Why not take a pass on the Nugs and scope out their developmental squad—sure they’re younger, less experienced and arguably not as talented, but they’re hungry. Colorado 14ers vs. Rio Grand Valley Vipers, 7 p.m., Broomfield Event Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane, Broomfield, 303.410.8497, $10+

Wednesday.17
[MUSIC] The Squirrel Nut Zippers were incorrectly lumped in with the rest of the Neo-swing bands during the jitterbug fad of the late ’90s; the truth is they’re far more interesting than just another swing band, blending elements of gypsy rhythms, Klezmer, blues, swing and jazz to create a sound that was wholly unique and timeless. 8 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303.786.7030, $20

Thursday.18
[HOLIDAY THEATER] There’s something beautiful in the act of self sacrifice for another (unless you’re cutting off your own appendages. Then it’s just creepy.), and stories like The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf illustrate it so well. Miner’s Alley Playhouse pays homage to both stories with its production of An O. Henry Christmas. 7:30 p.m., 1224 Washington St., Ste. 200, Golden, 303.935.3044, $25