Scene Stealers

Out of the Blue at Dairy Center for the Arts

One man plays 25 characters in this poignant comedy filled with heartache, laughter and miracles. Out of the Blue is the story of one man who receives a dire cancer diagnosis. He then embarks on a healing journey to make peace with his own past. This local premiere is an award-winning play with book, music and lyrics by performer Eli Hans, who is joined on stage by his real-life husband, Joseph Bennett. April 12, 13, and 14 at the Grace Gamm Theatre at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder. Tickets are $30 online at thedairy.org.

Photo: Molly Thomas

Shane Endsley Quintet at Dazzle Jazz

Dubbed one of the “Top 25” trumpeters of his generation by Downbeat Jazz Magazine, Shane Endsley brings his own Quintet to the new Dazzle Jazz club location in the Denver Performing Arts Complex on April 1; doors open at 5:30 p.m. Endlsey is a home-grown Colorado genius player — both on trumpet as well as drums — who graduated from East High School and has performed with Steve Coleman, Mark Guiliana, Donny McCaslin, Ben Allison, Ani DiFranco, Pearl Jam, and Shakira, to name a few. Don’t miss this one! Tickets start at $15, check out DazzleDenver.com for more information.

Are You Ok? At Dairy Center for the Arts Visual Arts Galleries

The Dairy Center for the Arts Visual Arts galleries presents another fascinating exhibit, this time along the northeast xxterior wall of the Dairy Center. Photographer Jesse Freidin created a powerful photography exhibition titled Are You Ok? which addresses the dangers of the current wave of anti-trans legislation. According to the artist, “I started ‘Are You OK?’ as a response to the fear and anger these bills awoke in me, as a way to pass the microphone to the kids and families who find empowerment in sharing their stories, and more importantly as a visual remedy to trans stigmatization.” Check out this exhibit, running through May at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, thedairy.org.

California Honeydrops at 10 Mile Music Hall

The California Honeydrops, emerging from Oakland’s subway scene, bring a refreshing approach to their retro-soul sound. Hailed by Rolling Stone for channeling the essence of Booker T and Sly and the Family Stone, they’ve graced major festivals worldwide and shared stages with legends like B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt. They deliver an unparalleled commitment to improvisation, making their live performances a unique experience that never feel repetitive or stale. At Ten Mile Music Hall in Frisco, April 14, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39+, visit 10milemusic.com for more information.

Albedo Effect at Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

Multidisciplinary artist Mia Mulvey has a triad of ceramic sculptures on display now through June at InsideOut at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibit, titled Albedo Effect, comes from the artist’s field research during an Arctic Circle residency in 2019 in Norway. The pieces visually translate the effect of albedo, the measurement of the proportion of light a surface can reflect or absorb. These site-specific outdoor sculptures are modeled after 3D scans of glaciers Mulvey made during her residency. Admission is pay-what-you-can at Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th Street. Boulder, Bmoca.org

The Full Monty at Miners Alley Performing Arts Center

If you venture west towards Golden, you can check the brand-new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center while enjoying the hilarity of The Full Monty – the hit musical based on the film of the same name from 1997. The 10-time Tony Award nominee is a comedy-packed romp about a group of unemployed steelworkers who decide to conquer their fears and become male strippers. While not a totally family-friendly option, it’s a perfect date night and a chance to check out all the hard work that went into building Miners Alley’s new digs. The show runs April 26–June 2, 1100 Miners Alley, Golden. Tickets range from $27 to $47 at minersalley.com.