Plenty to do this weekend, Aurora. Here’s our short list of cool events to consider:
“Lobby Hero,” Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St. Tickets start at $26. Information: 303-856-7830 or vintagetheatre.com. Details: There’s something exciting about seeing a gritty cop thriller play out live on stage. The taut drama “Lobby Hero” by Kenneth Lonergan adds a more immediate dimension to the run-of-the-mill detective story. When it debuted in 2001, critics raved about the show’s intriguing plot and compelling characters. The show revolves around Jeff, a security guard drawn into a high-stakes murder investigation. The case draws in a wide cast of players, including a young rookie cop who has to drill down beyond loyalties and procedure to get to the heart of the case. The nuanced plot would fit into any number of popular TV cop shows, but the difference here is format. It’ll be tough for audiences watching the case unfold on the Vintage Theatre stage not to feel invested.
“The Drowsy Chaperone,” 7 p.m., Friday, Saturday, 4 p.m., Sunday, Stapleton on the Green, 7351 E. 29th Ave., Denver. Admission is free. Information: 303-382-1800 or stapletondenver.com. Details: The creative crew from the Aurora Fox are branching out. Aurora’s oldest local theater is crossing the border again this year for the summer festival at Stapleton’s main park. This year, the Fox troupe will mount a production of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a musical comedy that pokes loving fun at all of theatrical standards of the Jazz Age. With plenty of shops, restaurants and bars nearby, audiences will have plenty of options to go along with a night of free theater. Free admission.
Jamie Cullum, 7:30 p.m., Monday, Arvada Center Outdoor Amphitheater, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Tickets start at $40. Information: 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org. Details: Jamie Cullum doesn’t have the résumé of a typical jazz musician. The English singer-songwriter has hosted hip music shows on British TV, and he’s covered tunes by pop idols like Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga. His stage show offers the dynamics of an energetic rock concert — Cullum is just as liable to jump atop his piano bench as he is to croon a well-known jazz standard. Though Cullum has embraced all the media trappings of modern pop music, he’s still solidly based in the jazz room. His work as pianist, guitarist and drummer owes a lot to the American jazz tradition. His work as a songwriter recalls the detail and intricacy of composers like George Gershwin, a skill that’s landed him high-profile work on Broadway. Cullum’s dual skills in the realms of jazz and pop has made him a rare crossover success story, and his show at the Arvada Center will spotlight both sides of his personality.
“Summer Jam XVII featuring Kendrick Lamar,” 5:30 p.m., Friday, June 6, Fiddler’s Green, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Englewood. Tickets: $27.50-$125.50. Information: Call 303-220-7000 or visit fiddlersgreenamp.com. Details: Kick the summer off right with Denver’s premier music event for fans of hip-hop and rap. Seven-time Grammy Nominee Kendrick Lamar headlines a star-studded lineup featuring Denver-favorite Tech N9ne, Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia, Kid Ink, Gemini, and Iggy Azaela.
“D-Day Normandy: 1944 3D,” 1-6 p.m., June 6 – October 9, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver. Tickets: $6-$10. Information: 303-370-6000 or visit dmns.org. Details: Go behind the scenes of the largest Allied invasion of World War II with a new IMAX 3D film that seamlessly blends stunning computer-generated images, live-action reenactments, and historic photographs and film to shed light on the mission that changed everything. Narrated by Tom Brokaw, the film pays tribute to millions of men and women who helped shaped the course of history, all while engaging audiences of all ages.