Leslie Odom, Jr. sings Christmas
Saturday. The tiered aisles of Boettcher Hall on Saturday, Dec. 7, will welcome multi-award-winning vocalist and actor Leslie Odom, Jr. (“Hamilton”) for a smartly curated show with Colorado Symphony. The 7:30 p.m. “Holiday Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr.” will feature selections from his 2020 release “The Christmas Album” and other seasonal favorites, according to the symphony. (Think “O Holy Night,” but also “Last Christmas” by Wham!)
Note: the show takes place just after the 6 p.m. Parade of Lights, which will ensnarl traffic in much of downtown Denver, so plan to get there early or take the RTD bus, Light Rail or other public transportation. Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1400 Curtis St. in Denver. Tickets: $60-$176, including fees, at tickets.coloradosymphony.org
A noted basketball fan, Denzel Washington watches the Miami Heat in 2022. (Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP)
A very merry Denz-ember
Saturday-Sunday. National-treasure Denzel Washington is in focus at the Sie FilmCenter this month with “Denz-ember,” a cheekily titled series that celebrates the Oscar-winning actor, director and producer. It began last week with “Training Day” and “Malcolm X,” and continues through Dec. 22 with “Inside Man,” “Fallen,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and others.
This weekend’s selection is 1995’s overlooked sci-fi thriller “Virtuosity,” which plays at 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7. Tickets: $15.74 via denverfilm.eventive.org
Ballet Ariel’s “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is headed to Northglenn after a Nov. Lakewood run. (Provided by Ballet Ariel)
Two ways to get your “Narnia” on
Saturday. The Christmas-adjacent “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” has been adapted to varying media over the years, all of it trying to capture the snowy magic of C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” book series. Fortunately, there are two ways to experience it this month.
As part of holiday festivities that include Santa and Mrs. Claus visits, and horse-drawn carriage rides, Orchard Town Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, is screening the 2005 movie version of “The Lion…” as part of its Goatflix and Chill series. The all-ages, indoor screening features live goats, courtesy Rocky Mountain Goat Yoga. 7 p.m. at 14644 Orchard Parkway #900 in Westminster. Bring your own chair. $15-$20 via eventbrite.com
If you’re planning ahead for post-Christmas break, also note the Dec. 28-29 performances of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” from Ballet Ariel. Following its Nov. 22-24 shows in Lakewood, it moves to Northglenn Dec. 28-29. Tickets for the shows at Parsons Theatre at the Northglenn Recreation Center (1 East Memorial Parkway Northglenn) are $30-$40 for adults, and $25-$35 for seniors and students. 303-945-4388 or balletariel.org
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is running its Holiday Express trains Dec. 14-15 in Antonito, Colorado. (Provided by Meadows PR)
Holiday Express railroad trips
Dec. 14-15. Between the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Georgetown Loop Railroad, and Golden’s Colorado Railroad Museum, the Front Range is well-served by authentic, old-school rail experiences. Not to be missed, either, is southern Colorado’s Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
The railway promises that “the highest, longest and most authentic narrow gauge steam railroad” in North America is also ideal for holiday fun, with Holiday Express trains departing from Antonito and Chama, N.M., for 45-minute, holiday-themed rides — with Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves, hot cocoa, candy canes, and cookies for all ages.
The Dec. 7 and 8 events in N.M. are sold out, but tickets are still available for the Dec. 14 and 15 Colorado dates. Trains leave Antonito at 10 and 11:30 a.m., and 1 and 2:30 p.m. Adults are $20 and kids 2-12 are $20 (free under 2). cumbrestoltec.com