Things to do this weekend: Emo orchestra, a timely Jewish Film Fest and Denver Arts Week

11th Boulder Jewish Film Fest

Through Nov. 12. The Boulder Jewish Film Festival could hardly come at a more relevant time. Films that delve into the complexity and nuance of the Jewish experience during this moment of conflict also include works whose creators have been affected by the ongoing war with Hamas, producers said.

Programmers of the Nov. 2-12 fest have responded to this moment by adding topical elements to the fest, they said, including a 5-film segment that celebrates Israel’s 75th anniversary and the short film “The Boy,” by Yahaz Winner, who died in a Hamas attack on his kibbutz, as well as “Sirens” (in the Shorts program).

The centerpiece is the live-scored silent film “The Man Without a World” on Nov. 9, with closing-night film “Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?” arriving on Nov. 12. And a dozen-plus more. All screenings at the Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St. in Boulder. Tickets: $18-$25 via thedairy.org/boulder-jewish-film-festival.

Denver Arts Week’s free, low-cost events

Friday-Nov. 11. Free and cheap admission to arts events is what Denver Arts Week is all about, and the annual celebration of Mile High creativity returns Friday, Nov. 3-Nov. 11 with three free events at the Buell Theatre and McNichols Building, plus a fall edition of the city’s popular Denver Public Art Tours.

Presented by the city agency Denver Arts & Venues, this year includes the “Community Cloth” exhibit tour and the Colorado Panorama Denver Public Art Tour (both Nov. 7), a “Woven Together” reception at the Buell (Nov. 8), and the “Culture Cloth” exhibit tour and curator discussion (Nov. 9).

Along the way, Denver Arts Week’s website rounds up dozens of deals and special events that focus on local visual artists, musicians, galleries, murals and street art. The week kicks off Friday, Nov. 3, with expanded First Friday Art Walks across the city’s creative neighborhoods, organizers wrote, plus a free Night at the Museums on Saturday, Nov. 4. See denver.org/denver-arts-week/events for more.

A powerhouse “Don Giovanni”

Saturday-Nov. 12. Many of us save up to splurge at the theater this time of year, whether it’s for a play, touring Broadway musical or dance performance. If you’re looking for a once-a-year big ticket show that’s going to blow your hair back, Opera Colorado is back with its vigorous take on “Don Giovanni.”

It’s the nonprofit company’s first staging of the Mozart blockbuster in ten years, producers wrote, with baritone Bruno Taddia in the title role and Danielle Pastin, Ellie Dehn and Kerby Baier as the avenging women who have crossed paths with our titular cad.

Opera ain’t cheap, but in terms of spectacle and talent, it’s worth it for a show like this. Runs Saturday Nov. 4, as well as Nov. 7, 10 and 12 at Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. Tickets: $49-$225 for opening night, as low as $39-$185 for other performances, via operacolorado.org.

Sad songs like you’ve never heard them before

Monday. So you’ve seen hip-hop legends such as Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA backed by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, but have you ever seen an emo band powered by the full sonic palette of strings, horns and wind instruments?

Monday, Nov. 6, is your chance when the aptly named Emo Orchestra featuring Dayton, Ohio, pop-punk veterans Hawthorne Heights comes to the Paramount Theatre in Denver. The nationally touring show promises hits from the leading group plus others from the likes of Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance and more. Hands down, this is the best show we can ever remember… always remember.

The Emo Orchestra plays Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at 1621 Glenarm Place in Denver. Tickets cost $45-$75 at ticketmaster.com.

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