Speed Rack’s back
Monday. Billed as the world’s first and only all-women and femme bartending competition, Speed Rack returns to Denver on Monday, Feb. 9, for a contest of boozy proportions. The West Regional stage of Speed Rack’s 14th season, which raises money to fight breast cancer, will again take over Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, with 100% of the proceeds going to breast cancer education, prevention and research, organizers said.
“Rated on accuracy, taste, and presentation by guest judges, the fastest and most skilled participants move ahead until one winner remains,” organizers said of the 20-strong competition. The cheekily-titled organization has raised $1.85 million for breast cancer charities to date, and is aiming to break $2 million this season, a publicist said. It takes place at 2637 Welton St. in Denver. Tickets are $25 via classy.org.
Indie rock, Hollywood royalty
Wednesday. The influential but largely unsung songwriter, guitarist and bassist Jason Narducy (Verboten, Sunny Day Real Estate, Bob Mould Band, Liz Phair, Robert Pollard and too many others to list) has been working for more than a decade with Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon to re-create various legendary rock bands’ seminal albums.
This time around it’s the Athens, Ga., band R.E.M.’s 1986 album “Life’s Rich Pageant,” which will get a full, 40th-anniversary rendering at Summit Music Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The backup band includes more rock royalty such as Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats), John Stirratt (Wilco), Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering), and composer/conductor Vijay Tellis-Nayak. “The tour will see them opening with the album, in sequence, followed by deep cuts from R.E.M.’s catalog,” according to a publicist.
It starts at 7 p.m. at 1902 Blake St. in Denver. Tickets to the all-ages concert are $48-$66 via ticketmaster.com.
A brassy expanse
Saturday. The musicians of The Denver Brass are looking to transport listeners this weekend with “Rhythms of the Cosmos,” a show that takes the audience “on a journey into prominent rhythmic textures and expansive sound featuring bold percussion and intricate meters.” Translation? Far-out sounds, up close and personal.
The program, which includes themed selections such as “Mars & Jupiter” (from “The Planets,” by Gustav Holst) and “Clair de Lune” (Claude Debussy), also features the world premiere of “Guardians of Time” by local composer and Denver Brass trumpeter, Sean Schafer Hennessy, plus Hennessy’s “Journey to the Red Planet.”
Tickets for the Saturday, Feb. 7, concert at Newman Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Denver campus (2344 E. Iliff Ave. in Denver) are $54 for adults, $25 for youth, and $5 for children 12 and under. Buy tickets and see more upcoming performances at denverbrass.org.
FamilyFest’s bounty
Saturday. Festivals for the littlest ones are rare in Denver, which makes FamilyFest a welcome addition to their parents’ to-do lists. The entertainment-based event and kids’ expo is back for the eighth time with a Saturday, Feb. 7, showing at the Arapahoe Event Center, 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora. Parking is free.
The noon-5 p.m. event, where kids 12 and under get in for free, features activities and entertainment from Denver Museum of Nature & Science and Dinosaur Ridge, but also a host of resources for new parents, cookie decorating, balloon twisting, “spin and everyone wins,” martial art demos, dance lessons, corn hole tournaments, games, crafts and more. Tickets for adults are $12 in advance at eventbrite.com, or $16 at the door.