BEST BETS: “Destination Freedom”; Slow Caves; Ron Funches’ comedy and more
FRIDAY» Prolific actor, producer and writer donnie l. betts’ latest production, “Destination Freedom: Black Radio Days,” reaches back to a time when live radio broadcasts and stage performances were nearly indistinguishable. While the show will be broadcast on KGNU 88.5-FM, the live audience will see a variety format on par with the “Destination Freedom’s” early 20th-century inspiration. A show within “Destination Freedom,” “Black.,” was written during a summer playwriting intensive at Curious Theatre Company (which betts co-founded) It takes on issues of perspective and race in crime, while activists from Black Lives Matter 5280 will join Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz for a community discussion about policing and racial bias, followed by music from Monique Brooks Roberts and friends. 7:30 p.m. March 22 at Elizabeth Eriksen
Byron Theatre at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. $27. newmancenterpresents.com Bunches of Funches. THROUGH SATURDAY» Affable stand-up and former costar of NBC’s “Undateable” Ron Funches has slimmed down quite a bit lately — a fact that he exploits with comedic precision on his new one-hour special, “Giggle Fit,” which debuted on Comedy Central in January. His career also has evolved since he first appeared at Denver’s Oriental Theater in 2012, moving from there to Comedy Works (and the occasional theater show with buddy Conan O’Brien) as well as into films, TV shows, podcasts and more. Funches returns to the downtown Comedy Works with various sets through March 23, one of which is already sold out (as of press time). If you like quizzical, occasionally apoplectic observations with vinegar-y sass, track down a Funches show before the rest of these tickets disappear. 1226 15th St. 21-and-up. $28. comedyworks.com Slove Caves at Globe Hall. SATURDAY» You may not think it, but the Front Range’s live music scene often benefits from its geographic isolation. Not only do top touring bands need to play here to make their treks across the west worth it, local acts also tend to work out weirder, more personal sounds thanks to the relative lack of influence from other big cities. That will be clear this weekend as Slow Caves, one of Colorado’s best (and most ’90s-indebted) indie-rock practitioners, celebrates new album “Falling,” which is being released March 22 on Old Flame Records. Recorded in Austin, Texas, with Chris “Frenchie” Smith (Built to Spill, The Meat Puppets), “Falling” will get a live airing at Globe Hall on March 23, with opening sets from One Flew West and Gestalt. The 18-and-over show begins at 9 p.m. 4483 Logan St. $15. globehall.com
A refreshing, if dark, take on superhoes. SATURDAY» The immense popularity of superhero tales at the box office also has led to a sameness in their tone and narrative arcs. Denver author O’Brian Gunn has a potential solution in debut novel “Furies: Thus Spoke.” The book asks a refreshing, if unsettling, question in its premise: “What happens when six people become accidental heroes after their involvement in the murder of a superhuman family — all while figuring out their newfound superpowers?” While the physical and digital release was March 19, Gunn will visit Mutiny Information Café on March 23 to sign and sell copies ($15 each) and talk about the origins of the tale while giving away a poster of the hallucinatory cover, designed by local artist Scorpio Steele. If dark, exploratory, identity-focused sci-fi is your thing, head to 2 S. Broadway at 7 p.m. on March 23. Free. readspaceboy.com