BEST BETS: Dolly Day Denver, “Overground Railroad” reading, “Can I Kick It?” and more
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CAN THEY KICK IT?
FRIDAY-SATURDAY » The idea behind “Can I Kick It?” is so good we wonder why it didn’t come to Denver sooner. On Jan. 24 and 25, the Studio Loft Theatre at Denver Performing Arts Complex (just above Ellie Caulkins Opera House) will screen cult-classic kung-fu and action films (1973’s “Enter the Dragon” and 1998’s “Blade,” respectively) with live scores by DJ 2-Tone Jones. The “remixed soundtrack,” as organizers call it, uses hip-hop, soul and funk to emotionally reimagine the films’ most intense scenes. Co-created by Jones and Gerald Watson, the series has been going strong outside Denver since 2013. Grab tickets, for $15, at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, or by calling 303893-4100 or visiting denvercenter.org.
Well hello, Dolly!
SUNDAY » The first-ever Dolly Day Denver will celebrate country-music legend Dolly Parton with entertainment that benefits the
Denver outpost of Parton’s Imagination Library — the literacy nonprofit that has delivered more than 110 million books to kids in five countries (including the U.S.) since its 1990 founding. The all-ages event kicks off at 3 p.m. Jan. 26at The Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave., with line-dancing lessons, drag-queen story hour, vendors, food and a headlining variety show for adults, plus an attempt to set the world record for the biggest gathering of Dolly look-alikes. $15 for adults for daytime events (3-6 p.m.), kids 5 and under are free. $20 for the 7 p.m. variety show. $30 full-day ticket. dollydaydenver.com
Making tracks to Five Points.
MONDAY » To celebrate the release of her new book, “Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America,” author Candacy Taylor will stop by Five Points’ Blair Caldwell African American Research Library on Jan. 27. The free event at 2401 Welton St. begins at 4:30 p.m. and includes a presentation and book signing by Taylor, whose work is being made into a traveling Smithsonian exhibition launching in June (with “Overground Railroad” as the official catalog). sites.si.edu
Art, gonzo or otherwise.
THROUGH FEB.6 » Like a blog migrating into the book world, Foreign Form was a welltraveled pop-up (then known as BLK MKT) before turning into sleek, brickand-mortar form at 2719 Larimer St. The shop’s cozy gallery, on the second floor above its “contemporary, small batch apparel, jewelry and artwork,” is showing original works from late gonzo journalist and sometime-artist Hunter S. Thompson, as well as Thompson cohort and artist Ralph Steadman, and muralist Thomas Hart Benton. The Thompson-related art revisits his run for sheriff of Aspen in 1970, including “one of a kind pieces (that) have never been shown outside of Aspen,” organizers said. Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. 303332-8101. instagram.com/foreign.form