Five things to do in Denver and Boulder

Jose Gonzalez, Fox Theatre

The immensely indie-popular Jose Gonzalez rode his second disc, “In Our Nature,” into the hearts of sensitive hipsters everywhere. Plaintive, dusty Spanish guitar frames his earnest, soft and slightly quirky vocals, and Gonzalez sings with economy about everyday life occurrences. Though born and raised in Sweden, Gonzalez is of Argentine descent, and he has a unique way of blending calssical Latin guitar acumen with chilly Nordic pop. Catch him live at the Fox Theatre.

What: Jose Gonzalez performs.
Where: Fox Theatre, Boulder.
When: Tonight, 9 p.m.
Cost: $20.
Info: 303-447-0095 or www.foxtheatre.com.

Choreographic Fusion, Macky Auditorium

This ain’t your grandma’s ballet: The Boulder Philharmonic and contemporary ballet group Lemon Sponge Cake promise a highly original take on ballet and the modern art of dance at CU’s Macky Auditorium. Difficult, modern compositions from composers like Philip Glass and Arvo Part will be physically fleshed out by Robert Sher-Machherndl’s equally brash, groundbreaking choreography.

What: Choreographic Fusion Ballet and Orchestra performance.
Where: Macky Auditorium, CU Boulder.
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 to $75.
Info: www.boulderphil.org or call 303-449-1343.

John Oliver, Comedy Works

John Oliver brought a much-needed whiff of brisk British humor to “The Daily Show” when he joined a few years back, but he’s now turned into one of the show’s most consistently funny fake newsmen. Perhaps his English airs bring a bit of authenticity that catches his subjects off guard, leaving them open for a skewering. Oliver pulls no punches in his stand-up, where his politics-heavy material rules supreme.

What: “The Daily Show”’s John Oliver performs stand-up comedy.
Where: Comedy Works, Denver.
When: Today and Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m.
Cost: $25.
Info: 303-595-3637 or www.comedyworks.com.

Oyster Eating Contest, Jax

You like oysters, and the fact that they’re an aphrodisiac is an added bonus, but do you think you can down enough to win a contest? A team of four snarfed 116 oysters at last year’s Oyster Eating Contest at Jax Fish House in Denver, while the individual winner devoured 95. If you think you can put up those types of oyster-eating numbers, you owe it to yourself to take a shot at the title. Non-competitors can enjoy a relaxing number of oysters during Jax’s oyster month, where five cents of every $1 oyster goes to help Make It Right, which rebuilds homes for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

What: Jax Oyster Eating Contest.
Where: Jax Fish House, Denver.
When: Contest is Tuesday, 7 p.m. Oyster month lasts for all of March.
Cost: Free. Oysters are 10 for $10.
Info: Call 303-292-5767.

Gary Louris, Bluebird Theatre

Gary Louris is as close as Americana music has to a high priest: He fronted and served as one of the chief songsmiths of The Jayhawks, and also played in Golden Smog, an alternative-country superband that incorporated members of The Replacements, Soul Asylum and Wilco. He’s touring in support of his first solo disc, “Vagabonds,” which only adds to his rust-and-dust legacy.

What: Gary Louris performs.
Where: Bluebird Theatre, Denver.
When: Sunday, 8 p.m.
Cost: $22.50-$24.
Info: 303-322-2308 or www.bluebirdtheater.net.