—LECTURE—

What: In 2003, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Iraq Sergio Vieira de Mello died in a suicide bombing. Now, Samantha Power talks about her book Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World and explores the works of Mello’s life. Power evaluates Mello’s three decades as a UN diplomat, as well moral questions of international law and diplomacy.
Why: A Pulitzer Prize-winner and Harvard professor of Global Leadership and Public Policy Practice, Power is a top-level thinker in the world of international diplomacy.
Bonus: While they last, complementary copies of Chasing the Flame will be distrubuted to event attendees.
Details: Fri, 7-8:30 p.m. New Vista High School, 700 20th St., Boulder. Free. For more information, visit www.facing.org.

—BOOKS/FILM—

What: In honor of the Denver Film Festival’s 30th anniversary, Festival photographer Larry Laszlo, former Festival director Ron Henderson, author Joey Porcelli, and designer Judy Anderson created the book Take 30: The First Three Decades of the Denver International Film Festival. Here, in a Q & A, a chance to ask the Denver locals to dish about the stars and share their secrets for film selection.
Why: From 1970s limos to photo shoots with Tim Robbins, watch the festival progress from its small beginnings to its current multi-day success.
Bonus: A Laszlo slideshow will run throughout the event, showcasing 100 Festival images that aren’t available in the book.
Details: Fri, 7:30 p.m. Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th St. Free. For more information, visit www.tatteredcover.com or call 303-436-1070.

—MUSIC—

What: Between the flat top guitar, banjo, mandolin, and upright bass, the fast-paced rock ‘n roll-bluegrass band Oakhurst has strings to strum all night long. Celebrate the release of its new CD Jump in the Get Down.
Why: Pump up the Colorado band with local support before it hits its 41-city, seven-month tour.
Bonus: The opening band The DeWayn Brothers—four brothers and a sister—travel all the way from Kansas to throw down their rough-and-tumble version of bluegrass.
Details: Sat, 9 p.m. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. $10-$12. For more information, visit www.bluebirdtheater.net or call 303-377-1666.

—FOOD AND WINE—

What: 5280 joins forces with Denver dining guru Gabby Gourmet for a leisurely Sunday dinner. Served up at Osteria Marco, the family style meal will start with antipasti course, move on to salad, and finish with pizza and paninis. The real kicker, though, is dessert, which comes complete with a Lannie Garrett musical show at her Clocktower Caberet.
Why: This four-course meal and live show is a steal of a deal at only $50 a ticket.
Bonus: If you like this event, watch out for more like it the first Sunday of every month.
Details: Sun. Dinner, 5:30 p.m. Osteria Marco, 1435 Larimer St. Dessert and show, Lannie’s Clocktower Caberet, 1601 Arapahoe St. $50. For more information, visit www.lannies.com or call 303-293-0075.

—ART—

What: Brazilian artist Judi Werthein had a lot on her mind when she tackled design trends, Mexcian-American immigration, and corporate culture in her acclaimed art piece Brinco—a immigration-ready tennis shoe. The China-manufactured shoe has a built-in compass, flashlight, and pockets for hiding money, as well as a map of Tijuana on its sole. Listen to Werthein discuss the complexities of the project.
Why: Werthein’s artistic deconstruction of immigration makes the issue’s ironies and difficulties particularly apparent.
Bonus: Brinco is part of the Museo de las Americas Space Invaders exhibit, which features the work of seven other Latino artists on the subject of uncomfortable invasions. Through June 8.
Details: Tue, 7 p.m. Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr. $3-$5. For more information, visit www.museo.org or call 303-571-4401.