Best Bets for June 8-15

Monroe Organic Farms Strawberry Festival — June 11
Strawberry shortcake, strawberries with powdered sugar, strawberries ‘n’ cream—Mmmm, mmmm. It’s strawberry season in the Centennial State. So let’s get pickin’. Monroe Organic Farms, located in central Weld County 16 miles north of Highway 76, opens its field to the public for a day of fruit-farming fun. A great way to kick off summer with the fam. Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 25525 WCR 8, Kersey. 970-284-7941. Picking is free, but strawberries are $1.75 per pint.

9th Annual MaxFund Lucky Mutt Strut — June 12
Animal lovers have a soft spot for Denver’s MaxFund, a no-kill, nonprofit organization that provides medical care for homeless, injured pets. And the annual Lucky Mutt Strut, a two-mile race in Wash Park, is one of the best ways to help keep this organization up and running. Join the party as Denverites and their four-legged friends descend on the park for fresh air, exercise, entertainment, and fun. Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Washington Park. The race begins at 10 a.m. Preregistration $25, event day $30. www.maxfund.org.

Mile-High Music
Check out this week’s music highlights:

• Van Morrison — June 10: Neglected for nearly two decades, Denverites rejoice as this legendary vocalist finally returns to the Rocky Mountain region for a show at Red Rocks. Morrison’s newest album, Magic Time, was released in May. Friday 7:30 p.m. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 16351 County Road 93, Morrison. $79.50-$150. For tickets, call 303-830-TIXS.
• Al Green — June 11: The Reverend returns to the Paramount supporting his newest release Everything’s OK. Green, generally touted as the first great soul singer of the 1970s and arguably the last great Southern soul vocalist, incorporates gospel, tight beats, and backup singers into his distinctive sound. Of course, most of us simply recognize his talent for creating some seriously sexy make-out tunes. Saturday 8 p.m. Paramount Theatre, 1631 Glenarm Place. $49-$79. For tickets, call 303-830-TIXS.
• Alison Krauss — June 15: At the age of 33, Alison Krauss has accomplished more in the world of music than most musicians twice her age. With 17 Grammy Awards and numerous Country Music Awards to her credit, Krauss exhibits an angelic voice and plays a mean fiddle. You’ve heard her work in movie soundtracks such as Cold Mountain, Mona Lisa Smile, O Brother Where Art Thou, and Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. Wednesday 8 p.m. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 16351 County Road 93, Morrison. $35.50-$47.50. For tickets, call 303-830-TIXS.
• Wendy Woo — June 15: Elway’s, located adjacent to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, hosts Music on the Patio, a series of five Wednesday shows this summer. The outdoor concert extravaganza kicks off with Boulder’s own Wendy Woo. Wednesday 5 to 7 p.m. Elway’s, 2500 E. First Ave., 303-399-5353. Free.

18th Annual Art for AIDS Fine & Decorative Art Auction — June 11
This may be the event your walls have been waiting for. The Art for AIDS auction boasts silent and live auctions with art curated by Julie Fryberger, owner of Fryberger Art Consulting; Cydney Peyton, director of Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art; and Katharine Smith-Warren, an independent curator. It’s an evening to find the perfect painting, decorative dish, or intriguing sculpture—and it’s all for a great cause. Saturday 6 p.m. Donald R. Seawell Ballroom, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets. $40. For more information or to buy tickets, call 303-837-0166 ext. 508.

Conifer Arts Festival — June 11 and 12
Fresh mountain air and some serious artistic talent combine to make a down-to-earth and approachable art festival. This juried fine arts and fine crafts festival features 70 artist booths, a hands-on children’s art mecca, food and drink, and live music, which sets the ambience for the fest. Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. West Jeff Elementary School, Barkley Road at 285 overpass. Free. For more information, call 303-816-2420 or visit www.lartsalive285.org.