Harlem Quartet, January 11

The Harlem Quartet is on a mission to make classical music more diverse and to introduce the genre to new ears. These four New York natives have performed at the White House and alongside famed artists such as violinist Itzhak Perlman and classical pianist Misha Dichter. Their lively performance in Denver will feature compositions by Mozart and Dizzy Gillespie. Wed 10:30 a.m., Denver Public Library, 10 W 14th Ave Pkwy Denver, CO 80204, 720-865-1111, Free.

Phone Home, January 13

The geniuses of Third Kind Improv! will present a feature-length performance loosely centered on the motif of extraterrestrial life as inspired by Steven Spielberg’s classic film, E.T. Expect to split your seams in laughter as local comedians, including Doron Burke, Natalie Burling, Anneliese Farmer, Maynard Peralta, Michael Tandy, Sebastian and Tara Wolfe, and Erin Zaideman, take to the stage for two hours of fully improvised skits and foil-hatted fun. Fri 7-9 p.m., The Bakery Arts Warehouse, 2132 Market St. Denver, CO 80205, Free.

Alien Linguistic Lab, January 13-February 28

Berlin-based artist Sarah Schönfeld makes her solo debut in the United States with this fascinating and cerebral exhibit. Playing with themes of futurism, archaeology, anthropology, and outer space, the multi-genre exhibit deals as much in philosophy as it does in visual art. Investigating the idea of the UFO as a manifestation of our modern alienation and anxiety, Schönfeld incorporates cultural rituals to demonstrate her point: At the exhibit’s opening night celebration, the artist invites attendees to throw saucers against the gallery wall, creating pottery shards that will be reassembled on site archaeologist-style. Fri 7:30-9:30 p.m., Gildar Gallery, 82 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80209, 303-993-4474, Free.

Denver Bug Banquet, January 11

Join David George Gordon—aka. the “Bug Chef”—for a creepy-crawly five-course meal featuring edible insects of all shapes and sizes. In collaboration with Linger restaurant, Gordon has created a diverse menu of bug-inspired dishes, from waxworm quesadillas to a pear and ant salad. Proceeds benefit the Rocky Mountain Micro Ranch, the first and only edible insect farm in Colorado. Wed 7:30 p.m., Linger, 2030 W. 30th Ave. Denver, CO 80211, 303-993-3120, $75.