The Pirates of Penzance” by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan plays at 7 p.m. Feb. 26-27 and 1 and 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at Littleton High School, 199 E. Littleton Blvd. Khryssi Martin is director. One of the most popular of the D’Oyly Carte operettas, the satirical “Pirates” was first produced in New York (December 1879), then quite soon in London (1880), because the famous composers had an unfortunate experience with U.S. theaters “pirating” their previous production of HMS Pinafore” and wanted to control road shows. Copyrights came later! The Pirate King, Major-General, Mabel, Frederic, Ruth and many others will perform the funny story and score. “Indeed it is a glorious thing to be a Pirate King!” Tickets: $8 adults; $5 students and children. 303-347-7700, web.mac.com/lhsperformingarts.

“This is Colorado,” an annual exhibit presented by the Heritage Fine Arts Guild of Arapahoe County, runs March 3-23 in a new location this year at the Aspen Grove Shopping Center, Suite 640, near the Pottery Barn, Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue. An opening reception is planned from 5-7 p.m. March 6, when harpist Cornelia Jacob will perform. Open Tuesdays through Sundays. Information about Guild meetings, membership, workshops and exhibits is available online at www.heritage-guild.com.

The Castle Rock Orchestra will feature music evoking the great outdoors in a concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1 at the First United Methodist Church of Castle Rock, 1200 South St. The program will include Alan Hovhanesses’ “Mysterious Mountain,” Copland’s “Outdoor Overture,” Delius’ “Summer Night on the River,” and more. Admission is free. For information, see www.castlerockorchestra. org.

The Cajun Crawdads, a small subgroup of the Castle Rock Orchestra, will perform from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Parker Library, 10851 South Crossroads Drive. Admission free. 303-791-READ.

Parker artist Theresa Lugo will have an exhibit March 5-22 at Core New Art Space, 900 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. A reception is planned from 6-9 p.m. March 13. She “pushes the edges of the box,” seeking the exuberant joy of creating.

Explore the Audubon Nature Center on Saturdays through April from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on the first Sunday of each month through April. This beautiful spot is geared to kids and families and will explain about the South Platte ecosystem and which critters live there. Trails, and a shelter with a warm fire if it’s a nippy day. Free. The center is at the south end of Wadsworth Boulevard at Waterton Road. 303-973-9530, denveraudubon.org.

An audition for “Peter Pan” is announced by International Youth Ballet, for young dancers age 6-10, with some dance experience, at the International Ballet School, 8000 Lincoln St. No. 7, Littleton. Auditions will be 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, with registration from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Performances are planned June 6 and 7 at the Newman Center, University of Denver. For information, 720-283-6323.

A mid-week lift: St. Andrew Lenten Recital Series is offered at 12:10 p.m., followed by a light soup and rolls lunch, at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 3350 White Bay Drive (9300 block of South University), Highlands Ranch. No reservations needed, a $3.50 donation is asked for lunch and free-will donation is welcome for the recitals. Information: 303-794-2683, www.st-andrew-umc.com.

March 4: Larry Scalfari, organist and Carla Scalfari, soprano

March 11: Jubilee Handbell Choir

March 18: Keith Ferguson, tenor and friends

March 25: Silent message Dance Ensemble

April 1: St Andrew Sisters-Select Women’s Ensemble

Travel to southern France and Paris for an advanced painting workshop, offered by Arapahoe Community College. Southern France-Art 275-105 Special Topics, will be taught by internationally recognized ACC Art Department member Marsha Wooley and California plein air painter Ian Roberts. The dates for the trip are June 14-28 and tuition of $3,100 includes many, but not all, land expenses. Air is additional Deposit by March 17. For brochure, see the ACC Painting Department website at www.arapahoe.edu, or contact Wooley, 303-797-5862, marshawooley@arapahoe.edu.

Learn about Artists’ Trading Cards from 2-3 p.m. March 1 at Sophie’s Place, Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. These miniature works of art, usually done on playing card stock in limited editions or one-of-a-kind, are traded among artists. Harriet Tiger, artist and collector, will talk about how to produce a design and about trading with other collectors. 303-795-3981.

Notice to Colorado singers: the Denver Lyric Opera Guild will host its 25th annual competition for Colorado Singers March 21-28 at First Plymouth Congregational Church, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd., at East Hampden Avenue, Englewood. the top 10 will receive a monetary award. Preliminary: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21; Master Class 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 21; Final: 1-5 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Information: Phyllis Wicklund, 303-755-0931.

Bertold Brecht’s and Kurt Weill’s “Mack the Knife” will be performed by the University of Denver Department of Theatre and Lamont School of Music Feb. 26 to March 7 in the Byron Theatre, Newman Center, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., at South University Boulevard. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets: $25 Cabaret table; $20 general; $8 same day student rush tickets; free military with ID. 303-871-7720.

“Creating the West in Art” fills the newly re-opened seventh floor of the North, Ponti, Building at the Denver Art Museum, 100 E. 14th Parkway, Denver. The DAM owns a significant collection of western art, historic and contemporary, much of it in storage in recent years. This genre is a genuine favorite with many in the Rocky Mountain West and the floor has been closed for several years because it was the staging area for opening the new Hamilton Wing. Windows especially designed to frame local views have been reopened. Borrowed paintings fill in gaps in the collection. Kids can dress up in costumes seen in the paintings. Free with general admission. See www.denverartmuseum.org, or call 720-865-5000.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be presented by Colorado Ballet Feb. 28 to March 14 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex. Tickets: $19-$145, with 50 only per performance at $10, two hours before curtain, 303-837-8888, ColoradoBallet.org, or e-mail info@coloradoballet.org. See Web site for schedule.

The Denver Gem and Mineral Guild presents the Annual Jewelry, Gem and Mineral show Feb. 27 to March 1 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 W. Sixth Ave., Golden. (West Sixth Avenue and Indiana Street). Lapidary supplies, crystals, fossils, jewelry. Gem cutting demonstrations. Fossil exhibits. Grab bag sales to benefit Colorado School of Mines. Free admission. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Food available onsite.

Sampler