Cherry Creek High School graduate Matt Iseman will make a Comedy Works South debut July 23-26. Comedy Works South is located at 5345 Landmark Place in Greenwood Village. Iseman is the host of “Clean House” on the Style Network and of “Sports Soup” on the Versus Network, has a number of other television credits and appears in the film “Transformers 2” this summer. His route to the entertainment business was circuitous: graduation from Princeton University and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, residence at University of Colorado Hospital. Then he quit the medical profession and headed to a Hollywood address. Iseman’s performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23 ($15); 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 24 ($23); 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday July 25 ($23); 7 p.m. Sunday, July 26 ($15). 720-274-6800, www.comedyworks.com.

The Mountains and Plains Iris Society, an affiliate of the American Iris Society, will hold its 2009 Iris Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. The selection will includes new introductions and popular favorites, including a selection from the Hudson Gardens display beds, which the society installed. All will be freshly dug. A variety of colors and types, from tall bearded irises to smaller types will be available, as will expert advice on planting and growing. Admission to Hudson Gardens is required, so local iris grower/photographer Steve Blecher suggests you allow time to tour the gardens. Iris questions: email sblecher@comcast.net. (Admission: $5, $3, $2, members free.) 303-797-8565 (Hudson Gardens)

Kevin Pharris will talk about “Denver’s Well-to-do and Ne’er Do Wells” at the 7 p.m. July 20 meeting of the Highlands Ranch Historical Society at the Highlands Ranch Eastridge Recreation Center, 9568 S. University Blvd. Pharris , owner of Denver History Tours, will conduct an imaginary trip through Denver’s history, to be followed in September by a walking tour for those interested. Refreshments are served at 6:30 before the meeting, which is open to everyone free. A reservation call is appreciated so there are enough chairs set up: Nancy Linsenbigler, 720-932-6990.

“Imagine,” an exhibit of abstracts, is open through July at the Depot Arts Center, 2069 W. Powers Ave., Littleton, located in a red 1881 Santa Fe Depot. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Admission free. Next show will be the annual Western Welcome exhibit, opening in early August. 303-795-0781.

Celtic music at Bemis Library’s Sophie’s Place will feature Tanya Brody and Matthew Gumsey, The Muses, from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18. They are touring the U.S. and Canada this summer with a variety of folk instruments to accompany their Scottish/Irish songs. Free. Note that a new operator has opened at Sophie’s Place so coffee and pastries will again be available 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 303-795-3961.

An opening reception for the annual “Kaleidoscope” exhibit at Arapahoe Community College’s Colorado Gallery of the Arts will be held 5 to 7 p.m. July 17. The juried show will hang through Aug. 6. Gallery hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The CGA is in the Annex at the east side of the main ACC campus, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.

“In the Kitchen with “Colorado Classique’” will present a cooking demonstration and conversation with members of Junior League of Denver at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 Ridgeline Blvd. Learn about the new “Colorado Classique” cookbook, published in late June. Stephanie Duncan of Highlands Ranch chaired the project: recipe gathering, testing, editing and publishing project. Books will be for sale. Registration is required: 303-791-READ or douglascountylibraries.org/programs and events.

Littleton’s santero, Jose Raul Esquibel, will lead a bus tour on July 25, from the Aurora History Museum, where his work is included with four other artists and items from the Regis University collection in the “Celebrate Santos” exhibit. It will go to the Denver Art Museum and to Regis, where the library houses the University’s historic collection of santos. (Lunch on your own). 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: $22, advance reservations required: 303-326-8650, ask for #132864. The Aurora History Museum is at 15051 Alameda Parkway and admission to its ”Celebrate Santos” exhibit is free. www.auroramuseum.org, 303-739-6660.

“Annie” is the production chosen for the 2009 Englewood Summer Drama Program, with performances scheduled at 7 p.m. July 31; 7 p.m. Aug. 1; 2 p.m. Aug. 2 in the Fisher Auditorium at Englewood High School, 3800 S. Logan St. Tickets: $10 in advance; $12 at the door, available 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at Malley Recreation Center, 3380 S. Lincoln St and 7 to 9 p.m. at Fisher Auditorium during dress rehearsals and before showtime. 303-762-2662.

Curious Theatre hosts a creative spelling bee benefit called “Battle of the Word Nerds” at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 18 at Curious Theatre, 1080 Acoma St., Denver. Contestants: actor/Curious company member John Jurecheck; Comedian Sam Adams; actress/singer Sheryl Renee, attorney Jaclyn Casey.. GerRee Hinshaw will emcee and judges are Garrett Ammon, Ballet Nouveau Colorado; Britta Erickson, Denver Film Society; Lannie Garrett, singer and founder of Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret. Words come from a group of celebrities. Beer, brats and music in the parking lot follow the hour-long program. Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 303-623

Theatre Night Out is a subscription program offered by member theaters of the Colorado Theatre Guild, which gives the buyer seven shows for $130 from July to December at a different theater each time. (Another series will be organized for January through June 2010, etc.) Begin with PHAMALY’s “Man of La Mancha” July 24, followed by ”That Woman Show” plus “Die Mommie Die” at Avenue Theater; “The Big Bang” at Aurora Fox,” “A Picasso” at Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden, “Picnic” at Evergreen Players, “Santaland Diaries” at Vintage Theatre. Contact Gloria Shanstrom, 3030-931-7241 or www.coloradotheatreguild.org.

Documentary film lovers are invited to join and participate in the Documentary Cinema Institute, formed by Carol Beeby, who wanted a forum for screenings, idea exchange and workshops. She notes that the past 10 years have seen a surge in interest and production and realized that film submitted for festival consideration is not always useable. A basic level DCI workshop is in progress now and one can learn about membership and future programs at www.documentaryinstitute.org. DCI has recently formed a partnership with Denver Film Society.

Audition: “Dracula” by Steven Dietz will hold auditions 7:30 p.m. July 27 at the E Project, 9797 W.Colfax Ave., Lakewood. Production dates: Oct. 16-31. Roger Winn directs. Need five men and four women, various ages and types. Prepare a one minute monologue. For appointment: Roger Winn at hadji399@yahoo.com

Mark the calendar: Local theater groups Ovation Players and Main Street Players will again join forces and resources to present a summer musical. This year’s production is America’s longest-running musical, “The Fantasticks.” Performances will be at 7:30 p.m Aug. 8, 9, 10,14,15, 16, plus 2 p.m. Sunday, August 16 at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St., Downtown Littleton. Pamela Clifton will direct. www.ovationplayers.com, 303-355-2177, tickets@ovationplayers.com. Tickets: $16, $22. (Monday, August 10 is Industry Night, $10).

Mark the calendar #2: The 2009 Littleton Jazz Festival will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 28, at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main Street, Downtown Littleton. Featured artists: Purnell Steen and Le Jazz Machine, with a special appearance by bassist Charles Burrell; Ellyn Rucker Quartet, with saxophonist Rich Chiarluce; Keith Oxman Quartet; Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Tickets, $25 general admission, available after Aug. 1, 303-794-2787, www.townhallartscenter.com.

Star Party: View the night Sky With a Telescope on July 27 at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. From 8 to 9 p.m., members of the Denver Astronomical Society will demonstrate how to use a telescope, talk about its history and what to view in the evening sky. Star watching will start at 9 p.m. on the front lawn. Participants are invited to bring their own telescope. 303-795-3961.

A Jazz Salute to the Baritone” at 6:30 p.m. July 25 at Cherokee Ranch and Castle will feature vocalist Ed Battle and Lamont School of Music Instrumentalists Eric Gunnison (piano), Ken Walker (bass), Paul Romaine (drums), Lynn Baker (saxophone). The program will look at The Great American Songbook as interpreted by male jazz vocalists such as Joe Williams, Billy Eckstein, Frank Sinatra, 1920s to 1960s. A ticket includes wine, castle tour, buffet dinner, dessert and coffee following the music in a tent on the castle veranda. Tickets: $75 www.cherokeeranch.org, 303-688-4600, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays or leave name and phone# for callback next business day. The castle is at 6113 N. Daniels Park Road, Sedalia, a short jog east of Highway 85 (Santa Fe Drive).

Painter Lisa Calzavara’s “Listening to the Light Series” will be exhibited from through Sept. 13 at the Littleton Museum, 6021 S. Gallup St., Littleton. She was winner of “Best of Show” in the 2008 Own an Original Exhibit, sponsored by the Littleton Fine Art Committee. Museum hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. 303-795-3950.

The Highlands Ranch Concert Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 18 (correction) as background for the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District Ice Cream Sociall at Civic Green Park, 9370 Ridgeline Blvd. Traditional band music is on the menu. See: www.hrcb.org.

Auditions for “The Second Tosca” are scheduled 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment only, July 20 and 21 at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. No out of town auditions are scheduled. This is an Equity production, but non-Equity actors may audition. See www.arvadacenter.org/on-stage/auditions for details. Production dates: Oct. 20 Nov. 22. 720-898-7200.

Nominations for the 2010 listing of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places are due by August 1 at Colorado Preservation Inc. Readers who are aware of a threatened historic site can nominate. Visit coloradopreservation.org to download a nomination form and information, or send an email to jlandes@coloradopreservation.org with questions.

Firehouse Quilts’ 4th Annual Quilt Show will be held July 17 (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and 18 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at Cherry Hills Community Church, 3900 E. Grace Ave., Highlands Ranch, exhibiting about 100 quilts and a group of vendors’ booths. New quilt racks will show the entries beautifully, according to Dusty Darrah of Highlands Ranch. The fundraiser plus area donations allow the organization to supply 45” square snuggle quilts to fire departments throughout the state for children who lose homes to fire. The group also makes quilts for battered women’s shelters and the Denver Rescue Mission. To connect and sew with FHQ, or for information about the show, see www.firehousequilts.org. Tickets to the show cost $7 at the door, $6 in advance.

A Summer Wizard Camp for kids ages 7 to 16, taught by two professional magicians, is offered August 3 to 6 by Theatre of Dreams, 735 Park St. in Castle Rock. A performance for family and friends completes the sessions, which run 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Fee: $160. Reservation deadline July 20, 303-660-6799.

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