Arts news: SeriesFest’s big night attracting big names to Denver; boffo BIFF year; Still Museum turns 15; Denver7 back on Xfinity and more

The lineup for Fan Expo Denver continues to expand with word that several actors from the hit series “The Boys” are coming to the Colorado Convention Center from May 28-31. Confirmed are  Karl Urban, Erin Moriarty, Laz Alonso, Karen Fukuhara, Tomer Capone and Valorie Curry.

Also newly announced are Ralph Macchio and William Zabka from “The Karate Kid,” Dolph Lundgren of “Rocky IV,” Lewis Tan from the newly released “Mortal Kombat II,” Peggy the Dog – (aka Dogpool from “Deadpool & Wolverine,”  Ji-Young Yoo (voice of Zoe from “KPop Demon Hunters”) and Lance Barber and Zoe Perry, who starred in “Young Sheldon.”

This in addition to the previously announced “The Lord of the Rings” reunion of Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Miranda Otto, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, John Noble, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd. Astin is additionally reuniting with his fellow “The Goonies” cast members Corey Feldman, Joe Pantoliano, Kerri Green and Martha Plimpton. And stars from “Doctor Who,” “Scream,” “‘Lost,” “The Princess Bride” and Marvel’s “Luke Cage.”

That’s seriously just for starters. Go to fanexpohq.com for the full skinny.

Boulder Film has best fest ever

No one really knew how the impending arrival of the Sundance Film Festival would impact the longtime homegrown Boulder International Film Festival, but a pre-emptive move back one month in the calendar from mid-March to mid-April helped make Year 22 the homegrown fest’s best on record.

But while organizers say the fest resulted in record-breaking revenue, and more individual tickets and passes sold than ever before, they did not say what either of those numbers are. The 2026 BIFF offered 69 films from 29 countries, drawing 75 industry guests.

“Local leaders and festival organizers have embraced the prospect of Boulder becoming one of the country’s premier film destinations,” the fest said in an uncredited statement. “BIFF has long made the case that Boulder is a city that takes cinema seriously; this year’s record-breaking turnout made that case louder than ever.

The 2027 Sundance Film Festival will take place from Jan. 21-31 in Boulder. The next BIFF will be April 8 to 11.

The 2026 award winners:

• Best Film: “Power Ballad,” directed by John Carney
• Best Documentary: “Everybody to Kenmure Street,” directed by Felipe Bustos Sierra
• Best Music Film: “Los Lobos Native Sons,” directed by Doug Blush and Piero F. Giunti
• Best Performance: Leo Woodall in “Tuner”

A-Corp bill nears finish line

Update on the Colorado Artist Company Act (SB26-133), the bipartisan (and potentially historic) “Artists as Corporations” proposal we told you about last week: The bill passed a vital hearing in the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee by a 10-3 vote on Wednesday. Supporters hope it will be taken up by the Colorado House of Representatives before the legislative session ends May 13.

Sweet SeriesFest guest list

The biggest night of SeriesFest, the week-long festival that makes Denver the momentary capital of episodic TV, is Friday’s gala dinner at the Asterisk Event Center. And, despite an impressive list of Hollywood stars who will be present (Corbin Bernsen, D’Arcy Carden, Michael Chernus, Patrick Macmanus, D’Arcy Carden, Graham McTavish, Marco Calvani, Amy Seimetz, Jocko Sims), the list of local politicos expected is just as bold-faced. Among those coming to help celebrate the career of Denver cable pioneer John J. Sie are Gov. Jared Polis, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Attorney General (and gubernatorial candidate) Phil Weiser, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Colorado Senate President James Coleman.

Clyfford Still Museum turns 15

The Clyfford Still Museum is celebrating its 15th anniversary by opening “Still in Sound,” a new multisensory exhibition debuting May 16.

“Still in Sound” explores how visitors may experience abstract visual language through sound in the Still’s six largest galleries. Additionally, the museum will unveil 15 never-before-seen Clyfford Still paintings in an exhibit called “Celebrating 15 Years: 15 New Paintings in 15 Months.”

Co-curators Bailey Placzek and British multidisciplinary artist Ben Coleman paired  contemporary artists who work with sound – such as MC Kalyn Heffernan of the band Wheelchair Sports Camp – with an abstract Clyfford Still artwork and commissioned them to compose an original, interactive sonic interpretation in response. Others include Maria Chávez, Maya Dunietz, Matana Roberts, and Michael Schumacher.

More info at clyffordstillmuseum.org.

Denver7 back on Xfinity

Just as quietly as it disappeared, Denver’s ABC affiliate returned to the Comcast channel lineup on Monday. In all, the impasse between Scripps and Comcast cost paying subscribers five weeks of programming, including one Nuggets playoff game it turns out we were maybe better off not seeing. But man, was it an aggravation to fire up the DVR only to find three recorded hours of that obnoxious blue Xfinity screen. The mutual greed-fest impacted 19 Scripps markets. Till next time!

Goodwin retires from Performance Now

One of the steadiest contributors to the Colorado theater scene these past 20 years has been Ken Goodwin, who took over leadership of Lakewood’s 24-year-old Performance Now Theatre Company in 2007 following the death from cancer of his wife, founder Nancy Goodwin. Performance Now pretty much anchors the Lakewood Cultural Center with big, family-friendly Broadway musicals that often sell out their entire runs. In September, Ken Goodwin (the executive producer), appointed Kelly Van Oosbree as artistic director.

“The company is well-positioned for continued growth, fresh ideas and new creative energy,” said Goodwin, who will transition into the role of Founder Emeritus. Performance Now will present “My Fair Lady” from June 12-28. Info at performancenow.org.

New season at Wonderbound

Denver’s Wonderbound modern-dance company has announced a 2026-27 season marked by signature collaborations, including: “The Witching Hour” (Oct. 15-25); “Rollin’ & Tumblin’” (Dec. 10-20) with bluesman Lionel Young and an all-star band; “Beloved Betrayal” (Feb. 25-March 7, 2027) with banjo-punk band The River Arkansas; and the return of “Sam & Delilah” (May 6-16, 2027) with Clay Rose of Gasoline Lollipops. Info at wonderbound.com.

Briefly …

A free sneak preview of a new documentary titled “Jill Sobule: Underdog Victorious” will be screened at 7 p.m. May 27 at the Mayan Theater. Sobule, a fourth-generation Denverite best known for the hit song “I Kissed a Girl,” died in a Minneapolis house fire on May 1 at age 66. Among those appearing in the film are Margaret Cho, John Doe and Bill Frisell. A Q&A follows with filmmaker Tom Ropelewski and producer Leslie Dixon (she adapted the musical “Hairspray” into the 2007 film) …

Global Dance Festival, Colorado’s longest-running electronic music fest, returns Sept. 11-12 following a “hiatus year.” The lineup includes: Tiësto, Kygo, Subtronics, Chris Lake, SLANDER, SVDDEN DEATH, NGHTMRE, Chris Lorenzo, SIDEPIECE, Kai Wachi, Getter, TroyBoi, Noizu, Timmy Trumpet and more. The festival will also christen the brand-new LVC Festival Grounds – a new indoor and outdoor event space designed specifically for large-scale live experiences and immersive multi-stage programming. (It’s within the National Western Center.) Presale begins at noon May 11; public on sale at noon May 13. Info: laylo.com/globaldance/gdf2026.

John Moore is the Denver Gazette’s Senior Arts Journalist. Email him at [email protected].