Peer Review: Stand up for Science, November 10

Science has never been funnier than at this unique comedy show where the brainiacs take the mic. Local scientists in every field from microbiology to ornithology will try their hands at stand-up comedy for the first time—and they’ve got a lot to say about their work. Then enjoy improv and sketch comedy from local comedy troupe The Showdowners. Thu 7:30 p.m. Denver Museum of Nature & Science. 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver. 303-370-6000. $12-$15

Mary Chapin Carpenter, November 11 to 12

The Stanley Hotel opened in 1909 at the doorstep of Rocky Mountain National Park and nowadays juxtaposes a devout Western aesthetic with flat screen televisions and jacuzzis—authentic yet polished. That’s the theme of its next musical guest: Five-time Grammy Award–winning country singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter performs her latest album, The Things That We Are Made Of, an 11-song collaboration with Grammy Producer of the Year nominee Dave Cobb. The album, which critics call an exploratory journey into Carpenter’s middle age psyche, is the ideal two-night show for any Coloradan looking to find themselves in Carpenter’s self-affirming lyrics. Fri 7 p.m. The Stanley Hotel 333 E. Wonderview Ave., Estes Park. 970-577-4000. $85

Mad Farmer Dinner, November 12

This five-course seasonal meal brings together food, poetry, music, and art. Guests can look forward to refined creations like coal burnt pimenton vin, shaved gjetost, beet dolma with tomato poached mushrooms, and a cast iron Spanish tortilla served with sunchoke purée. Local and foraged ingredients shape the evening’s menu, complemented by beer from Soul Squared Brewing Company and Scrumpy’s dry cider. Readings of poetry by Wendell Berry will occur throughout the night, and art-loving epicureans can go home with a commemorative letterpress poster. Sat 6-10 p.m. Wolverine Letterpress & Publick House 316 Willow St., Fort Collins. 970-682-2590. $75

Phone It In Film Festival, November 12

Think your Instagram video skills are Oscar-worthy? Put that theory to the test at this DIY film festival, which screens three-minute mobile phone flicks from your fellow Denverites. There’s no set lineup, but organizer Zac Mass says there’s rumors of a music video, puppets, and a stop motion movie. Stick around after the hour-long micro-fest for the post-screening party, featuring beer from Gordon Biersh Brewing Company and Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, pizza from Denver Deep Dish, and an appearance by Syfy television sound effects artist Kevon Ward. Sat 7 p.m. LFX Filmworks and Event Space 1701 31st St., Denver. 303-296-5424, Fre.