America’s television comedy competition is coming to the Paramount Theatre Oct. 22 when NBC’s Emmy Award-nominated series “Last Comic Standing” showcases live.

Season eight of “Last Comic Standing” premiered May 22 on NBC with celebrity judges Roseanne Barr, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Russell Peters and executive producer Wanda Sykes. The laugh-fest returns with an all new group of the world’s funniest comics. 

In “Last Comic Standing”, the top 100 comics in America compete for the top 20 spots. These 20 comics compete in a semifinal round, and as the best of the best emerge, the top 10 move into the challenge rounds. In this phase, they compete in different comedy disciplines – sketch, improv and stand-up – to prove themselves individually and in teams. Then the funniest of all takes the coveted title of “Last Comic Standing,” winning a prize package that includes an NBC talent deal and a half-hour scripted project to be developed by Universal Television.

Tickets are priced at $29.50 and $39.50 and can be purchased at www.AltitudeTickets.com or by phone at 303-893-8497.

The 2015 Biennial of the Americas, an international festival of ideas, art, and culture will hold its opening week of events festival July 14-19 next year. With more than 20,000 participants who attended the innovative four-day program of events in 2013, the Biennial brought together more than 70 artists, speakers and international leaders from 20 countries to Denver.

“The third iteration of the Biennial will attract and engage dynamic thinkers from across the Americas through public festivals, world-class symposia, innovative workshops, clínicas, art exhibitions, and cultural programming,” said Erin Trapp, Biennial CEO/executive director. “All of our Biennial events leading up to the 2015 festival will help to build momentum, excitement and participation.”

Trapp, former deputy chief of staff and director of the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs during Gov. John Hickenlooper’s term as mayor, has expanded the Biennial team to include Lauren Wright, artistic director and curator; Meegan Moszynski, ideas director; Monica Kurtz, marketing director, and Marilyn Hernandez-Stopp, communications and community outreach coordinator.

The Biennial of the Americas provides an international platform for leaders in business, government, civil society and the arts to examine the significant issues impacting life in the Americas. The organization’s marquee event is an international festival of ideas, arts and culture hosted in Denver on alternating years.

Bubu, Chef Troy Guard‘s new quick-casual concept featuring a healthy spin on build-your-own bowls, opens on July 17 in the old Tag Raw Bar space at 1423 Larimer St.

Pick your protein and enjoy a vast array of locally sourced ingredients or let our chef’s create the magic for you.

Buffalo Bill Days, Golden’s largest summer event July 23 through 27, turns 60 this year, but you know what they say? Sixty is the new 40.

This free annual salute to the West’s best showman is packed with authentic western entertainment, live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, beer garden, muttin bustin’ and the Best of the West parade.

The festival’s namesake, Buffalo Bill Cody, spent time in Golden, Denver and Central City with his famous Wild West Show in which genuine cowboys and cowgirls demonstrated their skills. Buffalo Bill is buried on nearby Lookout Mountain, where he has long enjoyed the remarkable view from the top.

Beginning with an easy trail ride up to Buffalo Bill’s Grave in the 1940s, Buffalo Bill Days has turned into a multi-day celebration. Events include:

• Best of the West Parade - A highlight of the festival, the Best of the West Parade starts at 10 a.m. on July 26. Attendees will see trotting horses, colorful Old West characters and fanfare, collectible cars, real cowboys, Native American dancers and more. Saddle on up to Washington Avenue in historic downtown Golden.
• Cody’s Wild West - In the spirit of the original traveling show that brought the Wild West to the world, this year’s Cody’s Wild West reflects a rugged American spirit and originality. Western performers make up this 90-minute show on the west end of the Lions Park Ball Fields on 10th Street at 12:30 p.m. July 26. 
• Live Music - The entertainment starts at 5 p.m. July 25 with live music from headliners such as Chris Daniels and the Kings and continues all weekend in Parfet Park in downtown Golden. Brad Lee Schroeder is the featured band on Saturday night along with other local bands. The Long Run “Colorado’s Tribute to the Eagles” closes out from 2 to 5 p.m. July 27.
• Mutton Bustin’ - If you haven’t seen mutton bustin’ before, make sure that you don’t miss this raucous show and Buffalo Bill Days tradition. At 11 a.m. July 27, children, ages 5 to 7 years, strap on helmets and vests and hang on to a sprinting sheep for as long as possible in Lions Park.
• Car Shows -  Automobiles in the classic and orphaned car shows beginning at 10 a.m. July 27 on the Clear Creek Bridge to 14th on Washington Avenue.

While in town, visitors can also enjoy a pancake breakfast, bull riding, little spike train rides and more.

For more information visit www.buffalobilldays.com or contact the Buffalo Bill Days Committee at 303-279-3342.

At Sunday’s Colorado Rockies-Los Angeles Dodgers game at Coors Field, disgraced Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. The shoeless cyclist posed for a pictured with the wife and a friend of Rockies fan Thomas Roche.

Eavesdropping on a dad to his son: “Do I look old and tired?”

“You don’t look tired.”

Local top toques are getting some much-deserved TV time this summer in the series “The Great American Grill Off,” airing at 4 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 23 on CBS4.

According to a 5280 magazine web story, “A collection of top-notch Denver chefs — Matt Selby from Central Bistro & Bar, Ryan Leinonen of Trillium, Dana Rodriguez from Work & Class, Michelle Agnew of Table 6, Brett Shaheen from Wooden Table, and Troy Guard of TAG, Guard & Grace, and other restaurants — team up with home cooks to see who can win the grill-off smack down. The show is hosted by the effusive BJ of the BJ & Jamie Morning Show on Alice 105.9.

“Over a series of weeks, each duo fine-tuned a pork-centric dish they felt would win the competition. But the Grill Off turned out to be more than just the best chef–best amateur–best recipe match-up: The show’s legacy is the number of lasting bonds that formed. ‘The sincere, really cool friendships that developed between the team members—that was something I never thought of happening,’ producer Joel Spicola said. The chefs and contestants spent time together cooking, of course, but they also met each other’s families and navigated the difficulties of reality TV together. Although shooting ended June 1, Guard and wife, Nikki, continue to keep in touch with contestant Aniella Swider. Likewise with the Agnew-Kurt Basford team. “One of my favorite things was getting to know Kurt,” Agnew told 5280. “We’re buddies.”

5280 food fanatic Amanda Faison judged the final episode at Lodo’s Bar & Grill, so she knows who took home the grand-prize Big Green Egg (but if she told you, she’d have to kill you).”

Each episode will be re-aired at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. the following Sunday.

“If there’s something strange,
In your neighborhood,
Who you gonna call?
GHOSTBUSTERS!
If there’s something weird,
And it don’t look good,
Who you gonna call?
GHOSTBUSTERS!
I ain’t afraid of no ghost.”

If you “ain’t” afraid of no ghost, consider a date night or family outing to Fairmount Cemetery (430 S. Quebec), considered to be Denver’s most historic cemetery, for free movie nights on Saturday, July 12, and Aug. 16. In addition to free admission, there will also be free popcorn.

The deets: 

* Gates open at 8 p.m., and the movies will begin at dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.), weather permitting (if there is a possibility of bad weather, contact Fairmount at 303-399-0692 to confirm).

* The July 12 movie will be “Monsters Inc.,” and the movie on Aug. 16 will be “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (the original, starring Gene Wilder).

* For folks who might want more than popcorn, food truck vendors will also be at the cemetery to sell snacks.  People can also bring their own food (alcohol is not permitted).

* The movies will be shown outdoors, so people are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.

* More information is available by calling Fairmount at 303-399-0692.

The free movie nights are another example of the active role Fairmount is taking to reacquaint Denver with the classic, friendly and historic cemetery grounds. When Fairmount was originally established – 124 years ago – it was a favorite gathering place for the people of Denver, who would enjoy picnics, celebrations and other outings with friends and family.

Fairmount will celebrate its 125^th anniversary next year. More information at www.fairmount-cemetery.com.

(Fairmount Cemetery photo)

Some of Denver’s hottest hotties will be on hand during the second annual Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire BBQ & Cigar Dinner, a benefit for Friends of the Denver Fire Department,  from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on 13th between Welton and Glenarm.

It’s all about a great time for a great cause. Attendees will receive three cigars, beer and cocktails, a barbecue dinner and two tickets for a prize drawing.

Entertain your clients and friends, meet Denver Fire Department Chief Eric Take and Denver firefighters, and enjoy a meal and cigars. Live music provided by Radio Flyer.

The mission of the Friends of the Denver Fire Department is to support the DFD by providing public education through efforts to improve firefighter safety and quality of life by furnishing direct resources to meet fire fighter needs thereby improving public safety in the City and County of Denver. For more information and registration, visit www.fdfd.org.