On Jan. 10, a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony at Denver Art Museum began a new chapter for the North (Ponti) Building, where a new welcome center, designed by Mario Silvetti and Fentress Architects, will help with accommodating the increasing number of visitors at the museum, especially after the renovation of the temporarily closed building is completed. In the meantime, the newer Hamilton Building has expanded hours to seven days a week. Next major show: “Degas: A Passion for Perfection,” opening Feb. 11. More information at Denverartmuseum.org.

Englewood Historic Preservation Society

“The Real General Custer: Separating Fact from Political Bias” is George Koukeas’ topic for presentations to the Englewood Historic Preservation Society on Jan. 29. He will speak at 2:30 p.m. at Englewood Library, Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway and again at 6:30 p.m. at Brew on Broadway, 3445 S. Broadway, Englewood. Admission free. Information: 303-242-3527.

Call for artists

Douglas County’s annual Art Encounters public sculpture program is accepting submissions through Feb. 9 at callforentry.org. The program accepts a number of works on loan, with a small compensation, and places them in public spaces in Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker and Castle Rock for a year. See: douglas.co.us/art-encounters-call-entries.

Englewood Arts

The Altius Quartet: Andrew Giordano and Joshua Ulrich, violin; Andrew Krimm, viola; Zachary Reaves, cello will perform at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 at Hampden Hall in the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway. Tickets: $20, $15/free under 18. Box office opens an hour before concert or order at englewoodarts.org.

Sensory-friendly

“My Father’s Dragon” will be presented by Enchanted Theatre Company in a sensory-friendly performance at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. Tickets cost $5. 720-509-1000. Lone Tree regularly presents sensory-friendly productions. See LoneTreeArtsCenter.org.

First Thursday Lecture

Steve Friesen will speak at the Littleton Museum’s “First Thursday Lecture” from 7 to 8 p.m., 6028 S. Gallup St. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Recently retired as director of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave. Friesen has published a book, on “Lakota Performers in Europe: Their Culture and the Artifacts the Left Behind,” about the hugely popular Buffalo Bill Wild West Shows that toured in Europe. Free tickets at the museum desk. Limited seating. 303-795-3950.

Book sale

Smoky Hill Library, 5430 Biscay Circle, Centennial, holds a Used Book Sale Jan. 15-28. Sunday is bag day: $7 a bag full of books. The Friends of Arapahoe Libraries raised more than $100,000 in 2017 through book sales-new members invited.

Film fest

The Denver Jewish Film Festival runs Feb. 7-19 at Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver. See: jccdenver.org. There is a $3 charge for tickets ordered online, but none for phone orders or walk-up. Box office open 1 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; phone orders, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. 303-316-6360.

New exhibit

The Depot Art Gallery, 2069 W. Powers Ave., Littleton, presents “Straight From the Heart” from Jan. 30-March 14. Juror is Randi Randolph. A reception is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 2. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 11 a. m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Community dinner

First Presbyterian Church, 1609 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, invites the community to a free spaghetti dinner from 6 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 30, according to chair Lynda Kizer. No reservations are required, but call 303-798-1389 or see fpcl.org/dinner for information. This hospitality is extended on the last Tuesday of each month.