Anything’s first time out is usually a bit rough, but judging by their lineup, the first annual Colorado European Festival — slated to kick off Sunday at 10 a.m. at Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch (9370 Ridgeline Blvd.) — stands a good chance of making the first-time festival thing look easy.

In addition to usual fare such as food, art and live entertainment from tourist-y destinations like England, France and Spain, the festival represents the eastern side of the region well, with offerings from Sweden, the Ukraine, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Greece and Romania.

If you want to check out some gypsy swing-jazz, Russian folk, Hungarian rock and Celtic music, it’s all there. The non-profit organization’s aim is to bring together the culture of the countries, not set them against each other. Or, as the organizers say: “establish a bridge between the different European American communities in Colorado, as well as expose an abundance of exciting European cultures, full of rich history and tradition, to an American audience.”

What more do you need to know? Oh yeah — it’s free, and there are even kids’ offerings (free kiddie yoga classes, an “amusement complex,” ice cream, games, performances, etc.) Call 616-712-2569 or visit eurofestival.org for details.

“How’s my hair?”

Punks like fashion, too. They may hate The Man and all things conventional, but that doesn’t mean they’re careless in their dress. Part of punk’s appeal, after all, is its aggressive sartorial style. If you’re walking down the street with a mohawk, skinny jeans and a gross of safety pins on your person, you’ve branded yourself a clotheshorse — of sorts.

It works well, then, that Bender’s Tavern (314 E. 13th Ave.), rock club extraordinaire, is hosting a full-on “Punk-Rock Fashion Show” on Saturday. The venue, whose upcoming shows include “Legions of Death II” and “Punk, Pabst and Porn!” is a departure from the usual local fashion show setting — a tastefully lit, self-consciously chic lounge.

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