Here’s a look at some of the best bets for fun in the next few days around the Colorado Springs area:

FRIDAY

– Come skate along with us as the second Skate in the Park opens in Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte Ave. A hugely popular addition to downtown during the holiday season, the temporary sheet of ice will be in place for nine weeks, through Jan. 18. Besides trying out skating skills, there’s fun to be had with special theme days including Broncos’ blue and orange, ugly Christmas sweaters, frozen turkey bowling for charity and neon night. Admission is $10, which includes skates; kids 4 and under free with a paid adult, $1 off with military ID. downtowncs.com.

– The most prestigious boy choir in the world, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church.  It’s a vocal tradition in Vienna that goes back more than 500 years. Read more here.

– New Orleans rapper/actor Mystikal (aka Michael Lawrence Tyler) served his prison time and fended off being the subject of not-so-complimentary singles by some of the top names in hip hop. Now he’s on tour and will be at The Sick Puppy, 5975 Terminal Ave., at 9 p.m. Friday. There’s a dress code. Admission $20, sickpuppysaloon.com.

OPENING FRIDAY

– How to explain an art exhibit of troops’ personal military uniforms transformed into paper art? A perfect fit for Veterans Day week, “COMBAT PAPER: Memories in Pulp” opens with a reception from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at PPCC Downtown Studio Campus Art Gallery, 100 W. Pikes Peak Ave. Two artists from the national Combat Paper Project had been in town to lead the workshops working with veterans who took their uniforms, cut them up and beat them into pulp, which was formed into paper sheets and then turned into very personal art. The exhibit runs though Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Works not selected for the exhibit will be part of the Third Friday Art Walk on Nov. 20 at Manitou Arts Center.

SATURDAY

– Veterans Day week observances start winding down with Ken Valles’ history of the World War II Pacific Theater, covering the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor through the Doolittle raid. His “World War II Stories” are told at 11 a.m. Saturday at Old Colorado City Historical Society, 1 S. 24th St. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. $5. It’s a perfect opportunity to tour the museum as well. occhs.org.

– It’s a goose bumps, lump-in-the-throat, hand-over-your heart event you won’t want to miss: The Colorado Military Taptoo. Patriotic and filled with military bands, bagpipes, choirs and marching, it has a cast of 400, including local military organizations. Called The Hero Show, it will fill the floor of the Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., during a 3 p.m. show, with another at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $13-88, ticketswest.com, heroshow.org.

– It’s a day for student gamers as middle school and high school kids will play an entire day of board games, card games and role-playing during GameConV, starting at 8 a.m. at Rampart High School, 8250 Lexington Drive. Also, chess tournaments and trading card tournaments. Admission $10. Parents are invited to come as spectators. tinyurl.com/q7t8pk6.

– An evening of amazing piano is in store when Windham Hill recording artist Liz Story and composer/concert pianist Lisa Downing take the stage at Stargazers Theatre, 10 S. Parkside Drive, at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets $20 plus fee, $25 plus fee the day of, and $15 for students. stargazerstheatre.com, 476-2200.

SUNDAY

– Twenty-two artists. Twelve different locations. The 12th Pikes Peak Studio Tour introduces folks to local artists and gives them a chance to watch art demonstrations, learn about artistic tools and techniques and purchase a piece of original art. Click here to read more.

WEDNESDAY

– Colorado water. Enough said. Filmmaker Jim Havey’s “The Great Divide” takes an inside look at Colorado’s water history and the eight states that use the Colorado water. Who owns what? Who gets to use what? Havey’s documentary attempts a look at the whole heated water story and he will be available for the screening and discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Colorado College’s Richard Celeste Theater in Cornerstone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave. Free, open to the public, coloradocollege.edu, 389-6607.

THURSDAY, NOV. 19

– Meter and rhyme, stories in verse and so much more. Here’s an opportunity to experience a poetry slam during Hear Here Poetry Slam featuring Toaster, starring the performance poet you can check out on YouTube. Listen to the best efforts from local poets trying for a national poetry slam team. The poetry workshop begins at 6:15 p.m. in the Lon Chaney Theater at the City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St., followed by five-minute open mic readings at 7:15 p.m. and the slam at 8:15 p.m. $5 donations suggested.