WEEKLY EVENTS: October 18 – October 24, 2013

Denver!  Happy first real snowfall!  Happy first real snow melt!  Happy Friday!  Happy publishing anniversary to Moby Dick!  Happy World Menopause Day!  Happy anniversary to the Boston Shoemakers as the first U.S. labor organization!  Happy birthday to Chuck Berry, George C. Scott, Mike Ditka, and Jean Claude Van Damme!  Happy week 7 of fantasy football!  Denver!  Let’s celebrate at the events below!

(And as always, check-out Westword’s 10 things to do for $10 in Denver blog for free/low-cost events this weekend.)

Continuing this week: Short Term 12 at the SIE FilmCenter

I watch a shit ton of movies.  Short Term 12 is one of the very best I’ve seen this year, and probably in several years.  If you haven’t seen it yet, head on over to the SIE FilmCenter this week, grab your drink of choice from the bar, and prepare to laugh, cry, and feel more inspired about life in general when it’s all over.

Friday, October 18, 2013 @ 8 – 10pm: Casualties of Modernity: A Kent Monkman Performance at the Denver Art Museum

Come spend an evening with Miss Chief Eagle Testickle—celebrity artist, aristocratic socialite and patron of the arts.  Miss Chief is the alter-ego of the internationally acclaimed artist, Kent Monkman (Cree), who will present his world premiere of a new performance art piece commissioned by the Denver Art Museum. In his work, he aims to rewrite the history books on issues such as cultural oppression, representation, gender, and sexuality. In this performance, Miss Chief will visit with the sick and ailing parts of art history, from romanticism to contemporary art, and will diagnose the casualties of modernity.  Recommended for mature audiences; $15 – $20.

Friday, October 18, 2013 @ 8pm – 11:30pm: Searching for Elliott Smith at the Oriental Theater

If you are alive, you’ll have some vague memory of the first time an Elliott Smith song grabbed you and didn’t quite let go.  Mine was when I was studying abroad in Galway, Ireland, and dating an Irish basketball-playing, record-spinning, astrophysicists student…as you do.  Come check-out this rare documentary on Smith, and stick around for live performances by Land Lines, The Raven And The Writing Desk, Poets Row, Chella Negro (and more) performing his music after the film.  Tickets run $10 – $15.

Friday, October 18, 2013 @ 9:30pm: The Indestructible North / Yo Soy Sauce / Kitty Crimes at the Hi-Dive

A night of music that will make you want to dance and scream and rinse, repeat; dance and scream and rinse, repeat; dance and scream and rinse, repeat; dance and scream and rinse, repeat…Doors at 8pm, show at 9:30pm.  Tickets cost $6.00.

Friday, October 18, 2013 @ 9:30pm: Mile High Sci Fi: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre at the Alamo Drafthouse

Come on out to the Alamo Drafthouse to watch/listen to Mile High Sci Fi take on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre!  What?  You’ve never heard of Mile High Sci Fi?  Essentially it is a couple of local comedians, making fun of a movie, a la Mystery Science Theater 3000.  Clever and inappropriate, with some of the best audio gags [insert boner noise here] I’ve ever heard…Plus the option to order food and booze right from your seat!  Harrison Rains and Kevin O’Brien will be bringing the funny.  Tickets cost $12.50.

Saturday, October 19, 2013 @ 9am – 4pm: Velo Swap at the National Western Complex

If you are into bikes, you’ve had a boner for this event for the past several weeks.  Buy, sell, trade, talk, and test all things bike.  $8 at the door, $6 in advance

Saturday, October 19, 2013 @ 11am – 8pm: Cruisers Rock Denver at the Pub on Pearl

Cruiser Rocks is a fund-raising block party on bikes that rides through the Washington Park neighborhood, benefiting the Denver-based Love Hope Strength. Held every June and October since 2007, Cruiser Rocks has grown into one of the most exciting outdoor events in Denver. Pump up your tires and join in for some bike riding fun!  Activities include: music, tire toss, big wheel rides, bike parade, food trucks, bike giveaways, free bike tune-ups and more!  $30 donation per rider in advance, $35 day of (cash or check only).  Includes free “Cruiser Rocks” t-shirt and an Oskar Blues beer.  Volunteer opportunities still available!

Saturday, October 19, 2013 @ 12pm: Creative Family Workshop: Crochet at the McNichols Civic Center Building

Come on down for a fun afternoon of crochet.  Learn how to create a clever little box from kitchen twine to use in a bathroom, vanity, or office.  Or create a warm and cozy cap for cold winter days.  You will learn the fundamentals of single and double crochet and how to crochet in the round.  All skill levels are welcome, $10 per person.  Register here.

Saturday, October 19, 2013 @ 2pm: 8th Annual Zombie Crawl at Skyline Park

Right next to kale and sour beers, zombies have become all the rage these days.  Check-out one of THE largest zombie gatherings in the U.S. and limp and moan your way up the 16th Street Mall (you know, as you normally do).  All ages; FREE.

Saturday, October 19, 2013 @ 8pm: Denver Zombie Prom at the Meadowlark

After getting your zombie on in the streets of D-Town, spritz on some zombie perfume and head on over to the zombie prom to grind it out to the tunes of DJs Ginger Perry and Shannon Von Kelly.  $10, or $18 to attend both the prom and the Stayalive party at Casselman’s.  Can I get a zombie woot?!?

Sunday, October 20, 2013 @ 11am – 3pm: Neat Market Vegan Shop-Up (and clothing swap) at the Horse Barn

This pop-up market is the coolest, even if you aren’t permanently riding the vegan train.  Bring yo cash and pick-up some fresh pasta, vegan wine, ice-cream, jerky, confectionaries, seasoned seitan, tamales, and tons of baked goods.  Nothing not vegan, son.  This month, Plants & Animals will also be adding a community clothing swap – refresh your wardrobe by trading in those garments you are ready to part with.  To participate, just bring your stuff to the Plants & Animals table, then pick out whatever you like from the racks!

Sunday, October 20, 2013 @ 1 – 5pm: 2 Year Anniversary at the Colorado Cider Company

Wash away any lingering shame from GABF with some crisp, refreshing cider!  To celebrate its recent expansion and mark its second year in bizness, Colorado Cider Company is hosting a party that will feature its own locally-brewed cider, live music, and food from the Quiero Arepas food truck.

Sunday, October 20, 2013 @ 10pm: Arguments & Grievances at the Vine Street Pub

Comedians debating what doesn’t really matter.  This month’s show features all your favorite regulars, a debate debut, and a Denver favorite returning fresh off of killing it on network TV.  Debates this month include: Science vs. Fiction, Working vs. Twerking, Halloween Candy vs. Fireworks, Crime vs. Punishment, and It’s Late vs. It’s Not Late.

Monday, October 21, 2013 @ 8pm: McConkey at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House

The Denver Film Society’s friends at Red Bull are presenting a special screening of the feature-length documentary McConkey at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.  McConkey is a heartfelt examination of the legacy one athlete left to the progression of his sports, and the path he paved to conquer his dreams. Shane McConkey is revered as a pioneer of free-skiing and ski-BASE jumping, and through his talent and unique outlook on life, he inspired countless lives.  Tickets are $20.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013 @ 7:30pm: Vet Night at the Hope Tank

The Hope Tank sells products made by people with a commitment to philanthropy.  For every item sold, a percentage of the profit is donated to a designated nonprofit, chosen by the artist. Hope Tank is a place where creative people with innovative ideas, come together to effect change in the world.  Come on out and support the Hope Tank’s very first Vet Night, which creates a space for veterans to get resources and connect with the military community in Colorado.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 @ 6:30 – 8:30pm: Intro to Tarot at The Garden

This 2-hour workshop will include general information about the Tarot, a guided meditation, visualization, and art project.  $45 includes all materials; register today.

Thursday, October 24, 2013 @ 9pm: The Big Stage Show at El Charrito

What can you expect at this Halloween-inspired comedy laugh fest?  There will be standup comedy!  There will be a live podcast! There will be costumes!  And prizes!  And candy!  Comedians include: Timmi Lasley, Aaron Urist, Sean Michael Cummings, Matt Wayman, Andrew Orvedahl and more special guests.  It’s all 100% free and guaranteed to be bad for your teeth.