WEEKLY EVENTS: February 14, 2014 – February 20, 2014

Dear Denver, [insert exaggerated kissing noises here].

Two Valentine’s Day quotes for you, by author Tom Robbins:

“When we’re incomplete, we’re always searching for somebody to complete us.  When, after a few years or a few months of a relationship, we find that we’re still unfulfilled, we blame our partners and take up with somebody more promising.  This can go on and on–series polygamy–until we admit that while a partner can add sweet dimensions to our lives, we, each of us, are responsible for our own fulfillment. Nobody else can provide it for us, and to believe otherwise is to delude ourselves dangerously and to program for eventual failure every relationship we enter.”

“When two people meet and fall in love, there’s a sudden rush of magic.  Magic is just naturally present then.  We tend to feed on that gratuitous magic without striving to make any more.  One day we wake up and find that the magic is gone.  We hustle to get it back, but by then it’s usually too late, we’ve used it up.  What we have to do is work like hell at making additional magic right from the start. It’s hard work, but if we can remember to do it, we greatly improve our chances of making love stay.”

So whether you’re not yet matched, or already romantically obligated this Valentine’s Day, be easy on yourself, be easy on your partner, and perhaps just be easy?

Speaking of easy…nothing quite says love like banging (or not banging).  And the Denver Film Society has just the event to honor this age-old pastime: Sex Shop Cinema, a carefully cultivated set of films that celebrate s-e-x in c-i-n-e-m-a.  This bonerific (yes that is a cinematic term) program started yesterday and runs through Sunday, February 16th.  Peep their site for movie times, tickets, and descriptions.

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

Friday, February 14, 2014 @ 3 – 8pm: Be Mine: A Cat Adoption Event at Buffalo Exchange

Don’t spend this Valentine’s Day alone!  This Friday, come on down to the Buffalo Exchange on Broadway to pet some cats, enjoy free drinks and cupcakes, and perhaps adopt a new friend.  Meow!

Friday, February 14, 2014 @ 6:30pm: Boogie Nights  at the SIE FilmCenter

The first time I saw Boogie Nights on the big screen, I was a junior in college at Saint Joseph’s University, and my girlfriends and I had heard rumors about the unveiling of Marky Mark’s massive schlong at the end of the film.  So sitting in the South Philly movie theater, I was ready for that.  But what I was not ready for was everything else that happened before then.  Classic.  American.  Cinema.  See Boogie Nights on the big screen for one night only this weekend at the SIE FilmCenter.  RIP PSH.  Tickets run $7 – $10.

Friday, February 14, 2014 @ 7 – 10pm: Por Fin Es Friday at Hooked on Colfax

Do you speak Spanish or kind of speak Spanish?  Have you been looking for an opportunity to practice?  Then dust off those tildas and head on over to Hooked on Colfax this Valentine’s Day to have some drinks, roll your Rs, and make some new amigos.  Como se dice, “My place or yours?  Let’s kick some bass, behind closed doors”?  FREE!

Friday, February 14, 2014, doors at 8pm, show at 9pm: Valentine’s Day Carnival Masquerade at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom

Happy V-day!  This party will feature performances by Bonnie and the Beard and Roniit, a photobooth, chair massages, champagne, tarot card readings, aerial dancers, hoopers, free masks, and sexy valentine’s day games.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 day of show, and $25 for VIP (which includes free champagne, desserts and chocolate fountain).

Friday, February 14, 2014 @ 9pm: Valentine’s Day Comedy/Music Show at the Sidewinder Tavern

Come share the love with Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, Prism Waves, Ben Kronberg, and DJ Julie.  All for the low low price of $7.  XOXO.

Friday, February 14, 2014 @ 9:30pm: Films on Tap: Showgirls at the SIE FilmCenter

You’ve played drinking games at home, now play them with the Denver Film Society! They give you the rules and thanks to Breckenridge Brewery, the first 50 guests get their first drink on the house! And because there is no score, everybody wins! Drink specials run all night long, with a bar in the theater so you won’t miss a second of the movie (thank god).  Tickets run $7 – $10.  Please drink and watch responsibly; only guests 21 and over will be allowed to attend Films on Tap screenings.

Saturday, February 15, 2014 @ 4pm: Punch Drunk Love at the Alamo Drafthouse

I would say ‘that’s that’, Mattress Man.  Tickets cost $7.50.

Saturday, February 15, 2014, doors @ 7:30pm, show @ 8pm: PechaKucha Denver Vol. 19 at Converge Denver

If you’ve never heard of PechaKucha, it is an event where presenters get 20 slides, any content, and 20 seconds to explain each slide, so 6 minutes and 40 seconds in total.  This month presenters will be repping the Mile High Soul Club, Converge Denver, Thin Air Culture, and Wafflich.  Come on out for a night of drinks, music and dialogue.  Door open at 7:30pm; only 150 people will be admitted.  FREE/donation for entry.

Sunday, February 16, 2014 @ 11am – 3pm: Neat Market Vegan Shop-Up + Brunch + Clothing Swap at the Horse Barn

Have you not been to this pop-up market yet?  Are you scared because everything is vegan and you think it will be gross/weird/pretentious?  Well check all of that at the door because you is missing out.  This pop-up market is the coolest, even if you aren’t permanently riding the vegan train.  Swing on by to pick-up some fresh pasta, chocolate, ice-cream, jerky, confectionaries, seasoned seitan, tamales, and tons of baked goods.  Nothing not vegan, son.   To participate in the clothing swap, just bring your stuff to the Plants & Animals table, then pick out whatever you like from the racks!  Also this month, Plants & Animals will be hosting a vegan brunch, starting at 10:30am.  Yum!

Sunday, February 16, 2014 @ 5pm: A Labor of Love at the SIE FilmCenter

In the winter of 1974, a naive independent filmmaker based in Chicago found funding to make his first feature, to be titled “The Last Affair.”  The one stipulation mandated by his financial backers was that the movie needed to include hardcore sex scenes.  A Labor of Love documents the ensuing heartfelt and earnest attempt to create an X-rated movie.  Between struggles with the cast and problems with crew and locations, the production forges on in a manner NBC News described as “a true human comedy”.  Tickets run $7 – $10.

Sunday, February 16, 2014 @ 9:30pm: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind at the Alamo Drafthouse

Meet me in Montauk, bitch.  Tickets cost $10.50.

Sunday, February 16, 2014 @ 10pm: Arguments & Grievances at the Vine Street Pub

Who else has got Monday off, say haaaaaaaaaaaaaay.  Well, even if you don’t you should make plans to attend this FREE Sunday night LOL fest.  Debates this month include: Dive Bars vs. Coffee Shops, Howard Stern vs. Howard Hughes, Kickstarter vs. Panhandling , Evolution vs. Revolution, and the headlining event: Young vs. Old.  Peep the FB page for participating comedians – there’s some good ones!

Monday, February 17, 2014 @ 9pm: Panties at the Bar at 3 Kings Tavern

How can you take the edge off of Monday?  How about with some booze and burlesque?  Every Monday night the ladies from Ooh La La Burlesque serve up some sassy drink specials in all their glory.  9:30pm marks the start of the burlesque show, with a special musical guest providing the soundtrack.  $5 cover, FREE if you wear no pants and you get a free shot (?)

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 @ 8pm: Screaming for Fun at the Deer Pile

Need something to get you closer to the hump?  Well here you go.  Music by Tyler Despres, poetry by Wayne A Gilbert, comedy by Kristin Rand, and hosting services by Ken Arkind.  $7 suggested donation and prizes to be given!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 @ 7 – 9pm: Soup & Dreams at the McNichols Civic Center Building

Enjoy a bowl of soup made by the good peeps of SAME Cafe while listening to three well-established Colorado food justice organizations talk about their work, and then pitch the work of an up-and-coming food justice star.  At the end of the night, attendees will eat a warm cookie and vote on which food justice organization resonated with them the most.  The food justice winner then takes home the night’s collected donations – it’s like a Kickstarter live and in-person!  Soup!  Social justice!  Cheerleaders!  Delicious cookies!  What more could you ask for?!?  $10 suggested donation, yet no one turned away for lack of funds.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 @ 8pm: Delusions of Randeur at the Beauty Bar

Denver comedy fans!  Especially those on a budget!  Come check-out this FREE monthly funny ha ha show at the Beauty Bar.  This month’s lineup includes: Jacob Hamel, Sam Tallent and Ben Kronberg.  And as always Randy M. Washington will be repping hard onstage.

Thursday, February 20, 2014 @ 11am – 11pm: BOGO Pizza at Pizza Fusion

Come on in to Pizza Fusion this Thursday and buy any size pizza and get a pizza of equal or lesser value for FREE!  Free rhymes with me!  Pizza Fusion offers a wide-selection of omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan options untainted by artificial additives, preservatives, growth hormones, pesticides, nitrates and trans fats.  Additionally, you’ll be supporting this big-hearted restaurant, which also serves as a job training site for transitioning homeless individuals.

Thursday, February 20, 2014 @ 6 – 10pm: Fruit Jar Series – Holler with a Hoedown Caller at The Sidewinder Tavern

Starting at 6pm, come join the honky tonk happy hour with $1 tacos, $2 beers, board games, and line dance lessons from 5280 Line Dancers.  From 7 – 10pm there will be an open music jam, with some more dancing.  No experience necessary; no one is required to dance.  No dress code or partner needed.  Anyone can dance with anyone regardless of gender.  This event in FREE.

Thursday, February 20, 2014, doors @ 7:30pm, show @ 8pm: Emerging Filmmakers Project at the Bug Theatre

The Emerging Filmmakers Project (EFP) has been showcasing the best of Denver’s indie film scene since 2002.  Held the third Thursday of every month and hosted by local filmmaker Patrick Sheridan, the EFP is a great place to screen your work, network with other creatives in town, and to support your fellow indie filmmakers.  A spirited talkback with each filmmaker follows their movie where you, the audience, gets to tell the filmmaker exactly what you think of their work!  Peep the Facebook events page to view the line-up.  $5 admission includes free keg beer.  Cheers!