WEEKLY EVENTS: May 2, 2014 – MAY 8, 2014

Denver.  I just returned from Detroit last night, feeling a little brain dead.  So today I am just posting events for this weekend, but with more to come so keep checking back.

Despite it’s gloomy PR, I really liked Detroit – especially the people.  They were genuine and nice and always looked you in the eye.  I ate some really great vegetarian and vegan food, drank some tasty local beers, and enjoyed the misty, unpredictable weather.  I won’t act like I am now a Detroit expert since I was only there for 5 days, but I will say that I had a lot of fun and wished that I was there longer.

So here’s some stuff coming up early this week Denver, with more to be added.  Love yous.

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

Friday, May 2 & Saturday, May 3, 2014 @ 11am – 10pm: New Belgium Brewing Pop-Up Event at The Source

New Belgium Brewing will feature a miniature tasting room complete with New Belgium classics, along with the brewery’s more esoteric Lips of Faith series, for sampling.  In addition, the Source will show the Kentucky Derby races on a giant screen on Saturday, May 3rd.  Guests are invited to dress the part and spend their Saturday enjoying local food artisans and retailers, along with New Belgium beer.  One hundred percent of the proceeds from New Belgium’s Take Over at The Source will benefit the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, a nonprofit that advances sustainability through collaboration among other nonprofits, businesses, government and education.

Friday, May 2, 2014 @ 5pm: RiNo Epicurean Spring Market at the Chocolate Crisis Center

Experience “art for the taste buds” in Denver’s RiNo Arts District.  RiNo Epicurean Market will be a foodie’s paradise, featuring five local RiNo merchants, as well as other gourmet vendors based throughout the Front Range.  Sample and shop local delectables such as Giuliana Import’s organic olive oils and artichokes, Babettes Bakery’s crusty French-style bread, sweet desserts from Lucille’s Artisan Confections, and wine and cheese made in classes offered at Wine & Whey.  Visit the site for more information.  FREE.

Friday, May 2, 2014 @ 5pm: First Friday at the Infinite Monkey Theorem

First Fridays at the IMT are back!  Enjoy this beautiful weather on their back patio, along with pizza from Basta, peteybird ice cream sandwiches, music from DJ Low Key, and art from Brian Gunther.  FREE.

Friday, May 2, 2014 @ 6 – 9pm: Civilizing Living: New Prints at Fancy Tiger Clothing

Join Fancy Tiger Clothing as they introduce new warm weather t-shirt designs tonight at their shop.  Expect designs inspired by psych rock and sacred geometry.  There will also be a local deejay up in thurr spinning hard vinyl.  And to quench your thirst, beverages will be made available from Fancy Tiger’s sponsors, Breckenridge Brewery and Pabst Blue Ribbon.  FREE.

Friday, May 2, 2014 @ 6 – 9pm: First Anniversary at Converge Denver

Cake, fun, great art, great music, and great community leaders.  FREE.

Friday, May 2, 2014 @ 7pm: First Friday Party at Mid-Mod Mall

Come on out on this beautiful spring evening for Mid Mod’s First Friday Party.  If you haven’t been, this place is essentially like a warehouse for retired sets of Mad Men – very cool!  Live music, art, drinks, and munchies.  FREE.

Friday, May 2, 2014 @ 10pm: Guilty Pleasures at Sputnik

Denver!  You’ve already hit up a handful of First Friday events and are just buzzed up enough to start dancing…now what?  Cue Guilty Pleasures – a party dedicated to cheesy awesome dance jams.  (This party may very well be my favorite in town – if you haven’t been, what the f*#k are you waiting for?)  When in doubt, grind it out.  $5 suggested donation.

Saturday, May 3, 2014 @ 11am – 3pm: Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale at Nooch | Vegan Market

Come and purchase some baked goods at Colorado’s only all-vegan market! All proceeds from the bake sale will benefit Rooster Sanctuary at Danzig’s Roost. 10% of all other sales @ Nooch | Vegan Market will also go to the Rooster Sanctuary.  Don’t fear the vegans!

Saturday, May 3, 2014 @ 9pm: Mile High Soul Club at the Beauty Bar 

Come check-out why Mile High Soul Club won Best Club Night in Westword’s Best of Denver for the second year in a row!  The most soulful dance night in town and always an absolute packed house.  This month features special guest soul daddy Skeme Richards from Philly.  Free before 10pm, $3 after plus free parking at St. John’s Cathedral, 1350 Washington Street.

Saturday, May 3, 2014 @ 9pm: James Brown Birthday Party at Dryer Plug Studios

Today, if robotic limbs and cryogenic freezers existed, the Godfather of Soul would be 81!  So let’s all tip our hat to JB, with copious amounts of booze and fun!  Performances by The Other Black, Pizza Time, and Fast4Wrd will accompany a piñata full of shooters, boozy birthday cake, and awards for best get-down, best hot pants, and best cape.  5 bucks to get in.

Sunday, May 4, 2014 @ 1pm: 3rd Annual Big Wheel Brunch at Skyline Park

This Sunday, the 16th Street Mall is once again going to be taken over by the thunderous roar of plastic tires on asphalt.  This year’s theme is: May the Fourth Be with You.  Ride starts at 1pm from Skyline Park, but feel free to meet-up at noon for patio drinks at Mellow Mushroom.  Kids are welcome early on, yet as the sun sets, it tends to be more adult riding.  And if you ain’t got your own ride, there will be a few to share.

Sunday, May 4, 2014 @ 2pm: Gimme Shelter at the SIE FilmCenter

The Mayles Brothers changed the face of documentary filmmaking with their observational style (they called it “direct cinema”), and this film about the Rolling Stones’ disastrous concert in Altamount, California – four people died, one by murder – observes what may be the exact moment when the 1960s ended.  It’s also been called the greatest rock concert film ever.  One of my favorite docs of all time, you can catch this gem at the SIE FilmCenter for only a buck (!)

Sunday, May 4, 2014 @ 3pm: Star Wars Night: Denver Outlaws vs Ohio Machine at Sports Authority Field

Calling all sports/Stars Wars fans!  The Denver Outlaws and the Ohio Machine will be donning Star Wars-themed jerseys on May 4, 2014 at the Outlaws home opener.  This will be the first Star Wars game in major league lacrosse history.  In addition to the jerseys, the Outlaws will be celebrating Star Wars during the entire game with character appearances and in-game promotions, as well as music and video clips.  Tickets for this historic game start at just $12 and can be purchased online or at stadium box office.

Monday, May 5, 2014 @ 7pm: Hack Night at The Concoctory

Are you a hacker, a maker, a tinkerer, and/or a do-it-yourselfer?  Looking for a local hackerspace to explore your ideas and possibly meet others?  Then drop by The Concoctory’s weekly open-house hack night, where they aim to create and nurture an environment for sharing, exploring, and playing.  FREE.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014, doors at 8:30pm, movie at 9pm: Cruel Summer Horror Film Series at Crash 45

Enjoy classic horror flicks on the patio of Crash 45, along with movie-themed drink specials and fun souvenirs to take home!  All films start around 9pm, but come earlier for a seat and/or to order food.  This month’s film is Dawn of the Dead (1978) – In the midst of a zombie outbreak, survivors take refuge in a shopping mall.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 @ 7pm: Chomp: Cinco de Mayo at the Posner Center for International Development

Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo at this month’s Chomp!  For just an $8 – $10 donation, enjoy a heaping plate of delicious vegan food, based on the chosen monthly theme.  (This month’s Cinco de Mayo party will include a loaded vegan nacho bar!)  Feel free to BYOB.  This monthly community vegan dinner is open to all; you don’t need to be a card-carrying vegan to attend.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 @ 8pm: Yeah Right! at the Beauty Bar

FREE comedy show, hosted by real life best friends Nathan Lund and Kristin Rand!  This month they’ll have the comedic stylings of James Draper, Mara Wiles, Adrian P. Mesa, Andy Sell, and Jordan Doll.  Come support best friendship…for FREE!

Thursday, May 8, 2014, doors at 8pm, show at 8:30pm: Cult Following at Off Center at The Jones

Come check-out the epic fantasy edition of Cult Following!  Cult Following is a movie created live with props, costumes, projections, sound, improv, and magic.  This real 3-D experience features a different movie genre each time along with movie trailers, low-budget special effects, and amateur stunts performed by the actors themselves.  Tickets are $15 each and include 2 free beers (21+) and popcorn!