WEEKLY EVENTS: July 25, 2014 – July 31, 2014

Denver!  This weekend you should have plenty to do simply in-between the CinemaQ Film Festival, the Underground Music Showcase, and geographically related pop-up events, such as the Mile High Parley.  However, even if those events are not your bag, you can still get out and have some f-u-n.  And when you do, be sure and tell ’em Large Marge sent ya!

(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, July 25 – Sunday, July 27, 2014: CinemaQ Film Festival at the SIE FilmCenter

This festival promises to present the best of the best in film that covers every aspect of the LGBTQ community, while  introducing new visionaries, paying tribute to iconic staples, and telling stories from around the world to connect us all with a common message of identity and understanding.  View the schedule and purchase tickets online.

Friday, July 25 – Sunday, July 27, 2014: Mile High Parley at the Mutiny Information Cafe

Mile High Parley is a philanthropic endeavor in the heart of Denver, Colorado, that will include local artists, musicians, non-profits, entrepreneurs, farmers, chefs, and more.  This event is FREE and all ages.  Visit the Facebook event page for the schedule/line-up.

Friday, July 25 – Sunday, July 27, 2014: Underground Music Showcase along South Broadway

From The Underground Music Showcase (UMS) website: “Like that old friend you only see once a year, The UMS will wreck your house, get you drunk and ultimately save your life in one sweaty blur, leaving you reeling and exhausted and a few days away from wishing it would come back again already.”  View the schedule and purchase tickets online.

Friday, July 25, 2014 @ 5 – 8pm: Pool Party at Taxi

A $5 entrance fee gets you access to free beer, free cocktails, pizza, pool times, music, napkins, unicorns, and magic.

Friday, July 25, 2014 @ 8 – 11pm: Exhibition Opening: Matt Barton at the MCA Denver

Come on out for the opening of Matt Barton: I Think I Feel Something.  Experience crystal and color therapy, stimulate your chakra system, enjoy an adult spiritual playground in the galleries, and stay for live music, drinks, and beautiful rooftop views.  Musical performance by Fort Frances, outdoor bars, photobooth, DJ Lockbox in the rooftop garden, and more.  Entrance is a dime; for realz.

Friday, July 25, 2014 @ 9:30pm: Top Gun Bingo at the SIE FilmCenter

Ray-bans, cheesy music, and sweaty beach volleyball!  As if Top Gun couldn’t get any more amazing, the Denver Film Society has added bingo to the mix – game on.  They’ll give you a bingo card filled with clichés like “Maverick breaks the rules” or “over-the-top guitar solo” and will call them out as they happen.  Check-off the appropriate boxes and if you get a BINGO, you’ll win a prize!  Feel the need – the need for speed!  Tickets run $11 – $13.

Saturday, July 26 & Sunday, July 27, 2014: The Centennial Day Party at 50 West First Avenue

Two days of free music and free drinks, presented by the Reel Social Club.  Bands include The Blue Rider, Ark Life, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, Ian Cooke, and mucho more!  Peep the schedule online.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 10am: Grand Opening Celebration at Union Station

Come witness history with the re-opening of Union Station, exactly 100 years after the Great Hall was rebuilt and opened to the public July of 1914!  Doors open at 10am, live music in the street begins at 10:45am, and opening ceremonies start at 12pm.  Beer, food, fun, and family-friendly actitives.  Reserve your tickets now to tour the new building!  FREE.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 9:30am – 1:30pm: Le Jardin Secret at Bistro Vendome

Le Jardin Secret is not your average summer market.  At this French-inspired chefs’ market, foodies can shop for dairy, meat, bread, produce and other goods – all with a mimosa in hand.  Think perfect tomatoes, French cheeses, grassfed tenderloins, and artisanal bread.  Free parking is available on the top levels of the Larimer Square Garage (14th and Market Streets) during market hours to the first 40 Le Jardin Secret customers.  Customers must ask for a validation pass from the Mile High Business Alliance representative at the Le Jardin Secret welcome booth.  FREE.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 10am – 2pm: Great American Water Balloon Fight at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Don’t miss out on the biggest water balloon fight in the city!  The inaugural Denver Great American Water Balloon Fight is the “coolest” event this summer (get it?)  Doors open at 10am, with music, photo booths, beer garden, kids activities, and food trucks.  Water balloon fight runs from 11:30am – 1:30pm.  Tickets run $10 – $25.  Proceeds benefit Team Tassy.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 11am – dusk: TheBigWonderful at Sustainability Park

This Saturday, find the time to come celebrate the TheBigWonderful, Denver’s newest pop-up food festival/farmers market/craft beer tasting/urban farm.  This weekly community festival is focused on local tastes, local beers/booze (check-out this cool pop-up bar!), and local music.  Admission is FREE and it’s the perfect place to try new flavors with family and friends.  Music will be happening from noon to dusk.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 8pm: Fly Away Home at Skyline Park

Family-friendly screening of Fly Away Home in the downtown Skyline Park.  Bring your own blankets, picnics, and drinks.  FREE.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 8pm: OhHeckYeah Closing Party at Champa Street, between the 16th Street Mall & 14th Street

OhHeckYeah has transformed the Denver Theatre District into a first-of-its-kind immersive street arcade.  Come on out for its last night and try your hand (or body?) at becoming a TINKER BOT legend!  FREE.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 9 – 11pm: Fancy Matthew, Black Amex, and Shannon Von Kelly at Indy Ink

FREE beer, FREE entry, FREE aural therapy.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 @ 10pm: Channel Z Presents: The Wicker Man at the Alamo Drafthouse

This Saturday, Channel Z will be presenting The Wicker Man at the Alamo Drafthouse Denver, a film in which a police sergeant is sent to a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl whom the townsfolk claim never existed.  Fun!  Hosted and curated by Keith Garcia & Theresa Mercado.  Tickets are $11.

Sunday, July 27, 2014 @ 9am – 1pm: Pop-Up Brunch and Farmer’s Market at Foodie Call Catering

Come on down, get some food, and grab some organic produce from the foodie call garden!  Their first farmer’s market will feature beets, chard, carrots, kale, green onions, turnips, herbs, and greens, along with jars of homemade quick pickles and green beans.  Peep the brunch menu here – yum!

Sunday, July 27, 2014 @ 11am – 5pm: 21st Birthday/Celebration at Pandora on the Hill

Did you know that Pandora donates a portion of each and every sale to a variety of Colorado non-profits and area-schools and has for the past 21 years?  Stop by this Cap Hill staple and help them celebrate this milestone with prizes, giveaways, tea, cake, and 21% off everything in the store!

Sunday, July 27, 2014 @ 2 – 9pm: Littlest Big Beer Fest at Hops & Pie

This month, Hops & Pie will be featuring the big beers of Louisville, Kentucky’s Against The Grain Brewery.  Featured beers include Citra Ass Down, Cutty Can’t Hang, Kentucky Ryed Chicken, The Brown Note, Killewitte, and 35K.  Both flights and full pours will be available  #sundayfunday

Sunday, July 27, 2014 @ 1 – 7pm: RiNo Beach Club at the Exdo Event Center

Urban beach party featuring two DJs, 10,000 square feet of sand, a giant swimming pool, drink specials, and awesome schwag.  $5 cover; $9 bottomless mimosas from 1 – 4pm.  Get your vitamin C on, son!

Sunday, July 27, 2014, doors at 7pm, show at 8pm: Propaganda 2-Year Anniversary at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret

FREE comedy show on the last Sunday of every month, featuring local and national talent in the coolest comedy club setting you’ve probably ever been to.  Pick-up a FREE Sexy Pizza slice card on your way out and end your night with some of the most delicious East Coast-style pizza in Denver.  This month’s comics include Adam Cayton-Holland, Chris Charpentier, Brandie Posey, Adrian Mesa, and Raj Sivaraman!  Hosting services provided by Matt Monroe.  Plus, enjoy FREE street parking on Sundays!

Monday, July 28, 2014 @ 8pm: Classic Game Shows at Interstate Kitchen & Bar

Every Monday, the Interstate will try their take on classic game shows.  Come down and play for a chance to win drinks, food, prizes, and fame!  This week features the game Jeopardy!  FREE.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 6 – 8:30pm: Rwanda on the Rise Fundraiser at the Posner Center for International Development

Africa Development Promise invites you to its first annual fundraiser to support women’s agricultural cooperatives in Rwanda.  The event will be a mix of good African food, music, dance, and a silent auction with beautiful African crafts.  Their guest speaker is Adolphe Kajangwe, a local Rwandan who will share his thoughts of his country’s journey since the genocide.  Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased online.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014, doors at 7pm, show at 8pm: Open Screen Night 3-year Anniversary at the Oriental Theater

Think of Open Screen Night as a monthly open mic night for short-form video.  And this month for their three-year anniversary, OSN’s favorite judges will be representing: Kristen Rand, Eileen Agosta, and Will Elder. Submit your work for a chance to win awesome prizes!  Doors at 7pm; $5 admission.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014 @ 9pm: Mark Star Karaoke at the Beauty Bar

Mark Star Karaoke may just be the funnest karaoke in town.  Plus with $2 Olympia beer, $2 tequila, and free tacos from Mezcal starting at 10pm, how could you say no?  FREE; happens every Tuesday.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 5pm – 9pm: Broadway Farmers Market at South Broadway Christian Church

This hipster-flavored market features organic produce, flowers, local wares, live music, and food trucks.  Come celebrate their second year, which features even MORE vendors than last.  Held on the lawn of the South Broadway Christian Church at 23 Lincoln Street.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 5 – 7pm: Summer on the Plaza with Ark Life and Patrick Dethlefs at 1801 California Plaza

The Summer on the Plaza series features rising stars of Denver’s music scene along with happy hour specials at Guard and Grace, which is adjacent to the plaza.  Presented by Arts Brookfield, this event is FREE.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 7pm: Sharknado 2: The Second One at the SIE FilmCenter

Come on out for a FREE screening party of Sharknado 2: The Second One.  In this edition, a freak weather system turns its deadly fury on New York City, unleashing a Sharknado on the population and its most cherished, iconic sites – and only Fin (Ian Ziering) and April (Tara Reid) can save the Big Apple.  (For real.)  Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 7pm: This Tour Is So Gay at Tattered Cover Colfax

Sara Benincasa will read from and sign her new novel for teen readers Great, a contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby.  This wonderful take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel finds a teenage girl entangled in the romance and drama of a Hamptons social circle and implicated in a scandal that shakes the summer community.  Benincasa will be joined by local comedians, Mara Wiles and national headliner Adam Cayton-Holland, who will share stories from their own adolescence.  FREE.

Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 11am – 2pm: Public Coffee Dialogues at the Posner Center for International Development

Public Coffee, a mobile coffee organization that looks to use coffee to facilitate meaningful conversation, will be at the Posner Center for International Development every Thursday throughout the summer.  They use a pay-what-you-can and pay-it-forward system, so perhaps you could even pay for a new friend to have a cup with you and start some great conversation!

Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 5:30 – 9pm: gyro Presents: Connect 4 Kids at the Tavern Downtown

gyro presents the second annual Connect 4 Kids, the world’s largest Connect Four tournament!  For $20, attendees can enjoy appetizers, drinks, the chance to win prizes, a shot at eternal Connect Four championship glory, and last but not least, the opportunity to support an amazing local charity.  Event proceeds will benefit Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK), Denver’s non-profit organization that develops inspired and responsible leaders through science and environmental education and outdoor experiences for underserved, urban youth ages 5-25.)  Get excited! 

Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6 – 9pm: CultureHaus Presents Yacht Club at the Four Seasons Hotel

Dress in your best yacht club attire for this poolside soiree, and enjoy cash bar cocktails as you yacht out to the yacht rock musical stylings of DJ Honey Dip & DJ Ca$tle.  Complimentary light appetizers will be served.  Entry is $15 for CultureHaus/Cross-Cultured members and $20 for non-members, with proceeds going to CultureHaus.  Tickets available at the door only.

Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 10pm: Karaoke with DJ Rockstar Aaron at Barricuda’s

Karaoke madness featuring all of your favorite hits from the 80s and 90s.  FREE.