WEEKLY EVENTS: December 19, 2014 – December 25, 2014
Hiiiiiiiiii. Happy holidays and shit. Who is ready for the weekend? I can tell you, I am ready for some time off from work. One more day and then it’s movies, pierogies, beers, more Christmas markets, gift-giving, and making fun of my brother’s fantasy football team. #hohoho
(And as always, check-out Westword’s 10 things to do for $10 in Denver blog for free/low-cost events this weekend.)
Friday, December 19, 2014 @ 7 – 10pm: Fresh Jazz and Crisp Vinyl Series at the Dikeou Pop-Up: Colfax
The Dikeou Collection’s tenth installment of the Fresh Jazz and Crisp Vinyl Series will feature a very special performance by John A. Díaz-Cortés & the Folklorika Arkestra. A guest DJ will spin rare & classic records from the Collection’s extensive Vinyl Archive. This event is FREE and open to the public; light refreshments will be provided.
Friday, December 19, 2014, doors at 7pm, show at 8pm: Sexpot Comedy Presents: Todd Barry at the Oriental Theater
Come celebrate the 1-year anniversary of Sexpot Comedy with big-name comedian Todd Barry, and special guests Karl Hess, Christopher Fairbanks, Elliot Woolsey, and Shayna Ferm for a night of straight-up LOL, LMFAO, and ROFL. Ian Douglas Terry will be hosting and Jim Hickox will get the crowd amped/confused before the show. Tickets are $20 – come party! Haaaaaaay…18+. (Read more about Sexpot Comedy in a recent interview with Andy Juett here.)
Friday, December 19, 2014 @ 8pm: My Teenage Angst at the Deer Pile
At my mother’s house in Springfield, PA, there are stacks of dusty journals, chronicling my journey of trying to “figure shit out” while growing up. Since then, the world has become much more public and although I no longer keep a journal per say, I am compulsed to share what I am thinking at any given time via Facebook. Luckily there is an event which celebrates the old-fashioned way of processing the world around us, and it’s called My Teenage Angst. Still have access to your old journals? Email reader@myteenageangst.com to be a part of the show or just show-up and listen. FREE (but bring some cash for cheap cans-o-beer).
Friday, December 19, 2014 @ 9pm – 2am: Ugly Sweater Rollerskating Party at the EXDO Event Center
Join the Rotary Club of Five Points Cultural District and ROLL Denver on Friday, December 19th to rock your ugliest sweater on EXDO’s roller rink, all for a good cause. They will have food and drinks available for purchase and great music to roll to. There will also be a silent auction with awesome local items to bid on. This is a 21+ event. The cost for entry is $20 at the door, plus $5 skate rental (or bring your own skates/blades). Proceeds from the party will support the End Polio Now campaign, which has already reduced polio worldwide by 99%, as well as programs in local schools. Come for the cause, stay for the sippy cup. And if by 9pm you still want more, stick around for ROLL’s monthly skate party for even more skating/dancing/karaoke/ping pong action.
Friday, December 19, 2014 @ 9pm – 2am: Lipgloss at the Beauty Bar
Beautiful babies of Denver, come dance it out at one of Denver’s favorite indie rock dance nights. This Friday, former Lipgloss resident DJ Chase Dobson joins Hollow & DJ Tower in the DJ booth for a night of nostalgia. Chase has always known how to work the dance floor, so come give yourself one more Lipgloss before the holidays! To sweeten your evening, there will be $1 PBRs and $3 wells from 10 – 11pm. Otherwise, it’s only $5 for a whole lotta magic. Life is short; go to Lipgloss.
Saturday, December 20, 2014 @ 10am – 4pm: Fairfax Holiday Market at Share Denver
With a beautiful variety of vendors and hot apple cider, there couldn’t be a better way to celebrate the season and the handmade. Support and shop local! (Peep this recent article in the Westword for more information.)
Saturday, December 20, 2014 @ 10:30am: Cartoon Cereal Party: Holiday Edition at the Alamo Drafthouse
Holiday cartoons + sugary cereal = Yes, Virgina there is a Santa Claus. Tickets are just $10.75, and include all-you-can-eat cereal!
Saturday, December 20, 2014 @ 11am – 5pm: Handmade at the Hall at the EXDO Event Center
Up to 65 local artists, crafters, and small businesses will be setting up shop to help you finish your holiday shopping list while you nosh on tasty treats from some of Denver’s best food trucks! Support your local economy, buy great gifts, and enjoy a stress-free shopping experience away from the scary malls…it’s win/win y’all.
Saturday, December 20, 2014 @ 8pm – 12amish: Dancing in the Dark at the Mercury Cafe
To honor the longest night of the year, come dance it out to some world tribal beats, belly dancers, fire ceremonies, and a look towards spring. All ages welcome; $13 cover.
Saturday, December 20, 2014, doors at 8:30pm, show at 9:30pm: SPELLS 7″ Release Party at the Hi-Dive
Come party with SPELLS, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers, Hooper, and DJs Seth & Spencer from Dirty Few. $6 gets you in the door; $8 gets you in the door and a free 7″. SPELLS rules!
Saturday, December 20, 2014 @ 9pm: Soulstice Holiday Party at the Beauty Bar
Soulstice is a reflection of the vibe of the previous year’s worth of So What! the Club events and this year will not disappoint. So What! DJs K-Nee, Low Key, and Big Styles will be spinning the best dance music in town for your holiday pleasure. As always there is NO COVER before 10pm ($5 afterward) so arrive early and get ready for a few surprises.
Saturday, December 20, 2014 @ 9pm: The Doom Room at 3 Kings Tavern
Watch as awesome local comedians (and secret out-of-town guests) scramble to come up with sets on the spot based on suggestions from the patented “screen of doom”. Always wild, always a party. Guests include Ben Kronberg, Brent Gill, James Draper, Stephen Agyei, Byron Graham, Christie Buchele, and surprise special guests! FREE.
Sunday, December 21, 2014, pre-show at 11am, movie at 11:30am: Vampire Brunch: Let The Right One In at the Alamo Drafthouse
This Sunday, cure your weekend regrets with the Alamo’s Vampire Brunch, featuring the boy meets vampire story, Let The Right One In. This event features a vampire-inspired brunch menu (duh), 2-for-1 mimosas, and a special in-theater musical performance starting at 11am. Tickets cost $12.50. Vampire Brunch occurs every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 1 – 2pm: TubaChristmas Concert at Skyline Park
Tired of the same old holiday soundtrack? Revive your holiday spirit at the 40th annual TubaChristmas Concert at Skyline Park! Tap your toes to your favorite holiday tunes being played by 300 tuba players from all over the region. Skyline Park will be decorated for the season, making it a perfect setting to experience this holiday spectacular, produced by the University of Colorado at Denver’s Arts & Media Department. Hashtag my brother.
Thar she blows!
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 1 – 3pm: Holiday Open Farm & Market at Broken Shovels Farm
Holiday vendors, complimentary grilled cheese and jam sandwiches, spiked hot cider, and goats doing daredevil moves are just a few highlights of this holiday market held at an animal rescue farm just 15 minutes from downtown Denver. FREE.
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 1 – 3pm: Bingo Brunch at the Squeaky Bean
Forget about that embarrassing thing you did this weekend, by eating well and winning big at bingo! Hosted by comedian Nathan Lund, you will be shame-free for at least 30+ minutes.
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 4 – 8pm: Ironton’s Annual Solstice Celebration at Ironton Studios
On the darkest night of the year, come reflect on the year past and the possibilities to come to pause, appreciate, and enjoy. Gathering begins at 4pm for libations and food; words at 5:30pm. There will be artist-made soups and stew, bread, and hot spiced cider. Please bring words, spirits, wine, beer, and/or sweets to share. Add something to the fire that represents what you’d like to leave in 2014 or something to hope for in 2015. All are welcome; FREE.
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 4 – 8pm: Winter Solstice Bike Ride at Illegal Pete’s South Broadway,
To celebrate the changing seasons, BikeDenver is once again organizing their annual Winter Solstice Ride. Show off your winter riding skills, advocate for year-round bicycling, decorate your bike with festive lights and enjoy a night of riding your bike in Denver’s wintery wonderland! Illegal Pete’s will host a taco bar for all participants of the ride, along with happy hour pricing all day long. In order to know how much food will be needed, please RSVP here. This event is FREE for BikeDenver members; $5 for non-members.
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 5pm: Screening: Christmas Vacation at Black Shirt Brewing Co.
What could be better than spending Sunday evenings this winter cozying up to watch a classic movie with a red ale in hand? This week’s film is Christmas Vacation. Wear your ugly Christmas sweater to receive $1 off beers all night. Be sure to come early to secure a spot. FREE.
Sunday, December 21, 2014 @ 10pm: Arguments & Grievances at Vine Street Pub
Give the middle finger to Monday and come out for some quality laughs and some quality brews. Debates this month include Breaking Bad vs. The Wire, Barbie vs. GI Joe, Firefighters vs Firestarters, In vs. Out, Veterans vs. Veterinarians, and the headlining debate, Christmas Eve vs New Year’s Eve. FREE.
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 7 – 10pm: Forbidden Bingo at Maloney’s Tavern
Come play Forbidden Bingo with DJ Rockstar Aaron and Rich every Monday night downtown. Win prizes from Romantix, concert tickets, cupcakes, free drinks, bar tabs and more. $5 menu items, two-for-one drink specials, and FREE to play!
Monday, December 22, 2014 @ 9pm: Manic Monday Mary-oke at Hamburger Mary’s
Is your Monday night your weekend? Well then come check-out Manic Mondays Mary-oke with Meowllison! The fun starts with happy hour pricing all day long – $3 wells and $4 calls. Also, all of their martinis, margaritas, and Moscow Mules are only $5. Plus there is a $5 burger & fries deal starting at 8pm. Drink, eat, sing, and be Mary (aka call out of work on Tuesday!)
Last year’s Christkindl Market
Tuesday, December 23, 2014 @ 11am – 7pm: Last night of the Denver Christkindl Market at Skyline Park
If you have yet to check-out this year’s German Christkindl Market, I implore you to visit before it’s gone. I’ll admit that I usually avoid downtown like the plague, but this traditional German market is really neat. German music, big beers, a heated beer tent, Gluhwein, soft pretzels, European desserts, Christmas knickknacks, and twinkling lights will round out this festive experience.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014 @ 7 – 9pm: Stories, Stories, Bring Your Stories at the Mercury Cafe
Good old-fashioned storytelling, live on-stage. FREE.
Tuesday, December 23, 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, December 24, 2014 @ 9:30pm: Channel Z Presents: Black Christmas at the Alamo Drafthouse
This Wednesday, Channel Z will be presenting Black Christmas at the Alamo Drafthouse Denver. In this atypical holiday classic, a sorority house is terrorized by a stranger who makes frightening phone calls and then murders the sorority sisters during Christmas break. Hosted and curated by Keith Garcia & Theresa Mercado. Tickets are $700. Just kidding, they are only $7!
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 @ 9pm: Teez Me Pleaze Me at the Beauty Bar
Come check out the Beauty Bar’s new weekly, Teez Me Pleaze Me. All the hits from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and today! From Prince to Little Dragon, from Madonna to Rhianna, from Cindy Lauper to Miley Cyrus – all your guilty pleasures. Baby it’s cold outside, so come get warm on the dance floor! $15 martini/manicure all night long, $3 well drinks for ladies, plus buy any shot and get a free PBR! No cover.
Thursday, December 25, 2014 @ 9pm: Motown Thursday at the Beauty Bar
Merry Christmas – now it’s time to dance! This Thursday night, enjoy some Motown jams served up with chicken & waffles (free with a purchase of a drank) with DJs Maladjusted and Caramello. No cover all night; $4 Breckenridge brews. What would baby Jesus do? Dance!