WEEKLY EVENTS: September 11, 2015 – September 17, 2015

Dear Denver, last weekend marked my 10-year anniversary in Denver (although I was celebrating it in #NashVegas). Ten years ago, during Labor Day weekend, I moved to Denver to attend the International & Intercultural Communication grad program at DU. I had found a $500/month studio apartment on Craigslist in Capitol Hill (The Gaucho at 12th & Clarkson if you are familiar with the hood), a neighborhood that was described to me as “edgy and cool”. I told the property manager that I was moving from Philly (sans car), so I wouldn’t have much stuff. He offered to furnish the place for me and when I arrived the apartment was ready, complete with everything from a futon with sheets and a comforter, to a shower curtain, ice-cube trays, dinner plates, utensils, and even a pizza cutter. It made me feel so welcomed. Sure the building smelled kinda funny and I have a vivid memory of crying one night when a drunk homeless man tried to get into my apartment but it was the first time I was living in my own placed and I absolutely loved it.

I still live in Cap Hill today (represent!) and will occasionally bike by The Gaucho and think about all of the things that have happened in my life since that initial move, both good and bad. I heart Denver so much and it’s weekends like this that really remind me why. These weekends are the ones that make you want to throw your arms around the entire city and swear you’ll be around for another decade, through both the good and the bad. XOXO.

(And as per youzh, check-out Westword’s 10 things to do for $10 in Denver blog for free/low-cost events this weekend, including Ridgefest in Wheatridge and The Big Gay Football Day at Tracks.)

Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13, 2015: Denver Modernism Show at the National Western Complex

Held annually, the Denver Modernism Show features over 100 booths of vintage and contemporary modern design, furniture, home accessories, art, and fashion. Exhibitors come from across the country to participate in one of the nation’s largest – and most fun – mid-century gatherings.  The show also features live music, fashion show, a popular Tiki Lounge, a mid-century car show, and more.  Peep the event schedule here. This event is happening Friday 6 – 10pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm, and Sunday 11am – 4pm. General admission is $10; kids under 12 are free.

Friday, September 11, 2015, doors at 6:30pm, movie at 7pm: Some Like It Hot at Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre

The Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre continues their new indoor classic movie series with a screening of Some Like It Hot. Tickets are $10 and you can read more about the series here.

Friday, September 11, 2015 @ 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 Friday night to have some drinks, roll your Rs, and make some new amigos. FREE.

Friday, September 11, 2015 @ 9pm: Titwrench Dance Party at GLOB

Come dance it out and raise money for the 7th edition of Titwrench Festival, which features the finest rising artists and musicians, with a focus on women and LGBTQIA communities. Suggested donation is $5 – $15.

Friday, September 11, 2015 @ 9pm: Lipgloss at Syntax Physic Opera

Beautiful babies of Denver, how does FREE beer sound! Come dance it out at Denver’s favorite indie rock dance night and enjoy FREE PBR from 9 – 10:30pm (tips are appreciated). Tonight’s guest DJ is Josiah Hesse. Also, be on the dance floor around midnight for your chance to win tickets to Empire of the Sun and FFS. Only $5 to dance dance dance (and drink FREE beer and win FREE tickets).

Friday, September 11, 2015 @ 10pm: Films on Tap: Face/Off at the Sie FilmCenter

You’ve played drinking games at home, now play them with the Denver Film Society! They’ll give you the rules and thanks to Breckenridge Brewery, the first 50 guests get their first drink on the house! 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 – $11. Please drink and watch responsibly; only guests 21 and over will be allowed to attend Films on Tap screenings.

Saturday, September 12 & Sunday, September 13, 2015 @ 12 – 7pm: Denver Flea at the Sculpture Park

This season’s Flea will take place in the iconic Sculpture Park (aka the place with the dancing aliens). In addition to 100+ craft vendors, guests can enjoy cocktails, beer, food trucks, and live music. RSVP in advance for a FREE brew and a chance to win a New Belgium cruiser bike. This event is FREE for all, but please note the venue does not allow dogs #sadbark

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 9am – 1pm: Highland Farmers Market on Boulder Street, between 15th and 16th Streets

Looking for a community-driven farmers market with a friendly atmosphere and a variety of vendors and activities? Look no further than the Highland Farmers Market! This market provides a vibrant mix of fresh/frozen/dry/prepared foods, adult beverages, local artisan vendors, live music, a bounce house for the kids, and periodic specialty-themed days! Bring your own bag(s) if possible! FREE.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 9am – 2pm: Jefferson Park Farm & Flea in the Jefferson Park Business District

Over 50 local vendors will be set-up this Saturday in the burgeoning Jefferson Park neighborhood. There will be local farmers and produce, roasted chiles, specialty food vendors, refreshing drinks, food trucks, plus handmade and vintage goods for your home and garden. They’ll also have goats, chickens, urban homesteading, and bee keeping education! Face painting, live music, and family-friendly activities will round out the afternoon. FREE.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 10am – 6pm: FARMCAD at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design

Located on the historic campus of Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, this event features food trucks, a beer + wine garden, pop-up arts + crafts, farm-fresh produce, face painting, corn hole, chalk art, yoga, and a whole slew of additional activities – all just one block north of West Colfax in Lakewood’s 40 West Arts District. No entry fee.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 11am – 6pm: Tour de Fat at City Park

Tour de Fat is a great way to celebrate the nearing end of summer with costumes, bikes, music, performers, contests, and beer. Beginning in Ft. Collins, Colorado to increase awareness and participation in cycling as a sustainable form of transportation, Tour de Fat has grown into a national rite of passage for cycling advocates and bon vivants alike. Musical performers include Wild High, Eldren, Bud Bronson and the Good Timers, and In The Whale. This daylong event is FREE, yet all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales will go to Bike Denver and The Denver Cruisers. View the event schedule here.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 11am – 6pm: Sunnyside Music Festival at Chaffee Park

This annual festival includes live music, local food, lots of beer, and kids activities for a full day of family-friendly fun. View this year’s line-up here.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 12 – 7:30pm: TheBigWonderful at Sustainability Park

TheBigWonderful returns to bring you yet another season of live music, local food, craft beer + cocktails, beach volleyball, yard games, and even a play area for the kiddos. Admission is FREE and it is the perfect place to meet-up with friends/family for a casual and fun Saturday. Plus, this week TBW teams up with SuperSonic Dogs to provide guests with a slew of dog-friendly festivities throughout the day! View the musical line-up here and be one of the first guests to try the new silent disco arena by SoundDown Party.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 12 – 9pm: Snowboard on the Block Festival at 35th Street and Walnut Street

Snowboarding events take place all over the world, but there is only one that combines the mastery of the year’s top snowboarding films, the relentless energy of a music festival, with the nail-biting action of a rail jam in the streets, equipped with over 25 tons of real snow. Musical acts include Suicidal Tendencies, Talib Kweli, Trinidad James, Electric Citizen, and more. Giveaways, vendors, skate ramp, a massive gear sale, food trucks, and adult beverages round out the event. Tickets start at $25.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 2pm: Denver Grampage at Grandma’s House

After laying waste to Austin and Seattle, Grampage is coming for Denver. On the eve of Grandparents Day, participants will depart from Grandma’s House and besiege upon its neighborhood breweries/distilleries on an epic bar crawl. It will be slow, it will be musty, but when all is said and done, Denver will no doubt respect its elders. View the Grampage route here.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 5 – 8pm: Letterpress at Studio Colfax

Guests can enjoy a drink (or two) while they peruse letterpress work from MATTER and the Letterpress Depot. Lots of pieces will be for sale! FREE.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 8pm: Comedy Night w/ Adam Cayton Holland + Marty DeRosa at Ratio Beerworks

Holy cow, this show is going to be a real barn burner. Denver’s own Adam Cayton-Holland and Chicago’s Marty DeRosa co-headline this killer FREE comedy show, hosted by Ian Douglas Terry. Come out, have a laugh, and party hard.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 @ 10pm: Stop Making Sense at the Sie FilmCenter

One night only! It’s the greatest concert movie ever made at the greatest concert venue in the world! A must-see for all Talking Heads fans. Tickets run $7 – $11.

Sunday, September 13, 2015 @ 11 – 3pm: Bluegrass Brunch at Station 26 Brewing

Family-friendly (and dog-friendly) fun!  Beer, live music from Prairie Road, donuts from Glazed & Confuzed, and barbecue from Rolling Smoke BBQ!  No cover!

Sunday, September 13, 2015 @ 7 – 9pm: RiNo Yacht Club | Movie Night at The Source

End your weekend with a familiar film, $6 cocktails, snacks, and a rad atmosphere. This week’s film is the robe-wearing classic, The Big Lebowski. No cover.

Sunday, September 13, 2015 @ 7pm: The Church of Coen Presents: The Man Who Wasn’t There w/ musical selection by Sonya Clark at Syntax Physic Opera

Every month, hosts Theresa Mercado and Ian O’Dougherty will be showing a film by Joel & Ethan Coen (in order of theatrical release), preceded by a short musical selection performed by a local musician celebrating the magnificence, importance, and variety of music from that film. This week’s show includes musical selections by Sonya Clark and a screening of The Man Who Wasn’t There. Come share your zeal and fondness for the brothers with other devotees. FREE.

Sunday, September 13, 2015 @ 9:30pm: Open Mic at The Denver Bicycle Cafe

Come try your own material (or just listen to others) at this brand-new open mic, hosted by James Xiong and Roger Haak. $3 craft beer tallboys; $2 New Belgium Shift cans. Sign-up at 9pm; show at 9:30pm #LOL

Monday, September 14, 2015 @ 6 – 10pm: Vegan Pizza Buffet at Bonnie Brae Tavern

Start your week off right with an all-you-can-eat vegan pizza buffet, benefiting the Rooster Sanctuary at Danzig’s Roost. Friends of the sanctuary, vegans, vegetarians, animal lovers, and pizza lovers alike are encouraged to attend with their friends and families. $15 for adults, $5 for kids + drinks specials from the bar.

Monday, September 14, 2015 @ 8 – 10pm: Sexpot Comedy Presents: Open Mic Comedy Night at the Goosetown Tavern

FREE open mic comedy hosted by Jeff M. Albright. This is also a Sexpot Comedy/Denver Relief show, which means FREE schwag.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 @ 5 – 8:30pm: Pandora on the Hill Grand Opening Party at the EZE Mop Block

After living across the street from Pandora for the past 5+ years, I have to say that I am a little bummed they are moving. Pandora has been my go-to spot for last-minute gifts over the years.  Baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays, sorry you got dumped events – you name it, they have a gift for it. 15 minutes before I am getting picked up, I would just run across the street and find something lovely. So I will most certainly pour one out after they officially close on Christmas Eve, but in the meantime folks can celebrate their new Uptown digs this Tuesday night at their wedding-themed party, complete with champagne and cake. FREE.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 @ 5 – 8:30pm: Uptown Sampler at various locations in Uptown

This Tuesday evening, enjoy samples of Denver’s most mouthwatering menus from popular neighborhood cafes to gourmet fine dining. For the 28th Annual Uptown Sampler, there are 20 participating restaurants and retail shops that will showcase their unique tastes and talents. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 day of.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015, doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm: The Great Debate at Buntport Theater

The Great Debate pits teams of non-experts head-to-head, toe-to-toe, and often dumb-to-dumber in lively debates of the inconsequential. You’re bound to be a flip-flopper after listening to compelling arguments on things that never mattered. This month’s theme? Back to School vs. Arnold Schwarzenegger Being Back. Box office opens at 7:30pm, and the feud starts at 8pm. $6 – $8, depending on your luck, or reserve your spot ahead of time.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 @ 6 – 8:30pm: REMIX Presents: Conductor Confidential at Spangalang Brewery

Conductor Confidential is a brand-new REMIX event that gives guests exclusive access and behind-the-scenes info to the Colorado Symphony. The series kicks off at Spangalang Brewery with Andres Lopera. Come learn about his experiences as a conductor, what’s in store for the upcoming season, and participate in a Q&A. Seats are limited to 40 individuals, so RSVP to reserve yours now!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 @ 6 – 10pm: Imbibe’s Night Off: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre

Classic outdoor movie + plus beer + supporting an incredible cause = no brainer! This event supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their Light The Night event, which is a one-mile evening walk for people of all ages, where participants carry illuminated lanterns to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer. Tickets are $20 and include unlimited Epic Brewery beer (they’ll even pass out beers during the movie), admission to the movie, and access to food trucks.

Thursday, September 17, 2015 @ 7pm: Talkin’ Shop w/ Greg Baumhauer at the Mutiny Information Cafe

Greg Baumhauer is a comic’s comic. Quick to say whatever is on his mind, with very little tact and a whole lot of funny, Greg has established himself as one of Denver’s unsung anti-heroes. Original host of the Squire Lounge mic, which is known as one of the meanest mics in America, Greg takes pride in the fact that he has helped several comics find their voice…and has caused several to quit. Come learn what makes this dude tick, with the opportunity to ask questions at this FREE live podcast, hosted by Anthony Crawford. FREE.

Thursday, September 17, 2015 @ 8pm: Cool Shit at the 3 King’s Tavern

Cool Shit is the newest comedy drug that all the cool kids are doing (and that one kid’s dad). This week’s show will feature a whole slew of local comedians for your enjoyment. FREE show, cash bar, cool shit.