WEEKLY EVENTS: July 1, 2016 – July 7, 2016

Denver! This weekend is the birth of our nation! Or is it freedom? Or is it pizza delivery? Whatever the occasion, there are good times to be had. In between having a personal (veggie) hot dog eating contest, perfecting your cannonball, and/or french kissing a bald eagle, be sure to take advantage of all of the funs down below. And if you are looking for even more ways to celebrate ‘Merica, peep these lists from VISIT Denver and The Denver Ear. USA! USA! USA!

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Friday, July 1, 2016 @ 12 – 9pm: Watermelon Heffe Release at Strange Craft Beer Company

This Friday, enjoy summer in a glass with the release of Strange’s Watermelon Hefeweizen. Over 660 pounds of organic watermelon will make you thankful that patio season is officially here.

Friday, July 1, 2016 @ 5:30 – 9:30pm: La Alma Connection Art Celebration Block Party And Parade at the 10th & Osage Light Rail Station

This family-friendly event includes creative art vendors + activities, youth music + spoken word performers, public art installations, and food trucks. The event’s highlight will be a community parade and contest with self-propelled floats made from upcycled materials. FREE.

Friday, July 1, 2016 @ 6pm – 11:30pm: DTL Rooftop Concert Series & Bazaar at the Denver Tool Library

Come on out for the second installment of the Denver Tool Library’s Summer Concert Series & Bazaar. This month’s event will include live music from Champagne Charlie, Big City Drugs, and Cult of the Lost Cause, with stand-up ha ha from Sam Tallent, Bobby Crane, Kevin O’Brien, and Cory Helie. Plus, delicious beer, food trucks, and vendors. Free for everyone until 8pm; afterwards it’s free for members, $5 for errybody else.

Friday, July 1, 2016 @ 7pm: Pussy Bros. Present Mara Wiles at El Charrito

It’s the first Friday of the month, which means Pussy Bros— Christie Buchele, Janae Burris, Rachel Weeks, and Jordan Wieleba—are putting on another awesome show! Featuring some of the funniest cats in town, this showcase will be nothing short of a (pussy) riot. Don’t miss local crushers Steve Vanderploeg, Jacob Rupp, and Mara Wiles. The show is FREE (donations are accepted) and so are the laughs.

Friday, July 1, 2016 @ 9pm: Lipgloss at Bar Standard

Start your holiday weekend off right with a dose of your favorite dance party, Lipgloss! They’ll be dropping the best mix of indie, rock, and whatever the hell else they’re feeling like at the moment. It’s a sing-along, dance-along, love-along kind-of-vibe and they want YOU there. Up on the Denver Disco patio, Chicago house music legend, Paul Anthony, will be playing a 5-hour set, highlighting his signature ability to keep a dance floor busy. FREE before 10pm, a measly $5 after. Cheap libations all night long.

Friday, July 1, 2016 @ 10pm: Rocky IV at the Sie FilmCenter

Celebrate your freedom with some AC, Raisenets, and Sly on the big screen. Tickets run $7 – $11, plus there is a full bar!

Friday, July 1, 2016 @ 10pm: Guilty Pleasures at Hi-Dive

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. (If you haven’t been before, this party is F-U-N.) When in doubt, grind it out. $5 cover; now located at the Hi-Dive.

Saturday, July 2 – Monday, July 4, 2016: Cherry Creek Arts Festival

With a theme of “Alive with Art,” the 2016 Cherry Creek Arts Festival brings together more than 250 juried visual artists, nearly 20 culinary vendors, kids’ activities, and live entertainment for a unique celebration that is FREE for the whole family! Festival runs Saturday + Sunday from 10am – 8pm and Monday from 10am – 6pm. Additionally, FREE Festival Nights concerts will take place 8 – 10pm on Saturday + Sunday.

Saturday, July 2 & Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 11am – 6pm: Meet in the Street at the 16th Street Mall

Around the world, cities are temporarily closing busy streets for a day of free, healthy activities that promote community. Meet in the Street is a program launched by the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District that encourages people to get outside and walk, bike, eat, and enjoy the 16th Street Mall in a new and different way. This week’s event will feature yoga, live music, live performances, expanded patio seating, a silent disco, and a whole slew of activities for kids. FREE.

Saturday, July 2, 2016, cereal bar at 10am, movie at 10:30am: Fantastic Mr. Fox at the Sie FilmCenter

The Denver Film Society is proud to launch family programming with a retrospective of films written by or based on novels by beloved author, Roald Dahl. Tickets are $5 (children under 6 are free) and admission includes an all-you-can-eat cereal bar!

Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 6:45 – 9:45pm: Swing Dance + Cider at Stem Ciders

This Saturday, come on out for a night of swing dancing + cider with live music from Odessa Rose. Before the show and during the set break, Swingin’ Denver will be hosting FREE swing lessons for all the first timers. Grab a pour and get on the dance floor!

Saturday, July 2, 2016 @ 9pm: Mile High Soul Club at Syntax Physic Opera

Summer is here and it’s time to dance! This month, soul daddies Tyler Jacobson, Steve Cervantes, and Jason Heller will be doing their thang and making you move. They’ll be playing the best soul, funk, and R&B, so strap on those dancing shoes and come shake what your mama gave you…only 5 bucks!

Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 11am – 7pm: Stars & Stripes Express Fest at Union Station

All-aboard Denver Union Station’s second annual Stars & Stripes Express Fest! Come and enjoy live music, family-friendly entertainment, and a patio takeover by Denver Beer Co! This event is FREE and open to the public.

Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 6 – 8pm: City Park Jazz at City Park

City Park Jazz, or “jazz in the park”, is a great weekend culmination of dogs, babies, adults, brie, blankets, vino, hand sanitizer, port-o- potties, and food trucks. And with no work tomorrow, you can pop open that second bottle of rosé! Come see and be seen; rain FREE.

Sunday, July 3, 2016, doors at 6pm, show at 7pm: Bud Bronson & the Good Timers at Hi-Dive

Come party harder this Sunday night with Bud Bronson & The Good Timers, Lizard Police, and Dirty Few. Tickets are $10.

Sunday, July 3, 2016, doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm: Lucha Libre & Laughs: From Parts Unknown at The Oriental Theater

Lucha Libre & Laughs is a monthly event that combines Mexican lucha libre pro-wrestling, stand-up comedy, and live comedic color commentary from Nathan Lund and Sam Tallent. Come celebrate the long weekend with a stacked show, guaranteed to make you proud to be an American. Tickets are $10, but the bragging rights are free. 18+

Sunday, July 3, 2016 @ 8pm: Independence Eve at Civic Center Park

This pre-holiday concert/firework extravaganza will feature patriotic and contemporary favorites from Chris Daniels and the Kings and the 101st Army Concert Band from Buckley Air Force Base. Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; bring your own blankets or low-rise concert/beach chairs. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics; food trucks will also be available on-site. Arriving early is highly encouraged. The event will take place rain or shine. FREE.

Monday, July 4, 2016 @ 8am: Highland 4th of July Parade and Picnic at 32nd Ave. and Clay St.

It’s a red, white, and blue family celebration this 4th of July in the Highlands. Come celebrate with a decorated bike parade, community picnic, live music, lawn games, and a 100-foot ice-cream sundae. View the schedule of events here.

Monday, July 4, 2016, comedy at 8:30pm, movie at dusk: Films on the Fax: Independence Day at Illegal Pete’s – Colfax

Sweet ass patio, comedy by Miriam Moreno, and a FREE screening of the very apropos Independence Day. The first 25 people after 7:30pm to mention Film on the Fax will receive a free draft from Ratio Beerworks.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016 @ 6 – 9pm: Cheese + Cider at Stem Ciders

St. Kilians Cheese Shop is back in the taproom with a pairing of cider and cheese. For only $20, enjoy 4 pours matched with 4 delicious cheeses. View the full menu here. Cheese me!

Tuesday, July 5, 2016 @ 7pm: Bingo Night at Grandma’s House

Just like granny used to play only swap out the bingo hall for a brewery and prune juice for craft beer. Each beer purchased gets you a bingo card and prizes include pints, howlers, growlers, and other swag. No cover.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 @ 2 – 10pm: Fresh Fruit Cask Month ~ Blackberry Kölsch at Copper Kettle Brewing Company

As part of their Fresh Fruit Cask Month,  Copper Kettle will be offering a Blackberry Kölsch, a light bodied, slightly dry yet crisp ale with hints of fresh blackberries and garnished with fresh fruit. 4.0% ABV, 23 IBUs. Pavy’s Food Truck will be on site, serving up gourmet sammies.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 @ 4:30 – 5:30pm: Live at Light Rail at Lakewood-Wadsworth Light Rail Station