Get out and enjoy Colorado as it starts its 150th year!
May 20, 2024
Celebrate summer!
John Fielder
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The forecast is for fun this week, with free outdoor movies, art shows and concerts all over town. And there’s free admission to all Colorado state parks on Monday, August 4, as a belated Colorado Day present.
SCFD Free Days Locations and dates vary Thanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many art institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs. Many facilities will offer special programming on Colorado Day, August 1; for upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.
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Civic Center EATS
Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Civic Center Park For over a decade, food trucks have rallied at Civic Center for lunchtime fun that often includes live entertainment. The summer session has started, with a new truck lineup. Skyline Beer Garden Wednesday through Sunday
16th and Arapahoe streets Experience summer the Denver way at this outdoor beer garden with food, drinks, games and live entertainment all summer long. And from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, enjoy a pet-friendly Yappy Hour. Find the complete schedule here. Upper DownTUNES Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 4 to 7 p.m.
Outer Space, 16th and Welton streets
Liven up your lunch at Upper DownTUNES, a free live music series in Upper Downtown Denver.
Civic Center EATS is back with its summer lineup.
Civic Center Conservancy
This Week
Colorado State Parks Celebrate Colorado Day Monday, August 4
Around Colorado
To celebrate the state’s 149th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering free entry to all Colorado state parks on Monday (three days after Colorado Day, but what the heck). While admission is free, all other park fees remain in effect, including camping reservations, boat and off-highway vehicle registrations, and hunting and fishing licenses.
Butterfly Pavilion Educational Series
Monday, August 4, 2 to 3 p.m.
Denver Premium Outlets, Play Park, 13801 Grant Street, Thornton
The Butterfly Pavilion Educational Series offers a program of nature-focused STEM content, including an interactive lesson on pollinators.
Monday Movie Madness: Madagascar
Monday, August 4, 7 p.m. (doors at 6)
Infinity Park, Glendale
Enjoy the last in the summer Monday Movie Madness series at Infinity Park with a showing of the animated movie Madagascar. Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs and picnics (no glass containers); food trucks will also be on-site.
High Plains Chautauqua
Monday, August 4, through Friday, August 8, opening at 6 p.m. Monday
Aims Community College Welcome Center, 4901 20th Street, Greeley
Beleaguered Colorado Humanities, which just lost much of its funding with the Trump administration cut humanities aid, is still hosting the annual chatauquas. This year’s theme is “America in the 20th Century,” and events feature a special lineup of notable historical figures from the “American Century.”
East Colfax BRT: Fillmore Street Arch Lift Party
Monday, August 4, 7 to 10 p.m.
Maria Empanada, 2730 East Colfax Avenue
Support small businesses and celebrate two East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit milestones: the fifth – and sixth – station arch installations. The celebration includes a live DJ, empanadas, a tango demonstration and booths for small businesses on East Colfax. Historic Denver will host a special Colfax Avenue-themed trivia challenge, and there will be prizes.
Downtown Denver National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Skyline Park, Arapahoe between 15th and 16th streets
UpDoNA is partnering with LoDoNA and the Downtown Denver Partnership to host the third annual Downtown Denver National Night Out at Skyline Park. It’s a celebration intended to honor Denver Police, Denver Fire and all first responders. There will be fire trucks, ambulances and classic police cruisers to explore, along with music, games, a photo booth, a caricature artist, free food and soft drinks, demonstrations, and giveaways, including door prizes. Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver City Councilman Chris Hinds, as well as other public officials, will be on hand.
Sunset Cinema: The Goonies
Tuesday, August 5, 6:30 p.m. (doors at 6)
Sculpture Park, Denver Performing Arts Complex
This week’s Sunset Cinema features is 1985’s The Goonies, with pre-show entertainment of Flashback ’80s set from DJ Cyn. You can bring picnics, but food trucks will also be on hand. RSVPs encouraged here.
The Storytellers Present: City Park Harmonies With Gio Bard Zero
Thursday, August 7, 6:30 p.m.
City Park Gazebo
The Storytellers are hosting a special evening of stories and harmonies with headliner Gio “Bard Zero” Barabadze performing feats of musical magic. Admission is free; but donations are encouraged.
Saigon Azteca Night Market
Friday, August 8, 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, August 9, 1 to 9 p.m.
3900 to 4100 Morrison Road
Hecho en Westwood and the Far East Center present the third annual Saigon Azteca Night Market, two days of cultural celebration, street food, live music and performances, artisan makers, youth art-activities and cross-cultural community collaborations.
Bananas on the Block
Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 10
Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee Street
The hottest baseball team in the country, the Savannah Bananas, will be celebrated at the Dairy Block with a series of events before the Bananas hit Coors Field on August 9-10; McGregor Square also has related antics on August 9.
Smash Summer Fine Arts Festival
Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cherry Creek North
The summer series in Cherry Creek North concludes with Smash in the Square, a curated, fine-art exhibit showcasing top-tier national artists, with live acoustic music all weekend.
Know Your Rights
Saturday, August 9, 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Canyon Theater & Gallery, Boulder Public Library
Join the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, Boulder Sheriff Curtis Johnson, Boulder Police Deputy Chief Barry Hartkopp, and an immigration attorney for a Know Your Rights session focused on local immigrant protection policies. The session includes a co-reading by DA Michael Dougherty and former Sheriff Joe Pelle of a Motus Theater monologist’s DACA story, followed by community Q&A. After the session, there will also be the opening of Immigrant America: Reclaiming Our Presence, an exhibit with mural images by Edica Pacha, illustrations by Sebastián Sifuentes and Kirsten Wilson, and photos from Motus performances.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial at westword.com.
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