All Arts, All the Time

Denver Arts Week, the local cultural community’s answer to Denver Restaurant Week, is five years old and growing annually, luring the public — with special deals and events — to come out and explore the city’s art districts, museums and performing-arts facilities. The festivities kick off tonight with a ramped-up version of one of Denver’s most successful recurring arts events: the First Friday art walk. Ten districts in all will roll out the red carpet, with opening receptions, events and $52.80 art deals. In RiNo, for instance, you might want to sign up for a vintage limo tour for two featuring stops at seven district galleries, just one of those $52.80 bargains (visit www.rivernorthart.com to check availability). A free Night at the Museums follows on Saturday night (see details below), and the Denver Performing Arts Complex will host a free outdoor open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, featuring everything from aerial acrobats to $52.80 theater packages. Local fashion mavens will even get into the act on November 10, at the Denver Art Museum’s Cut ‘n’ Sew Yves Saint Laurent Challenge, one facet of a Street Style day at the Denver Pavilions.

And that’s just the tip of the artistic iceberg; there’s a lot more to do and see in the city between now and November 12. Go to www.denverartsweek.com for a complete schedule and list of Denver Arts Week bargains.

Nov. 4-12, 2011