This week, while Illegal Pete’s celebrates its 20th anniversary at Red Rocks, Corvus Coffee is having a barista “throwdown.” Also, get the chance to try any of the fantastic drinks that you may have missed out on this summer with the Denver Passport Closing Party. Plus, an iconic Denver event returns for Labor Day Weekend! Read on to see what you shouldn’t miss. 

Denver D.I.Y. Days: Fermentation WorkshopDEN_DIYDays_TCover_150810

When: September 2, 6:30- 8:30 p.m.

Where:  2829 Fairfax St., Denver

Cost: $15 – $20

RSVP: here

The Low Down: Denver will be involved in a month long celebration supporting the D.I.Y. craft community. Yelp! and Share Denver will host five individual workshops, including ones focusing on fermentation, craft beer, a screen printing and embroidery, and painting. This week will be a fermentation workshop, where you will get the chance to learn to ferment everything from peppers to vegetables. Plus, once completed, you will get to keep what you create. Each event will offer complimentary food and beverages, to add to the experience and to keep you fueled while crafting.

 

Denver Passport Closing Party

Photo courtesy of Denver Passport.

Photo courtesy of Denver Passport.

When: Thursday, September 3, 7 – 10 p.m.

Where: McNichols Building, 144 W Colfax Ave., Denver

Cost: $25

Tickets: Available here (you don’t have to be a Passport holder to attend). 

The Low Down: The Passport Program, a two-for-one drink booklet, is your personal tour guide to the best bars, restaurants, distilleries, breweries, and wineries in Denver. This year, there were 64 amazing establishments that participated in this summer long event. On the evening of Thursday, September 3, the McNichols Building will be transformed into an art gallery for the 2015 Passport Closing Party. With booze and bartenders from all of Denver’s best drinking establishments, you won’t be without the cocktail of your choice. The event will also include a variety of food trucks, so that you can pair your beverage with a tasty treat. This is your last chance to try any of the drinks you may have missed during your summer journey. You will also have the opportunity to win gift certificates to many of the passport establishments you may have visited during your endeavors. 

Corvus’ Thursday Night Throwdown

latte art prize

Photo from Crema’s Barista Throwdown competition. Photo by Roman Tafoya

When: Friday, September 4, 7 p.m.

Where: Corvus Coffee, 1740 S. Broadway

Cost: Free (small pooled fee may apply)

The Low Down: It is time for the Corvus edition of Thursday Night Throwdown! This local coffee shop competition brings baristas from around the area to compete to see whose latte making skills can outshine the others. This bracket styled event pairs competitors to create the best “latte art.” Judges will be pulled from a variety of people in the local Denver coffee scene. This party/latte art throwdown will include prizes (first place takes home a bike from The Urban Cyclist), food, and of course the caffeinated drinks. It is open to the public, so grab a seat and come watch some of Denver’s best coffee slingers work their magic. 

 

A Taste of Colorado

Taste of Colorado. Photo by Camille Breslin.

Taste of Colorado. Photo by Camille Breslin.

When: September 4-7

Where: Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver

Cost: Free admission 

The Low Down:  Once known as the Festival of Mountain and Plain back in 1895, this event was initially modeled after New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, as a way to celebrate the City of Denver. Although the original concept ended back at the turn of the century, the revived Taste of Colorado still holds the spirit of this celebration alive. In its 32nd year, there will be plenty of music, food and even carnival rides at this iconic event. For music, there will be over six entertainment stages that will host artists including Mary Lambert, Kansas, Morris Day and the Time, Chris August, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts–just to name a few. Also for 2015, 50 food establishments will participate as well as 250 marketplace artisans and vendors. Entrance is free, but tickets can be purchased on site in order to buy food and rides on carnival attractions. 

Illegal Pete’s 20th Anniversary

Illegal Pete's burrito at Red Rocks. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

Illegal Pete’s burrito at Red Rocks. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

When: Sunday, September 6, 6 p.m.

Where: Red Rocks Amphitheater, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison

Tickets: Available here 

Cost: $35

The Low Down: Illegal Pete’s is turning 20, and to celebrate this local company is hosting a concert with some amazing bands at Red Rocks! Lucero, Built to Spill, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Nathan & Stephen will all be performing. Hosting this exciting event is none other than comedian, Adam Cayton-Holland. As a Colorado company, 303 Magazine is proud to be one of the sponsors for this event. Don’t miss your chance to help one of your favorite restaurants celebrate this major milestone! 

 

Mark your Calendars

Denver food and Wine Festival

When: September 9 – 12

Tickets: Available here

James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour

When: Friday, September 11, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery, 3200 Larimer St. Denver

Cost: U.S. Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Signature Cardholders: $85

JBF members and general public: $155

Tickets: Available here

Longmont Oktoberfest

When: September 11, 4-10 p.m. & September 12, 12-10 p.m.

Where: Roosevelt Park, Longmont CO

Cost: GA $5 or VIP Lounge: $35

VIP Tickets: Available here

Tour de Fat

When: Saturday, September 12

Where: City Park, Denver

Tickets: Available here

Colorado Chilifest

When: September 12, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. & September 13, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Where: Centennial Center Park, 13050 E. Peakview Ave., Denver