The 10th annual Denver Arts Week kicks off November 4 and runs through November 12. Immerse yourself in the Mile High City’s top cultural attractions. Over nine days, art lovers can tour Denver’s artistic neighborhoods, explore museums, take in theater and dance performances, view unique films and check out the city’s thriving music scene.
Celebrate Denver’s diverse artistic culture day or night during Denver Arts Week with over 300 local events. Some events are free or discounted, giving everyone an opportunity to get in on the entertainment. With so many events to choose from, 303 Magazine has put together a list of some of the events not to be missed. For a full calendar of events during Denver Arts Week click here.
First Friday Art Walks
Image courtesy of Art District on Santa Fe Facebook.
Where: Various Denver Art Districts
When: November 4
The Lowdown: First Friday Art Walks kick off Denver Arts Week with more than 100 galleries staying open late for art lovers to peruse. Take a VIP Art Tour in the River North Art District (RiNo), stroll the Santa Fe Arts District and submit your own art in Denver’s citywide art contest, To Denver, With Love. The Tennyson Street Cultural District will also be featuring an art sale with artwork starting at $52.80. Tour the Golden Triangle neighborhood’s fine galleries. First Friday Art Walks offer an opportunity to enjoy local artists’ talent for free.
Explore Denver’s Museums
Image courtesy of the Clyfford Still Museum on Facebook.
Where: 12 of Denver’s most popular museums
When: November 5, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Lowdown: Enjoy the Denver Art Museum‘s free day and visit a variety of exhibits including Glory of Venice: Masterworks of the Renaissance and Shock Wave: Japanese Fashion Design, 1980 – 1990s.
The Clyfford Still Museum will hold its largest exhibition to date with Clyfford Still’s Works on Paper. Around 260 pieces of Still’s graphic art works will be on display.
Visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science where nature’s oddest creations are on display in the Extreme Mammals exhibit. And where glimpses of mummies from the Chicago’s Field Museum collection can be caught in Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs.
Free shuttle rides from the Denver Art Museum will make it possible to visit multiple attractions throughout the evening. For a list of shuttle routes, click here.
Denver On Stage
Image courtesy of the Colorado Ballet on Facebook.
Where: Various venues throughout Denver
When: November 4 – 12
The Lowdown: Experience live theater, music, dance and comedy performances throughout the Denver Arts Week at some of the greatest venues in the city. The Colorado Ballet will present free, 20-minute demonstrations of some of The Nutcracker‘s beloved dance numbers on November 4 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. at their home at 1075 Santa Fe Drive.
Go behind the scenes with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) on November 7 with the presentation of Magic of Theater. Learn about lighting and staging effects from the DCPA’s Tony-award winning Theater Company.
Ben Folds returns to Denver to present Ben Folds: Master Work with the Colorado Symphony on November 11 at Boettcher Concert Hall.
Denver On Screen
Photo by Jason Dewitt
Where: Sie FilmCenter, UA Denver Pavillions, Festival Annex and Ellie Caulkins Opera House
When: November 2 – 13
The Lowdown: The Denver Film Festival offers over 250 films over 11 days in its 39th year. Check out screenings of critically acclaimed films like, La La Land, as well as documentaries, shorts, music videos and student films at all four venues during the festival.
Denver Music
Singer Alicia Olatuja. Image courtesy of Lakewood Cultural Center on Facebook.
Where: Various venues throughout Denver
When: November 4 – 12
The Lowdown: Jam out to the funk and blues infused jazz stylings of singer, Alicia Olatuja and her quartet. Olatuja first hit the spotlight when she performed as a soloist with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir for President Obama’s Second Inauguration. Olatuja will perform at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 South Allison Street on November 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Join award-winning guitarist Rene Heredia and his Flamenco Fantasy Dance Theater for an evening of flamenco rhythms at Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive on November 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Denver Arts Week offers multiple opportunities to experience the thriving cultural and artistic communities of the Mile High city. Visit the Denver Arts Week site here for even more events to choose from and celebrate the creative diversity of Denver.