Rooftops are opening and menus are changing – it’s a wonderful weekend for foodies in Denver. Two different locales are roasting animals of all kinds, there’s a very special beer and chocolate pairing and we didn’t forget about you, vegans, as a there is a special dinner just for you. Food aside, this weekend you can also frolic with butterflies, Tango in Cheesman Park or even see a special David Bowie tribute with the Colorado Symphony. Start weighing your options now because figuring out what to do with this jam-packed lineup might very well be the most difficult thing you have to do all weekend.
Grand Opening: Butterflies at Chatfield Farms
When: Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, both 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton
Cost: $5 per car, $4 admission per adult
The Low Down: Navigate a garden filled with hundreds of Colorado butterflies this Saturday. Chatfield Farms will be opening their Butterfly Pavilion for the season in partnership with Denver Botanic Gardens this weekend. There will be about 30 native plant species as well as 20 not-so-native that were obtained for their nectar and of course a variety of colorful flying insects.
Nerd Nite: Martian Myths, A History of Vinyl and the Business of Art
When: Friday, May 27 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: The Oriental Theater – 4335 W. 44th Ave., Denver
Cost: $6 in advance, $9 at door; get tickets here.
The Low Down: This unique local “TedTalks with alcohol” is a fun way to learn something new and interesting all while having fun at the Oriental Theater. With multiple presenters lined up to talk topics from aliens to vinyl, Nerd Nite will have you thinking and drinking all evening in this one-of-a-kind Friday night.
The Slaughter
When: Saturday, May 28, 2-7 p.m.
Where: Rebel Restaurant – 3763 Wynkoop St., Denver
Cost: $40; get tickets here
The Low Down: This weekend Rebel Restaurant will be roasting a lamb, a pig and a goat while TRVE Brewing serves up the libations. Admission is $40 but includes two beers from TRVE, a plate of food and dessert, making the cost well worth it. In addition, there will be a DJ and games guaranteeing a lot of entertainment for an exciting and unique Saturday afternoon.
Devour: Vegan Mexican Street Food
When: Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m.
Where: Rocky Mountain Miracle Center – 1939 S. Monroe St., Denver
Cost: $15-30; get tickets here.
The Low Down: If you haven’t yet heard of Devour, they’re a monthly dinner series serving up delicious homemade vegan cuisine. This months theme is Mexican street food with a mouth-watering menu prepared for Friday. This dinner party is BYOB so be sure to come prepared with a six-pack of Tecate, or a handle of tequila.
Libations & Provisions: A Brewery Farmers Market
When: Saturday, May 28, 1–5 p.m.
Where: Station 26 Brewing Co. – 7045 E. 38th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Low Down: As if farmers markets weren’t great enough, try browsing one with a beer in your hand this Saturday at Station 26 Brewing Co. Vendors include New World Cheese, Happy Leaf Kombucha, Tonix Denver and many more. If you can’t make it don’t worry–there will be five more, each on the last Saturday of every month.
Let’s Dance: Celebration of David Bowie
When: Saturday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall – 14th St. & Curtis St., Denver
Cost: $39-99;get tickets here.
The Low Down: This Saturday the Colorado Symphony will be teaming up with Jeans ‘n’ Classics for an evening of rock-n-roll, symphonies and David Bowie tributes. Come celebrate the life of this music icon at Boettcher Concert Hall this weekend in a one-of-a-kind concert event.
Beer & Chocolate
When: Friday, May 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Zephyr Brewing Company – 1421 26th St., Denver
Cost: $20; get tickets here.
The Low Down: Chocolate Lab will be hosting this fun beer and chocolate pairing at Zephyr Brewing Company this Friday. Learn about these special pairings while devouring them all at once for only $20 in this educational and intimate food event.
Sunset Paddleboarding
When: Saturday, May 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Chatfield State Park – 11500 Roxborough Park Road, Littleton
Cost: $25; get tickets here
The Low Down: Mountain Glow Paddle at Chatfield Reservoir is a small group gathering open to anyone who wants to enjoy a peaceful summer paddle at sunset. The event will recur at 6 p.m. every other Saturday, beginning on May 28. All participants will be given a glowing illumination device to light their way as the sun sets. Reservations are required for this outing, so call (303)472-3355 to reserve your spot. Words by Patricia McCrystal.
Cider Festival – The Pressed Conference
When: Saturday, May 28, 2-5 p.m.
Where: Denver Masonic Events Center – 3550 Federal Blvd., Denver
Cost: $40 for unlimited tastes; get tickets here.
The Low Down: Yes, you read that right – unlimited. This Saturday $40 gets you unlimited tastes at the Pressed Conference Cider Festival outside of the Denver Masonic Events Center. Celebrating local ciders, this unique festival will have everything craft-cider-culture all in one place. Featuring music from Robby Peoples and a slew of food trucks, this event is a shoe-in for a good time.
Goat Roast
When: Saturday, May 28 – Detailed hours here.
Where: Black Sky Brewery – 490 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Low Down: This Saturday Black Sky Brewery will be roasting a goat and serving it up in some tasty tacos and sliders. Enjoy one of their brews while you move to some live music by Oak, Ash, and Thorn and Human Carnivorous Greed in this hardcore food and beer event.
Denver Tango Festival – Memorial Day Milonga
When: Sunday, May 29, 6–9 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park Pavillion – 1835 Franklin St., Denver
Cost: $15; get tickets here.
The Low Down: The Denver Tango Festival is this weekend with one of the highlights being this Memorial Day Milonga in the Cheesman Park Pavillion. Bring your dancing shoes and some fun picnic items for this unique holiday option. The event is BYOB but be aware of Cheesman Park alcohol restrictions, and also be sure to get your ticket in advance as they won’t be available at the event.
Denver Day of Rock
When: Saturday, May 28, 2:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Amp the Cause – 1616 17th St. Set 462, Denver
Cost: Free
The Low Down: This Memorial Day Amp the Cause will be hosting a free five-stage music festival open to all. Supporting local non-profits, this is a great way to get outdoors for the holiday all for a good cause. Featuring a diverse lineup throughout the day including The Suffers and The Railbenders, this festival in the 16th Street Mall area is not to be missed.
’80s Summer Kickoff Rooftop Party
When: Friday, May 27 at 5 p.m.
Where: Jax Fish House Glendale – 650 S. Colorado Blvd., Glendale
The Low Down: Celebrate the start of summer with this ’80s themed party on the rooftop of Jax in Glendale. There will be drink specials as well as live music playing throughout the evening, but no ordinary live music–covers from classic film The Goonies. Dig up your best ’80s clothing and get ready for this fun themed party.
Untitled: Rising Sun
When: Friday, May 27, 6–10 p.m.
Where: Denver Art Museum – 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver
Cost: Free for members; $10 for non-members
The Low Down: Untitled at the Denver Art Museum is one of those unique events that we cover regularly because it never ceases to surprise us. This month Andrew Novick will be taking over the festivity with a celebration of Japanese pop-culture and samurais. Dance performances, interactive workshops and taiko drum making demos and performances are some of the additional highlights of this unique cultural event.
Yoga Rocks the Park
When: Sunday, May 29 at 8 a.m.
Where: Sunken Gardens Park, Denver
Cost: Free
Tickets: Register here
The Low Down: One of the largest yoga events in Denver kicks off this weekend. Stretching through September, Yoga Rocks the Park is a free/donation-based outdoor community yoga event. Attendance can exceed two thousand people on a good day, so make sure to get there and lay your mat down early. Also, shade is limited, so sunblock (the organic variety) and a small towel or visor are good ideas. Setting up a personal shade structure along the perimeter of the park is also an option. For more on the event, read our interview here. Words by George Peele.
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Mark Your Calendars…
303 Magazine Summer Pool Party
When: Sunday, June 5, 12-7 p.m.
Where: The Riviera at the Breakers Resort – 9099 E. Mississippi Ave., Denver
Cost: Starting at $20; RSVP here.
15 Minutes of Fame DJ Competition
When: Friday, June 3 at 4 p.m.
Where: The Church Nightclub – 1160 Lincoln St., Denver
The Peoples Fair
When: June 4 & 5
Where: Civic Center Park, Denver
Cost: Free
Crom West Comedy Festival
When: June 3-, 8-11 p.m.
Where: Main venue – Crossroads Theater, 2590 Washington St, Denver. Other locations listed here.
Cost: $15; get tickets here
Colorado Medieval Festival
When: June 3, 12 p.m.-6 p.m., June 4, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., June 5, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Where: The Savage Woods, LLC, 1750 Savage Road, Loveland Heights
Cost: $8; get tickets here.
Brody Jenner DJ Set
When: Friday, June 3 at 9 p.m.
Where: NATIV Hotel – 1612 Wazee St., Denver
Cost: Free; RSVP Here
Chalk & Chakras
When: Sunday, June 5 at 11 a.m.
Where: Larimer Square, Denver
Cost: Free
Foam Party
When: Saturday, June 4 at 7 p.m.
Where: National Western Complex – 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
Cost: $20; get tickets here.