We are starting the weekend early, Denver. We have two great events on Thursday night that we had to include in the roundup. Friday to Sunday we are featuring all the unique things from a 20-mile trek through the Colorado wilderness to a comedy benefit for the Denver Zoo. Catch a great national stand-up act or really get to know your city by hunting Pokemon. Do not worry, whatever your tastes, we have you covered.

Air Guitar Throwdown & Beer Release Party

Ratio Beerworks Interior. Photo by Brittany Werges.

When: Thursday, August 18, 7 p.m. 

Where: Ratio Beerworks – 2920 Larimer St., Denver

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: This Thursday Ratio Beerworks is hosting an Air Guitar Throwdown. Make a submission video of you shredding on the invisible axe and send it in through the event page. Winners of the submissions will get to compete against touring air musicians with local celebrity judges. If the invisible lime light isn’t for you still stop by the brewery to watch people going all out and to enjoy some beers – this is the official release of Major Nights Lime Gose beer.

FuckUp Nights

Lauren Butts, founder of FuckUp Nights Denver, Photo Courtesy of 303 Staff

When: Thursday, August 18, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Globe Hall – 4483 Logan St., Denver

Cost: $10

The Lowdown: FuckUp nights comes to the United States from its original home in Mexico City. It serves as a great opportunity to meet local entrepreneurs and hear them talk about their failures rather than their successes. This Thursday, hear from Matt Selby the executive chef at Punch Bowl Social, Shauna Lott owner of the Long I Pie Shop and co-owners of the Knotty Tie Co. Jeremy Priest and Mark Johnson. Admission includes a PBR and there are Q & A portions after the speaker as well as an opportunity for networking. This event is sponsored by 303 Magazine.

Fjallraven Trek

Photo Courtesy of Fjallraven Facebook Page

When: Friday, August 19 at 6 a.m.

Where: Multiple pickup locations around Denver

Cost: $199; get tickets here

The Lowdown: Fjallraven is hosting a 20-mile trek across Colorado’s beautiful and scenic backcountry, Starting at the North Canadian Trail the Trek will cover 20 miles over three days through Colorado backcountry. The event will begin with pickup from one of three locations in Denver at 6 a.m. on Friday. Food and water will be provided throughout the trek but make sure to bring gear for a backpacking trip including cookware. The hiking will cover Ruby Jewel Trailhead to the glacier basin of Clark Peak all the way to Kelly Lake trail. At the end of the hike, there will be a cookout and local beers to celebrate. Sunday participants will return to their vehicles around 7 p.m. Take advantage of this beautiful way to get out of the city for a couple days.

Millennial Week – The Start-Up Lounge

Photo Courtesy of Millennial Week Facebook Page

When: Friday, August 19, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Wells Fargo Center – 1700 Lincoln St., Denver

Cost: $10

The Lowdown: The last available event for Denver’s Millennial Week is this Friday. Denver’s Millennial Week offers forums, awards and seminars for Denver young adults that want to better understand their role in the national landscape. As millennials are becoming a major voting block in the United States it can be difficult to unpack all that will entail and how our participation now will impact our future. These events are organized by millennials for millennials and while the first three days are sold our there are still tickets available for the final event – The Startup Lounge.

Volcanic Origins Opening at KANON Gallery

Photo Courtesy of Kanon Collective Website

When: Reception – August 19, 6-9 p.m.

Where: KANON Art Gallery – 766 Sante Fe Dr., Denver

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: KANON collective is a local artist owned and operated gallery in the Sante Fe Art District. This month their featured artist is Noah Bryant – a local nature photographer. Bryant has a long resume of both freelance artistic work as well as photojournalism pursuits that can be viewed on his website. His current collection, Volcanic Origins, features complimentary images of Kauai and Iceland, two dramatically different locales both born of volcanic eruption. The gallery is open now if you just want to stop by and experience the collection on your own but the artist’s reception will take place Friday from 6-9 p.m. with some refreshments provided.

Paddle at Sunset

Photo Courtesy of Denver Outdoor Adventure Club Facebook Page

When: Friday, August 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Sloan’s Lake

Cost: $15 for non-members

The Lowdown: Arrive at 6 p.m. to be included in the event. Paddle out onto Sloan’s Lake at 6:30 p.m. and leisurely float across the lake as the sun sets over the scenery surrounding the park. For those not already members of the Denver Outdoor Adventure Club your $15 will get you inclusion in the two-hour event as well as a paddle board and oars or a single or double kayak. The group is asking that anyone interested, to make a reservation by calling 303-472-3355 to ensure that there are enough materials ready for the outing. Paddlers will return at 8:30 p.m.

Ron Funches at Comedy Works

When: Thursday, August 18 – Saturday, August 20

Where: Comedy Works Downtown – 1226 15th St., Denver

Cost: $20-26

The Lowdown: Ron Funches’ easy demeanor and infectious giggle will delight audiences in the Denver area for three days straight. Funches dry wit and storytelling style of comedy cover topics from rap music to disciplining your pets to smoking weed year round. Comedy works is hosting him for three days and a total of five performances. Grab a couple cocktails and get ready to fall in love with this hilarious comedian.

AIDs Walk

Photo Courtesy of CO AIDS Walk Facebook Page

When: Saturday, August 20 at 9 a.m.

Where: Cheeseman Park 

Cost: Free Admission

The Lowdown: This Saturday is the annual AIDS Walk Awareness Day. Denver’s Cheeseman park will receive an estimated 8,000 people from across the state who come together to walk, run, play volleyball or participate in the other events happening over the course of the day. This is Colorado’s oldest running and largest awareness and fundraising event about AIDS and HIV and thousands of residents in the state will benefit over the year from this day. Getting together some friends to participate as a team on Saturday is easy, all the information is available on the website here.

Riot Fest Ticket Scavenger Hunt

Photo Courtesy of Twist and Shout Facebook Page

When: Saturday, August 20, 10 a.m.

Where: Twist and Shout Records – 2508 E. Colfax Ave., Denver

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: Twist and Shout Record shop is hosting another scavenger hunt to find Riot Fest three-day passes. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and you are invited to come in and search for the passes which will be located underneath an artist that previously played at Riot Fest. Make sure to check under your favorite band as this will likely be a very quick event. Feel free to shop around after at one of Denver’s favorite local music outlets. Check out all the scavenger hints on the Facebook event page.

Adult Prom

Photo Courtesy of School House Kitchen and Libations Facebook Page

When: Saturday, August 20, 7 p.m.

Where: Schoolhouse Kitchen and Libations – 5660 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada

Cost: $20 Advance $25 at the Door

The Lowdown: School House Kitchen and Libations is holding an adults-only prom this Saturday. To follow up the success of last years under the sea theme, the popular restaurant and bar announced this year’s theme will be “A Galaxy Far, Far Away.” Costumes are encouraged over formal wear but if you can make it both that would probably be ideal. Tickets are on sale now on School House‘s website and cost of admission will include all you can eat buffet, games and one glass of grown up punch.

Dining Al Fresco in Larimer Square

Photo Courtesy of Larimer Square Facebook Page

When: Saturday, August 20 

Where: Larimer Square – Downtown Denver

Cost: Free Admission

The Lowdown: Larimer Square is without a doubt one of the prettiest historic sights in Denver. It happens to also contain some of the highest rated restaurants and greatest boutique shopping. This Saturday the square is bringing back a fan favorite where the restaurants who often have limited or no patio seating will extend their reach onto the streets. Reservations are slim for this weekend but it still worth stopping by for the satellite bars that will be outside as well as for the ambiance that dining al fresco on the square offers. To see a list of participating restaurants you can check here.

Pokemon Go Bar Crawl

Photo by Peyton Garcia

When: Saturday, August 20 at 5 p.m.

Where: Crawl Begins at Beryl’s Brewing – 3120 Blake St., Denver

Cost: $15

The Lowdown: It’s been said that Pokemon flock to large groups playing the game and it has been proven that bar crawls lead to untold discoveries. Tickets for the event are traded in at Beryl’s Brewery for wristbands that will waive cover and initiate drink specials. The free map will be made available the day of and anyone is welcome to join regardless of ticket purchase. Have fun nerds and don’t forget your chargers and IDs.

Tequila, Taco and Cerveza Festival

Photo by Justin De La Rosa.

When: Sunday, August 21, 2 p.m.

Where: Mile High Station – 2027 Old West Colfax Ave., Denver

Cost: $30 – $40; Grab your tickets!

The Lowdown: Emphasis on Tequila! This is a traveling event that showcases Mexican brews, international tequilas and local tacos. The tickets will open the doors to a tequila flight, games and a chihuahua race. Also included in the ticket is a branded shot glass and you can cast your vote for the El Hefe Taco Champ.

ShakesBeer Presents: Much ABrew About Nothing

Photo Courtesy of ShakesBEER Events Facebook Page

When: Sunday August 21, at 2:30 p.m.

Where: Ratio Brewing Company – 2920 Larimer St., Denver

Cost: Free

The Lowdown: Head over to Ratio Beerworks Sunday at 2:30 p.m. to see an encore performance of “Much Abrew about Nothing.” The Wit’s adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play is sure to delight even those unfamiliar with Shakespeare’s work. Even for those skeptical of public displays of theater this should be a fun endeavor in the relaxed setting of the Brewery. Also, the actors are drunk—hilarious.

Comedy Night at The Denver Zoo

Photo Courtesy of Facebook

When: Sunday, August 16, at 6 p.m. 

Where: The Denver Zoo 

Cost: $60 

The Lowdown: The Denver Zoo is hosting its 16th annual comedy night benefit for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers. The ticket price will include a dinner buffet, open bar, live and silent auction and musical entertainment before the comedy. Proceeds from this night go back into the Zoo which is something to feel great about. The night will be funny and whimsical, it is the Denver Zoo after all. This could be a great date night or just nice way to end the weekend.

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Mark Your Calendars…

303 Magazine Pool Party

When: Sunday, September 4 

Where: Riviera at the Breakers Resort – 9099 E. Mississippi Ave., Denver

Cost: $20-30

RiNo Music Festival

When: Friday, August 26, 4:30 p.m.

Where: RiNo Live! – 3715 Chestnut Pl., Denver

Cost: $20-30

The Color Run 5k

When: Saturday, August 27 

Where: Coors Field

Cost: $39.99

Zandi K’s 9th Annual White Party

When: Sunday, August 28, 3-7 p.m.

Where: Syntax Psychic Opera – 554 S. Broadway, Denver

Cost: Free Admission