As the long-awaited weekend arrives, let’s check out some of Denver’s unique events to help us forget about this week’s frustrations. With the weather finally settling into cooler temperatures, mid-November provides us with a glimpse of the winter season that lies ahead. Whether it’s pairing wine and beer, enhancing your wizard skills or checking out a modern remake of Tchaikovsky’s legendary score, there’s something for everyone going on this weekend in the 303.
Thursday, November 17
Chef and Brew
When: Thursday, November 17 from 6-10 p.m.
Where: EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St., Denver
Cost: $49 to $69
The Lowdown: With over 20 Colorado-based breweries and 20 local celebrity chefs, Chef & Brew is the ultimate Denver pairing competition. Participants include beloved breweries such as Strange Craft, Prost and Renegade alongside chefs from Mizuna, Euclid Hall, Cho 77 and many others. Brewery representatives and chefs will team up to create the best beer and food pairing. Check out the event to see who takes home the title.
Free Day at the Denver Zoo
When: Thursday, November 17 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Denver Zoo – 2300 Steele St., Denver, Colorado 80205
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Enjoy the beauty of the Denver Zoo this Thursday, for free! Experience the diverse wildlife and unique exhibits home to the Denver Zoo, and even feed a giraffe. This is a great way to destress after the work week, and also to appreciate the glory of some of Earth’s wildlife species.
Warren Miller’s “Here, There & Everywhere”
When: Thursday, November 17 from 8-11 p.m.
Where: Paramont Theatre – 1621 Glenarm Pl., Denver
Cost: $25. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Pioneering the ski-film industry 67 years ago, Warren Miller has inspired film crews to capture some epic footage from the sport. The tradition continues this year, capturing the humor, adventure and glory of skiing at the Paramount Theatre in order to pump up powder-hungry ski goers for the winter season. If you can’t make Thursday’s screening, there will be screenings on November 18 – 20. Get more info here.
Friday, November 18
Comedy Happy Hour
When: Friday, November 18 from 5-6 p.m.
Where: Comedy Works – 1226 15th St., Denver
Cost: $4. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Enjoy a comedically enhanced happy hour this Friday at Comedy Works, with comedy, drinks and food at a discounted rate. Rory Albanese, a Primetime Emmy Awards Winner for his work as a writer and executive producer for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” will be coming to Denver to showcase his stand-up comedy show. Tickets are only $4, so if you’re ballin’ on a budget, this event can allow you to laugh at something besides your own bank account.
Fantastic Planet – Midnight Madness
When: Friday, November 18 from 11:59 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Esquire Theatre – 590 Downing St., Denver
Cost: $9. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Enjoy the mastery behind René Laloux’s animated classic Fantastic Planet this Friday for a midnight showing of the film. This intellectually stimulating stop-motion film touches base on political philosophy and science fiction, as humans are found living as animals on a strange planet inhabited by giant humanoid aliens. Created in 1973, the film is still admired today as a cinematic masterpiece, with a soundtrack that truly complements the sci-fi vibe. If you can’t make the showing on Friday night, there will be a second showing on Saturday at the same time.
House of Poetry ’90s Party feat. Spirit Born
When: Friday, November 18 from 8-10:30 p.m.
Where: Aurora Cultural Arts Center – 1400 Dallas St. Aurora
Cost: $10 cover, $5 if signed up for open mic
The Lowdown: It’s time for the House of Poetry’s monthly poetry party to return. As per usual, there will be poets spitting their unique talent on the mic, but this time there will be an ’90s inspired theme. Feel free to dress in your favorite nostalgic wardrobe items and enjoy some ’90s guilty pleasures with DJ Kenneth SunRa Anthony, who will be spinning some jams from the past. There will be a special return of Spirit Born to challenge the realms of your mind.
National Yeti Day Celebration
When: Friday, November 18 from 5-10 p.m.
Where: Great Divide Barrel Bar, 1812 35th St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Raising awareness to the magesty of the Yeti, Great Divide will be hosting a Yeti-themed party this Friday. The brewery has declared November 14-18 National Yeti Awareness week, with November 18 being National Yeti day. Why not celebrate the yeti community with some delicious beer? There will be a wide variety of Yeti on tap, with food pairing. There will also be raffles, and if you’re lucky, a possible Yeti sighting.
Saturday, November 19
Thanksgiving Pie and Beer Pairing
When: Saturday, November 19 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Denver Beer Co. 1695 Platte St., Denver
Cost: $20-$40. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Get ready for Thanksgiving this Saturday at the Denver Beer Company’s pie and beer pairing. With the purchase of a ticket, you get to taste four different pies matched with four different beers. Then choose your favorite pairing and order it for the holiday, so you can show up prepared to the feast with a perfectly-paired beer and pie.
Holiday Makers Market
When: Saturday, November 19 from 1-6 p.m.
Where: Backyard on Blake – 3040 Blake St. Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Take the stress out of the holidays and get your shopping finished early this Saturday. Have a drink in the courtyard and explore the local food and vendors. This is a great way to relax while getting some shopping done for the holiday season, all while supporting local businesses. There will also be music by Dave Tamkin.
Interactive Wizard’s Class
When: Saturday, November 19 from 3:30-5 p.m.
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Attention all wizards and witches! Before the showing of The Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them this Saturday at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a free interactive wizard’s workshop will be held in the lobby. There will be a variety of wizard-themed topics covered in the class, and you’ll receive your own wizardly project to take home.
MCA Dance Party
When: Saturday, November 19 from 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: MCA Denver – 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Get down this Saturday at the MCA with a part dance party, part sing along. There will be music by DJ Mike Disco with a special performance by The Dramastics Are Loud AF Soundtrack. Take the opportunity to explore the museum after hours and get a drink from one of the multiple bars available. The event will take place in Nathan Carter’s gallery.
After Hours at The Source
When: Saturday, November 19 from 11 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: The Source Market Hall – 3550 Brighton Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The Source Market Hall will be getting lit this Saturday for an after-hours party. There will be music by DJ Nigel + Dan, and food and drinks – including adult capri suns, potted hotdogs and Elvis sandwiches – will be available for purchase. Get down and have fun at this unique chance to party at the Source Market hall after hours.
Sunday, November 20
Oyster Bash
When: Sunday, November 20 from 3-8 p.m.
Where: The Oceanaire Seafood Room – 1400 Arapahoe St. Denver
Cost: $85. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Though we may be landlocked, there is definitely not a lack of good and fresh seafood in the 303. Enjoy East and West Coast oysters, shrimp, lobster and other seafood, paired with wine, craft brews and cocktails. Live music by The Brian Hornbuckle Band will accompany the delicious food.
The Hiphop Nutcracker
When: Sunday, November 20 from 7:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Performing Arts Complex – 1400 Curtis St, Denver
Cost: Starts at $20. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Enjoy an eclectic remake on Tchaikovsky’s legendary score of the Nutcracker this Sunday. The Hip Hop Nutcracker features a cast of dancers, a DJ and a violinist. This contemporary retake on the timeless music is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
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Mark Your Calendars
Artful Insight— Frank Mechau
When: November 21, 3-4:30 p.m.
Where: American Museum of Western Art, 1727 Tremont Pl, Denver
Cost: $10
Tickets: Available here
Making Sense of Colorado’s Purple Politics
When: November 21, 1-2 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.
Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $8-$12
Tickets: Available here
Peace, Love, and Improv
When: November 22, 7:30-9:15 p.m.
Where: Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma St, Denver
Cost: $10
Tickets: Available here