Soak up some sun or stay cool inside with 303 Magazine’s list of events and activities in Denver this week. There are outdoor art activities like an art run and an art walk to the Byers-Evans House. If outdoor activities aren’t your thing, don’t worry because there are plenty of other options for you. If you get creative with a glass of wine or a beer then you’re in luck because there are tons of opportunities to enjoy spirits while you’re painting pottery, wood art or canvases at numerous different art events. You can find outdoor film screenings, new art exhibits opening and drinks and poetry this week, so get yourself immersed in the culture surrounding you in the Mile High.
Monday, July 24
Denver Actors Fund Presents: Hairspray
When: July 24, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Alamo Drafthouse at Sloan’s Lake — 4255 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: $20
The Lowdown: “Denver Actors Fund Presents …” is a monthly series featuring films that either inspired or were inspired by live stage musicals and plays that are also currently being performed by a Colorado theater company. This month’s film is Hairspray, the humorous, pop musical that tells a story of America moving from a black-and-white world to a technicolor rainbow of dancing and singing.
Art Run
When: July 24, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Black Black Coffee — 3459 Ringsby Ct., Denver
Cost: Free; RSVP here for free drinks after the run.
The Lowdown: You can enjoy the beautiful art around Denver all while breaking a sweat at this event. Meet up at Black Black Coffee to start the run and art experience and finish up at The Source. If you sign up and get a wristband from one of the Runners Roost stores you’ll get a free drink after the run.
Tuesday, July 25
TAXI Film Design Series
When: July 25, 7 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: TAXI Community — 3457 Ringsby Ct., Denver
Cost: $10
The Lowdown: TAXI wil host the third edition of its Film Design Series. There will be a special screening of the Netflix series, Abstract: Footwear Design — Tinker Hatfield, poolside at TAXI’s shipping container. There will also be a curated panel discussion lead by Brett Vladika, director of research at The Boa System. So enjoy some drinks, some finger foods and learn more about the complexities of design.
Wednesday, July 26
A Film For All Seasons: Spartacus
When: July 26, 2 – 10 p.m.
Where: Landmark’s Mayan Theatre — 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver
Cost: $8.50
The Lowdown: A Film For All Seasons continues with Stanley Kubrick’s, Spartacus, which will play at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Landmark’s Mayan Theatre. The classic movie combines history with spectacle to create a drama of love and commitment and an inspirational account of man’s eternal struggle for freedom. Bring someone you can handle sitting in a movie theater for three hours with and don’t forget snacks.
Underground Poetry — My Magical Life
When: July 26, 7:30 – 10 p.m.
Where: Blush and Blu — 526 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Underground Poetry is a spoken word open mic event that occurs the last Wednesday of the month in the basement of Blush and Blu. There will be literary themed cocktails (and mocktails), audience driven games and poetry from those eager enough to share. Come share your own poems or listen to the talented wordsmiths from the community.
Paint Your Pet
When: July 26, 7 – 10 p.m.
Where: Pinot’s Palette — 3420 W. 32nd Ave., Denver
Cost: $60; find tickets here.
The Lowdown: What better way to show everyone you know just how obsessed you are with pet than by painting a perfect portrait of your furry friend? This is one of Pinot’s Palette’s most popular themes, and space is limited so don’t wait too long to sign up. This event is a great way to enjoy wine and inspire your creative juices within where you can hangout with your friends or meet new ones.
Mixed Taste: Giant Flutes & Celestial Navigation
When: July 26, 6 p.m. DO STILL
Where: Seawell Ballroom — 1350 Arapahoe St., Denver
Cost: $20
The Lowdown: Mixed Taste is an event where two speakers get 20 minutes each to enlighten the audience on unrelated topics, but can’t make any connections to each other. The idea behind this is that ideas start to blend afterward when audience members ask questions to both speakers. Featured speakers, Akio Lis and Jim Cook will be exploring the topics of giant flutes and celestial navigation — you’ll definitely want to see how this turns out.
Thursday, July 27
Time Machine
When: July 27, 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Syntax Physic Opera — 554 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: This week The Underground Music Showcase (UMS) is taking over South Broadway for a huge four-day music festival. For this event two organizations — Moon Magnet and DenVR — decided to collide the music of UMS with art. Featuring about a dozen DJs, the exhibit will have virtual reality artists create works of art inspired by each DJ set. The art will be projected on each wall so it’ll feel like you’re walking into a live painting. According to the event page, “This is not a simple rock show, this is an inter-dimensional cornucopia of sensations.” If you don’t know what that means and are curious to find out, don’t miss this trippy event.
Between the Hues Exhibit & After Party
When: July 27, 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Temple Arts Studio — 2400 Curtis St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The night will begin with a full-scale exhibit at the Temple Arts Studio. Denver artist, Detour, will be showing off his new work and installations with a live DJ set. Then the night will continue with other new works at Meadowlark Kitchen with the Art & Soul Afterparty where you can enjoy lively music, good drinks and food and of course beautiful new art.
Denver Contemporary Art Show
When: July 27, 5 – 10 p.m.
Where: The Church Nightclub — 1160 Lincoln St., Denver
Cost: $20
The Lowdown: The Conception Art Show is a contemporary art event that includes work from local artists, networking opportunities and drinks. Conception exhibits like this one have been featured in The Wall Street Journal as well as ABC News. Art enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to purchase work directly from local artists to support the Denver arts community.
Message to Our Mothers | Mensaje a Nuestras Madres
When: July 27, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Alamo Drafthouse at Sloan’s Lake — 4255 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: $20
The Lowdown: The Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) and Elephant Circle are bringing the film, Message to Our Mothers/ Mensaje a Nuestras Madres, to Denver to give voice and connection to families dealing with substance use. The screening will launch Message to Our Mothers/ Mensaje a Nuestras Madres, (M2M) a 9-month project investigating the issues of substance abuse and family relationships in the lives of Coloradans. The project will also have Colorado artists connect with Colorado storytellers to try to combat the stigma of addiction through the power of art.
THE BIG GAME art exhibit
When: July 27, 6 p.m.
Where: PlatteForum — 2400 Curtis St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: THE BIG GAME is an event created by resident PlatteForum artist Kyle Peets and PlatteForum’s ArtLab interns. It will launch for one night only as a collaborative performance created from a fictional premise. THE BIG GAME will be the debut performance of this “new sport “accompanied by loud music, show lighting, food vendors and merchandise tables.
Friday, July 28
Final Fridays Art Walk — Byers-Evans House
When: July 28, 5 – 8 p.m.
Where: Byers-Evans House — 1310 Bannock St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The Final Friday Art Walk (Final Fridays) gives participants an after-hours opportunity to explore the many creative spaces of the Golden Triangle area, and this week the space you will explore is the Byers-Evans House. At the Byers-Evans House, the gallery and gift shop will be open and the lawn will be filled with games and photo opportunities. The new exhibition, Carrying the Torch of Liberty: Women’s Work in World War I, will be open so you won’t want to miss it.
Outdoor Summer Film Series: E.T. 35th Anniversary
When: July 28, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Historic Elitch Theatre — 4655 W. 37th Ave., Denver
Cost: $5
The Lowdown: To celebrate the 35th anniversary of E.T. the Historic Elitch Theatre will be hosting an outdoor screening of the classic sci-fi movie. Cozy up with your loved ones and be sure to bring your blankets or chairs and plenty of drinks and snack as you settle in for the evening movie.
UNTITLED: Summer Camp
When: July 28, 6 p.m.
Where: Denver Art Museum — 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver
Cost: Free with general admission
The Lowdown: Untitled Final Fridays is the museum’s monthly late night program featuring workshops, performances and tours with a twist. At this one, catch the sun and capture the flag to toast to the summer season. College students with valid ID receive 2-for-1 admission to Untitled Final Fridays.
Saturday, July 29
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
When: July 29, 10 a.m. to July 30, 5 p.m.
Where: Sloan’s Lake — 25th Ave. and Sheridan Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: One of the largest cultural celebrations in Denver returns for its 17th year this weekend. Featuring over 50 competing teams, The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival collides the excitement of a boat race with an Asian food festival and market and five performance stages. Everywhere from Hawaii, to Japan and China will be represented at this must-see immersive event.
Queens Domestic Violence/Women’s Empowerment Rally
When: July 29, 2 p.m.
Where: Central Park — 8601 E. Martin Luther Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Queens is a non-profit for domestic violence awareness and women’s empowerment and it is hosting its first awareness rally. There will be entertainment, food, motivational speaking and fun that is open to the public and anyone looking to support Queens’ cause.
Jump Start into Landscape & Wildlife Photography
When: July 29, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Location is TBA; check Russ Nordstrand’s website Backcountry Journeys for exact location.
Cost: $225
The Lowdown: If you’re interested in stepping up your photography skills then this is the event for you. Landscape and wildlife photographer Russ Nordstrand will be hosting a crash course on digital photography beyond the realm of point and click into the realm of true photography.
NMCO Art Show
When: July 29, 7 p.m.
Where: ReCreative Denver — 765 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Enchanted Pop-Up is teaming up with ReCreative Denver to bring together and showcase artists from both New Mexico and Colorado in the same gallery. NMCO aims to bridge the artistic communities in both states and patrons are encouraged to talk with the artists, learn about their work and take a piece home all while immersed in live music from Denver and New Mexico locals.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert
When: July 29, 7:30 p.m., July 30, 1 p.m.
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall — 14th and Curtis St., Denver
Cost: $44 – 104. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Potterheads, get excited because the Colorado Symphony is putting on a very special screening of this classic film. During the film, you’ll be able to watch the entire movie while talented musicians play every note, live. So if you’re a huge fan of the series or know someone that needs convincing, head to this event where it is sure to be a captivating experience.
Sunday, July 30
Silhouette Artist Karl Johnson at Second Star to the Right
When: July 30, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Second Star to the Right Children’s Books — 4353 Tennyson St., Denver
Cost: $30
The Lowdown: Silhouette artist, Karl Johnson will be creating hand-cut silhouette portraits on Sunday. Each portrait only takes about five minutes, so there is no excuse to miss this fun event. Appointments throughout the day are limited so make sure to sign up before all of the spaces are filled. You can find appointment slots here.