Get creative with your outings and try some of the unique things Denver has to offer. From TEDx, to the Rocky Mountain Regional Gay Rodeo, there’s plenty in store for the weekend. Go on a beer and dispensary tour, check out TheBigWonderful at Stanley Marketplace, listen to bluegrass over brunch or learn how to make your own kombucha. Get out of your comfort zone and try a little bit of everything, you’re sure to have a great time.
Thursday, July 6
Literature as Bloodsport
Photo courtesy of Write Club Denver on Facebook.
When: July 6, 9 p.m.
Where: Syntax Physic Opera — 554 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: $10+ donation at the door
The Lowdown: WRITE CLUB Denver is hosting its monthly reading and performance series, Literature as bloodsport. Six writers compete with each other onstage as they read their works that contradict each other. The audience decides the winner of each round and the overall winner, who chooses the charity donated to by way of admittance fees.
Friday, July 7
TEDxMileHigh
Photo courtesy of TEDxMileHigh on Facebook.
When: July 7 – 8
Where: Ellie Caulkins Opera House — 1385 Curtis St., Denver
Cost: $70 – $120. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: You’ve seen the TED Talks on YouTube, but wouldn’t it be great to be there in the moment a great story is told? At this TEDx event, Point of Departure, there will be 15 speakers talking about what they know best, which could be on anything from academia, to technology, to relationships. These speakers include people like Arielle Hein — a creative technologist, Blake Scholl — a supersonic traveler and Caitlin Quattromani — a relationship role model, to name a few. Find out what these talks will really be about and have the potential to change your life. There will also be social events and a cocktail reception.
Related: 11 TEDxMileHigh Speakers You Should Know About
Rocky Mountain Regional Gay Rodeo
Photo by Kyle Cooper.
When: July 7 – 9, 5 – 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Jefferson County Fairgrounds — 15200 W. 6th Ave., Golden
Cost: $10+. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: The Colorado Gay Rodeo Association is hosting its 35th rodeo complete with calf roping, pole bending, bronc riding and barrel racing. Grab a beer from one of the vendors and stake your claim around the arena. Whether you’re an LGBTQ member or an ally, support the community at an out-of-the-box way and see a great show.
Summer Dog Barket
Photo courtesy of Ink Lounge on Facebook.
When: July 7, 5 – 8 p.m.
Where: Ink Lounge — 29 S. Fox St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Artisans and vendors are coming to Ink Lounge for a night and market of all things canine. Bring your four-legged friend and browse through the art, toys, collars and treats with a drink in hand. Proceeds from your drink go to MaxFund Animal Adoption Center.
Drag Decades with Shirley Delta Blow
Photo courtesy of Shirleydeltablow.com
When: July 7, 8 – 10 p.m.
Where: The Clocktower Cabaret — 1601 Arapahoe St., Denver
Cost: $25 – $35. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: This blast from the past is celebrating all things drag with Shirley Delta Blow, Vivian LeCher, Zarah, Brody Danger and others. See how the performance art has evolved over the years with the costumes, games and dances you know and love.
TheBigWonderful Summer
Photo courtesy of Big Wonderful on Facebook.
When: July 7 – 9, see times here
Where: Stanley Marketplace — 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
Cost: $5 – $55. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: TheBigWonderful Summer is a weekend festival of beer, music that pays tribute to classic bands and a baazar. On Friday, sample brews from over 20 breweries and catch the Allman Brothers Band Tribute, Canyon Collected’s Tribute to Blind Melon with members of Mr. Uppercut and Pickin on Dad Rock. Naturally, there will be food trucks throughout the fest. Saturday and Sunday feature the baazar and bands Pickin’ on Sublime, Pickin’ on Tom Petty, Pickin’ on Ween, Bob Marley Tribute and Pink Floyd Tribute.
Summer Rooftop Party
Photo courtesy of MCA Denver on Facebook.
When: July 7, 7 – 10 p.m.
Where: MCA Denver — 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: $0 – $5. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Looking for a lively Friday night in LoDo? Nothing says summer like drinks and music on a rooftop party. Grab your friends and dance to a DJ set by Justin Strauss, sip on a cocktail or beer and watch the sun go down.
Saturday, July 8
Vino + Vinyasa at Infinite Monkey Theorem
Photo courtesy of CorePower Yoga on Facebook.
When: July 8, 1 – 2 p.m.
Where: The Infinite Monkey Theorem — 3200 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Spend your Saturday afternoon flowing through your vinyasa on the Infinite Monkey Theorem patio. Bring your own yoga mat and soak up the sunshine as a CorePower instructor guides you through your practice. Afterward, cool down with a $5 tap wine, mimosa or wine slushy.
Great Divide Block Party
Photo by Kyle Cooper
When: July 8, 2 – 6 p.m.
Where: The Square on 21st — 2062 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $5 – $55. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: See bands like Ned Garthe Explosion, Kitty Crimes and The Still Tide and sip some great brews at the Great Divide Block Party this weekend. Play games between sets and enjoy the lineup of beers featuring Titan, Colette, Denver Pale Ale, Hercules, Yeti, Strawberry Rhubarb Sour and Samurai.
diSTILLed: Noir
Photo courtesy of Clyfford Still Museum on Facebook.
When: July 8, 7 – 11 p.m.
Where: Clyfford Still Museum — 1250 Bannock St., Denver
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Femmes fatales, cocktails and detectives make up this eclectic night at the museum. Dress up and interact with video art by Chris Bagley, watch live music performances by the Reverend Deadeye and Heira Nova all in an Hollywood crime-drama setting.
Dyshowpia: Burlesque Tribute to the End of the World
Photo courtesy of Westword.
When: July 8, 8 – 10 p.m.
Where: The Clocktower Cabaret — 1601 Arapahoe St., Denver
Cost: $30. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: This burlesque show is all about the dystopian stories in pop culture like The Hunger Games, The Handmaiden’s Tale and The Giver. Re-enacting these themes through sexual dance, this show is sure to get you thinking. Counteracting these dark tales, the show benefits the Dyshowpian Scholarship for a Better World, helping women entering into STEM majors.
Summer Horseshoe Market
Photo courtesy of Horseshoe Market
When: July 8, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Olinger Chapel Parking Lot — 4345 W. 46th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: This craft market will feature 120 makers, vendors, artists and designers to browse through. Of course, there will also be plenty to eat and drink with food trucks and vendors with other edible creations. Check out the photo booth and listen to live music while you peruse the market this weekend.
Bringing Back the Brothel Party
Photo courtesy of bedandbreakfast.eu
When: July 8, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Hostel Fish — 1217 20th St., Denver
Cost: $5 at the door.
The Lowdown: Hostel Fish is celebrating its second anniversary by throwing a “bringing back the brothel” party in accordance with the history of the building. Wear your best 1920s costume, watch burlesque dancers and take absinthe shots as your taken back to prohibition times.
Kombucha Workshop
The Growhaus. Photo by Lucy Beaugard
When: July 8, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: The GrowHaus — 4751 York St., Denver
Cost: $25. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Tired of blowing all your money on store-made kombucha? Learn how to make your own. Happy Leaf Kombucha is leading this workshop to teach you how to make the bubbling drink in your kitchen, what you can use it for besides just drinking and answer all your questions.
Sunday, July 9
Bluegrass Brunch
Photo courtesy of Station 26 Brewing Co. on Facebook.
When: July 9, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Station 26 Brewing Co. — 7045 E. 38th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Celebrate America’s birthday with bluegrass and brunch. Listen to blues by Wood Belly and grub by Turn-In BBQ and Glazed and Confuzed Doughnuts. Of course, Station 26 will provide the hops.
Cocktails and Crafting
Mile High Spirits. Photo by Roman Tafoya
When: July 9, 2 – 6 p.m.
Where: Mile High Spirits Distillery and Tasting Bar — 2201 Lawrence St., Denver
Cost: $35. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Spend your afternoon sipping cocktails at Mile High Spirits and crafting away. Get creative with words, glitter, collage and pictures on your miniature works of art, magnets, to make your fridge at home either humorous, artistic or just plain crafty. Your ticket gives you materials for up to 12 magnets and your first cocktail.
Mark Your Calendar
Outdoor Adventure Quest
When: July 14 – 16, 7 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Where: Any Colorado city, teams by way of app
Cost: $75
Tickets: Available here
Mac & Cheese Fest
When: July 29 – 30, 12 p.m. on Saturday, 5 p.m. on Sunday
Where: Copper Mountain — 209 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain
Cost: $0 – $80
Tickets: Available here
Wanderlust 108
When: July 15, 7:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park — 1599 E. 8th Ave., Denver
Cost: $20 – $50
Tickets: Available here