Music lovers rejoice — this weekend is packed with tons of opportunities to experience Denver’s rising local music scene. The Underground Music Showcase, Summer Jam, Roux Black’s Test Kitchen, multiple art showcases with live music and more will hosting music-centric events this weekend. This weekend is packed with events that will fill up your weekend from concerts, cultural festivals, art showcases, yoga and unique art classes — there’s something unique for everyone to enjoy in the Mile High.
Thursday, July 27
Test Kitchen
When: July 27, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Summit Music Hall — 1902 Blake St., Denver
Cost: $15 day of the show
The Lowdown: Test Kitchen is a live hip-hop showcase created to highlight rising musicians in the Denver area. Artists have the chance to get audience feedback, but also have to opportunity to receive constructive criticism and feedback from professionals in the Denver music industry. Check it out and experience Denver’s best up-and-coming hip-hop talents first hand.
Underground Music Showcase
When: July 27 – 30, Day one starts at 6 p.m.
Where: The Underground Music Showcase (UMS) — South Broadway Between 5th and Alameda Streets, Denver
Cost: $55 for four-day festival passes, find individual tickets here.
The Lowdown: Denver is a hub for talented musicians from all genres. And the Underground Music Showcase is the perfect opportunity to see and support Denver’s own. From big locals like Sur Ellz, YaSi, Povi and The Velveteers, to the lesser known like Joseph Lamar, The Milk Bottoms, Muscle Beach and many more you’ll be sure to experience.
Time Machine
Photo courtesy of event page.
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.
Flicks for Chicks: Spice World
When: July 27, 7:30 p.m.
Where: ViewHouse Eatery, Bar & Rooftop — 2015 Market St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Flicks for Chicks is the perfect opportunity to have a girls night with your gals. Enjoy drinks, a Colorado sunset and an outdoor screening of the chick flick, Spice World. If you can’t make this weeks screening no worries because every Thursday there’s a different screening of a classic chick flick.
Skivvy Strip Down Underwear Night
When: July 27 9 p.m.
Where: Trade 475 — Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: $3 at the bar
The Lowdown: Spice up your bar outing with a trip to Trade. Showoff your goods and self-confidence by stripping down to your bare essentials. If you’re too shy to get in your undies than show up for the dancing, countless pop music tunes and eye candy.
Colorado Vibes: Locally Grown Art Experience
When: July 27, 7 p.m.
Where: Spectra Art Space — 1836 South Broadway, Denver
Cost: $10 donation at the door
The Lowdown: At this art event you’ll be able to see local Denver artists in their element. There will be live glass blowing and live painting, artists in attendance, live music and drinks. You’ll have the chance to see over 20 artists and their work from various media from blown glass, sculptures, paintings and more.
I’m Sorry for Your Loss
When: July 27, 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Denver Press Club — 1330 Glenarm Pl., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Denver Press Club will hold a panel to examine what very few journalists want to do: knock on the door of a family that has lost a loved one in a news-making tragedy. I‘m Sorry for Your Loss will feature a panel of journalists who make those visits or calls, as well as the family members who have been on the receiving end.
Friday, July 28
Summer Jam XX
When: July 28, 5 p.m.
Where: Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre — 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village
Cost: $76.50, tickets available here.
The Lowdown: This year marks the 20th birthday of Denver’s biggest hip-hop festival. You won’t want to miss this year’s killer line-up which includes Denver’s own Trev Rich, as well as hip-hop’s hit makers, Post Malone, Migos, Ludacris, Amine, Kid Ink and more.
Puff, Pass & POTtery
When: July 28, 7 p.m.
Where: 2087 S Grant St., Denver
Cost: $39 – $54, tickets available here.
The Lowdown: Put the ‘Pot’ in pottery with this cannabis-friendly art class. You’ll have the chance get your creative juices flowing as you get stoned and design and mold your own ashtray – which will be a perfect addition for any smoke sessions you have in the future.
Mr. Tank’s Tattoos 10 Year Celebration
When: July 28, 12 p.m.
Where: Mr. Tank’s Tattoos — 6640 E. Colfax Ave., Denver,
Cost: $10 piercings and $100 tattoos
The Lowdown: Who doesn’t love quality tattoos and piercings that don’t break the bank? Celebrate Mr. Tank’s Tattoos 10th birthday with $10 piercings and $100 3 ×3 inch black and gray tattoos of your choice. If that bargain isn’t enough Kito Talbert from Spike TV’s show Ink Master will also be at the event ready to get you tatted.
Roaring ’20s Great Gatsby White Lawn Party
When: July 28, 6 p.m.
Where: Grant-Humphreys Mansion — 770 Pennsylvania St., Denver
Cost: $50, tickets available here.
The Lowdown: Channel your inner Gatsby at this white-attire, ‘20s themed party. There will be a contest for the best costume, so dress to impress in your coolest flapper or gangster garb. In addition, there will be lawn games including croquet, badminton, corn hole and life-sized dominoes and dice.
Hip to the Street
When: July 28, 7 p.m.
Where: 3102 Blake St., Denver
Cost: $5, tickets available here.
The Lowdown: RiNo Supply is hosting Hip to the Street which is a showcase of local and regional hip-hop and upbeat music. It’s set to the unique backdrop of local breweries, street vendors and projected-motion art. Hip to the Street brings the people together to experience art, fashion, culture and music in the beautifully busy RiNo art district.
Saturday, July 29
2017 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
When: July 29 and 30, 10 a.m.
Where: Sloan’s Lake — 25th Ave. and Sheridan Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is one of the largest cultural celebrations in Denver, and it returns for its 17th year this weekend. Featuring over 50 competing teams, the 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.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert
Photo courtesy of event page.
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.
Denver Beer Co’s Ice Cream Shandy Social
When: July 29, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Denver Beer Co – 1695 Platte St., Denver
Cost: $20. Available here.
The Lowdown: Denver Brew Co’s brewmasters have crafted five new summer shandies with five different Rocky Mountain Soda flavors, and the chefs over at Little Man Ice Cream have paired five unique ice cream flavors for the ultimate summer treats. Nothing says summer like cold beers, sodas and ice cream during these hot summer days. So come down and cool off under Denver Beer Co.’s beer garden misters and enjoy these tasty treats.
Ghost Pepper Wing Challenge
When: July 29, 12 p.m.
Where: Paramount Cafe — 519 16th St., Denver,
Cost: $15 per person entering contest for purchase at the event.
The Lowdown: There’s no better way to celebrate National Chicken Wing Day than with a good old-fashioned wing eating contest — the only catch is they are spiced with one of the world’s spiciest peppers. Whoever eats the whole order of ghost pepper wings the fastest will win a cooler with Bluetooth Speakers and other prizes include house cash and beer for a year.
RiNo Summer Soul Brunch
When: July 29, 10 a.m.
Where: The Infinite Monkey Theorem — 3200 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $35, tickets available here.
The Lowdown: You can expect a feast of seasonal spring brunch eats, beer and yoga on a nice summer afternoon. Bailey Smith will guide you through a 60-minute Vinyasa flow infused with essential oils, which will be followed by a seasonal brunch made by soon-to-be cookbook author, Caitlin Leibert. Bring a yoga mat, friends and your appetite to this fun community and summer event.
Sunday, July 30
Hip Hop & Hip Openers
When: July 30, 9 a.m.
Where: The Walnut Room — 3131 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: $15 at the door
The Lowdown: Denver’s Big Booty Yoga instructor is teaching a class to unconventional tunes during this weekend’s class. The class is set to play hip-hop classics plus a hip opener flow and draft beer or mimosas to follow once the class finishes.
Cheesman Park Art Fest
When: July 29 and 30, 12 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park — roughly bounded by E. 13 Ave., High St., E. 8 Ave., and Franklin St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The two-day festival brings 130 juried artists and craftsmen from across the nation to showcase their work at the Cheesman Park Art Fest. For the free festival browse a wide range of arts and fine crafts, enjoy live music beneath the trees in the beautiful Colorado weather and grab a bite from one of Denver’s best food trucks.
Mac & Cheese Fest
When: July 29 and 30, 12 p.m.
Where: 209 Ten Mile Circle — Copper Mountain
Cost: $20, find tickets here.
The Lowdown: At the 3rd annual Mac & Cheese Fest the title of “Best Mac & Cheese in Summit County” and a $1,000 cash prize is up for grabs. Participants will enjoy indulgent, crafty and cheesy dishes as chefs battle it out for the yummiest most creative take at the popular comfort food. You can also try one of the eating contests, enjoy live music and kids can partake in an afternoon of free fun-filled activities and entertainment as well.
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Mark Your Calendars
Aurora Pride
When: August 5, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
Cost: Free
Tender Belly and Blue Moon Beer Brat Brawl
When: August 6, 12 – 5 p.m.
Where: Blue Moon Brewery RiNo – 3750 Chestnut Pl., Denver
Cost: $40
Tickets: Available here.