Dive into some amazing cultural events that Denver has to offer this weekend. You can start the weekend off by celebrating the LGBTQ+ community at CinemaQ Film Festival and end it by honoring Prince at Purple: The Party Formerly Known as Brunch. Whatever you end up doing, make sure you check out this decked out roundup of events in Denver.
Thursday, July 19
CinemaQ Film Festival
When: July 19 – 22
Where: Denver Film Society, 1510 York St., Denver
Cost: $85 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Denver Film Society presents CinemaQ Film Festival. The festival features films from Colorado’s best LGBTQ+ creators. You can see a multitude of different films presenting stories of the struggles and beauties of being a part of the LGBTQ+ Community.
Beer, Chocolate and Baby Goats
When: July 19, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Alternation Brewing Company, 1539 S Broadway, Denver
Cost: $30 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Alternation Brewing Company partners with Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary to present Beer, Chocolate and Baby Goats. You can indulge in a flight of four beers paired with handmade chocolate truffles. You can also pet a couple baby goats and munch on food from the Wong Way Veg.
Miyazaki Movie Madness
When: July 19, 7 – 10 p.m.
Where: Pop Culture Classroom, 2760 West 5th Ave., Denver
Cost: $5 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Pop Culture Classroom presents a Miyazaki Movie Madness night. The event features a viewing of Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away — a film about the young Chihiro finding her way back to her parents with magical powers pushing against her. Following the screening, you can participate in a Q&A discussing Miyazaki’s films.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Patio Party
When: July 19, 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Where: Butcher’s Bistro, 2233 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $100 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Butcher’s Bistro teams up with Renegade Brewing Company for A Midsummer Night’s Dream Patio Party. You can delight in a six-course meal created by Butcher’s Bistro paired with brews from Renegade. Spaces are limited to 25 seats so make sure you grab your ticket soon.
Friday, July 20
Global Dance Festival
When: July 20 – 21
Where: Broncos Stadium at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St., Denver
Cost: $89 – $139 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Start your weekend with the Global Dance Festival. The festival features two days of art installations, a silent disco and of course stages of music to dance until you drop. You can ride carnival rides, delight in carnival foods and more throughout the weekend.
Midnight Madness
When: July 20 – 21, 11:59 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Landmark’s Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St., Denver
Cost: $9.50 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Landmark’s Esquire Theatre presents Midnight Madness. You can kick back and relax to see a screening of the thrilling film Mad Max Fury Road. The film follows a story of Max Rockatansky helping a group of women escape the grasps of the evil warlord Immortan Joe.
Earthlink’s Summer Salsa Showdown
When: July 20, 5 – 7 p.m.
Where: Earthlinks, 2746 W 13th Ave., Denver
Cost: $20 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Grab your chips and get ready to dip at Earthlink’s Summer Salsa Showdown. The event features tastings of salsa from local restaurants to vote on, cool brews from Strange Craft Beer Company and more. You can listen to live music from High Strung String Band and purchase art from vendors while you decide on the best salsa.
Cuffin’ All Thangs R&B Party
When: July 20, 9 p.m.
Where: The Living Room, 1035 Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free get tickets here
The Lowdown: Dance all night long at a Cuffin’ All Thangs R&B Party. The party features hit R&B jams playing throughout the night from DJ Big Styles, KDJ Above and DJ Chonz. Make sure get your tickets soon as Cuffin’ parties fill up fast. $10 entry after 11 p.m.
That ’70s Roll
When: July 20, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: ROLL, 1399 35th St., Denver
Cost: $5 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Lace up your best roller skates for a That ’70s Roll. The event features a ’70s themed night with the best disco beats blasting from DJ Soup. You can don a jumpsuit and get groovy all night long with karaoke, dancing and of course roller skating. Make sure to the waiver here to party it out.
B-Side Music
When: July 20, 5 – 10 p.m.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: Free – $5 at entry
The Lowdown: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA) continues its B-Side Music series. The event features live music from XRaye and The Masterminds – Molina Speaks + Ill Se7en. The series promotes local up-and-coming musicians. The first 100 attendees will receive a free Ratio beer to sip on while jamming out.
3rd Annual Lucha Libre Bash
When: July 20, 5 – 10 p.m.
Where: Museo De Las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: $8 – $15 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Museo De Las Americas hosts the 3rd Annual Lucha Libre Bash. The event features Lucha Libre wrestling with the amazing stunts, masks and more from Hugo’s Lucha Libre. You can see an hour-long presentation with more than eight competitors, have an up-close look at luchador masks and learn more about the colorful sport.
Dive-In Movie
When: July 20, 7:30 – 10 p.m.
Where: Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Cir., Denver
Cost: $29.99 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Elitch Gardens gives you a chance to cool down from the summer heat with a Dive-In Movie. The movie is held in the water park of the gardens and features a screening of Cars 3, an action-packed film following the continued journey of Lighting McQueen becoming the fastest car.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert
When: July 20 – 21, 7:30 p.m. July 22, 1 – 3:45 p.m.
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St., Denver
Cost: $30 – $104 get tickets here
The Lowdown: The Colorado Symphony presents Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert. The event features a screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with the Colorado Symphony performing Patrick Doyle’s score live to enhance the experience. You can dive into the magical wizarding world of Harry Potter and listen to the amazing score.
Flick Fridays
When: July 20, 8:45 – 10:45 p.m.
Where: Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Little Man Ice Cream teams up with Alamo Drafthouse to host Flick Fridays. You can grab a scoop of chilly ice cream and relax during a warm summer evening for an outdoor movie night. This Friday you can see a screening of the classic musical film, The Sound of Music.
Scream Screen
When: July 20, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Where: Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: $11.50 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Sie FilmCenter presents Scream Screen. The event features a series of horror films with the theme of “Beyond Elm Street: A Tribute To Wes Craven.” This weekend you can see a screening of The People Under The Stairs, a frightening story of Fool, finding the horror that his landlords have kept hidden from the world.
Saturday, July 21
Five Points | RiNo Poker Crawl
When: July 21, 2 – 6 p.m.
Where: Coffee at The Point, 710 E 26th Ave., Denver
Cost: $10 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Take a chance with lady luck at the Five Points | RiNo Poker Crawl. The crawl features a pub crawl with a poker game that spreads across each location. You can take a chance to win prizes such as tickets to the Colorado Rockies, certificates to Above Ground Hair, PeachyClean and more. All of the proceeds from the event benefit the RiNo and Five Points community.
Hula Lesson & Happy Hour
When: July 21, 4 – 5 p.m.
Where: Adrift, 218 S Broadway, Denver
Cost: $10 – $40 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Shake your hips at a Hula Lesson & Happy Hour. The event features a hula lesson from the Kalama Polynesian Dancers on the patio and later sips on a free cocktail. You can also snack on happy hour plates and drink happy hour priced tiki cocktails.
Dining Al Fresco
When: July 21, 5 – 10 p.m.
Where: Larimer Square, Between 14th and 15th St. on Larimer St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Take a seat in Larimer Square for Dining Al Fresco. The event features a night of dining with 10 restaurants including Corridor 44, Ocean Prime and Rioja, opening up their patios to the streets.
Reptilian Nation Expo
When: July 21 – 22
Where: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
Cost: $12 – $25 get tickets here
The Lowdown: If you love creepy crawly slithering things you need to explore the Reptilian Nation Expo. The expo features a look at more than 1,000 different amphibians, arachnids and of course reptiles. You can shop from breeders and vendors, learn more about your favorite creatures, see live demonstrations and more.
3rd Anniversary Fun Fest
When: July 21, 12 – 11 p.m.
Where: Call to Arms Brewing Company, 4526 Tennyson St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Call to Arms Brewing Company celebrates three years with a 3rd Anniversary Fun Fest. The fest features releases of special beers, bites of hot chicken sammies from The Budlong Hot Chicken and more. You can play carnival games and listen to live music from Pick & Howl throughout the spicy night.
Anything for Selenas
When: July 21, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Fort Greene Bar, 321 E 45th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: If you love any Selena, you need to attend Anything for Selenas. The event features a night dedicated to the amazing Selenas that have graced our world. You can dance to beats from DJ Able RayRock Gonzalez and Manny Madrid, compete in a Selena look-alike contest and more.
Bloodies & Bluegrass Brunch
When: July 21, 12 – 4 p.m.
Where: Mile High Spirits – Denver’s Distillery, 2201 Lawrence St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Mile High Spirits hosts a Bloodies & Bluegrass Brunch. The event features live bluegrass from Crooked Cannon, a special brunch menu from Mestizo Mile High Eats and more. You can sip on drink specials and play games while you munch and sway to the beat of the music.
Free Concert Series
When: July 21, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave., Denver
Cost: Free – $30 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Levitt Pavilion Denver continues its Free Concert Series. The event features live performances from The Stone Foxes, a rock band with juke joint vibes and Tracksuit Wedding, a local band blasting out funky vintage rock with a blues twist. You can soak up the summer sun and jam out to some sweet sounds.
Sunday, July 22
303 Magazine Pool Party Series
When: July 22, 2 – 7 p.m.
Where: Halycon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, 245 Columbine St., Denver
Cost: $20 – $150 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Take a dip during the 303 Magazine Pool Party Series. The series continues this Sunday with a party on the pool terrace of Halycon. You can sip on cocktails, nibble on bites and jam out to music from DJ J|ADORE, DJ Walt White and other local DJs. Make sure to wear a sizzling suit to party it out.
Impact Sack Lunches for the Homeless
When: July 22, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2635 Welton St., Denver
Cost: $10 suggested donation
The Lowdown: Help create lunches for the hungry at Impact Sack Lunches for the Homeless. You can pitch in your effort to put together sack lunches and hand them out in downtown Denver. You can make an impact on your local community one lunch at a time. Volunteer here.
Yoga Rocks the Park
When: July 22, 8 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Sunken Gardens Park, 401 W 9th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Bend and fold at Yoga Rocks the Park. The event features a free guided meditation from the Lotus Meditation instructor Manon Locas, a yoga session led by Soozie Kinstler and more. After centering your mind you can shop from vendors and refresh with drinks and bites.
Purple: The Party Formerly Known as Brunch
When: July 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Monkey Barrel, 4401 Tejon St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Celebrate the life of Prince at Purple: The Party Formerly Known as Brunch. The event features a musical tribute from MR. Groove, purple-themed cocktails to sip on and more. Be sure to wear purple to match the theme. The event is first come first served so make sure you arrive early to take part in the bounties.
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Mark Your Calendars
The 2018 Underground Music Showcase
When: July 27 – 30
Where: S Broadway, Denver
Cost: $40 – $75 tickets available here
303 Magazine Pool Party Series
When: July 29, 2 – 7 p.m.
Where: Halycon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, 245 Columbine St., Denver
Cost: $20 – $100 tickets available here
Sci-Fi Film Series
When: August 1, 7 – 10 p.m.
Where: Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
Cost: $15 tickets available here