An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama and 25 Things to do in Denver this Week

Denver has some cool art and culture events lined up this week to keep you warm. Start off your week by adventuring in Cuba without leaving Denver at Digital Earth: Cuba and end it by riding a magical ride at the Holiday Carousel. Wherever your week takes you, make sure to take a peek at this roundup of events in Denver.

Monday, December 10

Digital Earth: Cuba

Photo Courtesy of Denver Museum of Nature & Science‎ on Facebook

When: December 10, 7 – 8:30 p.m. 

Where: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver 

Cost: $10 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Denver Museum of Nature & Science presents Digital Earth: Cuba. The event features a projection of satellite images of Cuba displayed on the dome of the Gates Planetarium. You can hear from geologist Dr. Bob Raynolds, space science curator Dr. Ka Chun Yu and Dr. Kaifa Roland as they give deeper insight into Cuba and how its culture has been shaped.

A Christmas Story Movie Party

Photo Courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse Denver‎ on Facebook

When: December 10, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

Where: Alamo Drafthouse Denver, 4255 W Colfax Ave., Denver 

Cost: $13 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Alamo Drafthouse hosts A Christmas Story Movie Party. The party features a screening of the classic film A Christmas Story, pre-movie games, surprises and more. You can feel that holiday nostalgia while cozying up and watching a movie. Tickets are almost sold out so hurry and grab one soon.

The Right to Rest

Photo Courtesy of Colorado Village Collaborative‎ on Facebook

When: December 10, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

Where: Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E Colfax Ave., Denver 

Cost: $15 – $5000 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Sie FilmCenter and Beloved Community Village present a screening of The Right to Rest. The documentary film takes a deeper look into Denver’s tiny homes and policies that affect the homeless population in Denver. You can learn about the residents of the tiny home village and how individuals are pushing to pass The Right to Rest Act in Colorado.

Tuesday, December 11

Video Vortex

Photo Courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse Denver‎ on Facebook

When: December 11, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Where: Alamo Drafthouse Denver, 4255 W Colfax Ave., Denver 

Cost: $1 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Alamo Drafthouse Denver presents Video Vortex. The event features a screening of Satan Claus Is Coming To Town – a holiday horror film with a story about a gun-toting Mrs. Claus, crazy clip compilations and tons of blood. Tickets are limited so make sure to purchase yours soon.

The Office Trivia Night

Photo Courtesy of Monkey Barrel‎ on Facebook

When: December 11, 7 – 9 p.m. 

Where: Monkey Barrel, 4401 Tejon St., Denver 

Cost: Free admission

The Lowdown: Monkey Barrel hosts The Office Trivia Night. The event features a chance to test your knowledge on the hit television series The Office. You can gather a team together, sip on a themed drink menu and compete for prizes.

Ratio Quiz Show

Photo Courtesy of Ratio Beerworks‎ on Facebook

When: December 11, 8 – 10 p.m. 

Where: Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St., Denver 

Cost: Free admission

The Lowdown: Ratio Quiz Show is back. The event features a night of trivia surrounding Disney. You can rally a group of five people together and flex your brain muscles to win prizes such as passes to a screening of Mary Poppins Returns. Trivia is hosted by Ian Douglas Terry and Andrew Bueno.

Wednesday, December 12

The Greatest Showcase

Photo Courtesy of Space Gallery on Facebook

When: December 12, 6:30 – 9 p.m. 

Where: Space Gallery, 400 Santa Fe Dr., Denver 

Cost: $20 – $30 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Space Gallery hosts The Greatest Showcase. The event features a night of choreographed dancing to music from the Moulin Rouge and The Greatest Showman soundtracks. The ticket price includes hors-d’oeuvres, wine and beer to sip on during the showcase.

Women’s Speaker Series

Photo Courtesy of evo (Denver) on Facebook

When: December 12, 7 – 10 p.m. 

Where: Evo (Denver), 860 Broadway, Denver 

Cost: Free register here

The Lowdown: Evo (Denver) continues its Women’s Speaker Series. You can hear from Julie Brown, a former managing editor of Power Magazine and lead speaker in a panel. The other speakers include Women 2 Women marketing manager Leslie Baker-Brown, custom ski boot fitter Same Tischendorf and professional skiers Elyse Saugstad and Jackie Paaso.

Thursday, December 13

Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama

Photo Courtesy of Pepsi Center Facebook

When: December 13, 8 p.m. 

Where: Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Cir., Denver 

Cost: $29.50 – $500 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Learn from the former first lady about her life in the White House, politics and more during Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama. You can hear from Mrs. Obama in person at the Pepsi Center. The show is extremely popular so make sure you purchase your tickets soon.

3rd Annual Pintastic

Photo Courtesy of Lowbrow Denver‎ on Facebook

When: December 13, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 

Where: Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St., Denver

Cost: Free admission

The Lowdown: Ratio Beerworks teams up with Lowbrow Denver to host the 3rd Annual Pintastic. The event features a celebration of pins with a myriad of enamel pins available for purchase. You can sip on a beer from Ratio and peruse all of the tiny works of art. Even though Lowbrow is closing its physical location, Pintastic is set to continue on through Ratio Beerworks and Fort Greene Bar.

READ: Local Art Boutique Lowbrow to Close its Doors and Focus on Pop-up Events Instead

First Annual Kitchmas Party

Photo Courtesy of Leon on Facebook

When: December 13, 8 – 11 p.m. 

Where: Leon, 1112 E 17th Ave., Denver 

Cost: $25 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Leon presents its First Annual Kitschmas. The event features a super kitschy night with a white elephant exchange, cookie decorating and more. You can imbibe on holiday cocktails, wine and beer while you get your kitsch on.

Young Guns Art Exhibit and Sale

Photo Courtesy of National Western Stock Show on Facebook

When: December 13, 6 – 9 p.m. 

Where: National Western Stock Show, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver 

Cost: $55 get tickets here

The Lowdown: National Western Stock Show presents a Young Guns Art Exhibit and Sale. The exhibit features Young Guns art created by 14 artists, six of which are local and under the age of 45. All of the art presented will be under $1000 and artists will be available to speak to about their pieces.

Art Fitness Training

Photo courtesy of MCA Denver on Facebook

When: December 13, 6:30 p.m. 

Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St., Denver 

Cost: $15 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA) hosts Art Fitness Training. The event features a workshop to work your artsy muscles. You can learn how to better look at and appreciate contemporary art you encounter with instruction from MCA staff.

The Black Mile

Photo Courtesy of Next Stage Gallery‎ on Facebook

When: December 13, 8 – 11 p.m. 

Where: Next Stage Gallery, 1025 13th St., Denver 

Cost: Free admission

The Lowdown: Next Stage Gallery hosts a live show of The Black Mile. The Black Mile is a podcast created by Demetria (Demi), a local social media influencer and digital marketing master and Isaiah (Zaddy Zay), a young black professional and soccer player. The podcast discusses topics such as the workplace, societal norms and more from the perspective of a black millennial.

Friday, December 14

Ambassador’s Zine Release: Theirs, Yours & Mine

Heather Fairchild, MCA, MCA Denver
Photo by Heather Fairchild

When: December 14, 6 p.m. 

Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St., Denver 

Cost: Free RSVP here

The Lowdown: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA) presents Ambassador’s Zine Release: Theirs, Yours & Mine. The event features the release of MCA Denver’s POV Program achievements. You can explore the program interns’ zines while munching on grilled cheese from a grilled cheese bar, live music from Parker Chrisbens and a premiere of Yours, Theirs & Mine.

JonBenét’s Tricycle

Photo Courtesy of JonBenét’s Tricycle‎ on Facebook

When: December 14 – 15

Where: Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E Colfax Ave., Denver 

Cost: $11.50 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Sie FilmCenter hosts a screening of JonBenét’s Tricycle. The film, created by Andrew Novick — a Denver collector and filmmaker — takes JonBenét Ramsey’s tricycle around to look deeper into the obsession of unsolved crimes and how media has an impact on how we experience different tragedies.

Midnight Madness

Photo Courtesy of Landmark’s Esquire Theatre‎ on Facebook

When: December 14 – 15, 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. The event features a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The wacky holiday film shows the Griswold family as they deal with SWAT teams, an exploding turkey, thousands of lights and more.

Glass Blowing Class

Photo Courtesy of Smedley Events‎ on Facebook

When: December 14, 6 – 8 p.m. 

Where: Denver Glass Academy, 1556 South Broadway, Denver

Cost: $75 – $85 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Denver Glass Academy hosts a Glass Blowing Class. You can learn the basics of blowing glass during a two-hour course guided by a trained artist from the academy. The ticket price includes two glass pieces created by you and all of the materials needed to create them.

Saturday, December 15

Kismet Pop-Up

Photo Courtesy of dana birke designs jewelry on Facebook

When: December 15 – 16

Where: Lowry, 200 Quebec St. Bldg. 500 Unit 101, Denver

Cost: Free admission

The Lowdown: Lowry hosts a Kismet Pop-Up. The event features a trunk by Dana Birke Designs. You can peruse jewelry created in Colorado and purchase your favorite pieces. Dana Birke Designs is a Boulder-based studio that takes inspiration from Colorado’s landscapes. The designs use ethically sourced and recycled materials.

 Accessories Pop-Up

Photo Courtesy of Balefire Goods on Facebook

When: December 15, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Where: Balefire Goods, 7417 Grandview Ave, Arvada

Cost: Free admission

The Lowdown: Balefire Goods presents an Accessories Pop-Up. The event features a pop-up of Laurel Griffin and Alexa Allen’s creations. Laurel Griffin is a denim and leather goods maker that has worked with brands such as Eddie Bauer, Union Bay and more. Alexa Allen — a Boulder native — creates woodworks and leather goods.

Scramblin’ Scrooge 1m/5k/10k

Sunset over Denver cityscape, aerial view from the city park

When: December 15, 8 – 11 a.m. 

Where: City Park, 3001 E 17th Ave., Denver 

Cost: $20 – $95 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Lace up your running shoes for the Scramblin’ Scrooge 1mi/5k/10k. The event features a chance to break a sweat in a one-mile race, a 5k race and a 10k race. If you are really feeling up to a challenge you can run both the 5k and the 10k race. After the races, you can listen to carolers, grab photos and more.

Holiday Open Studios

Photo Courtesy of Helikon Gallery & Studios on Facebook

When: December 15, 12 – 6 p.m. 

Where: Helikon Gallery & Studios, 3675 Wynkoop St., Denver 

Cost: Free admission

The Lowdown: Helikon Gallery & Studios presents Holiday Open Studios. The event features a holiday market in the studios. You can peruse goods from artists such as Rob Jordan, Vinni Alfonso, Kayla Edgar, John Vogl and more as you explore the gallery.

Shop & Show in Snow

Art by John Van Horn. Photo Courtesy of Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse on Facebook

When: December 15, 3 – 10 p.m. 

Where: Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse, 3636 Chestnut Pl., Denver

Cost: $5 – $20 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse hosts a Shop & Show in Snow. The event features a double screening of Far Out and Ode to Muir from Teton Gravity Research. During the features, you can shop from local outdoor retailers, get your skis waxed, nibble on bites from Smok – Denver and more.

Holiday Movie with Goats!

Photo Courtesy of LFX Filmworks on Facebook

When: December 15, 5 – 8 p.m. 

Where: LFX Filmworks, 1701 31st St., Denver

Cost: $12 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Love holiday movies and adorable barn animals? Then you will love Holiday Movies with Goats! The event features a screening of Scrooged in a warehouse venue as baby goats scamper around you. The proceeds from the event help support Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary. Make sure to bring a chair to sit on.

Sunday, December 16

5th Annual Denver Natural Hair Care Expo

Photo Courtesy of Colorado Urban Naturals on Facebook

When: December 16, 2:30 – 6:30 p.m. 

Where: Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being, 3401 Eudora St, Denver

Cost: $15 get tickets here

The Lowdown: Learn more about how to take care of your natural curls at the 5th Annual Denver Natural Hair Care Expo. The event features workshops, vendors and more. A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the Random Gestures of Compassion.

Holiday Carousel. Photo by Kyle Cooper.

When: December 16- January 9 2018, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

Where: Denver Pavilions 500 15th St., Denver 

Cost: $3 per ride

The Lowdown: The Holiday Carousel is back by popular demand. The carousel will run all through December and bring in the new year with New Year’s Eve rides. The ride will bring you back to your childhood years with magic and Christmas cheer. All proceeds from the rides will go toward Food Bank for the Rockies to help feed those in need.

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Mark Your Calendar

Mistletoe Market

When: December 17, 6 – 8 p.m. 

Where: Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, 245 Columbine St., Denver 

Cost: Free admission

Cirque Éloize Hotel

When: December 19 – 23

Where: Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1101 13th St., Denver 

Cost: $25 – $75 tickets available here

Shamanic Dolls Solstice Ball

When: December 21, 7:15 p.m. – 2 a.m. 

Where: Circus Collective, 2041 Lawrence St. Ste A, Denver 

Cost: $35 – $55 tickets available here

The Nutcracker Circus

When: December 21 – 23

Where: Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E Iliff Ave., Denver 

Cost: $39 tickets available here