23 Things To Do in and Around Denver This Weekend

Denver arts week
Photo by James Florio Photography. Courtesy of Denver Art Museum‎ on Facebook

Denver has some vibrant events lined up this weekend. Kick it off by getting your inner cowboy on at the National Western Stock Show and end it by getting zen for a cause at Oasis Yoga. Wherever the week leads you, make sure to take a peep at this roundup of events happening in Denver.

Reminder, masks are mandatory at any of these in-person events.

Wednesday, January 12

2022 National Western Stock Show

Photo Courtesy of National Western Stock Show on Facebook

When: January 12 – 23

Where: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver 

Cost: $17 – $25, get tickets here

The Lowdown: The National Western Stock Show is back for its 116th year. You can take part in the celebration of all things Western throughout the 16-day gathering. The stock show is filled with rodeo shows, stunt horse riding and, of course, the annual bull riding competition.

Beauty of the Birdwing 

Macro image of a birdwing butterfly. Photo Courtesy of Butterly Pavilion.

When: January 12 – 31

Where: Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster

Cost: $9.50 – $14.50, get tickets here

The Lowdown: Butterfly Pavilion presents Beauty of the Birdwing. The event offers a stroll surrounded by Birdwing butterflies – one of the largest and stunning butterflies in the world. The event supports and raises awareness of the butterflies’ protection with educational and conservation efforts.

A Writing Workshop & Reflection on Deborah Roberts I’M with Lighthouse Writers

Art by Deborah Roberts. Photo Courtesy of MCA Denver

When: January 12 & January 19, 6 p.m. 

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

Cost: $85, tickets available here

The Lowdown: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver hosts a Writing Workshop and Reflection on Deborah Roberts I’m with Lighthouse Writers Suzi Q Smith and Steven Dunn along with artist Jada Dunn. You can follow prompts inspired by the current exhibition, learn more about artistic and linguistic practices and more during the event.

Indigenous Film: Keepers of the Corn/Los Guardianes del Maíz

Photo Courtesy of Denver Museum of Nature & Science on Facebook

When: January 12, 7 – 8 p.m. 

Where: Online 

Cost: Free, register here

The Lowdown: Denver Museum of Nature and Science teams up with the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management and the Denver American Indian Commission to present Indigenous Film: Keepers of the Corn/Los Guardianes del Maíz. You can join in on a conversation about the film directed by Gustavo Vazquez that follows the story of native corn told by indigenous farmers, cooks and artisans in Mexico.

Punketry

Art on Mutiny Information Cafe

When: January 12, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

Where: Mutiny Information Cafe, 2 S. Broadway, Denver 

Cost: $5 donation at entry

The Lowdown: Mutiny Information Cafe combines poetry and punk together for the perfect combination during Punketry. You can listen to performances of spoken word from poets such as Paul Brown, Phil Me Brightly and Johnny Opium throughout the evening.

Marshall Fire Relief Pop-Up

Photo Courtesy of RiNo Showcase on Facebook

When: January 12, 6 p.m.

Where: Number Thirty Eight, 3560 Chestnut Pl., Denver 

Cost: $5 – $50, get tickets here

The Lowdown: Help raise funds for those impacted by the Marshall Fire at a Marshall Fire Relief Pop-Up. The event is hosted by Number Thirty Eight and RiNo Showcase with live music, art, food and more throughout the evening. The proceeds from the event will be donated to The Community Foundation of Boulder County.

READ: Hundreds of Homes Lost in Rampant Boulder County Fires

Etch A Sketch Contest

Photo Courtesy of LUKI Brewery on Facebook

When: January 12, 3 – 8:30 p.m. & January 26, 3 – 8:30 p.m. 

Where: LUKI Brewery, 14715 W. 63th Ave. Units A&B, Arvada

Cost: Free admission 

The Lowdown: Get your creative juices flowing at an Etch A Sketch Contest. LUKI Brewery hosts the contest that celebrates the 60th anniversary of Etch A Sketch with a chance for you to win a free crowler fill.

Thursday, January 13

Mavens of Music

Photo Courtesy of Dairy Block

When: January 13, 5 – 7 p.m. 

Where: The Maven, 1850 Wazee St., Denver

Cost: Free admission 

The Lowdown: Relax to some sweet tunes during Mavens of Music. You can listen to live performances from local musicians in the lobby of The Maven every Thursday while sipping on a cocktail from Poka Lola Social Club and nibbling on snacks from Kachina Cantina.

Spookadelia 4: The Curse of Novo Ita | Immersive Art Experience

Photo Courtesy of Eventbrite on Facebook

When: January 13 – February 27

Where: Spectra Art Space, 1836 Santa Fe Dr., Denver 

Cost: $12 – $28, get tickets here

The Lowdown: Spectra Art Space continues its Spookadelia series this year with Spookadelia 4: The Curse of Novo Ita | Immersive Art Experience. The immersive installment delves into a psychedelic augmented reality that traverses the human relationship between self and the world around us with art consumption through haunting experiences.

Elevated Beats

Photo Courtesy of 54thirty on Facebook

When: January 13, 6 – 9 p.m. 

Where: 54thirty, 1475 California St., Denver 

Cost: Free admission 

The Lowdown: Rock it out throughout the evening with beats from DJ Manos during Elevated Beats. 54thirty hosts the jamming event for you to take in the Denver skyline on the rooftop for a chill winter night.

Friday, January 14

Lucha Libre and Laughs: It’s Not A Phase, Mom!

Photo Courtesy of Lucha Libre & Laughs‎ on Facebook

When: January 14, 8 p.m. 

Where: The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave., Denver 

Cost: $17 – $100, get tickets here

The Lowdown: The Oriental Theater hosts Lucha Libre and Laughs: It’s Not A Phase, Mom! The event features a night of Lucha Libre wrestling and stand-up comedy with comedians Janae Burris, Christi Buchele, Nathan Lund and more. You can get your giggle on all evening long and experience some crazy wrestling.

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Photo Courtesy of Newman Center for the Performing Arts on Facebook

When: January 14 – 15

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

Cost: $34 – $80, get tickets here

The Lowdown: Experience the majesty of Dance Theatre of Harlem. For two days the Newman Center for the Performing Arts hosts the 17 member dance company that celebrates African American culture.

Après in the Clouds

Photo Courtesy of Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek on Facebook

When: January 14, 3 – 8:30 p.m. 

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

Cost: Starts at $65, reserve here

The Lowdown: Nestle around a fire on the rooftop of Halcyon for Après in the Clouds. You can reserve a cozy cabana for a four-course dinner ending with sweet s’mores and a stunning view of the Mile High City.

Colorado Fire Relief Fundraiser

Photo Courtesy of Oasis Brewing Company on Facebook

When: January 14 – 16

Where: Oasis Brewing Company, 3257 N. Lowell Blvd., Denver 

Cost: Free admission 

The Lowdown: Oasis Brewing Company presents a Colorado Fire Relief Fundraiser. Throughout the weekend you can help raise funds for those in need buy purchasing pours of a peppermint stout tapping, an Oasis merchandise giveaway with $1 ticket entries and more. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Marshall Fire relief efforts.

Jason Moran and The Bandwagon

Photo Courtesy of MCA Denver on Facebook

When: January 14, 7 p.m.

Where: The Holiday Theatre, 2644 W. 32nd St., Denver 

Cost: $35, Get tickets here

The Lowdown: Hear from artist and musician Jason Moran perform live with the Bandwagon. You can sway to some sweet smooth jazz throughout the evening at The Holiday Theatre. Make sure to also check out Moran’s current exhibition Bathing the Room with Blues at MCA Denver.

Saturday, January 15

Lumonics Immersed

Photo Courtesy of Lumonics.

When: January 15, 8 p.m. 

Where: Lumonics Gallery, 800 E. 73rd Ave. Unit 11, Denver

Cost: $20, register here

The Lowdown: Lumonics Gallery presents Lumonics Immersed. The multi-sensory journey aims to refresh your mind, body and spirit with a fully immersive experience. Before and after the event you can explore over 75 light-based artworks in the front gallery rooms, the art studio and the performance space.

Photo Courtesy of Denver Beer Co. on Facebook

When: January 15, 11 a.m. 

Where: All Denver Beer Co. locations

Cost: $25, get tickets here

The Lowdown: Snack on warm cookies and cool brews during a Denver Beer Co. Beer & Cookie Pairing. You can delight in five freshly baked cookies from Gnarly Mountain Cookie Co. complemented with five four-ounce brews from Denver Beer Co.

Bloodies and Bluegrass

Photo Courtesy of Mile High Spirits – Tasting Room on Facebook

When: January 15, 2 – 6 p.m. 

Where: Mile High Spirits – Tasting Room, 2201 Lawrence St., Denver 

Cost: Free admission 

The Lowdown: Kick back and jam out with Bloodies and Bluegrass. Mile High Spirits host an afternoon of $20 bottomless Bloody Marys, food and live music on the patio for a chill Saturday.

Relationsh*t

Photo Courtesy of Chaos Bloom Theater on Facebook

When: January 15, 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

Where: Chaos Bloom Theater, 70 S. Broadway, Denver 

Cost: $10, get tickets here

The Lowdown: Listen to some terrible stories about dates with a dash of comedy during Relationsh*t. You can hear as Chaos Bloom players interview audience members about their worst dates and then watch the group add some improv to make for a hysterical night.

Single Cask: Double Avarice Release

Photo Courtesy of River North Brewery on Facebook

When: January 15, 1 p.m. 

Where: River North Brewery, 6021 Washington St. Unit A., Denver 

Cost: Free admission

The Lowdown: River North Brewery starts a new year of Single Cask releases with a Single Cask: Double Avarice Release. You can imbibe on the brew and sign up for the Norther Society while snagging your Single Cask.

Octopus Initiative Lottery

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown Denver. Photo courtesy of MCA.

When: January 15, 11 a.m. 

Where: Online 

Cost: Free RSVP here

The Lowdown: Have a chance at winning some extraordinary contemporary art and expanding your art collections with the Octopus Initiative Lottery. Museum of Contemporary Art Denver hosts the lottery with free entries for a way to snag works from local artists.

Sunday, January 16

Walk With Me

Photo Courtesy of Dairy Arts Center

When: January 16 – February 27

Where: Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder

Cost: Free, register here

The Lowdown: NAACP Boulder County partners with Dairy Arts Center to present a Walk With Me exhibition. The installation celebrates Martin Luther King Day by featuring over 100 historical photographs taken by photojournalist Ernest Withers that document the lives of African Americans living in the South in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Oasis Yoga

Photo Courtesy of Oasis Brewing Company on Facebook

When: January 16, 10:30 a.m. 

Where: Oasis Brewing Company, 3257 N. Lowell Blvd., Denver 

Cost: $20 at entry

The Lowdown: Oasis Brewing Company partners with Hikyoga to present Oasis Yoga for a great cause. You can stretch out this Sunday to let go of stresses and later sip on an Oasis brew to refresh – all while raising funds for the Marshall Fire relief effort. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to ColoradoGives.Org.

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Mark Your Calendar

The Greater Debate: Guitars Edition

When: January 18, 8 – 9 p.m. 

Where: Online

Cost: $10, tickets available here

Tesoro Cultural Center’s Historic Lecture Series

When: January 23, 2 p.m.

Where: Tattered Cover Colfax, 2526 E. Colfax Ave., Denver

Cost: Free admission

Laugh Your Craft Off: Eye-Conic

When: January 26, 5 p.m. 

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

Cost: $20, tickets available here

60 Minutes in Space

When: January 26, 7 – 8 p.m. 

Where: Online 

Cost: Free, register here

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