Art Shows, Airplanes and African Culture This Weekend!

February 25, 2021

From art at Denver Botanic Gardens to airplanes at the Air and Space Museum to stand-up comedy at the People’s Building, you’ve got a great selection of in-person events to choose from this weekend! And the final weekend of Black History Month features an in-person celebration of African culture in the Town Center of Aurora!

TODAY/TONIGHT, February 25

UNTANGLING IRAQ
Delve into the complex history of a country that has been overlapping with U.S. interests for decades. Iraq has had more than its share of struggles, but it’s also a country endowed with rich cultural heritage.

This FREE virtual presentation and discussion from Active Minds will cover U.S. involvement in Iraq since the 2003 invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein that continues to this day. The complicated relationship between Sunni and Shi’a factions of Islam will be explored, lending to a better understanding of Iraq’s past, present, and future.

MCA Online
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Register: FREE

Thursday-Sunday, February 25-28

ART IN THE GARDENS
There’s more to discover at the Denver Botanic Gardens than exotic flowers! Did you know they also have an art gallery with rotating exhibitions of artwork that underscores the connection between people and nature? Don’t miss Colorado artist Tony Ortega’s Raíces y Ramas (Roots and Branches), a collection of mural-like paintings in expressionist colors that celebrate the Chicano experience in U.S. culture.

Also on display this weekend is artist Jody Guralnick’s exploration of the intersection of science and art, and the exquisite collection of surrealistic self-portraits by photographer Fares Micue that integrate natural and surprising objects in vibrant hues. Admission to the art gallery is free with your timed entry ticket to the Gardens. 

Denver Botanic Gardens, Freyer–Newman Center, 1007 York St., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $11 – $15 timed entry admission
Phone: 720-865-3500

AGE OF AIRPLANES
With everyone talking about the recent landing of the Space Rover on Mars, maybe you’re thinking this would be a good time to visit Denver’s Air and Space Museum. In addition to great exhibits about space, they also have a series of films about flying, so you’re sure to leave with your head in the clouds!

Now showing, Living in the Age of Airplanes is a breathtaking National Geographic film that takes you on a stunning trip around the globe! Narrated by Harrison Ford, the film is screened every hour on the quarter hour and is included in your price of admission. Pre-purchased tickets are required and you must wear a mask in the museum.

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum Online
10:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., every hour on the quarter hour
Tickets: $9.95 – $16.95
Phone: 303-360-5360 

ENJOY WINTER IN COLORADO
The best part of living in Colorado is getting to play in our wonderful backyard all year long! Aurora’s newest resort packs the best winter activities into a fun day outside! The entire family will enjoy ice skating and snow tubing, a snow merry-go-round and ice bumper cars. Festive holiday attractions Glacier Point and LIGHT! remain open as well!

Gaylord Rockies, 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora
Thurs./Fri., 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $5.99
Phone: 720-452-6900

FINAL WEEKEND FOR SKATING
You don’t have to go far to enjoy a fun family day of ice skating! The Pond at Southlands  is your nearby one-stop happy place! If you haven’t skated in a while or you’re new to the sport, you can even take some lessons and you’ll be spinning on the ice in no time! 

The Pond at Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
Thurs., 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Fri., 4:00 – 10:00 p.m.; /Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12
Phone: 303-627-5000

INTERACTIVE WHISKEY TASTING
Is it a virtual theatrical experience? Is it a real-life whiskey tasting? It’s both! The Whiskey Tasting is an online, immersive theatre experience brought to you by DCPA—so you know it’s going to be great! 

This intimate virtual event puts you and two other households in the same online space with a bartender guide who has a fascinating script about how the history of whiskey has intersected with the stories of their own life. They’ll also be guiding you through a real-life whiskey tasting (you’ll pick up the actual bottles in advance).

DCPA/The Whiskey Tasting Online
Thurs./Fri., 5:00, 6:45 or 8:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:00, 2:45, 4:30, 6:15, 8:00, or 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $45 – $55

Saturday, February 27

CLEAN UP AURORA
Meet up with your community members, get some fresh air and exercise, and do some good for Aurora! The new volunteer neighborhood group “We Are A-Town!” comes together on a weekly basis to do trash cleanup. If you’re feeling bored and uninspired, this is a great way to recharge!

MLK Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Information: FREE

CELEBRATE AFRICA
Black History Month ends on a high note with this festive Celebration of Culture that features Africa! There will be food, performances, kids activities, educational resources, and a chance to meet members of the community at a rare in-person event! FREE advance registration online will provide you with a 60-minute time slot to come out to the Town Center and celebrate the diversity of Aurora!

Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.; 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Register: FREE

TRUE CRIME BOOK CLUB
Fans of the True Crime genre in TV, movies, books, and podcasts have a chance to gather virtually once a month to share their passion! Join this FREE WebEx online meeting, brought to you by Aurora Libraries, to discuss the featured book and case. Maybe you’ll end up solving the crime!

This month’s book is Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer. You can check out an eBook or an eAudiobook through the online library. The case of the month is The Death of Philip Taylor Kramer.

Aurora Library WebEx online meeting
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Register: FREE

COMEDY COMPETITION
If you are craving an IRL stand-up comedy event, ComedySportz is poised to deliver an outrageous live performance! This Stand-up Comedy Olympics is a comedic competition that’s powered by the audience. Give the referee a suggestion and the “actletes” come up with a song or a scene on the spot!

This is improv at its finest, since the audience cheers on the performers and ultimately decides the winners and the losers. Bring the family! The show plays by family rules so everyone is welcome. Even if you you choose to watch from a livestream at home, the energy of the event will reach you across the miles!

The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax, Aurora
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 live or livestream

The Arts, Music and More Near Southshore!

Enjoy Life at the Lake in the master-planned community of Southshore—and find culture and entertainment within easy reach! Looking for a new home you can add your signature style to? Tour the beautiful model homes from Taylor Morrison, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers. Available in ranch and two-story designs, Southshore homes are priced between the upper $400s and the $700s.