BBQ Festival and Outdoor Movies!

June 13, 2019

Denver and Aurora offer plenty of ways to celebrate Dad’s big weekend—including the main attraction, the Denver BBQ festival! Bring the whole family and come hungry, because the most talented BBQ pit-masters will be competing for the coveted first place prize, and you will be able to sample their creations! There are also opportunities for kids to craft their own Father’s Day gifts, a Joke Showdown about dads, and a special day at the horse races! For music-lovings pops, check out one of the many free outdoor concerts series in full swing! And speaking of swing…there’s even a chance to take some free swing dance lessons!

TODAY/TONIGHT, June 13

VAN GOGH SEMINAR
With all of the attention paid to Vincent Van Gogh now, it’s hard to believe he was virtually unknown in his own lifetime, with a painting career that spanned only one decade and sold only one painting. Yet he produced over 900 paintings, which have become the source of joy for so many in the years since his death.

This FREE seminar by Active Minds will take you on a journey through the life and art of this fascinating artist and man. Explore the challenges and accomplishments of his troubled life, as well as the mystery of his death. Learn more about why his art has had such an enduring appeal and impact.

Sam Gary Branch Library, 2961 Roslyn St., Denver
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Registration: FREE

SOUNDS OF SOUTHLANDS RETURNS!
The FREE summer music concert series is back with an exciting lineup, starting with one of the most popular dance bands in the country! The Jakarta Band is a Denver-based powerhouse that has performed all over the country for big venues including both the Democratic and Republican Conventions (in different years), the Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C., the New Orleans Mardi Gras Lundi Gras Festival, and the Indy 500 Pre-Race Soiree.

Jakarta’s unique sound can be described as the kind of funk that brings people to their feet. The band reflects African-American rhythmic dance music that mixes soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues. Get ready to get down with this exciting concert!

Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

ANOTHER FREE CONCERT!
Five decades of funk, soul, and R&B will be rocking the Conservatory Green at Stapleton, when the first FREE MoJaBlu concert of the summer kicks off with Thumpin’. Two talented and energetic lead vocalists harmonize angelically to the tight rhythm and horn section in this uplifting concert. The repertoire includes covers of your favorite dance music from the past fifty years. Food trucks including Mile High Kona Ice, Em’s Ice Cream, Top Dawg Sausages, Dos Gringos, and Papa Beau will be on hand!

Conservatory Green, 49th Pl. and Valentia St., Aurora
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

Thursday-Sunday, June 13-16

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IS BACK
The story that never grows old, Fiddler on the Roof is back with an exciting new production that includes all the musical hits you know and love! This lavish and heartwarming production is an authentic nod to the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece about fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and—above all, life, love and laughter.

You’ll be singing along to classics like Tradition, Sunrise-Sunset, If I Were A Rich Man,  Matchmaker, and To Life (L’Chaim). Don’t miss this talented cast and the stunning dance moves of Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins.

Buell Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45-$185
Phone: 800-641-1222

Friday, June 14

SWINGIN’ FRIDAY NIGHTS
Come out for the first Swingin’ Friday Night of the summer—and make a date to return every week through August! You’ll get a fun, FREE evening of old-fashioned entertainment, including live swing music, free swing dance lessons, and ice cream (available for purchase)!

Eastbridge Town Center at Stapleton will be filled with the sounds of big bands and modern swing quartets—this week is the popular Odessa Rose band! Swing dance lessons are offered for those who wish to learn the basic steps! No partner or experience is required.

Eastbridge Town Center at Stapleton, 10155 E. 29th Dr., Denver
7:00-9:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

BLACK PANTHER SCREENS AT MOVIE ON THE GREEN
Marvel’s Black Panther was THE movie to see this past year. Now you can see it with  your family and friends under the stars at the first outdoor Movie on the Green of 2019. Whether this is your first time to catch this iconic flick or your tenth, Black Panther will spark your imagination and inspire you and your whole family!

Bring your blankets and get comfortable on the lawn as the sun is setting. There will also be a concession stand selling candy, popcorn and drinks. All proceeds from the concession stand will benefit a local non-profit, but the movie is FREE!

Founders Green Park, 29th Ave & Roslyn St, Denver
Dusk (approximately 7:30 p.m.)
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-388-0724

Friday-Sunday, June 14-16

CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY AT THE BBQ FESTIVAL!
Nothing captures the spirit of Father’s Day better than a competition where BBQ connoisseurs see who can cram the most rib meat into their face holes in a 5-minute heat! For this and other exciting events like hanging out with the best pit-masters in Denver for three days of award-winning BBQ, live music, cold beer and drinks, you won’t want to miss Denver’s renowned BBQ Festival!

Free live music lineup through the entire long weekend includes Denver favorites like Woodshed Red, the Hazel Miller Band, Wirewood Station, The Rick Lewis Project, Chris Daniels & The Kings, Buckstein, Rapidgrass, My Blue Sky – a tribute to the music of The Allman Brothers, and the Austin Young Band. And if you want to take your BBQ experience to the next level, there are ticketed all-you-can-eat Pit Passes.

Bronco’s Stadium at Mile High,1701 Bryant St., Ste. 700, Denver 
Fri., 5:00-8:30 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-522-0993

Saturday, June 15

KIDS FATHER’S DAY DIY GIFT-MAKING
Let your kids give Dad the gift he’ll always treasure—one handcrafted by them. This hands-on workshop with all materials provided gives kids the space and instruction to make their very own special gift for Father’s Day. 

Each child will make three wrapped gifts to take home to give to Dad. Parents are welcome to stay, or you can drop off your kids and know they will be well cared for. Snacks will be provided. This workshop is for children ages 5 and up.

MoonDance Botanicals, 601 Corona St., Denver,
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tickets: $25
Phone: 303-263-7275

HIGHLANDS STREET FAIR
The Highlands Square neighborhood in Denver is throwing one of the first street fairs of the summer, complete with live music, food, drinks, and over 100 vendors’ booths to browse! There will be three stages with live music from bands such as the Voodoo Kings, Treehouse Sanctum, Ryan Chrys & the Roughcuts, Michael Friedman Band, Benjamin Bell Band, Sky Choice, and Cody Jeffryes.

Bring the whole family out for a fun summer day of strolling, eating, shopping, dancing to great music, and just generally celebrating the season!

Highlands Square, 32nd Ave. btwn. Irving and Perry, Denver
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-908-2705

DAD’S DAY AT THE DOCK
Celebrate all things Dad at the Dry Dock Brewing Company, where they will be holding a Beer Olympics with games including Can Smash! Just for dads, there will be beard trims and haircuts, an outdoor bar, vendor tents, and more!

Dry Dock Brewing Company, 2801Tower Rd., Aurora
12:00-4:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

JOKE SHOWDOWN ABOUT DADS
Dads say the darnedest things. See for yourself at this hilarious friendly competition that  features your best (and worst) dad jokes. This goofy showdown is open to anyone who wants to share a classic Dad experience—you don’t have to be a dad to compete. Open to all ages, so bring the whole family for an afternoon of laughs!

Mission Viejo Library, 15324 E. Hampden Cir., Aurora
3:00 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-326-8600

Saturday-Sunday, June 15-16

JUNETEENTH PARADE AND FESTIVAL
This is the annual summer festival in the Five Points Neighborhood that celebrates Dreaming Big. Nearly 3,000 people march in the Juneteenth Parade to honor the struggles and social progress achieved through marches and demonstrations organized for freedom, justice, and equality in our country’s history. The parade kicks things off, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. To participate, come at 9:00 a.m., wear clothing that honors African heritage, and bring signs that read #DREAMBIG. 

Afterwards, the Dream Big Awards Ceremony will take place on the main stage, then the festivities begin with two days of awesome entertainment, including Grammy Award-winning artist Ashanti, Ro James, and many others!

Five Points Neighborhood, 27th & Welton St., Denver
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

Sunday, June 16

FATHER’S DAY AT THE RACES
Bring Dad and the whole family out to the horse races at Arapahoe Park and create a new Father’s Day tradition! All fathers will receive free admission and a free Arapahoe Park gift while supplies last. Come hungry, because the annual Father’s Day Buffet is free for dads, with the purchase of another buffet!

Arapahoe Park, 26000 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora
1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5 (excluding buffet)
Phone: 303-690-2400

Family Fun in Southshore!

There’s always something fun to do with family and friends near the master-planned community of Southshore! You get the tranquility of lakeside living with easy access to your favorite urban activities. Stop by and see for yourself how great Life at the Lake can be! With beautiful model homes from Toll Brothers, Century Communities, and Richmond American Homes, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.