Celebrate The First Weekend of Fall!

September 19, 2019

Celebrate the first weekend of fall with an outdoor cultural experience! A spin on the impromptu dining experience, Diner En Blanc, comes to Denver with an upscale secret dining destination. Plus, the annual bridal show is in town, and so are a few life-sized dinosaurs! And Aurora celebrates Sustainable Communities Day with the first-ever Local Harvest Festival!

Thursday – Sunday, September 19-22

A DOLL’S HOUSE IN REPERTORY
For the first time ever, the searing play A Doll’s House is performed in repertory with A Doll’s House Part 2—which means the same cast and production crew are performing both plays on an alternating basis during the same theatrical run. 

A Doll’s House is Henrik Ibsen’s renowned classic about the joyless marriage of Nora and her scandalous decision to walk out on her domestic responsibilities. A Doll’s House Part Two was written by Lucas Hnath decades later, bringing Nora back home to revisit her actions through a contemporary lens. One part searing drama, another part biting comedy, this is an experience best seen in full.

Ricketson Theatre/DCPA, 1400 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Fri. 7:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. (Double Feature)
Tickets: $30-$40
Phone: 303-571-4401

MISS SAIGON’S FINAL WEEKEND
Straight from Broadway, this blockbuster production of an epic wartime love story is a theatrical event you won’t want to miss! The music, the set and costumes, and most of all, the heart-wrenching story will stay with you long after the curtain closes. Set in Saigon, this is the story of Kim, a beautiful young Vietnamese woman, and Chris, the American soldier she falls in love with. Separately and together, they undertake an epic journey of survival and true love!

Buell Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $37-$159
Phone: 303-893-4100

INDECENT –  A PLAY ABOUT CENSORSHIP
At the turn of the last century, mixing religion and same-sex romance created such a scandal that the play which brought these subjects to the stage was banned. The God of Vengeance was a tribute to traditional Jewish culture—and a romance between two women.

Contemporary playwright Paula Vogel tells the story of what happened next in Indecent, her play about how the original play’s creators overcame censorship.

Space Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs., 6:30; Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $37-$75
Phone: 303-893-4100

Friday, September 20

MARLEY AND ME AT THE LAKEHOUSE!
Give your kids (and yourself!) some needed time out on their own! With the Southshore YMCA’s Kids Night Out event, they get a fun evening watching a movie, playing games, making crafts—even dinner! This week’s movie is Marley and Me, the sweet and funny story of the most adorable puppy ever! Children must be potty-trained, and all ages up to 10 years old are welcome. 

The Lakehouse, YMCA Southshore, 27151 E. Lakeview Dr., Aurora
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Registration: $15
Phone: 720-870-2221 

SUNSET PICNIC AT A SECRET LOCATION
Celebrate the end of summer with a special Community Expedition event, The Last Dream of Summer! This evening gathering is a Denver spin on the famed Diner En Blanc, the worldwide phenomenon where a group of people come together at an impromptu outdoor location for dinner. The setting is magical because everything (and everyone) is dressed in white—tablecloths, clothes, the works! You bring your own picnic dinner, and the event organizers provide the tables, seating and entertainment.

The location is secret until the day of the event! After registering, you will be sent a text message on your cellphone, notifying you where to go. You must be 21 or older, with valid ID, and no children, infants, or dogs are allowed. This is a grown-up event, so dress up! For an extra-special culinary experience, check out the special boxed picnics for purchase at the The Juniper Pig.

Secret Location in Aurora!
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10

Friday – Sunday, September 20-22

FALL HOME SHOW
Now that days have cooled down enough to actually get some work done, this is the perfect time to put some elbow grease into your home! The Denver Home Show is a great place to get inspired by the latest trends and fresh ideas for your DIY projects. This show focuses on home renovation, remodeling and sustainable living, with more than 250 vendors and experts offering tips, advice and inspiration for renewing your home.

Meet interior designers at their themed vignettes to get an idea of how they work with clients and what their vision is. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) will also be presenting free seminars and theater sessions, so take this chance to get some inspired ideas from the pros!

Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver 
Fri./Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8-$10
Phone: 303-932-8100

JURASSIC QUEST

Life-sized dinosaurs and the most realistic prehistoric displays in North America! This event is an adventure for the entire family, with over 80 animatronic dinosaurs you can interact with—there are even a few that can be ridden!

Kids of all ages will love the hands-on activities, including T-Rex and Triceratops fossil digs where young paleontologists can uncover long-hidden dinosaur bones. For younger kids, there are cute baby dinosaurs and the “Dino Bounce” area, as well as face painting, Dino crafts, and much more!

Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver
Fri., 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $24-$28
Phone: 936-588-3332

A MOTHER-DAUGHTER STORY
Miss You Like Hell is the fresh and surprising new musical by the Pulitzer Prize-winning co-creator of In the Heights, about a cross-country road trip an estranged mother takes with her 16-year-old daughter. The story is as much about the complicated nature of contemporary American society as it is about the mother-daughter pair—they meet a mosaic of characters with complex lives as they make their way west. 

Beatriz is the undocumented mother who is pending deportation, and Olivia is the teenage daughter she’s been separated from. With sharp comedy and a winning acoustic score by folk-rock star Erin McKeown, Miss You Like Hell is an American story for our time.

Aurora Fox Arts Center, Black Box Studio, 9900 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$37
Phone: 802-255-1826

SYMPHONY SEASON OPENS!
Mendelssohn’s revered Violin Concerto is the centerpiece of the season opener for the  Colorado Symphony!  It’s also the 20th anniversary of the symphony’s Concertmaster —the first-chair violin and the instrument-playing leader of the orchestra— Yumi Hwang-Williams. As soloist on the Violin Concerto, Hwang-Williams showcases her exceptional lyricism and agility. 

The program also includes Rachmaninoff’s last major orchestral work, Symphonic Dances, filled with allusions to many of his previous compositions. The inclusion of Grammy-nominated composer Anna Clyne’s Masquerade brings the program into contemporary times, with a bright, optimistic piece that evokes the essence of celebration.

Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876

COMEDY ABOUT LOVE AND TIMING
This delightful non-romantic comedy debuted at the Vintage Theatre as an entry in last year’s New Play Comedy Festival, and now it’s back in full production! The Best Day of Your Life follows unlikely lovers Wanda and Ron through the decades—starting in college and every seven years after that. In the beginning, Ron is smitten with Wanda, but their first date is a disaster. Seven years later, Wanda sees Ron in a different light, but this time, he’s not ready. Will they ever make it to the wedding chapel?

Vintage Theatre Productions, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38
Phone: 303-856-7830

Saturday, September 21

INAUGURAL HARVEST FESTIVAL
To celebrate Sustainable Communities Day, Aurora is throwing a party! Come out to the first-ever Local Harvest Festival, where you can begin with a yoga class at 10:00 a.m. for a suggested donation of $10.

Local organizations focused on sustainability will be there to chat with, and lunch from local food trucks will be available for purchase. Bring the kids! There’s a family-friendly cooking and composting demo they’ll get a kick out of!

The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone:  729-819-6680

Sunday, September 22

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BRIDAL SHOW
Gather your support crew (mom, sisters, bridesmaids) and head out to the Rocky Mountain Bridal Show for one-stop shopping for your wedding. Make a day of it, browsing all things bridal! Compare photographers, DJs, florists and more, and discover the latest trends in weddings. The spectacular runway fashion show is a highlight of the day, whether you are envisioning a glamorous affair or an intimate gathering for your wedding.

Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$15

Kick Off the Season Near Southshore!

We have a few weeks before the leaves start turning in Aurora, and there’s still plenty to do outdoors near the lakeside community of Southshore — every weekend! If you’re new to Life at the Lake, drive around and check out the beautiful model homes from Century Communities, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers. Available in ranch and two-story designs, Southshore homes are priced between the upper $400s to the $700s.