Celebrating Martin Luther King’s Dream This Weekend!
January 17, 2019
Did you know that Aurora was the first city in Colorado to host a week-long celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? The commemoration includes events and educational talks, and culminates in a motorcade to the city-wide Marade on Monday. The theme for this year’s commemoration is Embracing the Vision, Making It Happen! Come out and honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and his beautiful dream of equality, non-violence, and freedom for all.
TODAY/TONIGHT, January 17
MAKE IT HAPPEN – FUTURE INITIATIVES
This free educational talk is part of the MLK Commemoration in Aurora and focuses on the importance of stopping violence before it starts. Sgt. John Wilton and Officer Singleton, from the Aurora Police Department Educational Forum, will discuss de-escalation techniques and tools to prevent bullying. This important topic is relevant to kids, teens, and adults. Families are encouraged to attend!
Aurora Municipal Center, City Council Chamber, 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
10:00 and 11:30 a.m.
Information: FREE
Thursday-Sunday, January 17-20
FINAL WEEKEND FOR A BRONX TALE
Robert DeNiro and Jerry Zaks direct this nostalgic story of a kid growing up in the Bronx in the 1960s who must choose between the respect of his father and the lure of a lucrative life with the mob. With catchy period tunes and choreography to match, A Bronx Tale is a cross between West Side Story and Jersey Boys (amNewYork).
Buell Theatre/DCPA, 1400 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs./Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.; Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$120
Phone: 303-571-4401
COMEDY WITH STEVE RANNAZZISI
You will recognize him as the hilarious pen salesman who tried to make a move on Paul Blart’s love interest in Mall Cop—Steve Rannazzisi has had many memorable roles in film, as well as seven seasons starring as Kevin McArthur on the critically acclaimed FX Network comedy series, The League. Rannazzisi is also a prolific standup comedian who will have you in stitches when you catch his live show. His standup has appeared on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and is featured in the standup special Pauly Shore & Friends.
Comedy Works-Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Thurs., 8:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.; Sun., 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $28-$30
Phone: 303-595-3637
Friday, January 18
HORSE JUMPING AT THE STOCK SHOW
If you have never witnessed the beauty and athleticism of a horse jumping competition, you owe it to yourself to come out to the National Western Stock Show and check it out!
This particular competition has the high-energy performance level of a rock and roll concert! These are top-level riders and horses, jumping a course of 10 to 14 fences, all over four feet in height. Points are accumulated based on the degree of difficulty of the fence, the execution of the jumps, and the speed of the horse/rider team. This daring and exciting event will render you breathless!
National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$55
Phone: 303-296-6977
Friday-Sunday, January 18-20
COLORADO INDIAN MARKET & SOUTHWEST ART FEST
In celebration of fine artists and craftsmen representing Western and Native American heritage, this colorful art show is a cultural treasure! The work of over 200 artists will be on display to peruse or purchase, featuring designs that are both contemporary and traditional. There will also be traditional dancing, music, entertainment and food on hand. Great fun for the entire family!
Denver Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave., Denver
Fri., 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.; Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Phone: 505-273-7363
LAST NIGHT AND THE NIGHT BEFORE
This stunning and touching drama was a 2017 Colorado New Play Summit featured play about family loyalties. Two sisters live opposite lives: Monique has remained in the Southern town where they grew up and is forced to flee from some deep trouble, while Rachel leads an orderly New York life in her Brooklyn brownstone. When Monique shows up on Rachel’s doorstep unexpectedly, it wreaks havoc on her world. The play explores the struggle between the responsibilities that are expected of us and the choices we actually end up making.
Ricketson Theatre/DCPA, 1400 Curtis St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30
Phone: 303-571-4401
THE SYMPHONY HONORS MLK
The Colorado Symphony takes part in the MLK commemorative weekend with a look at three prominent composers as they reflect their observations of who we were during the Civil War, who we were during the civil rights movement, and who we’ve always strived to be in a trio of thematically tied works.
In a special presentation, actor Damon Gupton (Criminal Minds, Deadline, and La La Land) will narrate Abraham Lincoln’s words during the performance of Copland’s Lincoln Portrait and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the symphony performance of Schwantner’s New Morning for the World (Daybreak of Freedom). Dvorák’s renowned Symphony No. 9 (known as the New World Symphony), will round out the concert with influences of Native American musical rhythms, African-American spirituals, and the wide-open spaces he encountered on a trip through America’s heartland in the early 1890s.
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
HOODED, OR BEING BLACK FOR DUMMIES
This highly relevant drama about the schisms in black American culture takes place in a juvenile holding cell, where two very different 14-year-old black boys meet each other. Marquis is a book-smart prep school student from suburbia, and Tru is a streetwise city kid. Tru thinks Marquis has lost his “blackness,” so he puts together a manual for him called Being Black for Dummies. Marquis is forced to face the many contradictions in his life and American culture when it comes to cheerleaders, Black Lives Matter, 2Pac, Nietzsche, Apollo and Dionysus—each vying for Marquis’ future. This play contains adult language and situations.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 – $37
Phone: 303-873-6622
Saturday, January 19
MLK CELEBRATION AT THE VILLAGE EXCHANGE CENTER
The Village Exchange Center in Aurora is the home that welcomes all visitors warmly to the community. Come out for a neighborhood party for new and old friends! Featuring Thomas Evan’s mural unveiling and a short film by Rob Shearer, the party is also a celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a multi-cultural dinner and special collaborative performance by Jonny 5 of the Flobots and the Congolese Gloria Choir!
Village Exchange Center, 1609 Havana St., Aurora
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $25
SATURDAY NIGHT SPEAKEASY
Go back in time to easier days when the Charleston reigned supreme and there wasn’t a care in the world! The 4th Annual Speakeasy Soiree features live music with Denver’s finest gypsy jazz band, LaPompe. Special musical guests include Gabriel Mervine on trumpet, drummer Jill Frederickson, Bill Pontarelli on clarinet, and special featured vocalist Hazel Miller! Take a Charleston dance lesson with Swingin’ Denver and browse the vintage vendors’ wares. There will be cash bars, food trucks, and more! Roaring Twenties attire is highly recommended!
The Hangar at Stanley, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
7:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$60
Saturday-Sunday, January 19-20
WILD WEST SHOW – LIVE
Take a trip back to the days of the Old West with reenactments of the original Buffalo Bill Wild West Shows. The entire family will enjoy this colorful show that proves we are all cowboys at heart! Learn about Western legends including Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley and others. The show is full of quick draw antics and cowboy entertainment, painting the story of how the West was won.
National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
Sat., 5:00 p.m.; Sun., 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $27-$55
Phone: 303-296-6977
Sunday, January 20
DEJA VU SILENT FILM
A loving father and teacher is paid so poorly that he has to depend on the meager earnings of his librarian daughter just to make ends meet. Sound startlingly familiar? The plot of The Blot, a 1921 silent film, hinges on social inequities that are still present today.
This small-town melodrama highlights the gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots,” with the latter falling squarely in what would be considered the middle class. A film ahead of its time, The Blot is a meticulous examination of social and economic embarrassments. The film will be screened with a live score by Niki Tredinnick of The Dollhouse Thieves!
Alamo Draft House Theatre, 4255 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12
Phone: 720-577-4720
EVENING OF CONTEMPORARY FOLK MUSIC
Aurora’s newest space for live local music presents a rockin’ evening of folk-inspired music. But this isn’t your granny’s folk music! Fables of the Fall is a chamber punk/experimental quartet that plays folk-punky covers of pop songs and arrangements of original work. Also appearing on the line-up is classically-trained Grace Clark, who took a detour toward bluegrass after falling in love with the music that “feels like home.” Don’t miss these talented local artists when they come to the neighborhood!
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Phone: 729-819-6680
Monday, January 21
MOTORCADE AND WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY
Aurora residents will pay special tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by driving collectively in a motorcade led by the Aurora Police Department from the Municipal Center to the MLK Library. An 8:00 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony at the library will commemorate the importance of this great man and his values. Following the ceremony, the motorcade will continue to Denver’s City Park for the Marade.
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Aurora
7:00 a.m.
Information: FREE
MLK ANNUAL MARADE
Six-term Colorado State Representative and former First Lady of Denver Wilma Webb coined the word Marade—a combination of march and parade—to describe the joyful procession in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Denver Post). Join others reveling in this demonstration of love and solidarity! Marade formation begins at the I Have A Dream memorial in City Park and ends at Civic Center Park. Total distance covered is 5K. Immediately following the Marade is a program honoring Dr. King in Civic Center Park’s Greek Theater.
Denver City Park, 17th St. and Detroit Ave., Denver
9:30 a.m.
Information: FREE
MLK RODEO!
Paying tribute to the history and heritage of America’s black cowboys, the National Western Stock Show presents the first-ever Martin Luther King African-American Heritage Rodeo! Top black rodeo athletes and buffalo soldiers are the stars of the evening in this triumphant dream-come-true for Lu Vason, a prominent figure in establishing black equality in the world of rodeo and recognition of an influential and integral aspect of African-American culture.
National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$40
Phone: 303-373-1246
To Dos To Do Near Southshore!
There’s no end to the list recreation and entertainment choices near the master-planned community of Southshore. Residents love Life at the Lake and easy access to downtown Denver, the Tech Center and all kinds of things to do. Check out the variety of homes from Century Communities, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers priced between the upper $300s and the $700s.