Christmas Shows in Previews This Weekend!

November 18, 2021

This is great news for anyone who just can’t wait for the holidays to begin—with live  performances of your favorite shows starting this weekend, you’ll have a good reason to get in the holiday spirit this year! Even better, during the preview performances, prices are lower so you get a great deal to boot! Check out the all-new DCPA productions of Camp Christmas, A Christmas Carol, and for one weekend only, Hip Hop Nutcracker! And kids will be happy to know there will be Santa spottings all over town!

Thursday, November 18

THE RIVER NILE
There can hardly be a more famous river in the world than the Nile, and when a major conservation project began in 2020 to dam a section of the river in Ethiopia, it became the source of more than water for Africa. Opposition to the dam came quickly from Egypt, who fears that it could cut off or reduce water to their country. Yet the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is set to be completed in 2026 and will power the largest hydroelectric plant in Africa. Explore the pros and cons of this engineering feat during an informative online discussion.

Active Minds Online
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Information: FREE

EVANESCENCE + HALESTROM
The band’s first album, Fallen, is one of the Top 5 best-selling albums of the 21st century, and the biggest seller by both a band overall, and a rock act overall, if you’re keeping score. The five-member group has won two Grammys and earned one of the largest social media followings of any music act and their music continues to inspire people to create things. Writers have written books, fans have created their own anime films, music, visual art, and even vehicle design. Their new album, The Bitter Truth is meant as a gift to music lovers, reflecting the promise of hope out of the struggles we all face.

Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $49.50-$169.50

Thursday-Saturday, November 18-20

DAN CUMMINS ON STAGE
Just how popular is stand-up comic Dan Cummins? There are only two shows not yet sold out this weekend, so get your tickets now! You’ve probably seen Cummins on one of many late-show appearances or maybe Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happening or his own Comedy Central half-hour and hour specials. Cummins is one of the most frequently played comics on Pandora with over 700,000 artist stations created and over 450 million plays. His stand-up albums are featured on numerous Sirius XM comedy stations, and his podcast, Timesuck, is regularly at the top of the Apple podcasts comedy charts.

Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Fri., 9:45 p.m.; Sat., 5:15 p.m.
Tickets: $30
Phone: 303-595-3637

Thursday-Sunday, November 18-21

ONGOING KINDNESS WALL
The Kindness Wall started last week in Aurora will continue to grow throughout the holiday season as the community adds more names and sentiments. Be a part of the kindness movement and take part in the festivities!

Select a sticker, sign your name under the message, and snap a selfie to share with the kindness community! 

Center Court at Town Center, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
Information: FREE

CAMP CHRISTMAS PREVIEW
Last year’s Camp Christmas was so popular, the DCPA is bringing it back bigger and better than ever! Still mostly outside on six-acres of winter landscapes, this year the event will also give you the chance to come inside to get warm! The artistic genius of Lonnie Hanzon has realized a fantastical wonderland of lights, dazzling decorations, music, and memorabilia in mesmerizing yuletide scenes. During this weekend’s First Look previews, the creative team will be actively working and tweaking the experience. But you’ll have the bragging rights of having been there first, and tickets are priced at bargain rates! Every Saturday and Sunday, Santa will be available at his Glampsite from 12:00 – 3:45 p.m.; an additional $10 ticket is required to visit with Santa.

Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood
Thurs./Fri., 3:00-8:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 12:00-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8 – $20 (does not include Santa tickets)

ICE SKATING AT THE POND
There may not be snow on the ground, but it’s cold enough to ice skate! Guaranteed to get you in the mood for winter, The Pond at Southlands offers ice skating for the entire family—at a convenient location that’s right in the neighborhood!

Bring your own skates, or if you’re new to the sport, rentals are available!

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: 303-928-7536

EDDIE AND DAVE
The guys referred to in this wildly fun rock musical are none other than Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth. Eddie and Dave puts the spotlight on the big-haired frontmen of the band Van Halen as they swagger and drive each other crazy. In a gender-bending twist, all of the members of the band are cast with women performers!

The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$30

Friday, November 19

SANTA’S ARRIVAL IN AURORA
It seems the Jolly Old Elf arrives earlier and earlier each year—much to the kids’ delight! This year Santa will be coming to Aurora in style, complete with a parade with Holiday Carolers. The parade starts in front of FieldhouseUSA and makes its way to Center Court where the party begins.

Accompanying Santa will be a real live reindeer, and festivities will include a hot cocoa bar, craft stations, and other reindeer games for the whole family!

Center Court, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

WELCOME WINTER
The stores on 29th Avenue in the Stapleton area are ready to light up the winter skies! Join this annual open house celebration as holiday lights are switched on all along the street. There will be entertainment, warm drinks, s’mores, roasted almonds, dancing trees, and a visit from Santa! 

MCA/Stapleton District, 29th Ave. between Quebec and Roslyn Streets, Denver
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

FOODIE FOR THOUGHT
It’s an evening of so much more than cooking when Food Network star Alton Brown takes the stage! He’s created a new form of entertainment—the live culinary variety show—mixing together science, music, and food into two hours of pure fun. “Plus, you’ll see things I’ve never been allowed to do on TV,” Brown adds. His past shows have played in over 200 cities with more than 350,000 fans in attendance, and critics and fans alike have raved about the interactive components of this unique form of live entertainment.

Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $69

Friday-Saturday, November 19-20

HIP HOP NUTCRACKER
What do you get when you mash hip hop dance together with Tchaikovksy’s timeless music? The Hip Hop Nutcracker! This irreverent and inspirational re-imagined version of the ballet classic is a contemporary dance spectacle that’s brought to life by a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, and a violinist. The show’s opener is MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers!

DCPA, Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St., Denver
Fri., 7:00 p.m.; Sat., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$80

Friday-Sunday, November 19-21

SAVE CHRISTMAS WITH BUDDY THE ELF
This fanciful, multi-sensory holiday experience transports you to the world of Buddy the Elf on a mission to help him save Christmas! You’ll join Mr. Narwhal and friends, stay ahead of the toy quota in the North Pole, prepare for Santa’s arrival at the department store, and take part in an epic, Central Park snowball fight!

Gaylord Rockies, 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora
Fri., 4:00 – 8:45 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. 
Tickets (timed entry): $19.99 – $31.99

A CHRISTMAS CAROL – IN PREVIEWS
The always-popular story of Scrooge and his redemption over a single night of visits by three Christmas ghosts is a joyful and heartwarming musical experience. This production is true to the 19th-century setting of Charles Dickens’ classic novel and delivers a visually exhilarating experience with opulent costumes and scenery.

DCPA, Marvin & Judi Wolf Theatre, Speer Blvd. &, Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$75

RUSSIAN NIGHT AT THE SYMPHONY
Russian composers Prokofiev and Shostakovich are at the center of this program, which features pianist Natasha Paremski playing the romantic Second Piano Concerto. Then the entire Colorado Symphony joins in on Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony, a work with a sound that’s more typical of Mozart’s time.

Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony is also reminiscent of a bygone era in a composition that is short, witty, and classically oriented.

Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th Street, #15, Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876

FINAL WEEKEND FOR JEST
Jest a Second  is the sequel to Cherry Creek Theatre’s hilarious Beau Jest (2017), with the return of the Goldman family and more mistaken identity hijinks. Joel is dating a nice Jewish doctor and is finally ready to introduce his parents to the love of his life—or is he? This is the final weekend of performances!

Pluss Theatre, Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver 
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$42

Saturday, November 20

THE KING’S JESTER
You may know the incredibly talented Hasan Minhaj from his four years on The Daily Show—first with Jon Stewart and then continuing on in the correspondent role after Trevor Noah took over as host. He’s also been featured in several movies and created a solo comedy show, Homecoming King, which streams on Netflix. Minhaj is the first Indian-American to host his own weekly comedy show for Netflix that has been picked up for an unprecedented 32-episode order. The series will explore the modern cultural and political landscape with depth and sincerity. Each week, Minhaj will bring his unique comedic voice and storytelling skill to investigate the larger trends shaping our fragmented world.

Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St., Denver
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45-$95

Saturday-Sunday, November 20-21

16TH STREET HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Holiday shopping is at the top of everyone’s to do list—and you can get it all done early when you head over to the festive atmosphere of the 16th Street Mall! This curated holiday marketplace includes a huge selection of one-of-a-kind gifts, handcrafted goods, delicious specialty foods, home décor, and more.

16th Street Mall at Welton and Glenarm, Denver
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

Sunday, November 21

CHRISTMAS SWING-A-LONG
Delightful Andrews Sisters tribute trio, The Denver Dolls, will be crooning a vintage selection of holiday tunes at this nostalgic Christmas program! Then swing band Bianca and the Flyboys will provide snazzy music so you can hit the dance floor! Don’t know how to swing dance? Before the performance, a 20-minute Swing Class will be held for a short lesson on swing moves.

Swing and sing along with the band or just sit back and enjoy the show!

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15

No Shortage of Activities Near Southshore!

There’s no shortage of things to do 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! Tour the beautiful model homes from Richmond American Homes, Toll Brothers, and Taylor Morrison. Available in ranch and two-story designs, Southshore homes are priced between the upper $400s and the $700s.