Classes, Plays and Don’t-Miss Events!
May 18, 2017
With so many classes, performances and events happening near the lakeside community of Southshore this weekend, weeding your lawn can wait! With three final don’t-miss performances at local theaters, a once-a-year first-rate vegetable plant sale, symphonic dance shows and kids-only events – it’s all happening in and around Aurora, starting today!
TODAY/TONIGHT! Thursday, May 18
TEEN CRAFT IT!
Do you have a teen with a green thumb? Bring them over to the library to try out their gardening skills with this fun craft!
Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Pkwy.
4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-739-6600
CUB CLUB EVENT
Bring your young ones to meet the people of Aurora who help residents every day – members of the Aurora Fire Department, the Aurora Police Department and first responders from Falck Ambulance. The meet-and-greet will be followed by a craft and RSVPs are recommended. Don’t forget your Cub Club Membership Card, and if you need one – click here to enroll.
Southlands Mall, Town Square, Aurora
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday, May 18-20
HOME-GROWN TOMATOES!
Store-bought tomatoes don’t taste quite like home-grown and Colorado Master Gardener Evelyn Alton knows why! She raises vegetables from seed for the Urban Farm and has grown Heirlooms, hybrids and hard-to-find varieties like the Dark Queen, Pink Berkeley Tie Dye, White Cherry and more. Also available for sale are peppers, eggplant and basil. All kinds! The event includes hands-on demonstrations for optimum growth and yield presented daily during the plant sale.
The Urban Farm at Stapleton, 10200 Smith Rd., Denver
Thurs./Fri., 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Sat.,10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 19
IF YOU BUILD IT…
Let the building begin! Kids with engineering in their DNA are invited to put those skills to use at the Build It Friday at the Library! Kids let their imaginations fuel their activity as they construct all sorts of objects from a variety of materials.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
3:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-739-1940
NINTENDO CLUB
If you know a child in grades fourth through eighth who love everything Nintendo, bring them to the library – with their Pokémon cards to trade — or play games like Mario Kart on the library’s Nintendo Wii.
Mission Viejo Library, 15324 E. Hampden Cir., Aurora
4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-326-8600
DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA
The Kim Robards Dance company will break in the dance floor at The People’s Building, a new multi-arts venue in the heart of Aurora’s arts district. The Robards Spinoff dance event will include a snappy collaboration with Spinphony, a classical-pop electric string quartet.
Aurora Cultural Arts Center, 1400 Dallas St., Aurora
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$25
Phone: 303-825-4847
KIDS’ NIGHT OUT
It’s Kids’ Night Out this weekend! Bring your children to the Wheatlands Clubhouse (the Lakehouse is under construction for another week or so!), for dinner and a Disney movie. Moana, the 2016 
animated musical fantasy about the strong-willed daughter of the chief of a Polynesian tribe, who sets sail for help when a blight strikes her island, in hopes of saving her people. For ages “potty-trained” to 10 years old. (The Lakehouse renovation is nearly completed, but this Kids’ Night Out will be at the Wheatlands Clubhouse.)
Wheatlands Clubhouse, 6601 S. Wheatlands Pkwy, Aurora, CO
6:00-10:00 p.m.
$15 for first child; $10 each additional child
Phone: 720-870-2221
INCREDIBLE COLORADO CHORALES
The Colorado Women’s Chorale and Colorado Men’s Chorale join forces to perform Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and Pergolesi’s “Magnificat.” It’s called the Viva I’talia performance and includes a dramatic Eric Whitacre piece Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, written to evoke the legendary Leonardo da Vinci as he dreams of taking flight.
Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver,
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$25
Phone: 303-388-4962
Friday-Saturday, May 19-20
FINAL WEEKEND
In this gripping stage play, Shaun Arkind is about to lose everything: his beautiful college-bound daughter, a treasured relationship, a new play that could revive his fading career — all because of an addiction threatening it all. As an old friend boomerangs back into his life, Shaun will discover that happy endings are possible, aren’t they?
Aurora Fox Studio Theater, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$33
Friday-Sunday, May 19-21
LAST CHANCE DRAMEDY
“Vintage Theater’s production of The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, An Instant Message with Excitable Music is the perfect example of a comedy that builds to a dramatic punch in the gut,” says Aurora Sentinel Critic Ramsey Scott.
This play – with final performances this weekend – is the story of a young China-born woman living with her adoptive white parents in Southern California. While she’s a certifiable genius, her progressive agoraphobia confines her to her home. But at the prospect of connecting with her birth mother in China, Jennifer defies her limitations by devising a technological reunion. Scott says be prepared for “for one heck of an emotional punch.”
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $22-$30
Phone: 303-856-7830
FINAL PERFORMANCES: GRISHAM
Carl Lee Hailey shot two men in the very courtroom where he now stands trial. His young lawyer, Jake Brigance, knows Hailey was making a last-ditch bid for justice – not vengeance – against the men who brutalized his daughter. The intense trial begins and the community comes undone in this riveting adaptation of John Grisham’s best-selling 1989 novel.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat./Mon, 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $16-$31
Phone: 303-856-7830
Saturday, May 20
THE THRILL OF FLIGHT
This popular event offers kids ages 8 to 17 the thrill of flying. Every third Saturday of the month, kids experience their first flight with a registered and certified Colorado pilot at Centennial Airport. The purpose of Young Eagles and Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is to introduce kids to the world of aviation and inspire their involvement. These events fill up quickly so if sold out, look ahead to register for the next Young Eagles flights on June 17. And once you RSVP, be sure to respond to the email confirmation the Wednesday before the event!
Centennial Airport, 7800 S. Peoria St., Englewood
8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Phone: 303-360-5360
PURRFECT READING BUDDIES
Give your children in the first grade and older a chance to practice and improve their reading skills while nurturing cats awaiting adoption! It all happens at the city of Aurora Animal Shelter. Young readers will get to choose a prize from the treasure chest after reading to their purrfect little buddy. Reading times are in 30–minute intervals and you can register your reader, here.
Aurora Animal Shelter, 15750 E. 32nd Ave., Aurora
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (30 minute sessions)
Phone: 303-739-6589
COLORING FOR GROWN-UPS
Ease into your weekend by entering the adults-only coloring zone. It’s just an age thing, not a rating! The library provides everything you need for this event to unleash your creativity and unplug from digital obsessions.
Mission Viejo Library, 15324 E. Hampden Cir., Aurora
10:00 a.m.
Phone: 303-326-8600
FAMILY BINGO BONANZA!
You know how to spell it, you know how to play it, but are you in it to win it? Yes? Then bring the whole family to the library for an afternoon of entertainment with this irresistible game of chance!
Tallyn’s Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Rd., Aurora
3:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-627-3050
BEVY OF BOARD GAMES!
Join other board game fans at the tabletop gaming club. Open to anyone who wants to take over Tokyo or find buried treasure. Drop into the library to play vintage and contemporary board games for an afternoon of fun and adventure!
Iliff Square Library/PC Center, 2253 S. Peoria St., Aurora
4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-739-1567
Saturday-Sunday, May 20-21
GUN COLLECTORS’ SHOW
The Colorado Gun Collectors Gun Show is held once a year and is considered one of the finest shows for collectors in the world. The show conforms to and exceeds the National Association of Arms guidelines and regulations for safety, security and quality. This event is aimed at collectors who have and are searching for antique and modern collectible arms and accessories. Featured this year: authentic, original cowboy and American Indian artifacts and quality western art.
The Denver Mart, 401 E. 58th Ave., Denver
Sat., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sun., 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Admission: $10
Tuesday, May 23
TURMOIL IN SYRIA
Since gaining its independence from the French in 1946, Syria has had a rocky history. Located in the conflict-ridden Middle East, Syria’s turmoil has involved both its regional neighbors as well as internal factions that have made self-rule a challenging goal. Join Active Minds for an overview of Syria’s history and recent atrocities and how this informs current and future challenges for a troubled country.
Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Free
Phone: 303-322-7727
Wednesday, May 24
BETWEEN THE NOTES
For every student violinist or cellist who truly wants to learn or improve their musicality and skills, Between the Notes is a recurring free music lesson on the violin or cello. Each student must bring his or her own instrument.
Tallyn’s Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Rd., Aurora
4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-627-3050
COOKIES AND COLORING
Take a break from the busyness of life and pick up some colored pencils and a few cookies! Drop into the library and drop out of the weekday whirlwind! Color and snack and make a friend or two.
Iliff Square Library/PC Center, 2253 S. Peoria St., Aurora
4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-739-1567
RIGHT NOW!
SPORTS CAMPS
A quick note for parents whose kids play (or want to) baseball, soccer, basketball and tennis: the YMCA-sponsored camps are taking registrations. Camps begin in June.
Contact: Brady Lyons, blyons@denverymca.org
Phone: 303-968-0916
FISH FOR YOUR SUPPER!
The current water temperature at the Aurora Reservoir is approximately 49 degrees, so get out your gear! Trout fishing has picked up recently and anglers have had success using PowerBait. Boaters have had success trolling with crawlers. Walleye fishing has been slow, but anglers have had success catching smallmouth using jigs and swim baits. For more information, call the Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 303-326-8425.
Need a fishing license? Click here!
Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Rd., Aurora
Phone: 303-326-8425
Aurora Reservoir Day Pass: $10
Activities Near Southshore
Welcome to Aurora’s premier lakeside master-planned community just minutes from the recreational magnet that is the Aurora Reservoir! Tour the new Delaney model from Richmond American Homes, and the latest designs from Century Communities in The Hills at Southshore. It’s life at the lake priced from the upper $300s to the $700s.