Craft Beers, Hand-Crafted Shows and Oktoberfest!

September 20, 2018

With the Great American Beer Festival in town, as well as the first Oktoberfest celebration of the season, there is plenty of craft beer to be found! Speaking of crafts…Denver is hosting two of the most popular craft and handmade shows, where you can purchase one-of-a-kind handcrafted treasures! A variety of theatre listings, concerts, an adventure festival, and a must-see bridal show round out the offerings this weekend in the Denver and Aurora area near Southshore!

Thursday-Saturday, September 20-22

GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL
What’s the best beer of them all? Come out to the Great American Beer Festival and decide for yourself! At this premier U.S. beer competition, the stakes are high for the 4,000+ beers from 800+ breweries who will be vying for the title! The festival is a public tasting event as well as a private competition, bringing together the U.S. brewers and beers that make America the world’s greatest brewing nation!

Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver
5:30-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $85

Thursday-Sunday, September 20-23

VIETGONE!
A romantic comedy with an enormous twist to match its enormous heart, Vietgone is the real-life story of two Vietnam War refugees who found each other at a relocation camp in Arkansas at the height of the Vietnam War—and managed to fall in love! Loaded with pop culture-shock hilarity, the couple must blaze a trail together in their weird new world.

This Critics’ Pick by The New York Times, Time Out New York and LA Times is based on the story of playwright Qui Nguyen’s parents’ unusual courtship and courageous spirit. You won’t want to miss this emotional ride for an adventure that hums with excitement as it hops across time and around the globe through the highs and lows of love!

Ricketson Theatre/DCPA,1400 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat.,7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $55
Phone: 800-641-1222

THE IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
This talented improvisational theatre troupe creates a Shakespeare-inspired play right before your very eyes! With nothing more than a suggestion from the audience, this group of actors, well-versed in all things Shakespeare, create an original play in a truly Shakespearean manner!

Nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written.  All of the characters are created as you watch, and if ever you’re wondering where the story is going … so are they. The night could reveal a tragedy, comedy, or history. Each play is completely improvised, so each play is entirely new.

Garner Galleria Theatre/DCPA, 1101 13th St., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat, 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $39-$42
Phone: 303-571-4401

Friday, September 21

KIDS NIGHT OUT!
Treat your kids to their own night out—while you enjoy a parents’ night out of your own! The YMCA Southshore Lakehouse provides a fun and safe environment for kids up to age 12–with dinner, a movie screening, and crafts. They’ll have lots of fun and you will enjoy your own evening out, knowing they are safe and entertained. Children must be potty-trained in order to attend, and registration for the event is required.

The Lakehouse, YMCA Southshore, 27151 E. Lakeview Dr., Aurora
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Cost: $15-$17
Phone: 720-870-2221

Friday-Sunday, September 21-23

DENVER OKTOBERFEST
Now in its 49th year, Denver’s Oktoberfest promises fun for the entire family! Take part in the festive traditions of German heritage including authentic German music and dance, entertainment for all ages, and of course…beer!

Raise your stein in the Stein Hoisting contest or consume mass quantities of pork in the Brat Eating contest! Kids will love rooting for their favorite dachshund in the Long Dog Derby, and everyone can have their fill of Bratwursts, turkey legs, sausage, Sauerkraut, potato salad, warm pretzels, pizza, sweet treats, and many other German delicacies!

2100 Larimer St., Denver
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Tickets: FREE

HANDMADE IN COLORADO EXPO
A cross between a juried art show and a local showcase of talent, the Handmade in Colorado Expo is your chance to peruse some of Colorado’s best handmade arts, crafts, food, and goods. Everything at this show is handmade in Colorado and sold direct by the artist or crafter. 

Don’t miss this huge collection of work across a wide range of media, created by both emerging and experienced artisans from Colorado. There will also be an exciting mix of awesome free music from local bands. 

Skyline Park, 1100 16th Street Mall, Denver
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 P.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone:  720-272-7467

THE CONSTANT WIFE
Set in the 1920s, Constance Middleton plays her role of charming, traditional housewife to perfection. But amidst all the expectations of relationships, fidelity and social roles, she figures out a way to run the show. This funny social satire features a heroine that could have paved the way for the kind of contemporary female characters found in Desperate Housewives and Sex in the City (Variety). The Constant Wife is the contagious classic comedy you don’t want to miss!

Space Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. and Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$65
Phone: 303-571-4401

Saturday, September 22

WALK TO FIGHT SUICIDE
Come out to Coors Field to walk for a great cause—education and awareness programs of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Collect pledges to benefit local and national suicide prevention programs, and take a walk Out of the Darkness with other community members on this lovely fall morning. 

Coors Field, 1663 Park Avenue West, Denver
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration
Phone: 303-819-9889

ELLA AND FRANK
Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra were two undisputed masters of “The Great American Songbook.” During their storied careers, they appeared together several times on television and on stage. Great fans of one another’s work, their mutual admiration transformed into pure magic when performing together. Sadly, they never realized a recording immortalizing their collaborative legacy.

Join your Colorado Symphony and special guest artists Capathia Jenkins and Tony DeSare as they work to recreate some of that magic live for one night only.

Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$99
Phone: 303-623-7876

Saturday-Sunday, September 22-23

RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR
The crafts and workshops at this fun and funky fair represent artisans from all over the country! This is a contemporary take on handmade goods, where you will delight in the works of the foremost artists in craft and design.

You can browse and shop emerging and established makers’ goods, or find your own inner artisan at one of the hands-on workshops. Local DJs will be there to offer remixes, and exceptional food trucks will offer refreshments and cocktails.

EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St., Denver
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

Sunday, September 23

ADVENTURE FEST 2018
If you love the outdoors, you’ll love this festival! Adventure Fest brings the mountains to the city for a day, and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy all their favorite activities. You can connect with nature, dance to live music, and mingle with others who share your love of adventure.

The list of fun activities is unique and includes family-fun things to do like filed games, climbing a rock wall, touring tiny houses, demo bikes, and even yoga with a live DJ! Escape from the city without leaving town as you get lost in this sea of outdoor villages, complete with food trucks and a beer and kombucha garden!

The Green at North Stapleton, 8303 East 49th Place, Denver
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15, Kids free
Phone:  720-548-7712

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BRIDAL SHOW
This is one-stop shopping for your wedding preparations! Bring your friends, mother, sisters and 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

Livin’ the Life in Southshore 

The home buyers who have made the master-planned community of Southshore their own, are not just enjoying lakeside living – they’re near all sorts of entertainment, shopping and dining options. Why not explore life at the lake and explore the amazing model homes from Toll Brothers, Century Communities and Richmond American Homes. These beautiful new designs — both ranch and two-story models — are priced from the upper $300s to the $700s.