Denver Film Fest and Arts Week!

November 4, 2021

This weekend marks the start of both the Denver Film Festival and Denver Arts Week. After last year’s virtual festival, the largest regional film festival in the Rocky Mountain region is back with in-person screenings, with five locations throughout the city. The program offers a wide variety of narrative films, documentaries, and short films, as well as special events, like Red Carpet premieres and filmmaker conversations. Denver Arts Week celebrates Denver’s arts and culture scene with hundreds of events around the city. Explore vibrant art districts, museum exhibitions, and even buy some art of your own! Check out the event calendar and make plans to participate!

Thursday, November 4

INSIDE AFGHANISTAN
One of the most complicated places on the planet, Afghanistan is a country that’s been constantly in the news for the past twenty years—but how much do you really know about it? Following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. led a coalition invasion of Afghanistan seeking to oust the ruling Taliban and find Al Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden.

Now that combat troops have been withdrawn, what does the future hold for this war-torn country?

Active Minds Online
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

Thursday-Saturday, November 4-6

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE IN CONCERT

Conductor: Lawrence Golan

A special collaboration with Denver Philharmonic Orchestra and Central City Opera, this  is the concert version of Gaetano Donizetti’s romantic romp, The Elixir of Love. Central City Opera singers, Matthew Plenk, Armando Contreras, and Anna Christy, play the parts of a peasant and a soldier and the woman they are both in love with. The poor hero invests all he has in a potion that’s supposed to make him irresistible to his unrequited love, but will his liquid courage pay off?

Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver
Thurs., 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Sat., 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $38
Phone: 303-871-7720

Thursday-Sunday, November 4-7

EARTH ILLUMINATED
Do something for the environment by appreciating it! This stunning interactive art exhibit brings together the natural world and digital media. See why it’s called “Denver’s Favorite Photo Playground” as you take dozens of pictures and selfies in front of colorfully-themed sets. This 13,000-square-foot space showcases our planet’s beauty from air, land, and sea.

Denver Pavilions, 500 16th St., Suite 280, Denver
Thurs., 3:00-8:00 p.m.; Fri., 3:00-9:00 p.m.; Sat., 12:00-9:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00-8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$25

Friday, November 5

ALTARES VIVOS
It’s not too late to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos—and this Denver Arts Week event gives everyone a chance to take part. There will be a giant altar outside as well as as smaller inside altars, where you can bring pictures of your loved ones. Live music performances will take place in the Campo Santo (Mexican-Style Cemetery) while marigolds and candles mark your path. There will be games for the kids, sugar skull decorating, face-painting and more. Pan de muerte, Mexican hot chocolate, and candy will be offered for free.

Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALKS
Every First Friday is a chance to explore Denver’s creative neighborhoods, but during Denver Arts Week, these will be special Art Walks indeed! Check out galleries and meet local artists in various neighborhoods, including Art District on Santa Fe, Rino Art District, South Pearl Street, Tennyson Street Cultural District, Aurora Cultural Arts District, 40 West Arts District, and more!

Various Locations; Various Times
Information: FREE

DAY OF JUBILEE
Check out the colorful solo art exhibit by Arturo Garcia: Musical Geniuses and Magdalenas. Garcia is a full time artist based in Denver, whose love for color give his style a unique perspective on both the subject and the media. What emerges as result is an exciting combination of abstract within the figure. His style is contemporary influenced by the Fauvist and Impressionist movements.

The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. 
Tickets: FREE

Friday-Saturday, November 5-6

JIM GAFFIGAN’S FUN TOUR
The postponed comedy tour of the enormously popular actor and comedian Jim Gaffigan is finally here—and there are still some tickets available! As a five-time Grammy nominated performer and two-time New York Times best-selling author, Gaffigan is known around the world for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life. You may know him from one of his many film credits, including Three Kings, Super Troopers, Chappaquiddick, Troop Zero (with Viola Davis and Alison Janney), Them That Follow, Light From Light, Being Frank, and the dark thriller, American Dreamer.

Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St., Denver
9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $49.95-$79.95

Friday-Sunday, November 5-7

COLORADO COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
Halloween’s over, so that means it’s time for Christmas shopping to start! This is the big Country Christmas Gift Show that features unique one-of-a-kind gifts, holiday home décor, arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry, photography, specialty food items and more. You can even get a photo with Santa!

Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver
Fri., 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE (Kids 13 and under) to $16.95

BEETHOVEN’S SEVENTH
This Colorado Symphony concert features some of the most beloved and well-known classical works, with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 as the crown jewel. The piece was dubbed the “apotheosis of dance” by Wagner because of the whirling motion at the heart of the composition. 

Also on the program are Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, one of the most famous and beautiful of all works for the instrument, and Clarice Assad’s Sin Fronteras, which incorporates elements of her South American heritage in a work that tears down invisible cultural boundaries.

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

JEST A SECOND
Cherry Creek Theatre presents a hilarious rom-com with a twist. Joel’s dating a nice Jewish doctor, and he’s finally ready to introduce his parents to the love of his life. Or is he?

The mistaken-identity plot leads to light-hearted lessons about love, family and being true to yourself.

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

FINAL WEEKEND FOR CROSS WORDS
What happens when the very rich, very old aunt who has bequeathed her fortune to you doesn’t seem likely to die very soon? Married couple Tim and Flora are former actors who are set to inherit Aunt Rosamunde’s estate, and they wonder if there’s a way they can hasten her demise. Cross Words is the winner of the 2019 Mystery Suspense Thriller New Play Showcase at Vintage Theatre!

Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$34
Phone: 303-856-7830

NIMESH PATEL ON STAGE
A comedian’s comedian, Nimesh Patel got his start writing comedy after Chris Rock saw him perform stand-up and hired him to write for The Academy Awards in 2016. Since then, Patel has written for Saturday Night Live and was a producer for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.

Patel has been performing standup comedy in New York for over ten years. He is currently a writer on NBC’s late night show A Little Late with Lilly Singh, has appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and has opened for Chris Rock & Aziz Ansari.

Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 9:45 p.m.; Sun., 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25
Phone: 303-595-3637

Saturday, November 6

FREE NIGHT AT THE MUSEUMS
One of the best parts of Denver Arts Week is when Denver’s museums stay open late and admission is FREE! Even better, FREE shuttles make it easy to explore all evening! All of your favorite museums are participating—Denver Art Museum, Molly Brown House Museum, Museum of Nature & Science, Children’s Museum, History of Colorado Center, Museo De Las Americas, Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, and more! Be sure to check with each museum before visiting as they may require pre-registration.

Various Locations
5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

KIM ROBARDS DANCE PERFORMANCE
In celebration of Denver Arts Week, Fragile Spaces is a performance of new works and audience favorites that address the human experience. Kim Robards is Aurora’s most renowned choreographer, and she continues to mesmerize and inspire with her work. The evening includes two premieres, including Still We Move Forward, a response to the COVID pandemic. Also on the program is the poignant Aurora, a reflection on the 2012 theater tragedy.

Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 – $30
Phone: 303-825-4847

Saturday-Sunday, November 6-7

EDDIE AND DAVE 
For a fun take on one of rock-n-roll’s most famous pairs, Eddie and Dave explores the dynamic relationship between David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen by asking the question: what do you do when the person you need the most is the one who drives you crazy? To take the big-hair world of rock music swagger to an entirely new level, the iconic members of Van Halen have been cast with women performers. Sunday’s performance includes a post-show community meal catered by Baba & Pops and featuring a show-inspired menu and specialty brew created just for the show by Lady Justice Brewing. Join the cast and crew for a post-show celebration!

The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Sat., 8:00-9:30 p.m.; Sun., 4:00 p.m. (includes dinner)
Tickets: $15-$50

Sunday, November 7

WOMEN+FILM LUNCHEON

One of Denver Film Festival’s special events, the Women+Film Luncheon celebrates the captivating documentary, The Conductor, which profiles former Colorado Symphony Music Director and Conductor Marin Alsop. Enjoy an an onstage conversation with Marin Alsop, director Bernadette Wegenstein, and producer Annette Porter, moderated by Izabel Zambrzycki, Artistic General Manager of the Colorado Symphony. Your ticket includes admission to a screening of The Conductor after the luncheon.

Mitchell Hall at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $75 (includes lunch and moderated discussion)

The Arts, Music and More Near Southshore!

Enjoy Life at the Lake in the master-planned community of Southshore—and find culture and entertainment within easy reach! Looking for a new home you can add your signature style to? With beautiful model homes from Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison, and Richmond American Homes, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.