Experience the Arts in Denver / Aurora This Weekend!
August 26, 2021
Art and music lovers will have plenty of activities to choose from this weekend! Let your inner artist shine with a painting class on the prairie or interactive arts exhibits at Stanley Marketplace and the 16th Street Mall. Also on the Mall this weekend—Denver’s Day of Rock, the FREE all-day rock-and-roll extravaganza!
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, August 26
PLEIN AIR ON THE PRAIRIE
Let Mother Nature be your muse! Pack up your painting supplies and a portable easel and join this invigorating morning of plein air painting at the Plains Conservation Center. The art and hiking expedition is led by renowned nature painter, Pam Roth O’Mara.
The morning will include a walking tour with several stops to experience a variety of plants and animals, as well as interesting stories about the history of the prairie. Bring your own supplies and get ready to paint an assortment of open-air paintings! Pre-registration is required; no walk-ins.
Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Register: $20-$22
Phone: 303-326-8380
STREET ART COPYRIGHT WORKSHOP
Calling all artists! Here’s a must-attend FREE workshop about all things copyright and how it intersects with street art in a community. Colorado Attorneys for the Arts (CAFTA) and the Colfax Canvas Mural Festival have assembled a panel of speakers to address questions like “Who owns the copyright in a mural? What rights does the artist have? What about photographing or sharing an image of the mural?”
This interactive workshop will give you time to ask questions of the attorneys who specialize in copyright and is a wonderful opportunity to educate yourself on issues that may arise in the future. Registration is strongly encouraged to attend in-person. It will also be live-streamed.
People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Register: FREE
TOP TACO FESTIVAL
It’s back! The most delicious street festival of the summer! You’ll get your fill of every kind of taco you can imagine (and some that are beyond your wildest dreams!) Featuring tasty tequila drinks and live music in addition to the tacos, this fiesta is not to be missed!
Your ticket will give you the opportunity to taste an unlimited number of tacos from more than 50 metro-area restaurants including Aurora’s own, Comida. As you partake in this plethora of street tacos, you’ll also have the chance to cast your vote for the best creative, traditional and vegetarian taco to crown local business winners.
The Field at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $89-$165
Thursday – Saturday, August 26-28
RAW COMEDY
Are you brave enough to take on brutally honest comedy? Then you won’t want to miss Big Jay Oakerson, known for his easy charm and dirty delivery. His stand-up show delivers raw and compelling comedy, not for the weak of heart!
His comedy has been featured on This Is Not Happening, Comedy Underground, FX’s Louie, and Inside Amy Schumer, and he’s made appearances on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Comedy Central Presents, and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. His first hour stand-up special, Big Jay Oakerson: Live At Webster Hall, premiered on Comedy Central.
Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$30
Phone: 303-595-3637
Thursday-Sunday, August 26-29
VAN GOGH ALIVE
To get a sense of what the mesmerizing paintings of Vincent Van Gogh are really about, you have to immerse yourself in the artist’s experience and his life. Through multi-media presentations and vastly enlarged works, you’ll come away from this interactive art experience with a whole new perspective on art.
The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
Thurs., 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Fri., 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sun., 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$55
OUR BEAUTIFUL EARTH
For a look at our planet’s beauty from air, land, and sea, wander through the immersive exhibit, Earth Illuminations. Explore a series of interactive environments and large-scale art installations that will change the way you experience art and nature.
This spectacular display is appropriate for all ages—everyone will get a kick out of taking photos and selfies of themselves against these stunning natural and digital media backgrounds.
Denver Pavilions, 500 16th Street Mall, Suite 180, Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$25
Phone: 720-897-3855
Friday, August 27
FRIDAY NIGHT BAZAAR
If you’re into food, drinks, and fun, the RiNo Art District’s Friday Night Bazaar is for you! In addition to the tastiest bites from food trucks and your favorite craft cocktails and beer, there are also Fashion Trucks and live music! All in one big street party!
2424 Larimer St., Denver
4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 720-432-8125
Friday-Sunday, August 27-29
FINAL WEEKEND FOR MOE!
This is your last chance to see the upbeat musical theatre production that features music by R&B pioneer Louis Jordan. A down-and-out musician is visited by five guys named Moe who help him remember what life is really about. Through songs like Is You Is, or Is You Ain’t My Baby, Let the Good Times Roll, and Caldonia, everyone emerges on the road to happiness! Five Guys Named Moe will have you feeling good again!
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 and 6:30 p.m
Tickets: $38
Phone: 303-856-7830
Saturday, August 28
SOUTHLANDS FARMERS MARKET
This has been a record-breaking summer for Colorado produce! Farmers’ Markets all over the city are overflowing with local produce, Western Slope fruits, jars of honey, and all the tasty homemade goodies that make going the market so much fun!
Head over to Southlands early for the best selection, and don’t forget to bring plenty of shopping bags. You’ll have a hard time choosing between all the delicious items!
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
DAY OF ROCK
Denver’s one-of-a-kind music event rocks the 16th Street Mall with a full day of music, including five stages and 25 bands! You’re sure to hear the kind of rock music you love over the course of the day. The Band Perry, Cale Dodds, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, and many more will be putting on a rockin’ show!
Stroll from stage to stage, stopping along the way at one of dozens of gourmet food trucks and beer gardens. Kids will have a chance to take part in the Monster Mural, ballon artistry, or have their faces painted. The Day of Rock is FREE to attend—with the option of upgrading to a VIP pass with perks. All proceeds go to Amp the Cause, a local nonprofit that raises funds for more than 50 children’s charities.
16th Street Mall, Stages at Curtis, Champa, Welton and in Skyline Park, Denver
1:45 – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE to $250 (VIP Pass)
LATIN DANCE CLASS
Learn some exciting Latin dance moves and get toned at the same time! This Zumba-inspired class will give you a real workout while having a blast! No experience is necessary and all levels are welcome. Afterwards, enjoy half-priced beer and beverages at Cheluna Brewing Company.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Register: $6
Sunday, August 29
DAVID LAWRENCE IN CONCERT
Kick back and enjoy the gritty, poetic sounds of David Lawrence and The Spoonful! This relaxed outdoor concert will be a unique blend of Delta blues, roots-Americana, and gypsy-infused jazz guitar, with infectious melodies and vocals. Enjoy a late summer Sunday afternoon of soulful sounds!
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
It’s an Artsy Weekend near Southshore!
You’ll never run out of cultural events to attend when you live at 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, and don’t miss visiting the new Lighthouse! 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.
