Flock to the Zoo, This Weekend!

September 10, 2020

A very special event and benefit for one of Denver’s most cherished institutions, the Flock Party at Denver Zoo is a magical adult evening of experiencing the wonder of the zoo while also supporting a great cause. Get festive and mingle in a safe, socially-distanced way, with tasty bites and imaginative cocktails—all in the midst of the marvelous beasts the event celebrates! There will be animal demos and keeper talks, and the huge expanse of the Denver Zoo to explore!

TODAY/TONIGHT, September 10

HISTORY OF BASEBALL TALK                      
How did baseball begin? If you’ve heard more than one story, that’s the essence of this colorful game! This lively Active Minds discussion will focus on how America’s Favorite Pastime is a reflection of the nation itself. 

A brief history of baseball, filled with selected stories, will show the highs and lows of the sport. From scandals such as the 1919 Chicago Black Sox to the “Steroid Era” and the recent revelation of cheating by the Houston Astros to inspiring events and individuals like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Jackie Robinson, baseball has continued to capture the country’s imagination and heart!

Active Minds Online
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

FINAL DANCE PARTY OF THE SUMMER!
Head over to the Stanley Marketplace for the last outdoor dance party of the year! DJ Wesley Barnes of Something Vinyl Club will be playing the grooviest music, perfect for getting up and dancing the evening away! This fun FREE socially-distanced event is family-friendly, so bring the kids!

Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Dance Party: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 720-432-9162

Friday, September 11

SUNRISE PHOTOGRAPHY
Get up early for the chance to capture some amazing photos in the Botanic Gardens at a time most people don’t get to see the beautiful urban gardens! This class is taught by the official photographer of the Denver Botanic Gardens, Scott Dressel-Martin, so if you’ve admired the gorgeous photography on their website, this is a rare chance to find out first-hand how to make such stunning images.

The class is a full shooting class, so bring your own camera and tripod. Dressel-Martin has a career in newspaper photojournalism and has photographed around the world, including the Middle East, Mongolia, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, Singapore, and all over the United States. You’ll be here before the cafe is open, so bring your own coffee or tea!

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
6:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Register: $42-$47
Phone: 720-865-3500

WES WATKINS IN CONCERT
The Outdoor Concert Series continues with Colorado-based singer-songwriter Wes Watkins! His shows are always something to see since he plays multiple instruments and performed his last Stanley Marketplace show on roller skates! It will be a big outdoor party, with lots of room to spread out on the West Patio and under big tents. Food and drink will be available for purchase from nearby businesses.

Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 720-432-9162

FILM ON THE ROCKS – SELENA
Red Rocks is the stunning backdrop to this top-of-the-line drive-in theatre, curated by Denver Film! Tonight’s movie is the biopic about the tragic life of singer Selena Quintanilla, brilliantly portrayed by Jennifer Lopez. The talented young singer was born 

into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas, and her father (Edward James Olmos) helps her get started playing small venues. As she begins to find success, Selena is driven to attain mainstream stardom. She begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.

One ticket is all you need for admission, regardless of the number of passengers in the car! Movie snacks will distributed upon entry, including a bag of CityPop Popcorn, theatre-size box of plain M&M’s, Twizzlers, and two drinks!

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $59 per car

Friday-Sunday, September 11-13

GEM AND FOSSIL SHOW
One of the biggest events you can attend for FREE, the Denver Mineral, Fossil and Gem Show covers 9 miles of displays! Tables will be appropriately spaced to accommodate social distancing, and you must wear a mask to attend the event. To keep the numbers of guests within the safety guidelines, the event is for adults only this year.

You’ll be able to browse fine mineral specimens, agates, fossils, meteorites, gems, hand-made jewelry, crystals, metaphysical, gold, silver, copper, decorative items, and Native American items. The show is also a sale, so bring your wallet! Displays will include amber with insect inclusions, turquoise, rubies, emeralds, beads, petrified wood and artisan jewelry boxes, plus rough minerals, tools and supplies for hobbyists who cut and polish their own.

National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE

NEW DRAMA ABOUT RACE RELATIONS
Presented by the Black Actors Guild, Hype Man is the story of a trio of hip-hop artists of different races whose recent fame puts them in a unique position to make a statement about a police shooting. Relevant and thought-provoking, this play explores race, fame and friendship. 

You can attend a live performance of the show or purchase tickets to stream the play online. Both options will include a talkback after the show, when the cast will take questions from both audiences.

The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$65

Saturday, September 12

SHOP THE FARMERS’ MARKET
It’s not too late in the season to harvest the freshest and tastiest of Colorado-grown produce. Pack up the family and bring lots of shopping bags to the socially-distanced booths at Southlands Farmers’ Market. Load up on fresh-from-the-garden goodness of a wide range of produce, as well as all kinds of homemade goodies including breads, pastas, sauces, and sweets!

Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-627-5000

OKTOBERFEST AT THE DOCK!
Aka Docktoberfest, this celebration of autumn is done in style at Aurora’s favorite craft brewery! It will be an authentic Bavarian festival, with music, sausages, and of course, beer! There will be extensive outdoor seating as well as plenty of socially-distanced seats inside. 

German food including brats and schnitzel will be provided by Three Tomatoes Catering, and Dry Dock will be releasing special German-style beers. The event kicks off at noon with the Tapping of the Keg by the Mayor of Aurora, Mike Coffman. Polka Folka will be playing live music all afternoon! 

Dry Dock Brewing Company, 15120 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
12:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE

JOIN THE FLOCK!
You’ll feel like a real part of the community—animal and human—when you attend Denver Zoo’s favorite warm and fuzzy event, their annual Flock Party! This year’s fun-filled benefit will be a model socially-distanced gathering with food, drinks, and live music featuring the Colorado Symphony and singer/songwriter Rob Drabkin!

Make it a festive evening by wearing something fanciful—not fancy—and get ready to explore the 80+ acres of fascinating animal life. There will be over 20 animal demos and keeper talks spread out across the campus, including an unforgettable bridge crossing at Toyota Elephant Passage and a unique feeding at Benson Predator Ridge. The event is ALL-INCLUSIVE with plenty of tasty bites and whimsical themed cocktails to sip. Best of all, you’ll be helping to support Denver Zoo during one of the most challenging years in their history.

Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Denver
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $175

FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT
Free outdoor concerts continue while the weather holds up, tonight with Lee Clark Allen, an emerging R&B/soul singer-songwriter based in Denver! Allen’s debut EP album, Little Rock, is a celebration of his roots.

If you’re a fan of R&B/soul fused with blues, jazz, hip-hop, and splashes of gospel and rock, you’ll love Allen’s signature sound. He’s been compared to Daniel Caesar, Anderson .Paak, John Legend, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Isaac Hayes, and more. 

Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora</b
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 720-432-9162

Sunday, September 13

EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
Film on the Rocks continues the original Star Wars trilogy with The Empire Strikes Back. This film features one of the most the iconic moments in movie history (spoiler alert!)—Luke Skywalker finds out Darth Vader is his father!

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $59 per car

Family-Friendly Activities Near Southshore!

There’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Southshore! You get the tranquility of lakeside living with easy access to your favorite urban activities, with an exclusive community center with regularly scheduled events — and more on the way! Check out the beautiful model homes from Richmond American Homes, Toll Brothers, and Taylor Morrison, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.