Happy Lunar New Year!
February 6, 2020
This weekend is at the center of Chinese New Year’s festivities, but you don’t have to go to China to celebrate! It’s the Year of the Rat—which mean all kinds of new things are on the horizon! For a festive taste of Chinese culture, check out the biggest Chinese-themed Lunar New Year party in the Rocky Mountains on Saturday night! Not only is it a delightful bash, but proceeds go to enrich K-12 rural education in both Colorado and China!
Thursday – Sunday, February 6-9
WORLD-PREMIERE PLAY
In the not-too-distant future, America will have a new racial majority, and this thought-provoking political drama looks at one man—Andres Salazar—who is running for office. In Twenty50, nothing is certain for Salazar.
Will identifying himself as a Mexican-American will help or hinder him on Election Day? If he decides to deny his identity for political benefits, is it worth the price?
Space Theatre, 14th and Curtis, Denver
Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $30
Phone: 303-571-4401
LAST CHANCE FOR LAST DANCE
Donna Summer was the embodiment of the disco era of the 1970s, and this new musical about her life will give you an inside look at how she overcame all kinds of difficulties on her road to fame.
Filled with all of her blockbuster hits, the score features over 20 disco-era tunes including Bad Girls, Hot Stuff, Last Dance, and Love to Love You Baby. This is the final weekend—don’t miss this moving tribute to a great disco diva!
Buell Theatre, 14th and Curtis, Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45-$135
Phone: 303-571-4401
COMEDY WITH STEVE RANNAZZISI
Perhaps best known for his starring role as Kevin McArthur on the critically-acclaimed FX Network comedy series, The League, Steve Rannazzisi has played many memorable roles in movies, too. Remember the hilarious pen salesman who tried to make a move on Paul Blart’s love interest in Mall Cop? That’s Steve Rannazzisi!
He’s also a prolific standup comedian, who has appeared on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and is featured in the standup special Pauly Shore & Friends. He recently released his second one-hour Comedy Central special, Breaking Dad, following his 2013 critically-acclaimed special, Steve Rannazzisi: Manchild.
Comedy Works-Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Thurs., 8:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.; Sun., 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $28-$30
Phone: 303-595-3637
Friday, February 7
DAY OF JUBILEE
Hang out in the neighborhood with this fun first-Friday open house! Start with free coffee and other drinks at the Jubilee Roasting Company, followed by music from local musicians Marcus Church & Sliver, as well as a photography display by local artist Michael Rehdish. There will also be local brews available to purchase!
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-308-9300
KIDS NIGHT OUT
Kids enjoy a great night of entertainment just for them, which means you get a Parents’ Night Out at the same time! This weekend the kids can watch Finding Dory, the sweet wide-eyed, blue tang fish (Ellen DeGeneres) who suffers from memory loss every 10 seconds. But she can remember that she somehow became separated from her parents as a child. With help from her friends Nemo and Marlin, Dory embarks on an epic adventure to find them. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy some couple-time, knowing the kids are well-cared for by the Southshore YMCA. They’ll enjoy a kids’ movie, dinner, games, and a craft. 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.
Registration: $15-$17
Phone: 720-870-2221
Friday – Sunday, February 7-9
CLASSICAL MUSIQUE!
The Colorado Symphony presents a special concert of French and French-inspired music, featuring piano virtuoso Fabio Bidini masterfully performing Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto! Although Chopin was a native of Poland, he spent much of his adult life in France, so his adopted country’s influences are apparent in his works.
Also on the program are French composers Debussy and Ravel. Debussy’s La Mer will take you on journey to the Mediterranean Sea, and Ravel’s La Valse caps the program with a shimmering homage to the Viennese Waltz— a fittingly romantic end to a program brimming with European style.
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$94
Phone: 303-623-7876
FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE
There’s nobody like Ol’ Blue Eyes—the finesse, the smooth voice, and those songs! This tribute show captures the essence of Frank Sinatra as you travel back in time to a classy joint on the Vegas strip, where you’ll hear all your favorite classic hits. The ambitious program is filled with more than 50 songs from Sinatra’s repertoire!
Limited reservations for a pre-show dinner are also available at Nonna’s Chicago Bistro, an authentic Italian restaurant serving 15 house specialties. Make an evening of it with this special dinner-and-a-show package!
Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $33-$38; dinner-and-show package starts at $49.50
Phone: 303-800-6578
COLORADO BALLET’S PETER PAN
The familiar family favorite, Peter Pan, comes to life on the stage in this spectacle of costumes, set, and dance! All the beloved characters will be on their toes—Wendy, John and Michael, the Lost Boys, Captain Hook and the pirates, as well as Tinkerbell and Peter! Neverland has never looked so magical!
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.; Sun., 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30- $90
Phone: 303-837-8888
FINAL WEEKEND FOR THE SQUIRRELS
Your last chance to see the wickedly funny play everyone is talking about! The Squirrels is an outrageous satire about class, prejudice, and politics, as a tribe of Gray Squirrels goes to war against the outsider Fox Squirrels. Broadway World says you won’t was to miss this “very entertaining and timely play that will make you laugh and think at the same time.”
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$33
Phone: 303-873-6622
FROST/NIXON CLOSES THIS WEEKEND
It couldn’t be more timely: this play about the aftermath of another presidential impeachment pits a newly-resigned President Nixon against washed-up British talk show host David Frost. Written by the writer and creator of The Crown, this fascinating drama unfolds in a series of TV interviews, as both men desperately try to redeem their images.
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $32
Phone: 303-856-7830
Saturday, February 8
ORCHID WONDERLAND
Tired of the white and gray landscape? Then leave behind the cold of winter to enter a colorful and exotic floral wonderland at Denver Botanic Gardens’ annual Orchid Showcase! You’ll feel like you’ve taken a tropical vacation as you wander through hundreds of orchids—including rare varieties— in the Orangery and Marnie’s Pavilion.
For an even more exciting visit, enter the Orchid Showcase Photo Contest! Just capture your vision of the beautiful blooms, choose up to three photos to share on your Instagram feed or the Gardens’ Facebook wall, and you may be one of three winners selected on February 20!
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: Included with admission to the Gardens ($11-$15)
Phone: 720-865-3500
LUNAR NEW YEAR PARTY
This is the biggest Chinese-themed Lunar New Year party in the Rocky Mountains! There will be festive activities, a Chinese night market, and a delicious traditional Chinese banquet dinner. Travel to China for a night without leaving Colorado! The celebration is a benefit for the Nathan Yip Foundation to provide support to K-12 rural education in both Colorado and China.
2020 is the Year of the Rat, the first sign in the Chinese horoscope. The Rat represents new beginnings, so this could be a year of big changes. Rats are also powerful symbols of fertility, wealth and plenty, so if you were born in a Year of the Rat, you’re considered to be optimistic, easy-going, and kind—and maybe a bit too direct!
Grand Hyatt, 1750 Welton St., Denver
5:30 – 11:00 p.m.
Tickets: $150-$250
Phone: 303-817-8400
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING
If Mae West was outrageous the first time around, you should see her now! She’s back from heaven to argue her case for freeing women from the need to wear shirts in the hilarious Bare-Breasted Mae West Revue.
With lines like, “Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” and “I never loved a person the way I loved myself,” West has always grabbed attention. Comedian/singer Mber Rose Love (a.k.a Mae West) embodies the same talent!
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $29-$34
Phone: 303-308-9300
Sunday, February 9
TWENTY50 PRE-SHOW FIESTA!
If you’re planning on attending the exciting new political drama at DCPA, why not upgrade your theatre experience? For this performance only, enjoy a live pre-show lobby concert featuring Mariachi Los Correcaminos and a happy hour drink. Best of all, both are included with your ticket purchase!
Space Theatre, 14th and Curtis, Denver
5:30 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $37
Phone: 303-571-4401
Own a New Home in Southshore!
There’s always something to do near the master-planned community of Southshore! Enjoy Life at the Lake with plenty of cultural and entertainment activities nearby, or hang out with the ones you love in your family-friendly family room! 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.