In-Person Movies, Theater and the Polar Plunge!

April 15, 2021

Whether you want to see an Oscar-nominated film in the theatre or watch live neighborhood theatre in-person, it’s happening this weekend in the Denver and Aurora area! You can also check out a special Dali exhibition of surrealistic flora paintings or sign up for the Aurora Polar Plunge!

TODAY/TONIGHT, April 15

THE IRELAND SAGA
If you go back 50 years, the history of Ireland—including Northern Ireland that’s affiliated with the UK and the Republic of Ireland that’s independent—has been a story of two sides at odds. “The Troubles,” as they were called, erupted into frequent violence for thirty years and finally came to a peaceful agreement in the late 1990s.

Now with Northern Ireland joined with the UK in the first stages of Brexit from the European Union while the Republic of Ireland remains in the EU, there’s an uneasy feeling about the political future of Ireland. Join Active Minds online for an invigorating discussion of the history of Ireland and its cloudy future.

Active Minds Online Link
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.</b
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-933-3449

TRIVIA AND BEER
Have fun at a safe in-person game of trivia that focuses on the “facts of fiction.” If you’re not familiar with this neighborhood taproom that blends great beer with great fiction, now’s your chance to get acquainted!

Fiction Beer Company’s trivia hosts have created a COVID-conscious trivia format that allows for socially-distanced play. Space is limited, so be sure to arrive early to snag a table! There is seating in the taproom as well as in greenhouse nooks. Trivia will be broadcast via Zoom for those playing in the greenhouse nooks or on the open-air patio. All answers will be submitted digitally, so you can play along while keeping your social distance.

Fiction Beer Company, 7101 E. Colfax, Denver
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Information: FREE

Thursday-Sunday, April 15-18

CINEMA COMEBACK
Don’t miss your chance to see this year’s Academy Award-nominated films in the movie theatre—the way they were meant to be seen! Harkins Theatres are open again, just in time for their annual Best Picture Film Fest.

They’ll be screening the big pictures everyone is talking about, like Judas and the Black Messiah, Mank, Minari, The Trial of The Chicago 7, and Sound of Metal. Also showing will be winners in the big categories from this past weekend’s BAFTA Awards (the British Oscars): Nomadland, which won best picture, best director, and best actress; Promising Young Woman, which won best British film, and The Father, which won best actor. 

Harkins Theatres Northfield 18, 8300 E. Northfield Blvd., Denver
Various times
Tickets: $5
Phone: 720-374-3118

DALI’S GARDENS OF THE MIND
What better backdrop for Salvador Dali’s fanciful lithographs of the flora of his homeland than the Denver Botanic Gardens? On loan from The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, these images of fruits and flowers combine Dalí’s ongoing infatuation with his native landscape of Catalonia with the intriguing images of his Surrealist works.

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $11-$15
720-865-3500

CAPTURE YOURSELF
Creating an impressive image of yourself is what selfies are all about, and there’s no better place to do it than the spring backdrop at the Town Center in Aurora! 

This FREE backdrop is available for any photo opps you can dream up—selfies, family portraits, a picture of your favorite person! You’ll capture it all in style!

The Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

QUEENS GIRL IN THE WORLD
In-person theatre is back! This bold and lively play about a young woman’s journey through adolescence during the volatile Civil Rights movement blends personal story with the bigger picture of the world. 

Big-hearted Jacqueline Marie Butler is transplanted from her protective, middle-class lifestyle in 1960s Queens into a progressive, predominantly-Jewish private school in Greenwich Village—and comical confusion ensues! Motown is the soundtrack of this coming-of-age story that integrates one young woman’s self-discovery with the broader social movement of the time.

Aurora Fox Theatre, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$40

Friday, April 16

FRONTLINER FRIDAY
For frontline workers, this is a great big THANK YOU. There will be half-priced pints for all frontline workers every Friday through the end of the COVID pandemic.

There are so many people who are keeping this country humming and don’t have the option of working from home. Just identify yourself as a front-liner to one of the bartenders on Friday, and they’ll pour you a half-price pint! 

Cheluna Brewing Company, Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora  
11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

WHAT WE DID FOR LOVE
Even virtually, an evening of cabaret can sustain you like nothing else! Favorite performers from the Vintage Theatre including Nancy Evans Begley, Jacob Vilarreal, Arabella Beaubrun, and Brian Trampler will take you back to the joy, laughter, and heart of live musical theatre. Hang in there! “In person” will be back soon!

Half of all ticket sales will be contributed to the Denver Actor’s Fund. When you purchase your tickets, a streaming link will be sent to you the day of the cabaret.

Vintage Theatre Online
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10

Saturday, April 17

AURORA POLAR PLUNGE AND 5K
If you’re thinking, a Polar Plunge in April?—you obviously don’t know how cold the Aurora Reservoir is right now! You have the opportunity to find out with the Plunge, 5K Run, or both! 

There will be limited capacity for the event, so sign up now! Plungers are asked to raise $75 minimum (or $50 for SOCO athlete/students) to plunge. Runners are asked to raise $45 minimum.

Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Rd., Aurora
Time: TBA
Register: $45-$75

LATIN DANCE CLASS
This is an outdoor Latin dance class extraordinaire! You can keep your social-distance and still learn some great Zumba-esque moves! It’s so much fun, you’ll forget it’s also a workout!

All ages and abilities are welcome, and participants can enjoy half-priced beer and non-alcoholic beverages at Cheluna Brewing Company after the class!

Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Register: $6

Saturday-Sunday, April 17-18

SPRING SEEDS WITH THE FAMILY
Celebrate spring with the family! This fun hands-on class for all ages lets you learn all about cool season veggie seeds and plant some to take home in recycled seed starting planting pots. 

Kids will love using seeds to create a mosaic work of art to take home with you. This activity is perfect for families with children ages 5 and up.

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$15 project fee (in addition to General Admission)
720-865-3500

Family-Friendly Things To Do Near Southshore!

There’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Southshore! Enjoy Life at the Lake with plenty of cultural and entertainment activities in the surrounding area! 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.