It’s a Magical Musical Weekend!
January 24, 2019
Whatever your musical tastes, you’re sure to find something that appeals to you this weekend in the Aurora and Denver area! Rock of Ages, the iconic musical featuring a jukebox lineup of power ballads from the 80s is in town! Or maybe the nostalgic sounds of Stephen Sondheim is more your style, or the Colorado Symphony’s live performance of Amadeus —as the full version of the movie screens simultaneously!
Thursday-Sunday, January 24-27
POWERFUL DRAMA ABOUT FAMILY LOYALTY
When a troubled Monique appears with her 10-year-old daughter on the doorstep of her sister Rachel’s New York brownstone, she turns her sister’s world upside down. Desperate and running from trouble, Monique brings memories Rachel would rather not acknowledge.
As one of the featured plays in the 2017 Colorado New Play Summit, Last Night and the Night Before is a powerful and touching drama that asks hard questions revolving around the choices we make about family responsibilities, expectations and loyalties.
Ricketson Theatre/DCPA, 1400 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs., 6:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:30 p.m.</b
Tickets: $40-$45
Phone: 303-571-4401
BE CHARMED BY A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Cherry Creek Theatre presents a breathtaking revival of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical, A Little Night Music. The bittersweet flavor of lost love is captured perfectly in the achingly beautiful centerpiece of the show, Send in the Clowns. The plot and yearning characters were based on a film by Ingmar Bergman and take the shape of a series of romantic rendezvous for lovers who are seeking happiness despite the odds being stacked against them. As the winner of seven Tony Awards, this musical that The New York Times calls “sophisticated and enchanting” should top your must-see list!
Pluss Theatre, Mizel Arts and Culture Center, 350 South Dahlia St., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $33-$38
Phone: 303-800-6578
TIMELY PLAY ABOUT BLACK CULTURE
Too relevant and important to miss, Being Black for Dummies examines the contradictions within African-American culture and the pressures it places on a young man forced to defend his way of life. Two very different 14-year-old black boys meet each other in a juvenile holding cell, where they have a profound effect on one another.
Marquis is a book-smart prep school student from suburbia, and Tru is a streetwise city kid. Tru thinks Marquis has lost his “blackness,” so he puts together a manual for him called Being Black for Dummies. This play contains adult language and situations.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 – $37
Phone: 303-873-6622
Friday, January 25
SING SCREENS AT KIDS NIGHT OUT
Kids Night Out at the Lakehouse is a fun night for them and you! They get to watch Sing, the animated movie that’s like American Idol with animal contestants, as well as play games, make crafts, and eat dinner. And you get your own parents night out, knowing the competent staff from the YMCA will be taking good care of them! This event is for potty-trained children up to age 12. Registration is required.
The Lakehouse, YMCA Southshore, 27151 E. Lakeview Dr., Aurora
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Cost: $15-$17
Phone: 720-870-2221
AURORA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES MLK DAY
Rounding out the week-long Martin Luther King Celebration, the Aurora Cultural Arts District presents a special concert by the Aurora Symphony Orchestra at the newest neighborhood venue, The People’s Building. For the past 40 years, the ASO has been delighting audiences in Aurora with its talented, all-volunteer ensemble of musicians.
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 729-819-6680
SEE WANDA SYKES LIVE
With her distinctive voice and wry, self-deprecating sense of humor, Wanda Sykes makes you want to laugh out loud. She stole the scene in a number of movies including Evan Almighty, Monster-In-Law, and My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and her quirky voice gave distinctive character to animated creatures in Over the Hedge and two Ice Age movies.
It’s hard to believe this natural comedian, who won an Emmy for her writing on The Chris Rock Show, started out working at the National Security Agency before she launched her career in entertainment! Don’t miss “one of the funniest stand-up comics” (Entertainment Weekly) when she brings her stand-up show to Denver!
Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Pl., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $39.50-$69.50
Phone: 303-623-0106
Friday-Saturday, January 25-26
CELEBRATE WINTER BREW FEST
Fans of craft brews and beverages—this show’s for you! The Winter Brew Fest celebrates craft beverages from around Colorado and beyond! You’ll enjoy the products of local microbreweries and start-ups, as well as tasty bites and fun merchandise from other local vendors.
It wouldn’t be a party without live music, and both nights feature an awesome band. Friday night’s music is by The Burroughs, and Dead Floyd takes the stage Saturday night. Grab your friends and come out for a night of premium beer sampling!
Mile High Station, 2027 West Lower Colfax Ave, Denver
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $40 – $60
NEVERTHELESS, WE PERSIST
The Denver Women’s Chorus (DWC) presents a choral program of solidarity and protest, featuring the inspirational anthem This Is Me from the Oscar-nominated film The Greatest Showman. The DWC has been singing their stories for 35 years, so this powerful concert is a celebration that attests to their dedication and commitment, not to mention their great talent!
Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$40
Phone: 303-325-3939
AMADEUS IS THE MOVIE AT THE SYMPHONY!
What better movie to accompany with a live performance of the soundtrack than eight-time Academy Award winner Amadeus? The 1984 Milos Forman film won Best Picture and Best Director, along with a Best Actor award for Tom Hulce as the precocious and irrepressible young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The Colorado Symphony brings a spectacular film score to life as it performs live beneath the full screening of the movie! In addition to some of the finest music to grace the silver screen, Amadeus is also the compelling story of the envy-consumed court composer, Antonio Salieri, as he witnesses the genius of the seemingly undeserving Mozart. This movie is rated R.
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$94
Phone: 303-623-7876
Friday-Sunday, January 25-27
ROCK OF AGES – ONE WEEKEND ONLY!
You will be singing Here I Go Again as the mega-hit Rock of Ages sweeps into town for a weekend of 10th Anniversary performances! Featuring the music of iconic bands such as Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, and Twisted Sister, this blockbuster production captures the big, bad era of 1980s rock music and the larger-than-life characters who drove it.
Nominated for five Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Rock of Ages recreates live versions of stadium anthems such as The Final Countdown, Cum On Feel the Noise, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, We’re Not Gonna Take It, We Built This City, and many more! Part rock-concert tribute, part small-town-girl-makes-it-big-in-Hollywood myth, Rock of Ages is the ultimate rock-n-roll fantasy!
Buell Theatre/DCPA, 1400 Curtis St., Denver
Fri./Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$105
Phone: 303-571-4401
OPENING WEEKEND OF ANNA KARENINA
The epic sweeping drama of romance and passion in nineteenth-century Russia comes alive on stage with sumptuous costumes and heart-wrenching plot twists! Leo Tolstoy’s moving tribute to the power of love is just as relevant and potent today as it was for the characters in Tsarist Russia who were created in this literary masterpiece over a century ago.
Countess Anna Karenina, a compassionate noblewoman, surrenders to a dangerous love that consumes her when she meets the dashing army officer Count Vronsky. She risks her social status, marriage, friends and family for the thrill of forbidden love. This turbulent tale of dreams found and lost will sweep you off your feet as you witness the romance of the century!
Stage Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. &, Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$70
Phone: 303-571-4401
Saturday, January 26
DON’T MISS THE PINK PRO RODEO
The final weekend of the National Western Stock Show includes the Pink Pro Rodeo to raise awareness for breast cancer! Featuring Susan G. Komen, Roundup Riders of the Rockies, Westernaires, and Freestyle Bullfights, this exciting pro rodeo is filled with rodeo’s top athletes from around the country!
You’ll see the best two and four-legged athletes matched up to compete in thrilling contests like bronco busting, bull fighting, barrel racing and more! Anyone who is a wrangler at heart will thrill at the speed and agility of these amazing riders!
National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
11:00 a.m.
Tickets: $25-$65
Phone: 303-291-2599
CHEER ON THE MUTTON BUSTERS!
While the deadline has passed for your little future cowboys and cowgirls to take part in this exciting event, you can still come out and watch as children ages 5-7 try to stay on the back of a sheep for as long as possible! This adorable and popular event demonstrates the tenacity of kids and the surprisingly slippery slope of the backs of sheep!
National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3-$22
Phone: 303-291-2599
Sunday, January 27
FREE PONY RIDES AT THE STOCK SHOW
Make this your excuse to come out for the last day of the National Western Stock Show—FREE pony rides! Included with your purchase of Grounds Admission, pony rides will be offered all day long. You can also take part in the multitude of other family-friendly activities, including a Petting Zoo with Mini Sicilian donkeys, pygmy goats, and mini call ducks, and an Ag Adventure interactive display to learn about animal and crop production!
National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3-$22
Phone: 303-291-2599
UP AND COMING MUSIC MAKERS
The Colorado Symphony welcomes a very special guest act in this combination concert that’s both inspiring and joyful. The Denver Young Artists Orchestra (DYAO) is made up of the next generation of talented classical musicians who will astound you with their ability and professionalism. The program will feature Holst’s The Planets and Vaughan-Williams’ The Lark Ascending. Don’t miss this uplifting and stellar performance! Children and students attend for FREE!
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$20, Children and Students FREE
Phone: 303-623-7876
JAZZ IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
You don’t need to venture far to catch a cool night of jazz! The Jack Dunlevie Trio and Alex Heffron Group will be making an appearance at The People’s Building in Aurora for a fantastic evening of live jazz music. End your week on a high note with these catchy music performances.
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Phone: 729-819-6680
Get the Best of Both Worlds at Southshore!
The master-planned community of Southshore gives you the best of both worlds! You can get back to nature right outside your door, and the cultural activities of Aurora and the Denver area are easily within reach! If you’re in the neighborhood, check out the beautiful model homes from Century Communities, Richmond American Homes, and Toll Brothers. With ranch and two-story options, it’s easy to picture yourself in your own new home, priced from the upper $300s and the $700s.