Manic Music Weekend Near Southshore!
July 8, 2021
Finally, every outdoor music series we’ve enjoyed in years past has started up again! This weekend you can get your fill of music in the park—from 80s stadium rock hits in Southlands to cool jazz and blues at Stanley Marketplace and City Park. You can even go all out and buy tickets for the spectacular Aretha tribute with the Colorado Symphony! Speaking of buying tickets…the interactive Van Gogh exhibit opens this weekend and you will not want to waste any time getting tickets!
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, July 8
CUBA: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
Seemingly never out of the news, Cuba has been at odds with U.S. policy for decades. Find out the full history behind the two countries at this fascinating online presentation and discussion from Active Minds. The webinar will cover Castro’s revolution, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Guantánamo Bay and current implications of the change in U.S. policy.
Active Minds Online
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Link: FREE
ROCK TO SOME 80S MUSIC!
The Sounds of Southlands summer music series is back! And they’re kicking it off in a big way! The Steve Thomas Band isn’t just any 80s band—they do it BIG, bigger than big hair, big shoulder pads, and big attitude! For a fun night of 80s stadium rock, head over to Southlands in your best 80s attire! The low ticket price is a donation to area schools—don’t forget to purchase your tickets in advance so you won’t be disappointed!
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5 Donation
Phone: 303-627-5000
MO/JA/BLU MUSIC SERIES
Cool down with a live concert of Motown and classic soul from the iconic Ron Ivory! He’s been a local music legend in Denver for years, entertaining audiences with a diverse mix of R&B, jazz, rock n’ roll and popular standards. He’ll be headlining Stapleton’s MoJaBlu music series tonight, along with One on One with The MilesApart Band.
Stapleton Conservatory Green, 49th & Valentia, Denver
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
ARETHA AND THE SYMPHONY
Fans of the Queen of Soul know that anyone attempting to pay tribute to Aretha had better be GOOD! Luckily, none other than the Colorado Symphony is pairing up with three-time Grammy® Award nominee Ryan Shaw to bring you an Aretha tribute concert you just can’t miss! Featuring favorite hits such as Respect, Think, A Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, Amazing Grace, and many others, this night of classic music under the stars promises to be the real thing! (And, watch for the Aretha bio-pic starring Jennifer Hudson, August 14th!)
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $55 – $70
Thursday – Sunday, July 8-11
SUMMER OF MORE
It’s not a slogan—it’s a promise! The Summer of More at Aurora’s own resort is happening at Arapahoe Springs water park, complete with thrilling slides, a winding lazy river, and pirate-themed parties.
The Pirate and Princess Academy is a fun experience for kids to step into the fantasy world of the Sword Mistress, Pirates, and Princess Evergreen herself in an interactive show. Kids can become an honorary pirate or princess for the day and even take the official oath! There’s also an Art Studio where kids can create their own art, a pirate-themed scavenger hunt, and S’mores to top it off! Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must have a ticket.
Gaylord Rockies Resort, 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora
Times vary by event
Tickets: $5.99 – $14.99
INTERACTIVE EARTH EXHIBIT
For an out-of-this-world experience, wander through the immersive exhibit, Earth Illuminations, a look at our planet’s beauty from air, land, and sea. 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, July 9
FARM & FLEA
Peruse the pickings at Denver’s only combination Farmers and Flea Market! Located in nearby Stanley Marketplace, the Farmers Market features the freshest local produce and plenty of artisan goodies. Also on site, vendors will be offering a unique assortment of flea market finds—as well as the independent shops and restaurants at Stanley Marketplace! The event is free to join and no ticket is necessary.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
MOVIE ON THE GREEN
Stapleton’s outdoor movie series continues with the football classic, Remember the Titans, starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Gosling. In 1971, when an all-black high school was forced to integrate with an all-white high school, the subsequent integrated football team became a powerful symbol for change.
Stapleton South Green, 29th Ave. & Roslyn, Denver
8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Friday-Sunday, July 9-11
VAN GOGH OPENS THIS WEEKEND!
It’s finally here! If you were lucky enough to previously score tickets for the opening weekend, you’ll be among the first to witness this large-scale multi-sensory experience, immersing you in the works of Vincent Van Gogh. Unlike a museum visit, this novel approach to art will place you in the world of the artist so that you can truly appreciate the work. The bigger-than-life experience is a vibrant symphony of light, color, sound, and fragrance that has been called an “unforgettable” multi-sensory experience. Van Gogh’s masterpieces come to life, giving you the sensation of walking right into his paintings!
Unless you already have tickets, this weekend is sold out—but there is limited availability for next weekend’s tickets, so don’t wait! Once the word gets out about how truly amazing this experience is, tickets will go fast!
The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
Thurs./Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Fri./Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$55
Saturday, July 10
SOUTHLANDS FARMERS MARKET
It’s Colorado peach season, and Southlands Farmers’ Market has the pick of the crop! Bring the family to help choose menu items for delicious and nutritious summer meals, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. You can also stock up on homemade breads, jams, salsas and much more!
Southlands, 6155 S Main St., Aurora
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
COCKPIT DEMO DAY
Everyone in the family will enjoy getting an up-close look at the cockpits of featured aircraft, including a Martin EB-57, Grumman EA-6B, Cessna U-3A, Aerospatiale AS-316/318 Alouette III, and Bartoe Aeromarine Skyote! Afterwards, enjoy all the educational and inspiring exhibits at Colorado’s Air & Space Museum!
Wings Over the Rockies, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $9.95 – $16.95
Phone: 303-360-5360
Sunday, July 11
SUNDAY AFTERNOON TUNES
What could be better than kicking back in the Colorado sunshine and listening to the “best blues band in Colorado” (Westword) and “the area’s best harmonica-led band” (Denver Post)? The Delta Sonics will be performing live and outdoors at the Stanley Marketplace Sunday Music Series—the event is FREE and no registration is required!
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
SUCH AT CITY PARK JAZZ
Haitian-American singer, Such grew up singing in her father’s church and ended up appearing on American Idol, where her music career took off. Her first album, Trial and Error, featured the hit single, Sugar Maple. She has a solid following in the U.K. and in Africa, where she won Africa’s equivalent of a Grammy.
This talented performer will be taking the stage in City Park as part of the FREE City Park Jazz music series to dazzle you with her soulful music. Her latest single Before Dark is already a top 40 Urban Adult Contemporary hit!
City Park, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
More to Do Near Southshore Every Weekend!
Away from it all, but close to everything, the lakeside community of Southshore offers access to plenty of things to do every weekend! If you’re new to Life at the Lake, drive around and check out the beautiful model homes from Taylor Morrison, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers (and coming soon – Century Communities!), after you visit the Aurora Reservoir and its recreational options, tour the floor plans in Southshore — available in ranch and two-story designs, and priced between the upper $400s to the $700s.