MLK Jr. Celebrations this Weekend
January 12, 2017
Aurora celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK), beginning this weekend as part of the city’s 31st Annual MLK Commemoration. Planned events include a breakfast to forge relationships, a parade, films, a wreath-laying ceremony and more. Plus, you can find plays to watch, mob hangouts to tour, and slot machines to play, all near the lake community of Southshore.
Thursday, January 12 – TODAY!
SURVIVING SKOKIE
As part of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemoration (MLK), Mizel Museum’s Miryam Brand Holocaust Film Project presents Surviving Skokie. The film is an intensely personal documentary, and explores the effects of a 1970s neo-Nazi march on its large Holocaust survivor population in Skokie, IL. One survivor is Jack, the father of co-producer Eli Adler.
The relationship between father and son deepens as they return to Poland, where Eli learns more about the extended family that perished during the Shoah. (For more information about upcoming MLK-related events, visit AuroraGov.org.)
Aurora Municipal Center, 14999 E. Alameda Pkwy, Aurora
6:00 p.m.
RSVP required: AuroraGov.org/MLK
HARLEM QUARTET CONCERT
The Harlem Quartet, praised for its “panache” by The New York Times, brings a new attitude to classical music. The quartet’s mission is to advance diversity in classical music, engaging new and young audiences through the discovery and presentation of varied repertoire that includes works by minority composers. Their most recent recording, Hot House, with jazz master Chick Corea and percussionist Gary Burton, was a 2013 multi-Grammy Award winner. The night’s program will include works by Mozart, Dizzy Gillespie, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Rafael Hernandez.
Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$25
Phone: 303-871-6200
Thursday-Sunday, January 12-15
ALASKAN COMEDY-DRAMA
In the isolated Alaskan wilderness, the last thing reclusive Henry Harry expects is for a woman in full bridal attire to show up during an epic snowstorm. As these two world-weary refugees navigate each other within the confines of Henry’s tiny cabin, they begin to reconcile their wounded pasts in this sometimes tense, sometimes fun comedy-drama.
Vintage Theater, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$30
Phone: 303-856-7830
Thursday-Wednesday, January 12-18
CREDIT: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Riley Johnson
ICE SKATING THROUGH THE WEEKEND
The Pond at Southlands (sponsored by Southshore) is an ice skating wonderland for residents of Southshore and Aurora. Open every day, a family of four can enjoy a fun afternoon of sliding and gliding for about the price of a movie – and you’ll be getting fresh air and exercise!
The Pond at Southlands Mall, Aurora
Mon.-Thurs., 4:00-9:00 p.m.; Sat., 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Sun., 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Admission: $3.50-$8.50; Skate Rental $2.50
Phone: 303-928-7536
Friday, January 13
COMMUNITY OF FAITH BREAKFAST
This MLK commemoration event is a breakfast that brings together the Aurora faith community and members of law enforcement to foster improved relations in the city and surrounding neighborhoods.
Aurora Municipal Center, 14999 E. Alameda Pkwy, Aurora
6:00 p.m.
RSVP required: AuroraGov.org/MLK
DAYTRIPPER GET-TOGETHER
Join this group of active adults to socialize over coffee and refreshments, learn about upcoming activities and trips in 2017, and sign up! From dining adventures around town, snowshoe day trips in nearby Nederland, bus trips that will let you experience the locale and extended travel to Iceland and New England.
Aurora Center for Active Adults, 30 Del Mar Circle, Aurora
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Phone: 303-739-7950
DAYTRIPPER MOB BUS TOUR
Join mob historian Tom Hackett on this exciting bus tour through North Denver’s Little Italy! Explore former social clubs, homes and haunts of some of Denver’s most influential wise guys, while uncovering the truth behind the legends. Afterwards enjoy a mystery Italian lunch at a former mob-run restaurant. The menu range is from $8-$13. (This trip is not appropriate for individuals using wheel-chairs.)
Aurora Center for Active Adults, 30 Del Mar Circle, Aurora
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Cost: $35 ($27 Residents)
Phone: 303-739-7950
BUILD-IT KIDDOS!
No matter who you are, if you have an imagination and like to use it to build things, you are welcome to join a group of junior engineers as they create buildings, cars or space craft and battle ships! The materials are provided – just bring your imaginations!
Martin Luther King, Jr., Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
3:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-739-1940
BEAD CRAFTING
Perler beads make crafts fast and fun. Loved by both children and adults, crafters can choose from a variety of Perler patterns to create projects with colorful, glitter and glow-in-the-dark beads. Beading for fourth through eighth graders.
Mission Viejo Library, 15324 E. Hampden Circle, Aurora
4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-326-8600
BOYS CLUB AND CHESS EVENT
Boys of all ages are invited to hang out at the library to play games, learn life skills, snack it up and meet new friends. Join the club! There’s also a Chess Event for the initiated in the small community room.
Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Pkwy, Aurora
5:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 14
CANVAS KIDS
Handy with a brush? Even if you’re not but you like to dabble in paint, the folks at Tallyn’s Reach will have everything you need to grab, dab and design! Paints, brushes, canvas – all you need is desire and a smidge of talent for artistic fun! For kindergarten through fifth grade.
Tallyn’s Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Rd., Aurora
3:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 15
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BRIDAL SHOW
If you’ve set a date for your nuptials, and spend countless hours a week flipping through bridal magazines and websites, here’s your opportunity to create the perfect event in one stress-free day. At the Rocky Mountain Bridal Show, you can meet and evaluate all sorts of wedding professionals under one roof. Check out wedding photographers, videographers, bridal registries, reception and ceremony sites, tuxedo rental outlets, rehearsal dinner locations, florists, limousine services, invitation and décor specialties, cakes, fashions, hair and makeup stylists, honeymoon options and more!
Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver
11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Monday, January 16
MLK MOTORCADE/PARADE
Part of the city of Aurora’s 30th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration is the Motorcade to the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. To participate, gather on the east side of the Aurora Municipal Center where you can join the procession to 9898 E. Colfax Ave., for a wreath-laying ceremony. Then travel to Denver City Park and join the Marade.
Aurora Municipal Center, 14999 E. Alameda Pkwy, Aurora
7:30 a.m.
Phone: 303-739-7580
TAKE A GAMBLE!
Sit back and relax as you’re transported by motor coach to the Mardi Gras Casino in Blackhawk! The package includes a $10 food credit, $5 free play and free drinks while gambling. You must be 21 to enroll for this trip. Meals are on your own at the casino.
To Register Visit: AuroraGov.Org/Recreation
9:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-739.7950
Tuesday, January 17
SNOWSHOE IN ESTES PARK
Take the day off and snowshoe with fellow hikers in Estes Park. Transportation is provided for this fun day stomping powder. Just meet up in the lobby of the Aurora Center for Active Adults. Regardless of weather in the metro area, snowshoers must be prepared for weather in the mountains. The hike is 3.5 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 170 feet. Be sure to call the center for a recommended equipment list!
Aurora Center for Active Adults, 30 Del Mar Circle, Aurora
7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
$31 ($24 for residents) plus $10 or an America the Beautiful park pass
Phone: 303-739-7950
TWEEN STEAM: GAMING
Learn how to play popular tabletop board games and card games like Settlers of Catan, Munchkin, Clue and more! Bring your friends, your strategies and get ready for an hour of fun. For fourth through eighth graders.
Tallyn’s Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Rd., Aurora
3:00 p.m.
EXPLORING FOOTBALL
As the most popular sport in America, football is both entertainment and big business. Join Active Minds as they trace the history of the game from Johnny Unitas to Peyton Manning, highlighting memorable anecdotes about the game. Presenters will discuss the sport’s current challenges with injuries and their far-reaching consequences, plus the rise of fantasy football, a fun – some say addictive! – online gaming adjunct to the gridiron sport.
Smoky Hill Library, 5430 S. Biscay Circle, Centennial
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Phone: 303-542-7279
Stop by Southshore this MLK Weekend!
The master-planned community of Southshore is near all sorts of fun, educational, recreational and entertaining activities in Aurora. Check out the new homes from Richmond American Homes, or stop in to see one of the beautiful models at Village Homes. And — stay tuned for details on Century Communities’ new floor plans! With both ranch and two-story homes, Southshore homes are priced from the $400s to the $700s.