Movies, Markets and Bonsai Exhibit!
September 17, 2020
The ancient Japanese horticultural art of bonsai is featured at a couple of events this weekend at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Enjoy a performance of bonsai artists creating their designs in a socially-distanced outdoor amphitheater or take your time and browse the exhibits at the Annual Bonsai Exhibition—either online at the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society website or at the Botanic Gardens. Either way, you’ll be inspired by the majesty of this traditional art.
TODAY/TONIGHT, September 17
BONSAI DESIGN – A PERFORMANCE
Nothing is more fascinating, beautiful, and awe-inspiring than the intricate art of bonsai. Denver Botanical Gardens presents an engaging performance of the art of bonsai design in their outdoor amphitheater to allow for maximum open-air social distancing, and masks will also be required.
This open-air classroom will give you an opportunity to observe several award-winning bonsai artists displaying their art in a performance that is both organic and inspiring. Guiding the demonstration and discussion is Bonsai Specialist Larry Jackel, who will talk about the techniques used to develop wild/collected material from the Front Range into bonsai.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
6:00 p.m.
Register: $40-$45
Phone: 720-865-3500
DANCE PARTY EXTENDED ONE WEEK!
Since last week’s party was cancelled due to cold weather, you can make it up tonight! Head over to the Stanley Marketplace and dance outdoors one last time this summer! DJ Wesley Barnes of Something Vinyl Club will be spinning the tunes. This fun FREE socially-distanced event is family-friendly, so bring the kids!
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Dance Party: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 720-432-9162
BRIDESMAIDS AT THE ROCKS
Get ready for an evening of laughs at the drive-in at Red Rocks! Bridesmaids is an audience favorite, with SNL veterans Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph playing best friends. When Maya’s character gets engaged, Kristen’s character has no choice but to become the maid of honor. Along with this obligation comes a series of strange and expensive rituals associated with being in charge of all the bridesmaids.
One ticket is all you need for admission, regardless of the number of passengers in the car! Movie snacks will distributed upon entry, including a bag of CityPop Popcorn, theatre-size box of plain M&M’s, Twizzlers, and two drinks!
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $59 per car
Thursday-Sunday, September 17-20
BE DAZZLED AT THE GEM SHOW
If you love to be dazzled by sparkly things, you’ll want to visit the 9 miles of exhibits at the Denver Mineral, Fossil and Gem Show! There will be an impressive number of shiny gems, meteorites, crystals, agates, gold, silver, and copper—many of them made into jewelry and decorative items. Displays will include amber with insect inclusions, turquoise, rubies, emeralds, beads, petrified wood and artisan jewelry boxes, plus rough minerals, tools and supplies for hobbyists who cut and polish their own.
This event is absolutely FREE, but since many of the items on display are for sale, you might want to bring your wallet. To keep the numbers of guests within safety requirements, the event is for adults only this year. The exception is Thursday, when children are allowed.
National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Friday, September 18
ZOOTOPIA AT KIDS NIGHT OUT
The popular 3-D computer-animated Disney film about a whole community of animals that live together in ways that resemble humans is really a buddy-cop movie for the young. Your kids will love having a night out to watch Zootopia and spend some time with other kids at Kids Night Out!
You’ll be able to enjoy an evening of your own, knowing your kids will be safe at this YMCA-sponsored event at Southlands. They won’t be serving food, so pack a snack and drink for your kids—and be sure to register in advance! This event is appropriate for ages 4-12.
Southlands Mall, 6155 S. Main St. #220, Aurora
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Registration: $15
Phone: 720-274-5759
FRIDAY FILM ON THE ROCKS
Yes it’s Friday, but it’s also Friday when it comes to the over-the-top movie at the Red Rocks drive-in movie series. Ice Cube plays Craig Jones, a guy who is having the worst day ever. He’s just gotten fired for stealing cardboard boxes, his rent is due, he hates his overbearing girlfriend, and his best friend owes the local drug dealer money. See how bad one Friday can get as the gamut of his urban life is concentrated into one single, unbelievable day.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $59 per car
Friday-Sunday, September 18-20
WWII AND YOU
In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the end of WWII, this exhibit displays many of the amazing technological developments of that period that still affect life today. You’ll learn about ideas and technologies that were developed for the war effort that live on in many day-to-day conveniences we take for granted.
This exciting exhibit is open to members only on Friday, then opens for the general public on Saturday. This special display is a tribute to the legacy of the millions of lives lost in WWII and the survivors who lived through the war.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
Fri., 5:00-7:00 p.m. (Members only); Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $9.95 – $16.95
Phone: 303-360-5360
Saturday, September 19
FALL AT THE FARMERS’ MARKET
There won’t be many more weekends of Farmers’ Markets, so don’t miss your chance to shop for the freshest and tastiest of Colorado-grown produce. Be sure to bring plenty of shopping bags to the socially-distanced booths at Southlands Farmers’ Market. Load up on fresh-from-the-garden goodness of a wide range of produce, as well as all kinds of homemade goodies including breads, pastas, sauces, and sweets!
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-627-5000
PIG ROAST AND TUNES
Craving some authentic BBQ? It doesn’t get any more authentic than this—an outdoor pig roast by Rolling Smoke BBQ, complete with outdoor tunes! Come by for a free performance by Evil Dave and purchase an unmatched BBQ dinner. There’s plenty of room for social distancing, but you’ll still need your mask both inside and outside of the Stanley Marketplace.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 720-432-9162
ROCKETMAN COMES TO THE ROCKS
The story of superstar rocker Elton John comes to life on the giant screen when Red Rocks’ Film on the Rocks shows Rocketman. He started out as a shy piano prodigy named Reginald Dwight and skyrocketed to fame as Elton John. The movie chronicles his breakthrough years in the 1970s as he collaborated with singer-songwriter Bernie Taupin and created some of the best-loved modern pop songs.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $59 per car
Saturday-Sunday, September 19-20
ANNUAL BONSAI EXHIBITION
You’ve got two ways to view this breathtaking bonsai exhibition—through the virtual show on the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society website, or through a special exhibition at the Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion at Denver Botanic Gardens.
The Gardens exhibition is included in the price of admission, but you must purchase a timed entry ticket in advance. Selected outstanding trees by RMBS bonsai artists will be featured in the exhibit.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Register: $11-$15
Phone: 720-865-3500
Sunday, September 20
SHOFAR IN THE SHADE
In this most unusual of years, celebrate a most unusual outdoor event for Rosh Hashanah. This socially-distanced open-air gathering will still be meaningful, with the live, stirring and unadulterated blasts of the Shofar.
The Backyard Tent at Stanley Marketplace will provide plenty of room for social distancing. Multiple Shofar blowings will be held throughout the day to maintain small group sizes. Pre-registration is required. Families, singles, children, and all ages are welcome. Please note that masks are required at Stanley Marketplace, indoors and outdoors.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Starting at 9:00 a.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 720-432-9162
THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY FINALE
Red Rocks’ Film on the Rocks drive-in movie series has been bringing the original Star Wars trilogy to the big screen on Sunday nights, and tonight is the “final” battle of that trilogy.
Return of the Jedi is the the epic battle for the fate of the galaxy, with Han Solo emerging from his deep freeze and Luke Skywalker preparing for his final confrontation with Darth Vader. The triumphant scene is bittersweet as Luke reflects on all who were lost in this fateful battle.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $59 per car
Enjoy Life at the Lake in Southshore!
There’s no shortage of things to do near the master-planned community of Southshore! Enjoy Life at the Lake with plenty of cultural and entertainment activities in the surrounding area, in one of the beautiful model homes from Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison, and Richmond American Homes. Why not tour one today? It’s easy to find the home of your dreams in Southshore, priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.