Rock Concerts, Brews and BBQs!
June 6, 2019
Buskers, Brews and BBQs happens in Aurora this weekend, Parker Days in Parker, plus interactive exhibits, games, and theatre. And don’t miss exciting exhibitions that put you in the astronaut’s seat, allow you help to solve a nuclear war crisis, and get immersed in a pop-up art exhibit! It’s also the first of the outdoor summer concerts and the final weekend for Wicked. So get out there and get involved!
TODAY/TONIGHT, June 6
DAZZLING SUMMER HIKES
Looking for some great new summer hikes for the family? There are dozens in the area, just waiting for you to explore! The winter snow has finally melted away, and the window of opportunity to enjoy the great Colorado outdoors is here. This year, when you head out for the trails, take along some knowledge of the history, geology, etymology, and wildlife of the beautiful backcountry.
Veteran Longmont hiker and author Pete KJ will be presenting some of his favorite trail choices for summer—along with the stories that go with them. Bring the entire family and get ready to jot down your list of must-do hikes!
Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-739-6600
Thursday-Sunday, June 6-9
PARKER DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!
The festival everyone has been waiting for! Parker Days sweeps into town with a full-fledged carnival, a parade, vendor booths, delectable food and drinks, and three concert stages with FREE music performances!
After a long winter and spring, everyone’s ready to celebrate four days of summer fun! Catch the first band of the weekend and let the kids enjoy carnival rides starting Thursday night. Then the full festival takes off on Friday with a wide array of vendors and a music line-up that ranges from Americana to old-school funk, with dance covers, folk, blues, electronica, rap, and everything in between. You won’t want to miss the equestrian-themed parade on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., so set your alarm!
Mainstreet, Parker
Thurs., 5:00-10:00 p.m.; Fri., 5:00 p.m. – midnight; Sat., 9:00 a.m. – midnight; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE
INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT – BE THE ASTRONAUT
Back by popular demand, Be the Astronaut takes you on a journey through a narrative set in the near-future, where space missions take citizens on board. Using a series of interactive games and simulations, you take on the elements that real astronauts must master before blasting off. You will learn about the challenges and excitement of spaceflight, and then apply that knowledge as you fly spaceships, pilot landers, and drive rovers across locations such as Earth’s orbit, the Moon, Mars, Ceres, and Jupiter. All spacecraft in Be The Astronaut were authentically designed with assistance and oversight from NASA’s Langley Research Facility.
Be The Astronaut is an immersive pod-based exhibit that engages you fully in its STEM-based content through technology and more traditional displays. A powerful and exciting experience for children and adults alike! Regular admission to the Air & Space Museum gives you access to this engaging exhibition, as well as all the others.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
Thurs.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sun. 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8.50-$10
Phone: 303-360-5360
INTERACTIVE GAME – DEFEND THE PLANET!
Join a team of heroes whose weighty task is to save the world from nuclear war! This live-action interactive theatrical game puts you in the role of one of the players who is working to solve complex puzzles that will hopefully put a halt to mutually assured destruction.
When you arrive at the game site, you’ll be given a standard issue jumpsuit to be worn over your civilian clothes. Athletic sneakers and pants are recommended so you can move more easily. This 90-minute game is designed for adults and recommended for ages 15 and over. No one under 13 will be admitted.
Under the Patagonia Store, 1510 Blake St., Denver
Thurs., 6:00 p.m.; Fri., 6:00 and 8:30 p.m.; Sat., 12:30 and 3:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:30, 3:00, 6:00, and 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$40
Phone: 303-893-4100
FINAL WEEKEND FOR WICKED
Once upon a time, long before Dorothy arrived in Oz, an extraordinary young woman with emerald skin and unique talents met a popular bubbly blonde, and the two became unlikely friends. That is, until the world decided to call one “good” and the other “wicked.”
This original, moving story of the Witches of Oz will have you mesmerized by its wildly inventive story. This is your final chance to see the Broadway blockbuster that gives you the backstory to the two witches featured in the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Buell Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs./Fri./Sat./Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $39-$195
Phone: 800-641-1222
Friday, June 7
BEDTIME STORIES SCREENS AT KIDS NIGHT OUT
Parents will be tempted to stay and watch this sweet, funny Adam Sandler movie about an imaginative uncle who conjures up wonderful stories for his niece and nephew—until they start coming true! But this Bedtime Stories screening is part of Kids Night Out, so parents will have to find their own entertainment! Hotel handyman Skeeter Bronson (Adam Sandler) gets an unexpected surprise when he discovers that the tall tales he has been telling his niece and nephew are somehow coming true.
Sponsored by the Southshore YMCA, kids will have a night of fun and food, including dinner, crafts, games, and the movie screening. Children must be potty-trained, and all ages up to 10 years old are welcome.
The Lakehouse, YMCA Southshore, 27151 East Lakeview Dr., Aurora
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Registration: $15
Phone: 720-870-2221
POP-UP ART SHOW
This immersive, up-close-and-personal art show gives you a chance to become a part of Denver’s art scene. Conception Art Shows are popping up all over the country, and this local “pop-up” event will showcase the work of 35 local artists.
It’s a full evening of entertainment, with live music, a complimentary appetizer hour, and a cash bar. Plus you’ll have the opportunity to purchase original artwork without incurring a gallery commission.
The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20
Friday-Saturday, June 7-8
ORACLE THROUGH DANCE
Standing at the crossroads of ancient cultural rituals and modern dance, you’ll find the compelling work of choreographer David Taylor and his Zikr Dance Ensemble. This nationally-acclaimed troupe presents original contemporary dance pieces that are steeped in stories and traditions from across the centuries and all around the world.
This performance, Oracle, retells the Greek myth of the Oracle of Delphi through imaginative and inventive dance interpretation. From the High Priestess of Apollo to writhing snakes emerging from a chasm to disembodied prophecies descending on the audience, the story is filled with drama that breathes life into dance!
Aurora Fox Arts Center, Black Box Studio, 9900 E. Colfax Ave, Aurora
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$30
Phone: 802-255-1826
Friday-Sunday, June 7-9
A PLAY ABOUT WHAT TO SAY
This Regional Premiere comedy-drama by Julia Cho is full of surprises and clever puns that you would expect from a play about language. George is a man who is an expert at language—except as it’s applied to his own life.
His wife is about to leave him because he doesn’t know how to talk to her, while he tends to speak too much to his lab assistant, Emma, who has a crush on him. Don’t miss The Language Archive, an entertaining neighborhood theatre production!
Vintage Theatre Productions, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $32
Phone: 303-856-7830
Saturday, June 8
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS LUNCHEON
What could be better than a delicious, GUILT-FREE luncheon? When you attend the Aurora Waste-Free Lunch, you’ll be celebrating sustainability and learn more about recycling opportunities in Aurora. A small cash donation or a nonperishable food item will benefit local homeless services.
The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $2 donation
RSVP: lkoiv@auroragov.org
BUSKERS, BREWS & BBQ IN AURORA
Did you know…buskers are quirky street performers? And they will be performing live at this festive BBQ event in Aurora! Mouthwatering BBQ prepared by teams will compete for the chance to be named “the best,” while tart and sweet Dry Dock beer will be available to wash it all down. Live music, activities, and of course, the busker entertainment is all FREE, and food samples and beer will be available for purchase.
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-739-7182
SISTERS OF ROCK CONCERT
The first of the FREE outdoor summer concerts is back with a bang! Women rockers from the 80s are the inspiration for this Concert on the Green. The local cover band, Sisters of Rock, will be playing the best of all the iconic women from the 80s, including Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Madonna, Heart, the Go-Gos, Stevie Nicks, the Pretenders, and more! The best food trucks in Denver will also be on hand.
Founders Green Park, 29th Ave & Roslyn St, Denver
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Sunday, June 9
QUILTING CLASS
You don’t need to spend hours and hours hand-stitching to make your own homemade quilt! Learn how to construct a quilt on your sewing machine. This helpful and fun workshop will show you how to embark on your own quilting adventure using both straight line and free motion quilting.
You’ll have a chance to practice techniques on muslin and batting samples. An experienced teacher will guide you through the selection of quilting designs, marking, layering, and machine settings. You’ll leave with all the skills necessary for quilting on your home sewing machine!
Colorado Fabrics, 4042 S. Parker Rd., Aurora
12:30-4:30 p.m.
Registration: $72
Family-friendly activities 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 Century Communities, 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.