Thanksgiving Entertainment This Weekend!
November 23, 2017
The Thanksgiving entertainment quotient is running high this weekend near the master-planned community of Southshore in Aurora! The Nutcracker will make you smile, A Christmas Carol will make you nostalgic and Santaland Diaries will make you laugh out loud. And don’t miss the dazzling Blossoms of Light at the Botanic Gardens – incredible!
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, November 23
THANKSGIVING DINNER OPTIONS!
Just in case you haven’t made any dinner plans, call CoraFaye’s at 303-333-5551, offering both traditional meals and its regular menu of fried catfish, okra, black-eyed peas, etc., or check out this guide to restaurants that are open for business on Thanksgiving!
Thursday-Wednesday, November 23-29
SKATING AT THE POND
Wrap up and lace up for a spin around The Pond! The Southlands ice skating rink is open every day for a little recreational cold weather fun!
The Pond at Southlands Mall, Main St., Aurora
Weekdays, 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: $8/Skate Rental: $2.50
Phone: 303-928-7536
Friday, November 24
REMBRANDT: THE ETCHINGS
Rembrandt was most renowned and revered during his life for his intricately detailed etchings and now many are on display at the CU Center for Bioethics and Humanities thanks to the generosity of Drs. Tobia and Morton Mower. Works from their extensive private collection illustrate how Rembrandt revolutionized a technique previously used primarily by printmakers and with it galvanize the art world of 17th century Europe with a new medium. His work left a lasting impression and legacy for generations of accomplished artists who followed.
Fulginiti Pavilion for Bioethics and Humanities/Anschutz Medical Campus, 13080 E. 19th Ave., Aurora
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Free
Friday-Saturday, November 24-25
GO AVS!
Looking for something completely different in the way of Thanksgiving entertainment this weekend? Go see Colorado Avalanche Hockey! On Friday, the Avs play the Memphis Grizzlies and on Saturday, the Calgary Flames.
Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver
7:00-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$31
Phone: 508-948-5627
THE GRAWLIX COMEDY SHOW
The Grawlix is a comedy super group combining their excellent stand-up with live sketches and video elements. Their unique brand of comedy has earned the group sold-out crowds week after week. The videos grew into a web series that has since evolved into an original sitcom Those Who Can’t which debuted on TruTV in 2016 and is currently filming its third season. The group’s members have a combined 37 years of stand-up experience, and have appeared on Conan, Adam Devine’s House Party, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Comedy Works-Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Thurs., 8:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30 & 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$28
Phone: 303-595-3637
Friday-Sunday, November 24-26
CHRISTKNDL MARKET
The Denver Christkindl Market transforms Skyline Park into an old German town square filled with twinkling lights, songs, dancing and holiday cheer. Visitors can experience a traditional holiday market, like the ones found typically in German cities and villages. The market features a variety of gifts, such as glass-blown ornaments, hand-carved wooden figurines, children’s toys, lanterns, Alpaca scarves, and culinary delights ranging from European pastries and chocolate candy to savory chestnut soup. Sip on authentic Glühwein (mulled spiced wine) or Bavarian-style bier as you wander through the market and enjoy the opportunity to purchase artisan gifts and holiday treats sold by Coloradan, European and international merchants in wooden huts. Patrons can cozy up inside the heated Festival Hall with their family and friends and enjoy Thanksgiving entertainment through live music.
Skyline Park, 16th Street Mall and Arapahoe St., Denver
11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT
This annual holiday lights extravaganza transforms the York Street Botanic Gardens into a twinkling winter wonderland. Don’t miss the interactive light display, featuring a large field of sound-reactive, animated LED lights. The gardens will be offering holiday treats, warm drinks and a souvenir mug. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for groups, as this illuminating event tends to sell out.
Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
5:00-9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $16-$20
Phone: 720-865-3500
SANTALAND DIARIES
Looking for a little more snark in your stocking? Crumpet the Elf returns for more hilarious hijinks in this acclaimed one-man, adult-oriented show based on stories by David Sedaris. Crumpet’s twisted tales from his stint in Macy’s SantaLand are the cure for the common Christmas show. Release your holiday stress, get those obnoxious carols out of your head and check out even more late night options this year. The content is for mature audiences, due to language and subject matter.
Stage Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri.-Sun., 7:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$33
THE MIRACLE WORKER
Trapped in a secret, silent world and unable to communicate, blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller is violent, spoiled and almost sub-human. Her family treats her as such and it is only her teacher Annie who realizes that there is a mind and spirit awaiting rescue inside Helen’s dark, tortured silence. Don’t miss the moving, miraculous Firehouse production of The Miracle Worker, opening this Thanksgiving weekend.
John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Pl., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$23
Phone: 303-562-3232
HI HAT HATTIE OPENS!
Even if you didn’t see Gone with the Wind, this musical is a show-stopping tour-de-force starring Anna High as Hattie McDaniel. The solo musical takes place backstage of an old theater where Hattie McDaniel recalls the incredible events of her storied show-business life. Raised in Denver and a graduate of Denver East High School, the show details her journey from childhood to becoming the graceful artist that never buckled under the restraints of appearance, gender or race. Hi-Hat Hattie is the funny and thought-provoking musical biography of a talented female artist, who would become the first black woman to win an Oscar for her iconic role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. The musical features jazz and blues classics like St. Louis Blues, Danny Boy, Can’t Help Lovin Dat Man, Amazing Grace and more.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $16-$37
Phone: 303-739-1970
A CHRISTMAS CAROL OPENS!
Essential to the holiday season in Denver, A Christmas Carol promises to “warm your heart and renew your holiday spirit” according to the Examiner. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, this joyous and opulent musical adaptation traces money-hoarding skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge’s triumphant overnight journey to redemption. A Christmas Carol illuminates the meaning of the holiday season in a way that has resonated for generations. Family-friendly for all ages.
Stage Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$85
Saturday-Sunday, November 25-26
FREE CARRIAGE RIDES!
Complimentary carriage rides around the Southlands shopping center begin this weekend!
Southlands Mall, Aurora
12:00-3:00 p.m.
THE NUTCRACKER
The Colorado Ballet season continues with the holiday classic The Nutcracker, beginning Thanksgiving weekend at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The 57th annual production features timeless choreography paired with Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary arrangement performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. In addition to being the largest production of The Nutcracker in the state, Colorado Ballet’s 2016 production was named the best-loved Nutcracker in the U.S. in the 10th Annual Goldstar National Nutcracker Award contest. For nearly 60 years, Colorado Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker has delighted sold-out audiences. Find out what makes this enchanting ballet so special and experience the tradition, humor and holiday magic of Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
Ellie Caulkins Opera House,1385 Curtis St., Denver
Sat./Sun., 1:00 p.m.; Sat., 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$120
Phone: 303-837-8888
Sunday, November 26
TROY WALKER
Troy Walker has quickly become one of Denver’s most sought-after comedians on the comedy circuit! A regular at Comedy Works, Walker has won the “New Faces” contest twice, and after making his network TV debut on The Late Late Show, Troy has steadily racked up credits. He has appeared in VICE’s Flophouse and played the role of “Don Lemon” on Fusion TV’s Trump vs. Bernie, plus he can be seen later this year on Fuse’s Uproarious. After seeing Troy’s storytelling abilities and commanding presence on-stage it should come as no surprise that he’s also a licensed attorney who graduated from University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law!
Comedy Works-Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $14
Phone: 303-595-3637
ELECTRIFYING HONKY TONK BLUES
The Music Appreciation Society presents an electrifying evening of blues at Dazzle at Baur’s when 2017 Blues Music Award Winner, “Piano Player of the Year,” Victor Wainwright, takes the stage for two extraordinary shows. This event is the Denver premier for Wainwright, who American Blues Scene describes as: “… a force to be reckoned with on a piano. He IS honky-tonk and boogie with a dose of rolling thunder.”
Dazzle at Bauer’s, 1512 Curtis St., Denver
5:30 and 8:00 p.m.
Admission: $25-$36
Tuesday, November 28
SAUDI ARABIA EXAMINED
Over the years, American dependence on Saudi Arabia’s oil resources has proven frustrating. Active Minds will explore Saudi Arabia’s history, its recent transition in generational power in the Saudi royal family, the latest initiatives of the young crown prince, the coveted oil reserves that have enriched parts of the region, and the complicated role played by Wahhabi Islam and Sunni Islam in the country and the Middle East.
Garden Plaza of Aurora, 14221 E. Evans Ave., Aurora
1:30-3:30 p.m.
FREE
BUDDHISM EXPLAINED
Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world with some 500 million adherents. Join Active Minds for an examination of its origins, teachings, beliefs and practices, including the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) and the various types of Buddhism (Zen, Tibetan, etc.).
Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Free
Phone: 303-322-7727
Tuesday-Wednesday, November 28-29
CHICAGO RAZZLE-DAZZLE!
There’s never been a better time to experience Chicago, Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy, thousands of standing ovations and now the enjoys the description of the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Chicago has everything that makes Broadway great: a tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping song after another, and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen. It’s no surprise that Chicago has wowed audiences from Mexico City to Moscow, from Sao Paulo to South Africa. And now it’s returning to Denver. Whether you’re looking for your first Broadway musical, whether you’ve seen the Academy Award-winning film and want to experience the show live on stage, or whether you’ve seen it before and want to recapture the magic, Chicago always delivers!
Buell Theatre, DCPA, 14th and Arapahoe, Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$115
Happy Thanksgiving From Southshore!
With so much to do this weekend, we know you won’t be bored in the master-planned community of Southshore! Situated near multiple recreation and entertainment options, the community is ideally-located and amenity-rich! If you haven’t yet, explore the new Delaney model from Richmond American Homes, and the sensational new home designs from Century Communities in The Hills at Southshore. It’s life at the lake in ranch and two-story models, priced from the upper $300s to the $700s.