There’s Magic in the Air!
May 20, 2021
The confluence of positive factors are merging to make this weekend a magical one in Denver and Aurora! Perfect spring weather, the lifting of restrictions, and a wide variety of exciting things to do make for an absolutely magical weekend!
TODAY/TONIGHT, May 20
AIRPLANE BOY GENIUS
With Rovers landing on Mars and a Tesla recently shot into space, you might think the ingenuity of aircraft is a relatively new thing—not so! The special exhibit in the Harry Combs Civil Aviation Gallery: Stories from Colorado Skies features stories about the beginning of the airplane industry, all the way back in the 1920s!
Check out these two stories: the first is about a silent-movie studio who wanted airplanes to distribute their films. They couldn’t find any to buy, so they started an airplane factory. Years later, no one remembered Alexander Films, but the Alexander Eaglerock became the biggest selling airplane in the country! The second story is about a boy genius they hired named Al Mooney, who designed the successful plane while he was a teenager!
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., Denver
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $9.95 – $16.95
HONEST ABE
Nowadays everyone wishes for politicians who are as good and honest as Abraham Lincoln was. But how much do you really know about the great president? This online presentation will present true tales about the legendary man you may have never heard before, as well as reflecting on how he changed history in ways that continue to this day. No registration required—just use this link to join the webinar!
Active Minds Online
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Thursday- Sunday, May 20-23
BLACK GIRL MAGIC
This catch-phrase is the inspiration for Denver’s interactive pop-up gallery celebrating the essence of Black women. A beautiful boutique has been transformed into a space that features vibrant immersive exhibits that highlight the journey of Black women to present day.
The Museum for Black Girls shows this evolution from the beginning until now…through the lens of black women.
1421 26th St., Denver
Thurs./Fri., 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$25
Friday, May 21
FRIDAY NIGHT BAZAAR
With everything opening up due to an easing of restrictions, you’ll feel like celebrating this weekend! There’s no better place to hang out on a warm spring night than the Friday Night Bazaar in the RiNo Art District! Stroll through booths filled with handcrafted items, delicious food, and craft cocktails and beer. And of course there will be live music!
2424 Larimer St., Denver
4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 720-432-8125
KIDS NIGHT OUT
Take this opportunity to drop off the kids at a fun, safe event just for them while you get some time to yourself—maybe even your own night out! Kids ages 3-12 who are potty trained will watch a movie, make some crafts, and play some games, all under the expert supervision of the Southands YMCA.
Due to COVID, no food will be served, but you can pack snacks and drinks for them.
Southlands Mall, 6295 S. Main St., Unit 104, Aurora
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Register: $15
FREE FAST FRIDAY
If you’re a Fast and Furious fan, you already know the franchise is coming out with the newest installment in June, and to get everyone excited about going back to the movies, Regal Cinemas are offering FREE screenings of the eight prior movies to Regal Members! Tonight’s show is the original Fast and Furious movie—sign up to become a free member and then claim your tickets!
Regal UA Denver Pavilions, 500 16th St. Mall #310, Denver
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE (for Regal Members)
Friday-Saturday, May 21-22
STAND-BY FOR LEVITT CONCERT
The popularity of the Levitt Free Concert series is well-established, so it’s no surprise that the free RSVPs for this weekend are already sold out. HOWEVER, walk-ups may be available for no-shows 20 minutes after start time, so try your luck if this is a band you really want to see. Even better, reserve your tickets well in advance for future shows!
This weekend’s show by DeVotchKa is the very definition of fun! DeVotchKa is a modern indie rock band with a sound that infuses a wide range of global influences, including cabaret, spaghetti Westerns, norteño, punk, and the immigrant dance music of Eastern Europe! This Colorado-based quartet has been a crowd favorite since they formed in the mid 2000s.
Levitt Pavilion, Ruby Hill Park, 1380 W. Florida Ave., Denver
5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Reserve: FREE
Phone: 303-561-4450
Saturday, May 22
FARMERS’ MARKET IN FULL SWING
This is the weekend when you’ll start noticing TONS of new produce rolling in at the area farmers’ markets! Bring a bunch of bags and let the kids help choose the ingredients for dinner! There will be tasty greens and tempting fruits, as well as all kinds of homemade baked items, jams, cookies and more!
Southlands, 6155 S. Main Street, Aurora
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE
It’s that time of year to comb through other people’s stuff and find the treasures you’ve always wanted! The Stapleton Community garage sale is back! Check back to the MCA website to view the list of participating homes and a map.
MCA Online and the Stapleton Community
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
TRUE CRIME BOOK CLUB
One of the most notorious true crime stories is the grisly tale of Lizzie Borden, who did terrible things with an axe. It’s all detailed in the book, The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson, this month’s featured book in the Aurora Libraries’ True Crime Book Club!
True crime fans come together once a month on WebEx to discuss the book of the month, the case of the month (Hae Min Lee & Adnan Masud Syed), and all your favorite true crime TV shows, movies and podcasts. Register in advance to join!
Aurora Libraries Online
12:00 p.m.
Register: FREE
WHO ARE THE MUSICAL MONUMENTS?
According to this free virtual concert by Denver Young Artists Orchestra, Musical Monuments includes the music of Johannes Brahms, Edward Elgar, Franz Joseph Haydn, Sergei Prokofiev, and Josef Suk, as well as Oscar Morawetz’s Memorial to Martin Luther King for cello and orchestra. Don’t miss this talented group of young musicians as they make magic online!
DYAO Online
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Information: FREE; Phone: 303-433-2420
Sunday, May 23
FREE OPERA IN THE PARK
There is nothing as memorable as watching an opera performance outdoors in the park! Central City Opera brings a sampling of their 2021 Summer Festival including popular Opera Hits you probably know, even if you’re not an opera fan. They’ll be performing music from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel, Verdi’s Rigoletto, and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
Opening for Central City Opera is Grande Orquesta Navarre, a local band that describes themselves as the “heartbeat of an old cabaret orchestra with the modern feel of cutting-edge new music, classical remixes and nuevo tango.”
Levitt Pavilion, Ruby Hill Park, 1380 W. Florida Ave., Denver
12:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Reserve: FREE
Phone: 303-561-4450
MOVIE MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS
Aside from being great movies, what do Jurassic Park, Star Wars, E.T., and Harry Potter have in common? They also have great original scores by beloved composer John Williams! Join the Colorado Symphony at Red Rocks as they play a spectacular concert under the stars that will take you back through your favorite movie moments.
This is a great concert to introduce kids to the magic of symphonic music!
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $55-$70
Feel the Magic in the Southshore area!
Life sparkles in 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 Taylor Morrison, 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.