Celebrate Music and Nature This Weekend!
January 25, 2018
From a birthday party for Mozart (did you know he turns 262 this weekend?!) to a Billy Holiday tribute and musical comedies galore, there are a myriad of activities to choose from this weekend! Or get inspired by the great outdoors— with flower arranging and the annual Backcountry Film Festival — just a few of the ways to explore the bountiful beauty of nature, right here in Denver and Aurora this weekend!
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, January 25
MINI FLOWER-ARRANGING WORKSHOP
If you are already yearning for spring, get your thumbs green in this floral-arrangement workshop. Presented by the Flower Bombers, you’ll get hands-on experience designing a tiny bouquet and learn all about flower care and create your very own version of the signature Flower Bombers’ Mini Bomb Trio!
It’s sure to be one seriously fun evening with Modern Market’s delicious appetizers and one complementary glass of wine or beer included in the price. Plus, you get to take home the vase and flowers you arrange. Space is limited, so get your tickets while you can!
Modern Market, 900 16th St., Denver
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $65
Phone: 316-213-4980
Thursday-Saturday, January 25-27
COMEDY WITH STEVE RANNAZZISI
Remember the hilarious pen salesman who tried to make a move on Paul Blart’s love interest in Mall Cop? Steve Rannazzisi is that guy! In addition to many memorable roles in film and seven seasons starring as Kevin McArthur on the critically acclaimed FX Network comedy series, The League, Rannazzisi is also a prolific standup comedian. His standup has appeared on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and is featured in the standup special Pauly Shore & Friends.
For over 13 years, from the stage to the silver screen, Rannazzisi has made audiences laugh. He recently released his second one-hour Comedy Central special, Breaking Dad, following his 2013 critically acclaimed special, Steve Rannazzisi: Manchild.
Comedy Works-Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Thurs., 8:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $28-$30
Phone: 303-595-3637
Thursday-Sunday, January 25-28
A FUNNY BLIND DATE
See what happens when blind-date newbie, Aaron, is set up with serial dater, Casey, in a busy New York restaurant, where their subsequent date unfolds in real time. Other people in the restaurant get in on the act(s) from well-meaning best friends, sour-grapes exes and helicopter parents. This musical contains adult content and humor and uses e-cigarettes.
Garner Galleria Theatre/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Thurs.-Sun.,7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $46
Phone: 303-893-4100
AMERICAN MARIACHI OPENS THIS WEEKEND!
A humorous, heartwarming story about following the most unlikely dream, American Mariachi is the newest work by Denver favorite playwright José Cruz González. In 1970s Denver, two friends are inspired to start their own all-female mariachi band. However, this will be no easy task in a male-dominated music genre, and the patriarchal pressure from inside their families only complicates matters.
As they and their female band members practice, perform and strive to earn the respect of their community, their music sparks a transformation in the lives of those around them. This exhilarating story about music’s power to heal and connect includes gorgeous live mariachi music played on stage. González writes a passionate story about families and friendships that you will want to share with your own!
Stage Theatre/DCPA, 13th St. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat.,7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$65
Phone: 303-893-4100
Friday, January 26
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMADEUS!
The perfect way to start the weekend! This short-and-sweet social evening, celebrating Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 262nd birthday, features an abbreviated Mozart concert with drink specials curated by Centerplate. The after-work soiree highlights an hour-long program with guest artists Christina and Michelle Naughton—extraordinarily talented pianists hailed by the San Francisco Examiner for their “stellar musicianship, technical mastery, and awe-inspiring artistry.”
Boettcher Concert Hall/DPAC, 1000 14th Street, #15, Denver
Drinks, 5:00 p.m.; Concert, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-78760
FRIDAY FAMILY NIGHT AT THE AQUARIUM
Explore the mysteries of the depths from the coral lagoon to the sunken temple, from rain forest aquatics to a shipwreck on a beach. The entire family will be enchanted! Specials for kids include free face-painting, scavenger hunts, animal encounters, raffles for prizes and a special $3.99 kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal.
This watery world is sure to become a family favorite, and with so many exhibits and activities, you can make it a regular Friday night event!
Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St., Denver
5:30 p.m. to close
Tickets: $20.50 adult; $6.00 child (with adult purchase)
Phone: 800-641-1222
MIDDLE SCHOOL NIGHT
Join other teens at the Teen Center where the pool table, foosball table, Nintendo Wii and X-Box games are put to good use, along with craft tables with plenty of creative and absorbing activities and opportunities. Usually free, this themed night (Stress Ball) will be $4.
Youth Center/Southlands Shopping Center, 6205 S. Main St. #D-112, Aurora
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Cost: $4
Phone: 720-274-5759
Friday-Sunday, January 26-28
ZOOEY’S PERFECT WEDDING
Zooey has big dreams for her big day—a picture perfect wedding, complete with the blushing bride, the touching toast and the celebration of true love. Unfortunately, that’s not how it’s turning out. An irresistible comedy of disasters, Zooey’s Perfect Wedding is like a car crash you can’t look away from: you cringe, even while marveling at the wildly funny fiasco.
Disaster after disaster follow Zooey down the aisle, from brutally honest boozy speeches to a totally incompetent wedding planner. Even worse, her friends are too preoccupied with their own relationship woes to help with the wreckage around them. Don’t miss this outrageous comedy of human errors!
Space Theatre/DCPA, 13th and Arapahoe, Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$65
Phone: 800-641-1222
LADY SINGS THE BLUES
On a chilly night in the spring of 1959, legendary songstress Billie “Lady Day” Holiday took the stage at a seedy nightclub in downtown Philadelphia. Her repertoire of semi-autobiographic songs was peppered that night with impromptu reminisces about her life. A poignant portrait of the artist emerged, just four months before her death.
Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill transports you back to that time and place, with a standout performance by Mary Louise Lee as Holiday. “Lee’s singing is absolutely radiant. Her voice is smooth as glass. At times, she sounds uncannily like Holiday, at others entirely like her full-throated self” (Westword).
Vintage Theatre Productions, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora
Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38
Phone: 303-856-7830
Saturday, January 27
AZTEC DANCE AND UNITY WORKSHOP
Discover your roots at your local library! This month’s event features a gathering with Aztec Grupo Huitzilopochtli in a unity workshop. At this dance meeting, participants form a circle, which is symbolic of life and the universe. Every participant is equally important, from the smallest child to the respected elders. Learn how the cosmos affected the dances and ceremonies of the Mexican people. Explore your own ancestral heritage as the entire group gathers in a circle of unity to honor all our ancestors. All ages are welcome.
Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora
10:00 a.m.
Cost: Free, no registration required
Phone: 303-739-6583
CELEBRATE THE HUMAN-POWERED EXPERIENCE
The annual Backcountry Film Festival has paired up with the outdoor industry’s Night of Stoke to bring one powerful evening of imagery and social innovation for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. The film festival is produced each year by Winter Wildlands Alliance and is a gathering place for the backcountry snow-sports community. Funds raised at each screening stay in the local community to support human-powered recreation and conservation efforts, winter education and avalanche safety programs, and to raise awareness of winter management issues.
This year, the outdoor industry moved from Utah to spark discussion and action for the protection of Bears Ears National Monument and preservation of federal public lands. Guests will learn from
featured professional athletes how to turn passion into action. Immerse yourself in a night of films and camaraderie that capture the spirit of winter. Adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, and ski culture: you’ll find it all in this award-winning lineup.
Bellco Theatre, 700 14th St., Denver
6:30-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $22
info@winterwildlands.org
HEALING THE WORLD, ONE SONG AT A TIME
Named One of the Top 25 Women Changing the World by Conversations Magazine, Julie Geller uses her considerable musical talent to flex her creativity muscles. She’s delivered a TEDx talk on the topic and was invited to the Obama White House, but the real reason you’ll want to see her is her music. Her carefully-crafted, wisdom-filled songs cut through the noise and go straight to your heart.
Appearing with Geller is Hal Aqua and The Lost Tribe, a band that plays klezmer fusion—an exuberant musical experience, rooted firmly in traditional Jewish modes and melodies and driven by contemporary rhythms and danceable grooves. The versatile musicians who make up The Lost Tribe have a deep respect for their source material, from the evocative tunes of Eastern European Jews and Gypsies to the sinuous rhythms of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The Lost Tribe steeps their songs in rock, reggae, salsa, funk and blues influences.
The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St., Denver
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$20
Phone: 303-295-1868
Celebrating Southshore!
The master-planned community of Southshore just minutes from the 800-acre water wonderland of Aurora Reservoir is something to celebrate. Plus, it’s so convenient to all the activities and events you want to attend! Stop by and tour the inspiring models and check out additional designs from Toll Brothers in Vista Point, Richmond American Homes and Century Communities in The Hills at Southshore. Ranch and two-story models in the lakeside community are priced from the upper $300s to the $700s