This Weekend, Celebrate the Arts!
November 1, 2018
This weekend kicks-off Denver Arts Week, a nine-day celebration of all things artsy in The Mile-High City! Featuring more than 300 events at a wide variety of art galleries, museums, theaters and concert halls, the highlight of the week is FREE Night at the Museums, with a shuttle bus to get you to as many as you can! It’s also the weekend to celebrate Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), the centuries-old Mexican tradition of remembrance, honoring the memory of loved ones. It’s also Denver Fashion Weekend and you’ll find a couple of high-energy hip-hop extravaganzas! And don’t forget: Sunday morning ends Daylight Saving Time, so fall back!
TODAY/TONIGHT, November 1 – Sunday, November 4
WINGED SOULS AT DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
In honor of the Day of the Dead, the Botanic Gardens features a special outdoor art exhibition with sculptures of the iconic woman figure known as La Catrina combined with the soaring symbolism of butterflies. Learn about this Mexican holiday through colorful and joyful large-scale sculptures created by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero.
Denver Botanic Gardens,1007 York St., Denver
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: Included with general admission, $9-$12.50
Phone: 720-865-3500
DENVER FILM FESTIVAL
Coinciding with Denver Arts Week, the 41st annual Denver Film Festival is here! Join in the celebration of this favorite art form with films from all over the world. Featured filmmakers and movie buffs come together in the Mile-High City to connect and enjoy the wonderful world of cinema.
With over 200 films from more than 35 countries, Denver Film Festival screenings happen all around the city of Denver: at the Sie Film Center, the UA Denver Pavilions, the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and the Festival Annex located at the McNichols Civic Center Building. Procrastinators—you’re in luck! With special “last minute” ticket pricing, you can see a film for as little as $5!
Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Thurs., 4:00-10:00 p.m.; Fri., 1:00-11:00 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5-$20
Phone: 303-595-3456
VIRTUAL REALITY FEST
The Denver Film Festival includes the ever-popular interactive virtual reality experience, with a selection of FREE screenings! Battlescar is set in New York City in 1978 and explores the punk rock scene of the Lower East Side and the secret world of Alphabet City. Dinner Party is based on a true story about the couple who reported the first nationally known UFO abduction and then played the recordings of their memories at a dinner party.
Ticketed screenings include Fire Escape, a modern twist on Hitchcock’s Rear Window that puts you in the voyeur’s seat, and Terminal Three, an interactive documentary that explores contemporary Muslim identities in the U.S. through the lens of an airport interrogation.
McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
Thurs./Fri., 3:00 – 9:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE-$16
Phone: 303-595-3456
Friday, November 2
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
Kick off Denver Arts week with a festive First Friday Art Walk in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe! The Día de los Muertos Celebration and Procession is filled with flowers, lights, food, music and many colors! Dress in your best Catrina attire and join the procession! Face decoration stations will be open along the route, so bring the kids along!
Art District on Santa Fe, 861 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
4:00-9:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS NICHOS WORKSHOP
While you’re on the First Friday Art Walk on Santa Fe, stop in at the Museo de las Americanas to make your own Día de los Muertos nicho (alter) to honor an ancestor, family member or friend.
No advance registration is needed; however, the workshop capacity is limited to the first 20 people who walk up. This activity is recommended for ages 16 and over, and children must be supervised by guardians. All materials will be provided.
Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Cost: $25
Phone: 303-571-4401
Friday-Sunday, November 2-4
SYMPHONY TO CELEBRATE THE END OF WWI
The Colorado Symphony celebrates the day that signaled the end of World War I with a once-in-a-generation performance of Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece, War Requiem. A haunting and epic orchestral and choral collaboration, this work includes texts by the First World War poet Wilfred Owen, providing an ironic commentary on the classic Latin Requiem Mass.
Joined by the Colorado Symphony Chorus, the Colorado Children’s Chorale, and three vocal soloists, the Colorado Symphony performs this monumental musical event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.
Boettcher Concert Hall/DCPA, Speer Blvd. & Arapahoe St., Denver
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$89
Phone: 303-623-7876
Saturday, November 3
FREE DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION!
Bring the entire family to the Denver Botanic Gardens for the most colorful, heart-felt Día de los Muertos celebration in town! This FREE celebration highlights traditions from the 3,000-year-old Mexican practice of celebrating death as a natural part of the life cycle. Activities include alters of remembrance, face painting, children’s craft activities, live music, live art demonstrations, and a costume contest!
Denver Botanic Gardens,1007 York St., Denver
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
720-865-3500
303 JAM SESSION
A jammin’ afternoon for the entire family, featuring beatboxing demonstrations, spoken word poetry, and interactive workshops on both outdoor and indoor stages! Free concerts include live hip-hop remix band Bigwheel Electrosoul, hip-hop artists The Reminders, DJ Chonz & DJ Staxx, and featuring live graffiti artist demonstrations.
You can have a go at a sample session and try out some hip hop dance styles in hands-on workshops with international and local artists!
Buell Theatre/DCPA, 1350 Curtis St.., Denver
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Phone: 303-571-4401
FREE NIGHT AT THE MUSEUMS
The highlight of Denver Arts Week is the FREE night at not one but all of Denver’s best museums! The evening includes shuttle bus service on several routes between 12 of the most popular destinations! A special treat is exploring a portion of the Botanic Gardens at night, featuring the colorful sculptures of the Winged Souls exhibition.
Museums will remain open late, and admission is FREE after 5 p.m. Free shuttle bus routes include stops at the Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Botanic Gardens, Forney Museum of Transportation, Black American West Museum, Museo de las Americas, Denver Firefighters Museum, Children’s Museum of Denver, History Colorado Center, and Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.
Various Denver Locations
5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
Saturday-Sunday, November 3-4
BREAKIN’ CONVENTION
This international take on hip hop is an exciting, awe-inspiring weekend of exceptional performances by world champions and cutting-edge street dance companies! UK hip-hop pioneer Jonzi D hosts this showcase of pop dance culture, featuring acts from all over the world.
The line-up includes dynamic world-champion b-boy crew The Ruggeds, from the Netherlands; fresh and happenin’ hip-hop dance from the UK’s BirdGang Dance Company; a stunning solo by French dancer Antoinette Gomis with music by Nina Simone; and the renowned popping trio Femme Fatale fresh out of LA. All this, plus eight local acts, will make for an unforgettable experience!
Buell Theatre/DCPA, 1350 Curtis St.., Denver
Sat., 6:00-10:00 p.m.; Sun., 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 and up
Phone: 303-571-4401
Sunday, November 4
CHILDREN’S FASHION SHOW
Denver Fashion Week kicks off with perennial favorite, the Children’s Fashion Show. Models from ages 6 to 17 will walk the runway wearing the newest trends and most fun fashion by designers and Denver boutiques. The show features the youngest designer in DFW history—17-year-old Dalton Bidula of Shape Streetwear! A performance by Cherry Creek Dance keeps things lively!
Lumenati Productions, 3839 Jackson St., Denver
3:00-6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$100
LOCAL DESIGNERS FASHION SHOW
The second part of opening night features local designers—one of the highlights of Denver Fashion Week! You won’t want to miss DFW veterans Steve Sells, Topping Designs, Rachel Marie Hurst and Tyne Hall as they debut their fall collections. New to the DFW runway this year is local designer Allison Nicole. Fans of Project Runway will recognize Mondo Guerra, who returns to the DFW runway to debut his new collection. The evening also includes a Red Carpet Cocktail reception!
Lumenati Productions, 3839 Jackson St., Denver
6:00-11:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$100
Loving the Arts in Southshore!
If you’re looking for an on-trend neighborhood, close to all sorts of things to do but far enough away to offer peace, quiet and access to nature, visit Southshore. The many designs and styles from Colorado’s top builders: Toll Brothers, Richmond American Homes and Century Communities, come in ranch and two-story models and are priced between the upper $300s and the $700s. Join one of the fastest-growing communities in Colorado!