Hey, Denver thing-doers. It's a new year so I'm doing a new thing with this giant list of things. Some of the events will be in bigger, bolder text. They're my picks for the best things to do (and, yeah, that's pretty subjective).
May your 2017 be full of many good things.
Thursday
Food & drink
Rare Beer Night
Wonderland Brewing Company sent some rare and fun beer -- and, of course, swag -- for your tasting pleasure. Denver Bicycle Café, 1308 E. 17th Ave. 6-10 p.m.
Bockbiernacht. Bock bier release at sunset with live music. Bierstadt Lagerhaus, 2875 Blake St. 4:50 p.m.
Entertainment
“An Act of God.” In a play the New York Times called “deliriously funny,” God takes on a human form and sets the record straight. Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $47.
"Sons + Daughters" - A New Musical. The story of America in the aftermath of 9/11. RedLine Contemporary Arts Center, 2350 Arapahoe St. 7 p.m. $10-20.
Chrisette Michele. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $40-55.
Lyrical Landlordz. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $5-8.
WheelHouse. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $10.
Nathan Rivera and Jessie Andra Smith. Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. 7:30 p.m. $14.
Bluegrass Thursday with Erin Peet-Lukes and Chris Herbst. Stem Ciders, 2811 Walnut St., Unit 150. 7-9:30 p.m. Free.
Three Trumpets: Gabe Mervine, Tom Gershwin and Josh Reed
A cold night like this is a perfect night to hole up in a jazz club. Dazzle Jazz, 930 Lincoln St. 7 p.m. $10-15.
Blanket Empire. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $6.
WhiteWater Ramble Pickin' On The '90s. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 8 p.m. $5-15.
Art
The End. Closing party for Jonathan Saiz's "The Deep End" at Leon, 1112 E 17th Ave. 6-10 p.m.
Avoid Eye Contact: Opening Reception. A four-artist show featuring Keir O'Donnell, Mallory Hart, Matthew Dutton and Scott Hildebrandt. Sally Centigrade, 1423 Larimer St. 5-9:30 p.m.
Sports
Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs, 7 p.m.
Colorado basketball at Arizona State, 7 p.m.
Friday
Food & drink
Take your date or BFFs to 12@Madison. The new restaurant -- a reincarnation of Jeff Osaka's old Twelve -- opened last month. It's relaxed spot to share a small feast.
Remote Island release. Brewed with oats and aggressively hopped. Notes of guava, ripe melon, white grape and pine. Burgerchief food truck will be outside from 3-10 p.m. Cerebral Brewing, 1477 Monroe St. Noon-11 p.m.
Entertainment
“An Act of God.” In a play the New York Times called “deliriously funny,” God takes on a human form and sets the record straight. Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $47.
"Sons + Daughters" - A New Musical. The story of America in the aftermath of 9/11. RedLine Contemporary Arts Center, 2350 Arapahoe St. 7 p.m. $10-20.
Midnight Madness: "My Neighbor Totoro"
Subtitled version of the beautiful Miyazaki classic. (Aren't they all?) Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.
Lucid Vision. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $13-15.
Ugly God. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $18.50-22.
David Bromberg Quintet. The Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $40.
We's Us. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $10-12.
Bear Antler. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $5-8.
BowieFest 2017
Featuring local bands Turvy Organ, Shady Elders, the Savage Blush, Male Blonding and more. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 7 p.m. $15.
'80s Ski School Party to celebrate the start of the Amtrak Winter Park Express. New Belgium beer and Ski Train cocktail specials, giveaways including neck gators, snow globes, train whistles and more. Wear your best gear, there will be a costume contest. Union Station Terminal Bar and Gallery, 1701 Wynkoop St. 8 p.m.-midnight.
Off the Clock: Vintage Victorian. Music, dancing and botany after-hours. “Unconventional Women of the West” show, Denver Brass, Cloud 9 string quartet, ballroom dancing, an orchid show and more. Dress in Victorian best. Cocktails, drinks and food available for purchase. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 6-9:30 p.m. $15-23.
Black Sheep Friday: '40s Forties
Swing dancing lessons from Swingin' Denver and 40-oz malt liquor tastings. All events are first-come, first-served. Capacity can be limited. Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. Drop by anytime from 6-8 p.m. Free with $5 museum admission.
Natalie Tate, Bluebook, Lillian. Live music from Denver women, plus a poetry reading by Kristin Oberfeld, live poetry writing by Kelsey Bowe and more. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 8-11 p.m.
Pussy Bros present Stephen Agyei. Comedy RoomRoom, 2104 Larimer St. 7 p.m. Free.
Nappy Roots. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $18.
Art
Evicted: A Benefit Art Show for Rhinoceropolis/Glob
All proceeds from art sales will go directly to the artists affected by the sudden closure of the sister DIY art spaces. Dateline, 3004 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $10.
Arrangements: An Exhibition Of Collage. Work by Kyle Warfield and Julia Belamarich of Extra Vitamins, Joshua Soto aka Cold Sweat, Hans Davis and Hillary Frey. Store House, 3151 Larimer St. 5 p.m.-midnight.
First Friday Art Walk. The galleries and studios in Denver’s art districts will leave their doors open after-hours to welcome the curious with a wine, beer, special exhibits, demonstrations and music. Your options:
Santa Fe Art District, along Santa Fe drive from Alameda to 12th Avenue.
River North Art District. This one is more spread out. Here’s a gallery list.
Tennyson Street Cultural District, along Tennyson Street from 39th to 45th Avenue. Here’s a map.
Sports
Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Islanders, 7 p.m.
Denver hockey vs. Arizona State
Perhaps you've heard: DU has a very good hockey team (and our state does not, at the moment). They're at home tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Food & drink
Take your date or BFFs to 12@Madison. The new restaurant -- a reincarnation of Jeff Osaka's old Twelve -- opened last month. It's relaxed spot to share a small feast.
Entertainment
“An Act of God.” In a play the New York Times called “deliriously funny,” God takes on a human form and sets the record straight. Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $47.
"Sons + Daughters" - A New Musical. The story of America in the aftermath of 9/11. RedLine Contemporary Arts Center, 2350 Arapahoe St. 7 p.m. $10-20.
Midnight Madness: "My Neighbor Totoro"
Subtitled version of the beautiful Miyazaki classic. (Aren't they all?) Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.
Desert Dwellers and Kayla Scintilla. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $20-25.
Rob Drabkin. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $15-17.
Paradise Theater (Styx Tribute). Oriental Theatre, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 7:30 p.m. $14.
Khemmis. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $10-12.
The Couch Bombs. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8:30 p.m. $5-8.
Dressy Bessy
Joined by Wheelchair Sports Camp and SPELLS for what should be a very, very fun show. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $12-15.
The Swallow Hill Teacher Feature. Reviving a tradition from the '80s, Swallow Hill instructors will perform together. Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. 8 p.m. $20.
Rubber Souls, Little Creatures, Jocko Homo. Beatles, Talking Heads and DEVO tribute bands. Mercury Café, 2199 California St. 8 p.m. $15.
Faceman. 3 Kings Tavern, 60 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $5.
The Bluegrass Generals. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom and Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $20-25.
Art
Penny Admission for Colorado Residents at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sweet Dreams closing reception. Music, food, art and activities. Spectra Art Space, 1836 S. Broadway. 2 p.m.-midnight. 21+ after 8 p.m. Free before 8 p.m., $5 donation after.
Artist talk: Stanley Bell. Coffee, a tour and discussion of Stanley Bell's latest work in "From the Ground Up." Michael Warren Contemporary, 760 Santa Fe Drive. 11 a.m.-noon.
For families
Family history resources workshop. Explore family history resources with the help of reference librarian. History Colorado, 1200 Broadway. 10:15-11:15 a.m. $4-5.
National Western Stock Show
The 111th annual event starts this weekend and runs through Jan. 22. We've got your guide right here.
Mythology Misadventures. Explore and learn about Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology through activities, crafts, and more. Children's Library at Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sports
Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Islanders, 7 p.m.
Denver hockey vs. Arizona State, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday
Entertainment
“An Act of God.” In a play the New York Times called “deliriously funny,” God takes on a human form and sets the record straight. Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $47.
Üfer. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $8-10.
Echoes in Reverie. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $5-8.
The Bluegrass Generals. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom and Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $20-25.
Golden Globes Watch Party
Sure, you could watch at home, but why not watch Hollywood's booziest awards ceremony on the big screen (and with a bar). Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. 6 p.m. Free. First-come, first-served.
Paperbark. Mutiny Information Café, 2 S. Broadway. 8-11 p.m.
Gypsy Swing Revue "I Love Paris" CD release. Dazzle Jazz, 930 Lincoln St. 7 p.m. $10-12.
For families
National Western Stock Show
The 111th annual event starts this weekend and runs through Jan. 22. We've got your guide right here.
Luchador Masks. Chicano Humanities and Arts Council will host a workshop. Learn about the luchador and make a mask. Children's Library at Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 2-3 p.m.
For your brain
Silent Reading Happy Hour. Read silently for an hour and get half off any drink. BookBar, 4280 Tennyson St. 6-7 p.m.
