Things to do in Denver this weekend, April 20-23

Looking for things to do in Denver this weekend? Here’s a big, curated list of options in arts and entertainment, food and drink, causes, sports and more!
16 min. read
A DJ spins vinyl for breakdancers under the Cultural Unity tent at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) colorado dragon boat festival; sloan lake; kevinjbeaty; denver; colorado; denverite; culture;

(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

We've got 4/20, Earth Day and Record Store Day in here, so buckle up.

Thursday

4/20

Best bet: Uncalled Four: A Comedy Game Show, 4/20 Edition. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 7 p.m. $15-25. (Package tickets available to include Ying Yang Twins show afterward.)

Best bet: 420 On The Block. Rusko, Del The Funky Homosapien, Dumpstaphunk and a lot more playing at City Hall, Vinyl, Church, Milk Bar, Bar Standard, the Living Room, Stoney's and Salty Dog. 4:20 p.m. $42-75.

The Science Lounge: Cannabis. Learn about cannabis, its genetic diversity and its connection beer. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $15, cash bar.

Cheba Hut's 19th annual 4/20 party. Food and drink specials all day, live music, carnival games, the 100 Joint Toss (at 4:20), bicycle and ski raffles and more. Cheba Hut Denver, 638 E. Colfax Ave. 10 a.m.-midnight. 

Got the Munchies? Beer paired with classic snack food. Epic Brewing Co., 3001 Walnut St. Noon-10 p.m.

4/20 IPA Flights. Semitone Seasonal IPA, Frontman IPA, Blood Orange Double IPA, Baritone Black IPA for $7. Black Shirt Brewing Co., 3719 Walnut St. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Waldo's 4:20 on 4/20. Tapping of the very dank beer named for the founders of 4/20. Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St. 4:20 p.m.

Food & drink

Meet the Brewer with Ratio Beerwork's head brewer. Denver Bicycle Café, 1308 E. 17th Ave. 6-8 p.m. 

Beer and cheese. Three 4-ounce pours of beer and three meat and cheese pairings from Culture Meat & Cheese. Great Divide Barrel Bar, 1812 35th St. 5-8 p.m.

Entertainment

Best bet: Gucci Mane. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $65-75.

Best bet: of MontrealBluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $20.

“Disgraced.” A 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who spends his adulthood downplaying his upbringing, but finds misconceptions about his culture too much to bear after a high-profile court case and his wife’s Islam-inspired art show. Ricketson Theatre, 1400 Curtis St. 6:30 p.m. $35.

The Emerging Filmmakers Project. Showcase of the best of Denver’s indie film scene. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. 8 p.m. $5.

This Broken Beat. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $10-12.

Honey Trap. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $8-10.

Break Science. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $20-25.

Super Duper Kyle. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 5:30 p.m. $16-18.

Method Man & Redman. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $42-75.

Dizzy Wright. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $33-35.

Ying Yang Twins. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 9 p.m. $15-25.

Capture Canopy video release. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.

Cycles. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $10.

Paper Diamond. Beta, 1909 Blake St. 9 p.m. $20.

Honky Tonk at the Opera with Bib Tucker & The Liars Club and Extra Gold. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $7.

Crafts and Drafts with Mammythh and Sounds Like Words. 3 Kings Tavern, 60 S. Broadway. Craft fair at 7 p.m., music at 10 p.m. Free.

Bluegrass Thursday featuring Turkeyfoot. Stem Ciders, 2811 Walnut St., Unit 150. 7-9:30 p.m.

Nighttime Tonight. Live late-night show hosted by Brian Flynn and Kira MagCalen, tonight featuring Geoff Tice, James Draper, Rachel Weeks and surprise guests. The Deer Pile, 206 E. 13th Ave. 9 p.m. Donations will be collected for The Gathering Place.

SuicideGirls Blackheart Burlesque. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 8 p.m. $20-80.

The SPINS featuring the Gorillaz. Hear Vinyl Me, Please’s record of the month, the Gorillaz's "Demon Days" (celebrating its first re-issue) and enjoy drink specials and music from DJ Details. Bar Fausto, 3126 Larimer St. 8 p.m.

Czech That Film. Czech film festival featuring five new films. Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. 5 p.m. $30-40.

For a cause

Wine Dive for Charity. Celebrate Colorado National Wine Week and raise money for Water for People, which promotes the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services for everyone. Vesper Lounge, 233 E. Seventh Ave. 6 p.m.-midnight. 

Friday

Food & drink

Copper Kettle Six Year Anniversary Party Day 1: Staff Showdown. Barstaff will be paired up with brewers to create special beers, and you pick the best one. Plus: live music from The Dollhouse Thieves and food from Pavy's Food Truck and Tony Gaucamole. Copper Kettle Brewing Co., 1338 S. Valentia St., Suite 100. Noon-10 p.m.

Petite Sour Peach release. Wild ale variation of the Petite Sour aged in oak barrels and thousands of pounds of Colorado peaches.  Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, 3350 Brighton Blvd. 5-8 p.m.

Elsie Mae-B release and live music from Cousin Curtiss. Collaboration saison with Goose Island made with Colorado honey and aged in wine barrels. Beryl's Beer Co., 3120 Blake St. 1-11 p.m.

Blackberry Basil Blonde firkin. Rye blonde ale put it in a firkin with blackberries and basil. It's very pinkish purple. Alpine Dog Brewing Co., 1505 Ogden St. 6-10 p.m.

Entertainment

Best bet: MCA Spring Breaks: MCA Unplugged with Chella & The Charm. Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St. Happy hour 5-7 p.m., music 6-8 p.m. Free with $5-8 museum admission.

Best bet: “Disgraced.” A 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who spends his adulthood downplaying his upbringing, but finds misconceptions about his culture too much to bear after a high-profile court case and his wife’s Islam-inspired art show. Ricketson Theatre, 1400 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $35.

"The Secret Garden." The classic story comes to the stage in the form of a musical. Stage Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 7:30 p.m. $35-75.

"Much Ado About Nothing." The Shakespeare comedy reimagined in the Roaring '20s. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. 7:30 p.m. $20-25.

Thievery Corporation. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 9 p.m. $44.50.

Pierce the Vail and Sum 41. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 6:30 p.m. $29.99-35.

Kitchen Dwellers. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $12-15.

Whiskerman. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $8-10.

Halfoween II featuring Monroe Monroe. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8-10.

The Lituation special Friday edition. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. Free.

Zepparella. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 7 p.m. $13-15.

Green Is Beautiful: A tribute to Blue Note guitarist Grant Green feat. Eddie Roberts. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $20-25.

The Underachievers. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $25-30.

B. Dolan and DJ Abilities. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 9 p.m. $18.

Alt Nation's Advanced Placement Tour featuring  MISSIO, Coast Modern and Sundara Karma. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $7.50-18.

Human Country Jukebox. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $10.

Keith Oxman Quartet. Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 7 p.m. 

Colorado Poetry Rodeo. 29th annual event featuring a wide range of featured work and open mic readers. Mercury Café, 2199 California St. 6 p.m.-2 a.m.

Midnight Madness: "Pink Floyd: The Wall." Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.

Art

2017 Santos y Cruces opening reception. Chac Gallery-Denver, 772/774 Santa Fe Drive. 6-9 p.m. 

Sports

Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants, 6:40 p.m.

Saturday

Record Store Day

Best bet: Local Record Store Day. Local music, comedy and art, including live performances, plus a 1o a.m. pancake breakfast and half-off all used vinyl. Mutiny Information Café, 2 S. Broadway. 10 a.m.-close. 

Record Store Day 10 Year Anniversary. Giveaways, including a free Illegal Pete's breakfast burrito for the first 80 people in the door, and a DJ set by Thievery Corporation’s Rob Garza at 3 p.m. Twist & Shout Records, 2508 E. Colfax Ave. 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Vintage & Vinyl with Dogfish Head Brewing. Bring your own vinyl for the DJ to spin and enjoy special vintages of Dogfish Head beers. Avanti Food & Beverage, 3200 Pecos St. 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Earth Day

Earth Day Celebration at the Children's Museum. Activities include tasting "dirt" pudding cups with worms and a composting lesson, making your own flower seed balls and more. Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, 2121 Childrens Museum Drive. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free with $11-13 museum admission.

Cole neighborhood cleanup. Trash bags and tools to pick up trash provided. Russell Square Park, 3600 Vine St. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

South Platte River cleanup. Help clean up along the river by raft, kayak, bicycle or foot. Registration and shuttles-11 a.m., on the water noon–3 p.m., after party 4-8 p.m. South Platte River Drive, just south of Florida Ave. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Register in advance.

Earth Day Fun Run. Run to Cheesman Park to cleanup. Bring a pair of old shoes to be recycled and save 10 percent on any purchase. Earth Day celebration in-store afterward. Boulder Running Company Cherry Creek, 2500 E. First Ave. 9-11 a.m.

Earth Day Final Celebration. Govinda's is closing, but not without one last Earth Day party. Govinda's Garden Café, 1400 Cherry St. 5:30 p.m.

Earth Day 5K RuNpus. Run from Call to Arms, around both Berkeley and Rocky Mountain lakes and have a pint of CTA core beer and a burrito. Proceeds benefit Denver Urban Gardens. Plus, exclusive tappings and other fun. Call to Arms Brewing Co., 4526 Tennyson St. Noon-9 p.m. $25.

Earth Day story time and activities. Second Star to the Right, 4353 Tennyson St. 10:30-11:30 a.m. 

Sloan's Lake cleanup. Bags provided. Sheridan Boulevard and West 17th Avenue. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Save the Bees. 8 a.m.-noon: make pallet boxes for soil and compost. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: fill the planter boxes with compost, soil and alpaca manure and hear from a soil expert about best practices for healthy soil. 1-4 p.m.: planting Bee friendly, Colorado approved flowers with DJ STAGENAME. ReCreative Denver, 765 Santa Fe Drive. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Party for the Planet. Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Food & drink

Chef & Shucker Class. A guided class on shucking oysters and clams, with 12-15 oysters or clams to shuck, a complimentary glass of wine or champagne paired with the oyster, a meat, fish, cheese and bread board, an oyster shucking knife and the Blue Island Oyster Bar “Oyster Bible.” Blue Island Oyster Bar, 2625 E. Second Ave. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $45.

Rocket Sled and Reheat bottle releases. Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales, 1290 S. Broadway, A51. Noon-3 p.m.

Comrade Brewing third anniversary party. Comrade Brewing Co., 7667 E. Iliff Ave., Suite F. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Entertainment

Best bet: “Disgraced.” A 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who spends his adulthood downplaying his upbringing, but finds misconceptions about his culture too much to bear after a high-profile court case and his wife’s Islam-inspired art show. Ricketson Theatre, 1400 Curtis St. 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $35.

"The Secret Garden." The classic story comes to the stage in the form of a musical. Stage Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 7:30 p.m. $35-75.

"Much Ado About Nothing." The Shakespeare comedy reimagined in the Roaring '20s. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. 7:30 p.m. $20-25.

Beats Antique. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 9 p.m. $27.50.

Pierce the Vail and Sum 41. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 6:30 p.m. $29.99-35.

G Herbo. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $23-28.

Mona. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $15-17.

Switch Ghost. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8-10.

Dylan Earl & the Reasons Why. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9:30 p.m. $10.

Potato Pirates. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 7:30 p.m. $5-18.

Rumpke Mountain Boys. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $12-15.

Dan the Automater and QBert. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $15-20.

Mile High Burlesque Festival. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $15-30.

Devin the Dude. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 7 p.m. $16-20.

Texas Skeeter Anniversary Extravaganza. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $15-18.

Flash Mountain Flood. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $5-10.

The Joy Subtraction. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9:30 p.m. $6.

Art

Teen Wake & Make: Tie-Dye & Donuts. Have some donuts and make tie-dye socks and bandanas. Youth on Record, 1301 W. 10th Ave. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Artist Talk: Marietta Patricia Leis. Leis will discuss her latest series and her experiences spending a month in Iceland during the darkest part of winter. Michael Warren Contemporary, 760 Santa Fe Drive. 10:30 a.m.-noon.

"Gods & Damsels" opening reception. Drawings and paintings present strong mythological women, humbled gods and a few dapper monsters, blending myths and hipsters.  Valkarie Gallery, 445 S. Saulsbury St. 5-8:30 p.m.

For families

Best bet: Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. Denver Center for the Performing Arts presents a 45 minute abridged version of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" in and around a pickup truck “set.” Bring a camp chair. Virginia Village Branch Library, 1500 S. Dahlia St. 2-3 p.m.

Bumblebee Jamboree: Rocky Mountain Aardvarks. Kids are invited to dress as a favorite pollinator (bees, butterflies, birds) and dance and sing along with the musical guest. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 10:30-11:30 a.m. $5-12.

Mr. Kneel: Hip Hop for Families. Declaration Brewing, 2030 S. Cherokee St. 2-4 p.m.

Spring with the Children's Chorale. Everything from childhood favorites to uplifting music performed by the Colorado Children's Chorale, plus the premiere of "Be Brave," a special commission by Kevin Padworski and a pre-concert talk about the new piece. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 1-4 p.m. $19-75.

For a cause

March for Science. Official statement from the organizers: “Science benefits and impacts every aspect of humanity including healthcare, technology and the environment. The public depends on peer-reviewed studies to help shape policy for the betterment of future generations. We welcome individuals from all walks of life to join those who embrace science, dedicate their professions to research and value the processes that inform evidence-based inquiry.” (Much more on this event through the link.) Civic Center Park. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

March for Science afterparties are happening at the Skylark, 140 S. Broadway, for $5 suggested donation, and the Aztlan Theatre, 974 Santa Fe Drive, for $8-10.

Hops For Homes: Craft Beer Festival. Twenty breweries represented. Benefits Habitat Metro Denver. 3403 Brighton Blvd. Noon-4 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. $35-45.

Sports

Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants, 6:10 p.m.

Sunday

Food & drink

The Study creative workshop series. Style succulents with the help of Hannah Howard and take your personalized terrarium home. Tickets include all supplies, one complimentary drink and small bites. Hotel Teatro, 1100 14th St. 2-4:30 p.m. $25-50.

Snowed In release and sixth anniversary party. Copper Kettle Brewing Co., 1338 S. Valentia St., Suite 100. Noon-4 p.m.

Sun Drenched Sundays with Hill and Sunday. Live music, beer and sunshine. Denver Brewing Co., 1695 Platte St. 2-5 p.m.

Entertainment

“Disgraced.” A 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a man who spends his adulthood downplaying his upbringing, but finds misconceptions about his culture too much to bear after a high-profile court case and his wife’s Islam-inspired art show. Ricketson Theatre, 1400 Curtis St. 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $35.

"The Secret Garden." The classic story comes to the stage in the form of a musical. Stage Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 1:30 p.m. $35-75.

Coheed and Cambria. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 8 p.m. $30.

Silversun Pickups. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $36.50-40.

Betty Who. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $20.

Coolzey. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $8-10.

Branches. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 7:30 p.m. $8-12.

The Obsessed. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 8 p.m. $20.

Afton Showcase featuring Nijah Chnai, King James III, Elias and more. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 6:30 p.m. $12-15.

The Highway Finds Tour: featuring Steve Moakler, Drew Baldridge and SmithField. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $15.

Dinner with Joe Johnson. Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St. 6-10 p.m. No cover.

Art

Foul-Mouthed Cross-Stitch Sundays. Get crafty and do some cross-stitching. All materials provided with purchase. Grandma’s House, 1710 S. Broadway. Noon-9 p.m.

For families

The Music Train featuring Yo Mama's and Papa's. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 3:30 p.m. $4-8.

Rumpus in the Park. Picnic event with food trucks, artisan craft vendors, music and more. City Park Pavilion, 1700 N. York St. Noon-7 p.m.

For your brain

East Colfax Wicked Wander. Walk the “Gateway to the Rockies" and visit the Anschutz Campus and Fitzsimons Army Hospital, downtown Aurora,
Tour Street Fraternity Youth Center for Young Men, Prohibition Bar and Grille and more. Pablo's Coffee, 1300 Pennsylvania St. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $35.

For your body

Cherry Creek Sneak. Run a 5-mile, 5K or 10-mile to raise money for the Food Bank of the Rockies. 3033 E. First Ave. 7 a.m. $35-50.

The Graffiti Run. Mile High Stadium, 1701 Bryant St. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $15-55.

Sports

Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants, 1:10 p.m.

Colorado Rapids at Minnesota United, 4 p.m.

Recent Stories