Things to do in Denver this weekend, May 4-7

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!
15 min. read
“Polygons on Triangles.” The opening of a show of Alexander Calder’s work at the Denver Botanic Gardens, April 28, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) denver botanic gardens; alexander calder; art; sculpture; kevinjbeaty; museum; denver; denverite; colorado;

"Polygons on Triangles." The opening of a show of Alexander Calder's work at the Denver Botanic Gardens, April 28, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The gorgeous weather is back, and there are more than a few ways to enjoy it (and the usual number of ways to be inside, too).

Thursday

Food & drink

Check out the new menu and decor at The Corner Office, 1401 Curtis St. 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. 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. 6:30 p.m. $35-75.

"The Luckiest People" (preview). A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere commissioned by Curious Theatre Company about a man whose difficult father moves in with him and his partner after the death of his mother. Curious Theater Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $18.

Den-Ex Film Festival. An Emerging Filmmakers Project celebration of experimental and art films. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. 6-10 p.m. 

Icon for Hire. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $15-17.

Chocolate Diamond. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $5-10.

“May The Fourth be With You” FASOR pop-up hosted by CRL CRRLL, DJ Etrane, + Surprise Guests. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $5.

Mystic Braves. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 8:30 p.m. $10-13.

Todd Sheaffer (of Railroad Earth). Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 8 p.m. $5.-15.

Real Friends. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 5:30 p.m. $20-24.

Frank Iero and the Patience. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $15-20.

Jesse Cook. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place. 7:30 p.m. $32.50-45.

Grant Farm and Ragged Union. Ophelia’s, 1215 20th St. 9 p.m. $15.

Bluegrass Thursday featuring Jonny Miller's Songs & Stores. Stem Ciders, 2811 Walnut St., Unit 150. 7-9:30 p.m.

Drag Against Humanity: Divas Latinas. Los Tacos, 600 E. Colfax Ave. 7-10 p.m.

Art

ArtWar. "Star Wars"-themed artwork from more than 25 local artists, plus dancing, themed drinks and more. Costumes optional. The Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis St. 6:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $30.

Exhibition Talk with "Wall Writers" curator Roger Gastman. Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 7-8:30 p.m. $5-50.

For your brain

Best bet: Stupid Questions, Stupid Talents: "What Is Sanctuary?" Warm Cookies of the Revolution presents a discussion about the sanctuary movement, plus a live wrestling match and cookies. McNichols Building, 44 W. Colfax Ave. 6-8 p.m. $5-10 suggested donation. Proceeds will go to the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition and help two women currently in sanctuary, Jeanette Vizguerra and Ingrid Encalada Latorre.

Meet the Author: Carolyn Finney. The author of "Black Faces, White Spaces" will talk about how art, science and pop culture create framework to nurture healthy relationships between humans and the environment. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.  7-8:30 p.m. $10.

"Star Wars" trivia and costume contest. Govnr's Park, 672 Logan St. 7-10 p.m. 

Sports

Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres, 1:40 p.m.

Friday

Cinco de Mayo

Just about every bar is offering drink specials to celebrate Cinco de Mayo many are calling it "Cinco de Drinko," which... don't do that. Here are a few places that are doing a little more.

Party at Uno Mas Taqueria. They'll have live music from Colin McAfee and a mariachi band, a pig roast, tequila tasting and giveaways. 730 E. Sixth Ave. 4-9 p.m.

Ninth annual Picnic of the Pig. A swine celebration with chefs from Project Angel Heart, Old Major, The Regional, The Post Chicken & Beer, Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar and Lola Coastal Mexican, with live music from the Grown-A$$ Man Band and Sixty Minute Men. Lola Coastal Mexican, 1575 Boulder St. 2-11 p.m.

Cinco De Mayo Firkin & Fundraiser. Guava Saison Firkin to Habitat Denver's The House That Beer Built. Proceeds will help fund the construction of a house. Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St. 5 p.m.-midnight.

Party at El Jefe. A pig roast, patio games, piñatas, drink specials and more. 2450 W. 44th Ave. Noon.

Food & drink

The Real Dill's five-year anniversary. Cocktails, beer, a pickle and beer station, a Bloody Mary bar, food from Quiero Arepas, Em's Ice Cream, The Ethiopian Food Truck and Rocky Mountain Slices and live music from The Raritans. The Real Dill, 33 S. Fox St. 5-10 p.m. $5-10.

Entertainment

Best bet: Colfax Speed Queen with Bud Bronson & The Good Timers and The Outfit. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8:30 p.m. $13.

Best bet: The Big WonderfulToday featuring a Cinco de Mayo happy hour, the night bazaar and live music from the Drew Emmitt Band and more. 4400 Fox St. 4-10 p.m.  

“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.

"The Luckiest People" (preview). A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere commissioned by Curious Theatre Company about a man whose difficult father moves in with him and his partner after the death of his mother. Curious Theater Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $18.

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

The 1975. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 7:30 p.m. $39.50.

Dragondeer. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $14-16.

Los Mocochetes. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $8-12.

Shady Elders. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8-10.

Silver & Smoke. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $10.

Guilty Pleasures dance party. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $5.

BARE. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 8:15 p.m. $15-20.

Brother Ali. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $20-25.

King Lil G. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 7 p.m. $23-25.

Reve Kalell. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $10-15.

The Still Tide EP release. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $10.

Dance Party with The Egyptian Lover at Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" performed by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 7:30 p.m. $34-94.

Feral First Friday Film Series: "Freedom Under Load." Outdoor screening of this film about the oldest generation of the porters in the High Tatras who climb with supplies to the mountain huts every day. Bring your own beer, chairs, blankets, food, etc. Dog- and kid-friendly. Feral Mountain Co., 4320 Tennyson St. 8-10 p.m. Free.

Midnight Madness: "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.

Art

Best bet: 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 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.

First Friday Poster Art Show featuring music from Andy Thomas, Jacob Beck, Nathan Cahoone and Ryan Turch, and posters by Lindsey Kuhn, Joe Triscari and John Vogl. Screen-printed gig posters will be sold for cash. Bowman's Vinyl and Lounge, 1312 S. Broadway. 8-11 p.m. Free.

Lowbrow Coloring Show. Lowbrow Denver, 38 Broadway. 7-10 p.m.

Go see work by Alexander Calder throughout the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sports

Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m.

Colorado Rapids vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 8 p.m.

Saturday

Cinco de Mayo

Best bet: Cinco de Mayo festival featuring a parade, three stages of live music, a taco eating contest, a carnival, food and drinks, a lowrider car show and more. Civic Center Park. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Food & drink

Fort Greene's birthday. Costume contests, giveaways, flamingos, coconuts and boozy popsicles. The Long I Pie Shop will be debuting its kitchen residency. Fort Greene, 321 E. 45th Ave. 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

Chili Pepper Beer Fest featuring Strawberry Habanero Honey Wheat Ale, Jalapeno & Anaheim Blonde Ale, Chocolate Chili Cherry Stout and Aji Amarillo (Peruvian chili pepper) IPA. Alpine Dog Brewing Co., 1505 Ogden St. 1-10 p.m. 

Derby Party with Curio. Big brass band, lawn games, champagne, beer, cocktails and more. Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer St. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $35.

Derby Crawfish Boil. Derby cocktails on special all day and crawfish in 2- or 5-pound servings. Stoney's Bar & Grill, 1111 Lincoln St. 2-5 p.m. $20-45.

Cocktail Barrel Party featuring the Big City Quad and Fancy Effing Stout, both aged in Manhattan cocktail barrels. River North Brewery, 6021 Washington St., Unit A. Noon-9 p.m.

Coffee cupping. Interactive tasting with Riff Roasters Coffee. Infinite Monkey Theorem, 3200 Larimer St. 3-5 p.m. RSVP.

Entertainment

Best bet: The Denver Mini Derby featuring a mini-horse charity race, a corgi race, Kentucky Derby viewing, unlimited Mint Juleps, barbecue and more. Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St. 1-6 p.m. $79-149.

Best bet: The Big WonderfulToday featuring a beer fest, Derby activities, the day and night bazaar and live music from Jeff Austin & Friends and more. 4400 Fox St. Noon-10 p.m.  

“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. 8 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.

"The Luckiest People" (opening night). A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere commissioned by Curious Theatre Company about a man whose difficult father moves in with him and his partner after the death of his mother. Curious Theater Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $50.

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

Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $10-15.

Acid Mothers Temple. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $12-15.

Pile. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $12-14.

Kawehi. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $15-18.

Beginners. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $10.

Lil Bibby. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 7:30 p.m. $25-100.

Spread The Word featuring Skydyed, Lucid Vision and more. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 8 p.m. $10-20.

Itchy-O "Star Wars"-themed show. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 9 p.m. $20.

Testament. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 6 p.m. $10.67-140.

Metalachi. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $15-19.

"The Last Train to Earth" EP release. The Black Box, 314 E. 14th Ave. 9 p.m. $7.

Midnight Madness: "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.

Art

Penny admission for Colorado residents. Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Pirate Contemporary Art moving party and fundraiser. Pirate Contemporary Art, 3655 Navajo St. 6-10 p.m. 

Teen Wake & Make: Sun Prints & Playlists. Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

Mono print demo with Tony Ortega. Art Gym, 1460 Leyden St. 2-4 p.m. Free.

For families

Sheep and Goat Fun Day. Meet the goats and sheep and their new babies, watch sheep shearing and wool spinning and weaving, and learn how fleece becomes a sweater. The Urban Farm at Stapleton, 10200 Smith Road. 10 a.m.-noon. $5 (free for members).

Children's Book Week: Little Critter story time featuring Mercer Mayer's "Little Critter," activities and snacks. Tattered Cover LoDo, 1628 16th St. 10:30-11:30 a.m. 

Children's Book Week story time highlighting staff favorite releases of the week. Second Star to the Right, 4353 Tennyson St. 10:30-11:30 a.m. 

For a cause

2017 Furry Scurry. Two-mile walk to benefit the Dumb Friends League, plus contests and demonstrations by RUFF Flyball Club and Colorado Disc Dogs. Washington Park, 1000 S. Downing St. 7:30 a.m. $25-55.

Sports

Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:10 p.m.

Sunday

Cinco de Mayo

Best bet: Cinco de Mayo festival featuring three stages of live music, chihuahua races, a quinceañera fashion show, a carnival, food and drinks, a lowrider car show and more. Civic Center Park. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Food & drink

Design your own growler. Tickets include tools and materials to etch one 64-ounce growler, a three-beer tasting flight and a brewery tour. Wit's End Brewing Co., 2505 W. Second Ave., #13. 2-5 p.m. $25.

Entertainment

Best bet: The Big WonderfulToday featuring the day and live music from Rob Drabkin and more. 4400 Fox St. Noon-10 p.m.  

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 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. and 6:30 p.m. $35-75.

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

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

The Bombpops. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 7 p.m. $12-15.

Afton Showcase featuring SkyLink, Allan's Alley and more. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 6:30 p.m. $12-15.

Burlypicks: Colorado Regional Competition. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $15.

Sorority Noise. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $14-17.

Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" performed by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 1 p.m. $34-94.

Punch Drunk Poetry featuring Casandra Faith and an open mic. Mutiny Information Café, 2 S. Broadway. 7:30-10 p.m. Free.

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.

Go see work by Alexander Calder throughout the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

For families

School of Rock presents: The White Stripes vs. The Black Keys and a tribute to Green Day. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. Noon-1:30 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. $12.

For your brain

"Vikings: Beyond the Legend." The Sons of Norway lodges present storytellers in Viking dress, Hardanger and fabric displays, bunads, genealogy booths, Viking coloring books, runes readers and waffles and lefse made on site. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

For a cause

Girls Rock Denver and The Bombpops. A Ratio Sessions session with the Bombpops and $1 of every beer sold will benefit Girls Rock Denver. Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St. 2-5 p.m.

Sports

Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m.

Recent Stories