Happy New Year and welcome back to the real world, Denver. Holiday lazing has come to an end, and we need to find ways to occupy our time that aren't just "eat cookies and listen to Uncle Frank's jokes." As always, we're here to help.
Thursday
Entertainment
"The King and I." This classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical set in 1860s Bangkok tells the story of the relationship between the King of Siam and British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens. 7:30 p.m. $30-125.
“First Date.” As Casey and Aaron’s blind date plays out in real time, “restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. $35.
Son and Cynic. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $8-10.
Hot Trash. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8-12.
Thunder and Rain. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 8 p.m. $5-15.
The Defectives. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.
Open to the Hound. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 8:30 p.m. $6.
Poet's Row. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 8 p.m.
Rico Jones. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 6 p.m. $10-20.
Harry Tuft and Chris Daniels. Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. 7 p.m. $10.
Beth Stelling. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 8 p.m. $17.
Highlands Comedy Show: Elliot Woolsey and friends. Sushi Hai, 3600 W. 32nd Ave. 7:30 p.m. $10.
"Will & Grace" watch party. Denver Wrangler, 3090 Downing St. 7:30-10 p.m.
For families
Best bet: National Western Stock Show Parade. Down 17th Avenue from Union Station to Broadway. Noon. Free.
Drag Queen Storytime with Shirley Delta Blow. BookBar, 4280 Tennyson St. Drink specials and kids' meals start at 4 p.m. Stories and cookies for kids start at 4:30 p.m.
For your brain
Faith in Science workshop. Learn about the climate emergency in Colorado and where elected officials stand, and take an opportunity to tell them your thoughts. Eloise May Library, 1471 S Parker Road. 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Sports
Colorado Avalanche vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.
Friday
Food & drink
Best bet: Black Sheep Friday Teen Edition: Easy Bake Oven Off. Prizes for the most insane, delicious and ridiculous treats. Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 6:30-9 p.m. Free-$5. Teens only, obviously.
Serenata Notturna Blueberry & Biere de Garde release. Crooked Stave, 3350 Brighton Blvd. 5-10 p.m.
Entertainment
Best bet: Larimer Lounge 15th Anniversary with Bud Bronson & The Good Timers, Panther Martin and Chocolate Diamonds. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. Free.
Best bet: Lucha Libre & Laughs. "Yoga Monster" Mike Sydal vs. "Bad Boy" Joey Janela. Allie Gato vs Leva Bates. Comics: Ben Kronberg and Jose Macall. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $10-40.
"The King and I." This classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical set in 1860s Bangkok tells the story of the relationship between the King of Siam and British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens. 7:30 p.m. $30-125.
“First Date.” As Casey and Aaron’s blind date plays out in real time, “restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. $35.
Lez Zeppelin. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $25-29.
US Tygers. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8-10.
National Country & Western Stockshow Showcase. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $10-20.
Bluegrass Generals. Cervantes Masterpiece and Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $20-25.
Mod Sun. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 7 p.m. $18-30.
Sharon & The Wind. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10.
Big Dopes. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 8:30 p.m. $7.
Steel Horse Swing Band. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 6:30 p.m. $15.
Escort with Wes Watkins & Friends. Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St. 9 p.m. $14-42.
Scarlet Canary. Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St. 8 p.m. $10-15.
Blue Mesa. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $6.
Annie Booth Trio: The Beatles Uncovered. Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 7 p.m. $15.
Beth Stelling. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $25.
Mile High Movie Roast: "Star Trek III." Live comedy and commentary over the movie. Alamo Drafthouse, 4255 W. Colfax Ave. 7:30 p.m. $12.50.
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.
Ai Weiwei “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads” tour. McNichols Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave. 1-2 p.m. Free.
For families
Best bet: Colorado Symphony presents "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban." Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 7:30 p.m. $34-94.
Open studio: clay sculpting. Children's Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 2-4 p.m.
Sports
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Entertainment
Best bet: iZCALLi and Rubedo double CD release. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $13-15.
Best bet: SPELLS 7" release. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9:30 p.m. $8-10.
"The King and I." This classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical set in 1860s Bangkok tells the story of the relationship between the King of Siam and British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $30-125.
“First Date.” As Casey and Aaron’s blind date plays out in real time, “restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $35.
Tennis. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $22-25.
Guerilla Fanfare. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $8-12.
Bear Antler. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8-12.
National Country & Western Stockshow Showcase. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $10-16.
Bluegrass Generals. Cervantes Masterpiece and Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $20-25.
Punk Against Trump featuring Anti-Flag. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 3 p.m. $20-22.
Holocene Hills. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.
Tom Gershwin Sextet. Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 7 p.m. $15.
Art Lande Quartet. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 6:30 p.m. $10-20.
Float Like A Buffalo. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 9 p.m. $5.
The Whiffenpoofs. Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. 7:30 p.m. $17-36.
Sons of the Pioneers. Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. 8 p.m. $33.
50 First Jokes. 50 of Denver's best comedians tell their first joke of the new year. Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. 8-10 p.m.
Beth Stelling. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $25.
First Saturday Poetry Series with Jodie Hollander and Emily Pérez. BookBar, 4280 Tennyson St. 4:30 p.m.
Art
Best bet: Penny admission for Colorado residents at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
"Fauna" opening reception. A survey of the depiction of animals and wildlife in representational painting. Abend Gallery, 1412 Wazee St. 6-9 p.m.
For families
Best bet: Colorado Symphony presents "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban." Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 7:30 p.m. $34-94.
Best bet: National Western Stock Show. Events kick off today with The World Rodeo. National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Self-love storytime. Second Star to the Right, 4353 Tennyson St. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sports
Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings, 8 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Food & drink
Brunch with La Pompe Jazz. Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Entertainment
"The King and I." This classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical set in 1860s Bangkok tells the story of the relationship between the King of Siam and British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $30-125.
“First Date.” As Casey and Aaron’s blind date plays out in real time, “restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $35.
Lana Del Rey. Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle. 8 p.m. $39.50-125.
Here Come the Mummies. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $20-25.
Rarebyrds. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $8-10.
Endless, Nameless. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $8-10.
Major Glen. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 8 p.m. $8-10.
Space Madness. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 8:30 p.m. $6.
AJ Fullerton. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $10-15.
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-10 p.m. Cross-stitching class available for $10 from 1-4 p.m.
For families
Best bet: Colorado Symphony presents "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban." Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 1 p.m. $34-94.
Best bet: National Western Stock Show. National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center Public Art Tour. Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St. 2-3:30 p.m. Free.
Didn't find what you're looking for? Here's a link to Meetups near Denver. Or you might try MileHighOnTheCheap.com's calendar.
