Denver, it's going to be a weird weekend. We've got Nerd Star Wars day and, somewhat terrifyingly, the Kentucky Derby is happening on Cinco De Mayo this year.
You don't need my help finding places to drink on Saturday, but I can help you find a variety of other things to do (some of which also include drinking, I admit).
Friday
Food & drink
First Friday Salumi, Cheese & Wine Tasting. Il Porcellino Salumi, 4324 W. 41st Ave. 6 p.m. $30.
Brut IPA draft release. Fiction Beer Co., 7101 E. Colfax Ave. 4 p.m.-close.
Polar Opposite IPA release. Platt Park Brewing Co., 1875 S. Pearl St. 1 p.m.-close.
Entertainment
Best bet: Chloe Tang EP release. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $10-12.
Best bet: Del The Funky Homosapien and Amp Live. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $18-22.
The Who’s “Tommy.” Stage Theatre, 1101 Speer Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $35-80.
“Native Gardens.” Dealing with neighbors can be thorny, especially for a young Latino couple who move into a well-established DC neighborhood. Space Theatre, Speer Blvd. and Arapahoe St. 7:30 p.m. $30-65.
Remembering “A Knight to Remember.” Return of the 2012 “haphazard quest disguised as play.” Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. 8 p.m. $15-20.
"For the Love of George." After an unfortunate misfire, Cupid’s less talented brother George is banished to earth to learn the joy, pain, messiness and inevitability of love. Conservatory Theatre, 216 S. Grant St. 7:30 p.m. $10.
Porlolo album release. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $10-12.
Jake Miller. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 7 p.m. $20-35.
Double Sun. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 10 p.m. $8-10.
Chain Station. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $12-15.
Island Vibes. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $28-200.
K.Flay. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 7:30 p.m. $22-89.
The Ephinjis. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.
Stranglewire. 3 Kings Tavern, 60 S. Broadway. 8 p.m. $5.
Jess Parsons album release. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $7.
Pete Lewis Quintet. Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. $15.
Devine Fridays featuring Dan Schwidt. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 9:30 p.m. Free.
Cosmic Synergy 3 Year Anniversary. The Black Box, 314 E. 13th Ave. 9 p.m. $20-30.
Open Music Sessions: El Javi with local comedians Rick Bryan, Adrian P. Mesa and Gabby Gutierrez-Reed, and community spotlight on Latin Life Denver. Free drinks and pizza from Sexy Pizza. Denver Open Media, 700 Kalamath St. 7-10 p.m. Free.
Shaky Hand String Band. Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St. 8 p.m. $10-15.
John Nemeth. Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. 8 p.m. $21.
I'm A Boy. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $6-8.
Passport to Bollywood. The Clocktower Cabaret, 1601 Arapahoe St. 8 p.m. $30-40.
Josh Wolf. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $27.
First Friday Film Series: "Small Walls." BYO food, drink and chair. Outside at Feral Mountain Co., 4320 Tennyson St. Free.
Midnight Madness: "Belladonna of Sadness." Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.50.
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.
"Animal Trap" opening. MCA Denver's Teen Failure Labpresents a performance piece exploring relational aesthetics through the removal of physical appearance. Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St.
For families
Best bet: First Friday Concert: Pink Hawks on the lawn at Smiley Branch Library, 6 p.m. Free.
Great Western Alpaca Show. National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sports
Colorado Rockies at New York Mets, 5:10 p.m.
Saturday
Food & drink
Cinco De Mayo Collaboration Pop-up. Four-course vegan meal includes posole, chiles en nogadas, emoladas (mole) and a dessert trio. Art Gym Denver, 1460 Leyden St. 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. $40-50.
3rd Annual Chili Pepper Beer Fest. Alpine Dog Brewing Co., 1505 Ogden St. 1 p.m.-midnight.
Lavender Tripel release. Intrepid Sojournor Beer Project, 925 W. Eighth Ave. 3-11 p.m.
Entertainment
Best bet: Los Mocochetes. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $10-15.
The Who’s “Tommy.” Stage Theatre, 1101 Speer Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $35-80.
“Native Gardens.” Dealing with neighbors can be thorny, especially for a young Latino couple who move into a well-established DC neighborhood. Space Theatre, Speer Blvd. and Arapahoe St. 7:30 p.m. $30-65.
Remembering “A Knight to Remember.” Return of the 2012 “haphazard quest disguised as play.” Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. 8 p.m. $15-20.
The Big Wonderful featuring Leftover Salmon. 4400 Fox St. Noon-6 p.m. Free-$50.
Steven Wilson. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 8:30 p.m. $36.50-40.
One Way Ride and Verses The Inevitable album release. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $10-15.
Wood & Wire. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9:30 p.m. $15-17.
Al Scorch. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $10.
The Unified Field. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom and Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 8:45 p.m. $20-25.
Itchy-O. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $25-40.
Hypnotic Vibes. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.
No Need to Argue (Cranberries tribute). 3 Kings Tavern, 60 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $10.
Opera On Tap. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 6 p.m. $8-10.
John Gunther Quartet. Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. $18.
Joey DeFrancesco Trio. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. $15-35.
Language 041 - Jamal. The Black Box, 314 E. 13th Ave. 9 p.m. $10-20.
Nuns of Brixton. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $22.50.
Trio Brasileiro. Swallow Hill Music, 71 E. Yale Ave. 8 p.m. $22.
Josh Wolf. Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $27.
Designated Drunkard: A Comedy Drinking Game. The audience and hosts take a drink each time a comic returns to a familiar tic or premise. Comedy RoomRoom, 2104 Larimer St. 7-10 p.m. $5.
Art
Penny admission for Colorado residents. Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St. 10 a.m.-close.
Michael Dowling "You Should Have Seen the Other Guy" and four-person show opening. Abend/K Contemporary, 1412 Wazee St. 6-9 p.m.
For families
Cinco De Mayo. Parade, live music, chihuahua races, low-rider show, taco eating contest and more. Civic Center Park. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free.
Cinco De Mayo: Ballet Folklórico México En La Piel, plus street food, wrestling and live music. Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th St. Noon-8 p.m.
Great Western Alpaca Show. National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Drawing & Doodling inspired by graphic novelist Elise Gravel. Children's Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
For your brain
Revenge of the Fifth: Origins of the Force. Former Denver Film Society programmer Ernie Quiroz will explore the films that influenced Star Wars. Park Hill Branch Library, 4705 Montview Blvd. 2:30-4 p.m.
For a cause
Furry Scurry 2018. A two-mile walk benefiting the pets and horses at the Dumb Friends League. Washington Park, 1000 S. Downing St. 9 a.m.-noon. $25-55.
Sports
Colorado Rockies vs. New York Mets, 5:10 p.m.
Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting KC, 6:30 p.m.
Colorado Mammoth vs. Calgary Roughnecks, 7 p.m.
Sunday
Food & drink
Sundae FunDay. Sundae bar from Whit's Frozen Custard at Call to Arms Brewing Co., 4526 Tennyson St. 1-3 p.m. $5.
Spring Five Course Beer Pairing Dinner. Briar Common Brewery + Eatery,
2298 Clay St. 4:30 p.m. $65.
Entertainment
The Who’s “Tommy.” Stage Theatre, 1101 Speer Blvd. 1:30 p.m. $35-80.
“Native Gardens.” Dealing with neighbors can be thorny, especially for a young Latino couple who move into a well-established DC neighborhood. Space Theatre, Speer Blvd. and Arapahoe St. 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $30-65.
Remembering “A Knight to Remember.” Return of the 2012 “haphazard quest disguised as play.” Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan St. 4:30 p.m. $15-20.
Stories on Stage: "Thrilling Tales." Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive. 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $15-28.
The Big Wonderful featuring Leftover Salmon. 4400 Fox St. Noon-6 p.m. Free-$50.
As The Crow Flies. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $39.95-45.
Half Waif and Hovvdy. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $13-15.
Afton Showcase featuring Project303, World Movement and more. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 6:30 p.m. $12-15.
The Lawrence Arms. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $20.
Dreamcast. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.
Joey DeFrancesco Trio. Dazzle Jazz, 1512 Curtis St. 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. $15-35.
Clutch Plague. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 8:30 p.m. $6.
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: Pirates of the Symphony Seas from the Colorado Symphony and Buntport Theater. Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. 1 p.m. $10-25.
Cinco De Mayo. Parade, live music, chihuahua races, low-rider show, taco eating contest and more. Civic Center Park. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free.
Great Western Alpaca Show. National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sports
Colorado Rockies vs. New York Mets, 11:10 a.m.
Didn't find what you're looking for? Here's a link to Meetups near Denver. Or you might try MileHighOnTheCheap.com's calendar.
