Hello, Friday people. We're trying something new that will affect you. It will also affect Saturday and Sunday people.
We are bulking up our weekend things to do list, with vignettes. That's French for little nuggets of information.
Purveyors of culture like the Indie 102.3 crew, CPR News arts and culture reporter Stephanie Wolf, Denverite's resident jazz connoisseur Donna Bryson and... Esteban... have generously given you their weekend picks in addition to our usual list.
Take it from them, or don't, and go do stuff.
- David Sachs
Friday
Just for fun
Santa's Flight Academy at Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 3000 E. 1st Ave. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.
Nerd Out Night: A Star Wars Holiday Special. Pop Culture Classroom, 2760 W. 5th Ave. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Free.
Larimer Square Holiday Market. Larimer Square, 1430 Larimer St. 12 p.m. Free admisson.
Science, history and nature
Best of Denver: Holiday Lights Tour. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave Pkwy. 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. $22.
Art, culture and media
? Listen to Eddy Current Suppression Ring and detox from the sickly sweet sounds of the season.
With nearly a decade since the release of their last record, the Australian garage punk outfit Eddy Current Suppression Ring seemed like they'd continue to lay dormant indefinitely but by some Christmas miracle -- they're back. The new album "All in Good Time" drops Friday, Dec. 13 and features the same slacker rock sound we loved them for back in the aughts.
- Jessi Whitten, Indie 102.3 music director
Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave Pkwy. 11 a.m. Price varies.
An Irish Christmas In America. The Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st Ave. 7:30 p.m. $30.
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Pl. 7 p.m. $29 and up.
Comedy and theater
A Colorado Christmas. Boettcher Concert Hall at Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1000 14th St. 7:30 p.m. $15 and up.
Kermet Apio.Comedy Works, 1226 15th St. 8 p.m. $18 and up.
Hit and Run: Musical Improv. Voodoo Comedy Bar, 1260 22nd St. 8 p.m. $13.
Eats and drinks
Taste & Talk. Blanchard Family Wines, 1855 Blake St #120. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. $40.
Food + Beer Tour of RiNo. The Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer St. 2 p.m.-5 p.m. $83.
Music and nightlife
? See Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.
Hometown heroes Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats play their final shows of the year this weekend at Mission Ballroom. They conclude a busy 2019 on the road Friday and Saturday nights with their famed "5th Annual 10th Annual Holiday Show." What this means is that a "pre-Night Sweats" Rateliff would play an annual holiday show for five years prior to forming his current band. Miss out on tickets or can't make it out of the house? As long as you have an internet connection, the band is hosting a free livestream of the concert Saturday night. Cherry on top of all this, soul legend Mavis Staples will open. Keeping my fingers crossed they will duet on a song.
- Alisha Sweeney, Indie 102.3 host and Colorado music coordinator
Snoop Dog - I Wanna Thank Me Tour. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 7 p.m. $59.75 and up.
Emo Nite LA. Summit, 1902 Blake St. 9 p.m. $10-20.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. The Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St. 7 p.m. $46.50 and up.
Nova Fest 7. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 7 p.m. $10.
Batushka. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 8 p.m. $25 and up.
Billy Strings. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $26.50 and up.
Mark Chesnutt. 5450 N. Valley Hwy. 8:30 p.m. $18.
Kai Wachi. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $18-25.
Slushii. Temple Nightclub Denver, 1136 Broadway. 9 p.m. Free admission before 11 p.m.
Sports
? Watch the best college hockey game in Colorado.
Here's the thing: I don't really watch that much hockey. But I went to a great Avs game against the Blackhawks two weekends ago and I'm sold. Plus I'm a big fan of sports rivalries of any kind. And when it comes to local hockey rivalries, there's probably none bigger than the University of Denver and Colorado College. Like all great college rivalries, this one has a silly name (Battle for the Gold Pan) and a rich history (it's been played for 69 years). The two powerhouses will face off Friday at 7 p.m. in Magness Arena in Denver. Tickets start at $30.
- Esteban Hernandez, Denverite reporter
New Jersey Devils at Colorado Avalanche. Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Cir. 7 p.m. $20 and up.
Saturday
Festivals, markets and fairs
?️ Check out High End Friends, a winter market for you and yours.
It's a one-night winter market and dance party that features gifts made by local bands. Hosted by galleries Leon and Blade & Knoll from 4-9 p.m. at 1112 E. 17th Ave.
- Stephanie Wolf, CPR News arts and culture reporter
Winter Fest. Cherry Creek North, 2401 E. 2nd Ave. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.
Denver Beer Festivus. Major Studios, 3881 Steele St. 3 p.m.-6 p.m. $45-60.
Jackalope Denver Winter Fair. Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.
Just for fun
Naughty Elf Pub Crawl. Hard Rock Cafe, 500 16th St Mall. 3 p.m.-9 p.m. $20-80.
Breakfast with Santa at Denver Union Station. Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. 8 a.m.-11 a.m. $45-80.
Art, culture and media
Sinatra Night 2019. The Corner House, 1515 Madison St. 8 p.m. $10.
Carnivale De Sensuale: Krampus! Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 7 p.m. $15 and up.
The African Fashion Show Denver 2019. Hyatt Place Denver Cherry Creek, 4150 E. Mississippi Ave. 4 p.m.-7 p.m. $35.
Comedy and theater
Relationsh*t. Grafenberg Sketch Comedy And Improv Theater, 70 S. Broadway. 8 p.m. $10.
Mannheim Steamroller. Buell Theatre at Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1350 Curtis St. 8 p.m. $44 and up.
Colorado Ballet - The Nutcracker. Ellie Caulkins Opera House at Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1385 Curtis St. 1 p.m. $100 and up.
Denver Brass' 24th Annual Holiday BrassFest. The Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 12 p.m. Free.
Eats and drinks
RiNo Cannabis Sip & Paint in Denver. Urban Sanctuary, 2745 Welton St. 7 p.m. $50.
Brunch with Father Christmas. Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. $25.
Denver Beer Co.'s Toy Drive & Ugly Sweater Party. Denver Beer Co., 1695 Platte St. 11 a.m.-11:45 p.m. Menu prices vary.
Music and nightlife
KS Classic Christmas. Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 7 p.m. $10.75-50.
Breathe Carolina. Temple Nightclub Denver, 1136 Broadway. 9 p.m. $15.
DJ Tribute Panic @ The Disco and My Chemical Romance. The Monkey Barrel, 4401 Tejon St. 7 p.m. $10-15.
Space Bacon. Your Mom's House, 608 E. 13th Ave. 8 p.m. $10-16.
Lee Fields & The Expressions. Globe Hall Live Music and BBQ, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $25.75-50.
Random Rab. Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St. 9 p.m. $20-35.
Khemmis. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E .Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $20 and up.
Eric Bellinger. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $20.
Sports
Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder. Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Cir. 7 p.m. $20 and up.
Sunday
Festivals, markets and fairs
Improper City FREE Holiday Market. Improper City, 3201 Walnut St. 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Free.
Phish Chicks Holiday Market. Diebolt Brewing Company, 3855 Mariposa St. 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Free.
Fetch Holiday Markets 2019. Denver Sports Castle, 1000 Broadway. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $5.
Just for fun
Santa at the Station. Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $50.
Christmas Sweater 5K. Washington Park, 701 S. Franklin St. 9 a.m.-11 a.m. $30.
Art, culture and media
? Buy some art for someone else.
Local artists will be hawking their own drawings, paintings, pottery, jewelry and, of course, more at RedLine on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. RedLine Contemporary Art Center, 2350 Arapahoe St. in Denver.
- Donna Bryson, Denverite
Jig Street Irish Dancing in Denver. Denver South High School, 1700 E. Louisiana Ave. 4 p.m. $17 and up.
Comedy and theater
John Morgan. Denver Improv, 8246 Northfield Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $17 and up.
Parody Free Art Show. Incredible Art Gallery, 1020 15th St. 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Free.
Alone for the Holidays in Denver.Denver's Dangerous Theatre, 2620 W. 2nd Ave. 7:30 p.m. $15.
Eats and drinks
Breakfast with Santa. Hard Rock Cafe, 500 16th St. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. $13.08-21.35.
Holiday Tea at the Mansion in Denver. The Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens, 2555 W. 37th Ave. 3 p.m. $45.
Team Harshman: Photos with Santa. Bacon Social House, 2434 W. 44th Ave. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Free.
Music and nightlife
? See Angel Olsen at the Gothic.
I don't remember how I first heard of Olsen, other than it was a very sad song that came up on Spotify. Then I heard her perform on Tiny Desk (on Youtube, not in person) and I was basically hooked. She released a new album this year titled "All Mirrors" that I haven't had a chance to listen to in full. But trust me when I say she's the kind of unpretentious, talented artist you're going to want to see at a relatively small, local venue before she blows up and starts playing Red Rocks. The singer will perform on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Gothic Theatre (her Saturday show is sold out). Tickets start at $35.
- Esteban Hernandez, Denverite reporter
Lonestar. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Pl. 8 p.m. $39.50-$69.50.
Plaid. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $22.
Moon Tooth. Summit, 1902 Blake St. 7 p.m. $12.
Unearth and Darkest Hour in Denver. The Roxy, 2549 Welton St. 6:30 p.m. $20.
Sports
New York Knicks at Denver Nuggets. Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Cir. 6 p.m. $16 and up.
