By Clara Geoghegan
Happy weekend, Denver. It's finally starting to feel like spring. But not that Colorado version of spring, where there is a chance of snow at any point and even though it's sunny out you're still wearing a jacket. No. This is a proper, predictable, beautiful spring, and a perfect reason to enjoy yourself this weekend (all while social distancing, of course).
Check out the first ever virtual edition of the Five Points Jazz Festival on Saturday. Celebrate the history of Five Points and bring the energy of the festival to your home with some of Denver's best jazz musicians.
Or, take some pride in the Mile High City as Denver comedians square up against West Coast comics in the Coast to Coast Roast. With sports suspended for a while, get your competitive fix and hear some sick-gnarly burns.
Just for fun
Storytimes. Denver Public Library, watch with YouTube. Friday, 9-11 a.m. Free.
Virtual Lasers and Feelings for teens. Denver Public Library, join virtually. Friday, 4:30-6 p.m. Free, registration required.
Virtual Happy Hour Reading: Story Fest Preview. Lighthouse Writers Workshop, join with Zoom. Friday, 5-6 p.m. Free to join, BYO drink.
Seedling Sale & Foodbank Fundraiser. Sunnyside Urban Farm, order online, pick up at 4457 Beach Ct. Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. $5 and upwards.
No Strings Attached Book Chat. Denver Public Library, join with Google Hangouts. Saturday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
Horseshoe Market "Virtual Market". Horseshoe Market, shop online. Anytime. All purchases support local artisans.
LitLine. Denver Public Library, stream by calling 720-865-2003. Anytime. Free.
Molly Brown House Virtual Tour. Historic Denver, watch with Youtube. Anytime. Free.
Gardens Navigator. Denver Botanic Gardens. Anytime. Free.
Online Exhibits. History Colorado. Anytime. Free.
Virtual Zoo Trip. Denver Zoo. Anytime. Free.
Learn something, make something
Science Live: Endangered Species Day. Denver Museum of Nature and Science, join with Facebook Live. Friday, noon. Free.
Write On with Jana Clark: Flash Fiction. Denver Public Library, join virtually. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Free, registration required.
Saturday Matinee: Walter Chaw Talks Lured, 1947. Denver Public Library, join virtually. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free, registration required.
Stream of consciousness with ill-ēsha. The Black Box Sunday School Sessions, join with TwitchTV. Sunday, noon. Free.
Drop in Joke Writing Lab. Voodoo Comedy, join with Zoom. Sunday, noon. $10 suggested donation.
Stay the F*ck Home! Film Festival. Denver Film, make your film at home and submit online. Submit by May 22. Free to submit, donations appreciated.
Viral Influence: Art in the Time of Coronavirus Call for Entry. The Arvada Center. Submit by May 15th. Free. Make at home, submit online.
The Maker Challenge. Denver Public Library. Submit by August 8th. Free. Make at home, submit online.
Music and nightlife
Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival: Vol. 9 - Pres. by ARISE. Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival, stream with Facebook Live and Instagram. Friday, 10 a.m.-10:15 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Paradigm Party 3: Tres Aces: Thrice as Nice! Pair O' Dimes Festival Fashion Boutique, join with TwitchTV. Friday, 3 p.m. Free.
UMS Presents: Boot Gun Album Release (Live). Underground Music Showcase and Boot Gun, stream with Facebook Live. Friday, 4:55-6:30 p.m. Free.
Happy Half Hour: Jeff Hooton in Concert. Denver Public Library, join virtually. Friday, 5-5:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
Boot Gun. UMS Presents: Streams with Grit, stream with Facebook Live. Friday, 5 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Locals in The Lounge (Twitch Edition). The Black Box, stream with TwitchTV. Friday, 6 p.m.-midnight. Free, donations appreciated.
Free Virtual DJ Party Supporting Denver Kids. Rocky Mountain Alliance Children's Foundation, stream with Facebook Live and Instagram. Friday, 7:30-9 p.m. Free, donate what you can.
Lipgloss: A Virtual Indie Dance Party. Lipgloss, join with TwitchTV. Friday, 8 p.m.-midnight. Free, tips appreciated.
The Beeves Video Premiere! The Bluebird Theater, stream with Facebook Live and Instagram. Friday, 8 p.m. Free.
Cyberpunk Futurepop Electro // future.focus. DJ niq V, stream with TwitchTV. Friday, 8-11 p.m. Free.
Meanteam Crew. UMS Presents: Streams with Grit, stream with Facebook Live. Saturday, 5 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Five Points Jazz Virtual Festival. Denver Arts & Venues, watch with Rocky Mountain PBS, listen with KUVO Jazz 89.3 FM, stream at kuvo.org and get on-demand videos. Saturday, 6-8 p.m. or see on-demand videos anytime. Free.
ALIVE at Knew Conscious w/ Eminence Ensemble. Knew Conscious, stream with Facebook Live and Instagram. Saturday, 7-11 p.m. Free.
Motown Groove live-stream party. Motown Groove, join with TwitchTV. Saturday, 7-9 p.m. Free.
From the Vault: Itchy-O's Free Archived HD Concert Series Brumalia. Itchy-O, stream virtually. Saturday, 8 p.m. Free.
Kaitlyn Williams. UMS Presents: Streams with Grit, stream with Facebook Live. Sunday, 5 p.m. Free, tips appreciated.
Dazzle Online Stage Performances. Dazzle @ Baur's, stream virtually. Anytime. Free.
Volume: A Local Music Project. Denver Public Library. Anytime. Free.
Art, culture and media
WeAreDenver. Watch virtually. Livestream release Friday at noon, watch past livestreams anytime. Free, tips appreciated.
Adult Ballet Festival. Brioche Ballet, join with Zoom. Friday, 4-6:30 p.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Free-pay what you can.
May Virtual Third Friday. Art District on Santa Fe, join with Facebook. Friday, 6-8 p.m. Free.
The Kitchen reading. Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, watch virtually. Friday, 6:30 p.m. Free, donations appreciated.
The Christians, staged reading. DU Department of Theatre, watch with Zoom. Friday, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free, RSVP required.
Coast to Coast Roast -- Portland vs. Denver. Helium Presents, watch with Zoom. Friday, 8:30 p.m. $9.
Coast to Coast Roast -- San Francisco vs. Denver. Helium Presents, watch with Zoom. Saturday, 8 p.m. $9.
Saving Places. HistoriCorps, stream at home. Anytime. $3 rental.
At The Movies. Denver Film, stream new releases at home. Anytime. $12 rental.
Kanopy. Denver Public Library. Anytime. Free with a library card.
Audio Books. Denver Public Library. Anytime. Free with a library card.
360 Degree Tour. Kirkland Museum. Anytime. Free.
Eats and drinks
Simply Beyond Burgers. The Seasoned Chef, join with Zoom. Friday, noon- 1 p.m. $25, BYO ingredients.
Croft Family Farm Box Pick Up at Cerebral! Cerebral Brewing, 1477 Monroe St. Friday, 6-7 p.m. $25.
Quarantine Cocktails - Space and Time! The Seasoned Chef, join with Zoom. Friday, 7-8 p.m. $25, BYO ingredients.
Sushi rolling date night from your home! Livestream via Zoom. Colorado Sake Co., join with Zoom. Friday, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m., Saturday, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 6:30 p.m. $54-80, includes sushi ingredients, sake and delivery.
A Pasta Maker's Trip Through Italy: Filled Pasta. The Seasoned Chef, join with Zoom. Saturday, 2-3 p.m. $25, BYO ingredients.
Candy for Grown Ups! The Seasoned Chef, join with Zoom. Saturday, 4-5:30 p.m. $25, BYO ingredients.
Exercise and sports
Cyber Dance 2020 Free Live Session. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, join with Instagram. Friday, 10 a.m. Free.
Cardio Kickboxing. Denver Parks and Recreation, join with Zoom. Friday, noon-12:45 p.m. Free, registration required.
Barre Express. Denver Parks and Recreation, join with Zoom. Friday, 1-1:45 p.m. Free, registration required.
Zumba. Denver Parks and Recreation, join with Zoom. Saturday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free, registration required.
Total Body and Abs. Denver Parks and Recreation, join with Zoom. Sunday, noon-12:45 p.m. Free, registration required.
Vinyasa Yoga. Denver Parks and Recreation, join with Zoom. Sunday, 1-2 p.m. Free, registration required.
Volunteer and donate
History Colorado and the Colorado Media Project have teamed up to collect first hand accounts of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Coloradans. Documented experiences will be used to give context for understanding what the pandemic meant to Colorado. You can share your story by leaving a voicemail, completing an online survey or filling out a journal.
Operation Family Meal supports laid-off service industry workers affected by COVID-19 restaurant closures. Monetary donations support free meals and therapy sessions, donations of supplies and food are also appreciated.
Denver Metro Emergency Food Network
The Denver Metro Emergency Food Network has pledged to cook and deliver meals to low income families and the elderly in need. Your support means additional meals for those whose food security has been threatened by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Help Colorado Now supports those who are at high risk for COVID-19 across the state. In addition to support through donations of money and supplies, they seek volunteers for a variety of roles, some of which can be done remotely through the internet.
The Denver Foundation Critical Needs Fund
The Critical Needs Fund grants COVID-19 emergency money to high-impact Denver nonprofits. They partner with organizations focused on homelessness, home insecurity, healthcare, food insecurity and basic family needs.
