By Clara Geoghegan
I didn't realize until someone told me earlier this week that the summer solstice came and went last Saturday. And although we still have sunlight until 8 p.m., I am now clinging to every precious moment of Colorado summer before the cold, snow-scraping, non-sandal weather creeps back. With performances in the (car) park, farmers markets and festivals, this weekend is shaping up to be a proper summer weekend. Let's make the most of it, Denver.
On Saturday, stay in your car and kick back to the Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra's Brass in the Park(ing Lot), playing classical, jazz and Americana. Or, on Sunday night, park yourself at Denver's Dangerous Theater and catch a comedy set by Derrick Stroup from the comfort of your own car.
For those looking to take advantage of all those days of sunshine this weekend, join the Virtual Big Gay 5k supporting One Colorado. The actual running part has to be done IRL, but can be done wherever and whenever you want. Or, if running sounds awful, go to the re-opened Denver Botanic Gardens and make a fairy garden to get your fill of sun.
Friday
Just for fun
Family Make and Take: Build a Fairy Garden. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. $12-15 per person. Advanced registration and masks are required.
Virtual Lasers and Feelings for Teens. Denver Public Library, join virtually. 4:30-6 p.m. Free, registration required.
Interactive Magic Show. Denver Fringe Festival, join virtually. 7 p.m. $10.
Art, culture and media
Lavender Mist: An Artistic Look at Denver's LGBT History. McNichols Building, join with Facebook Live. Noon. Free.
Virtual Final Friday Art Night. Dairy Block, join with Facebook Live. 5-10 p.m. Free.
Denver Fringe Fest. Livestreams and video recordings available virtually. Anytime.
The Art of Being Alone: Artists in Quarantine. Museo de las Americas. Anytime. Free.
Comedy and theater
Exploration of the Everchanging. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 5 p.m. $10.
Definition of Man. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 6 p.m. $10.
Blood Bank. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 6 p.m. $10.
From South Central with Love. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 6:30 p.m. $10.
#txtshow (on the internet). Denver Fringe Festival, join virtually. 7 p.m. $10.
Drunk History of Revolutions. Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St. 8-9:30 p.m. $15-50. Space is limited and face masks are required.
The Basement. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 8 p.m. $10.
Virtual Punk Rock Drag Show. Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St. and watch on Facebook Live and TwitchTV. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free.
6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color (AOC) Summit Festival Pass. Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, watch virtually. Anytime. Free.
Eats and drinks
Sloan's Lake Farm & Flea. Tap & Burger Sloan's Lake, 1565 N. Raleigh St. Friday, 3-8 p.m. No cover.
Music and nightlife
Swallow Hill Live: Jacy James Anderson. Swallow Hill Music, stream with Facebook Live. 6 p.m. Free.
The Tom Amend Trio Honors John Coltrane. Dazzle, 1330 27th St. 6:30-7:45 p.m. and 9-10:15 p.m. $19. Reservations required.
Sandra's Friday Night Live @ Dazzle Presents: Hazel Miller & The Collective. Dazzle @ Baur's, 1512 Curtis St. 7-8:30 p.m. $22. Seating is limited.
Necromantic online radio broadcast! Denver Underground Radio, listen virtually. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free.
Exercise and sports
Virtual Big Gay 5k Colorado. One Colorado, register online and run (or walk) on your own. Anytime. $30.
Saturday
Just for fun
Family Make and Take: Build a Fairy Garden. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. $12-15 per person. Advanced registration and masks are required.
InSights & InPerson: Extra Extra! Newspaper Research. History Colorado, join with Zoom. 10-11 a.m. Free, registration required.
Interactive Magic Show. Denver Fringe Festival, join virtually. 7 p.m. $10.
Art, culture and media
Saturday Matinee: Walter Chaw Talks Hana-bi, 1997. Denver Public Library, join virtually. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free, registration required.
6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color (AOC) Summit Festival Pass. Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, watch virtually. Anytime. Free.
The Art of Being Alone: Artists in Quarantine. Museo de las Americas. Anytime. Free.
Comedy and theater
Definition of Man. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 6 p.m. $10.
Exploration of the Everchanging. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 6 p.m. $10.
Laugh RiNo Comedy Show. Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse, 3636 Chestnut Pl. 8-9 p.m. $15. Face masks required.
#txtshow (on the internet). Denver Fringe Festival, join virtually. 8 p.m. $10.
From South Central with Love. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 8:30 p.m. $10.
Blood Bank. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 9 p.m. $10.
6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color (AOC) Summit Festival Pass. Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, watch virtually. Anytime. Free.
Eats and drinks
University Hills Plaza Farmers Market. 2500 S. Colorado Blvd. Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. No cover.
Rainbow Alley Brunch. Tracks, 3500 Walnut St. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover, reservations required.
Music and nightlife
Brass in the Park(ing Lot) with the Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra. Calvary Baptist Church, 6500 E. Girard Ave. 5-6 p.m. Free, donations appreciated. RSVP here.
Swallow Hill Live: Dan Navarro. Swallow Hill Music, stream with Facebook Live. 6 p.m. Free.
Derek Banach Quintet "Original Straight Ahead Works." Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 6:30-7:45 p.m. and 8:30-9 p.m. $10. Reservations required.
Motown Groove Steam. Motown Groove, join with TwitchTV. 7 p.m. Free.
Johnny & The Mongrels Live Stream. Silo Sound Recording Studio, stream virtually. 7-8 p.m. Free.
Denver Virtual Pride Concert: The Singing OUT Tour. Swallow Hill Music, stream virtually. 8:30 p.m. $15.
Exercise and sports
Virtual Big Gay 5k Colorado. One Colorado, register online and run (or walk) on your own. Anytime. $30.
Sunday
Just for fun
Family Make and Take: Build a Fairy Garden. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. $12-15 per person. Advanced registration and masks are required.
Forbidden Bingo Sunday Brunch Online Party. Wild Corgi Pub, join virtually. Noon-2 p.m. $21.
Art, culture and media
Virtual Family Tour: Color Party. Clyfford Still Museum, join with Zoom or YouTube. 1-1:45 p.m. Free, registration required.
Denver Fringe Fest. Livestreams and video recordings available virtually. Anytime.
6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color (AOC) Summit Festival Pass. Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, watch virtually. Anytime. Free.
The Art of Being Alone: Artists in Quarantine. Museo de las Americas. Anytime. Free.
Comedy and theater
Definition of Man. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 6 p.m. $10.
Blood Bank. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 6 p.m. $10.
#txtshow (on the internet). Denver Fringe Festival, join virtually. 6 p.m. $10.
Exploration of the Everchanging. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 7 p.m. $10.
Westish. Denver Fringe Festival, stream virtually. 8 p.m. $10.
Drive In Comedy Show with Derrick Stroup. Denver's Dangerous Theatre, 2620 W. 2nd Ave. 8-9:30 p.m. $20 per car.
6th EVER WordFest & Artists of Color (AOC) Summit Festival Pass. Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, watch virtually. Anytime. Free.
Eats and drinks
Highlands Farmers Market. 32nd and Lowell. Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. No cover.
Golden Triangle Farmers Market. 1115 Acoma St. Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. No cover.
Stapleton Farmers Market. 29th Ave and Roslyn. Sunday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. No cover.
South Pearl Street Farmers Market. 1500 S. Pearl St., curbside pick up for Market Boxes at 1526 S. Pearl St. Sunday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. No cover.
Rainbow Alley Brunch. Tracks, 3500 Walnut St. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover, reservations required.
Music and nightlife
Jeremy Facknitz at Swallow Hill (Livestream). Swallow Hill Music, stream with Facebook Live. 6-6:45 p.m. Free.
The Annie Booth Trio Sunday Series. Nocturne, 1330 27th St. 7-8:15 p.m. $15.
Live Stream: Tony Black Summit Presented by El Chapultec. Dazzle, stream with Facebook Live, YouTube and virtually. 8-9 p.m. Free.
Exercise and sports
Virtual Big Gay 5k Colorado. One Colorado, register online and run (or walk) on your own. Anytime. $30.
