The last couple of years have been tough for the local arts scene, between shutdowns, capacity restrictions and challenges to reopening. But things seem to be sort-of normalizing, just in time for the return of Denver Arts Week.
Every year, the festival celebrates the local arts and culture scene with events and promotions. This year's celebration marks a full return to in-person programming (last year, organizers Visit Denver adapted it into a toned down, three-day celebration with virtual and limited in-person offerings).
From Nov. 5-13, the festival will highlight hundreds of arts and culture events happening around the city, including workshops, tours, talks and demos with artists, gallery openings and closings, performances and Día de los Muertos celebrations at Su Teatro, Denver Botanic Gardens and 40 West Arts. Various art organizations will also be offering special deals and promotions as part of the festival, including membership deals for local museums and arts organizations, free days, and discounted admission tickets.
Arts Week kicks off on Nov. 5 with an expanded First Friday celebration at participating art districts. And on Nov. 6, some of your favorite museums will host free admission nights from 5 to 10 p.m. Some museums will offer special events and activities during the free nights, and there'll also be a free shuttle running between many of the museum locations.
You can find a complete list of events and deals on Visit Denver's website.
Denver Arts Week coincides with a number of major arts events and openings.
Denver Film Fest returns to Denver around the same time as the festival. From Nov. 3-14, cinephiles can check out new features, shorts, VR experiences and immersive activations by local, national and international filmmakers. You can experience the festival in person or virtually. Tickets are available on Denver Film's website.
is FAIR, hosted by Birdseed Collective and curated by the folks behind is PRESS, makes its return to Denver for a four-day "pseudo-science fair" showcasing tri-fold displays, art, video and performances engaging with the theme "individuals and their relationship to groups." The fair will take place at the Globeville EPICenter and the Fort Greene Bar from Nov. 11-14.
The Mercury Café will host its annual Liminal event Nov. 5 and 13 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The show invites storytellers and artists to share stories of transformation alongside film, costume, shadow puppetry, dance, set design and other art forms. You can reserve tickets online now.
Curious Theatre's latest show, American Son, will premiere Nov. 6. And as part of Denver Arts Week, the company is doing a special promotion: two tickets for the price of one on Nov. 11, 12 and 13. You can buy tickets online.
Opera Colorado's season opening, Tosca, will also premiere during Denver Arts Week. The show runs Nov. 6, 9 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. It's the group's first time performing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera house since COVID restrictions went in place in March 2020. Tickets are available online.
On Nov. 12 and 13, Phamaly Theatre Company will perform a reading of AND IN THIS CORNER...CASSIUS CLAY by Idris Goodwin, a play about Mohamed Ali's childhood in the Jim Crow era. You can reserve tickets online.
