By Cassidy Ritter, Special to Denverite
It's going to be a busy weekend! A handful of businesses are hosting grand openings, the Venardos Circus is making a stop in Littleton, Denver Fashion Week kicks off on Saturday, and there are plenty of Cinco de Mayo celebrations across the city.
Denver's Cinco De Mayo celebration will take place at Civic Center Park on Saturday and Sunday. The Denver Zoo is also celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month on Saturday and Sunday. Whatever you get up to, make it a great weekend!
Notes: Events with an * are taking place virtually or outdoors.
Friday, May 5
Just for fun
Ascent Fly Fishing Grand Opening Celebration. Ascent Fly Fishing, 10143 W. Chatfield Ave., Littleton. 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Free.
Kids and family
Yarn Crafternoon. Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales Branch Library, 1498 N. Irving St. 3-5:30 p.m. Free. All ages.
First Friday Paint and Sit. John "Thunderbird Man" Emhoolah Jr. Branch Library, 675 Santa Fe Drive. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. All ages. Advanced registration required.
Comedy and theater
Caroline Rhea. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $25.
Rotating Tap Comedy Show. River North Brewery - Blake Street Taproom, 3400 Blake St. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free.
Ali Siddiq. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $31.
Giggly Squad Tour. The Newman Center, 2344 Iliff Ave. 9:30 p.m. $35-$45.
Arts, culture and media
Fused Glass for Older Adults. Montbello Branch Library, 12955 Albrook Drive. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free.
Transient Presence. Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave, Suite A, and online. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (in-person), anytime (online). No cover.
Identities in Photography: Past, Present and Future. Hirschfeld Towers, 333 W. Ellsworth Ave. Noon-2 p.m. Free.
Tender Machines. Union Hall, 1750 Wewatta St., Suite 144. Noon-6 p.m. Free.
Older Adult First Friday. Hampden Branch Library, 9755 E. Girard Ave. 1-2:30 p.m. Free.
Colorado Governor's Art Show Opening Night Gala. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, Loveland. 5-8 p.m. $75. Advanced registration required.
*First Friday Art Walks. Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St. 5-9 p.m. Free.
First Friday Art Walks. Santa Fe Art District, from 13th to Alameda avenues and Kalamath to Inca streets. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Free.
First Friday. Westward Gallery, 4400 Tennyson St. 6-10 p.m. Free.
Class: Rocky Mountain Wood Panel. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 6:30 p.m. $50.
Opening Reception: Polar Extremes and Dreamscapes. Gallery 6, 918 W. 8th Ave. 7-9 p.m. Free.
Eat and drink
Food Truck Fridays. Butterfly Park, 6280 N Galena Way. 5-7:30 p.m. No cover.
Music and nightlife
*Walker Hayes. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 6:30 p.m. Prices vary.
First Friday Karaoke. FlyteCo Brewing, 4499 W. 38th Ave, Suite. 101. 7 p.m. No cover.
Folk First Friday Music Series with Matthew Henry. FERAL, 3936 Tennyson St. 7 p.m. Free.
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations Featuring DJ Miggy. Number Thirty Eight, 3560 Chestnut Place. 7 p.m. No cover.
Atlas of Remote Islands. MCA Denver's Holiday Theater, 2644 W. 32nd Ave. 7:30 p.m. Starting at $35.
Taylor Rave. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway, Englewood. 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $30.
Fitness and sports
*Colorado Rockies vs. New York Mets. Watch on ATT SportsNet-RM, or listen at 94.1 FM. 5:10 p.m.
*Colorado Mammoth vs. San Diego Seals. Watch on ESPN+. 8 p.m.
*Playoffs: Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns. Watch on ESPN. 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 6
Just for fun
*A Paris Street Market. Aspen Grove parking lot between ULTA and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover.
Ascent Fly Fishing Grand Opening Celebration. Ascent Fly Fishing, 10143 W. Chatfield Ave., Littleton. 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Free.
Spring Plant Sale Pregame. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. 10 a.m. $30 (member), $35 (non-member). Advanced registration required.
*Denver Makers Market. Lamar Plaza, 6677 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.
Derby Day Pop Up. The Pineapple Market, 217 5th St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.
*Denver Derby Party. McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St. Starting at 1 p.m. $150. Must be 21 or older to attend.
Kids and family
*Parkfield Lake Community Clean-Up. Parkfield Lake Park, 15555 E. 53rd Ave. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. All ages.
*Denver Cinco De Mayo. Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. All ages.
Second Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander+ Festival. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. 10:15 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children 2 and under), $18 (children 3-15), $21-$24 (adults). All ages. Advanced registration required.
Little University: Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month through Dance. Hadley Branch Library, 1890 S. Grove St. 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Ages 5 and under.
Class: Open Paint - You Be the Artist. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $25 (includes materials), $30 (paint a wood flower pot). All ages.
Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month through Dance. Athmar Park Branch Library, 1055 S. Tejon St. Noon-12:30 p.m. Free. Ages 8 and under.
Cinco de Mayo en Westwood. 3700 to 3900 Morrison Road. Noon-7 p.m. Free. All ages.
Class: Sunny Horizons. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 2 p.m. $35 (children 12 and under), $40 (adults).
Comedy and theater
Caroline Rhea. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. $25.
Art, culture and media
Transient Presence. Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave, Suite A, and online. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (in-person), anytime (online). No cover.
The Pattern Shop Studio Final Shindig. The Pattern Shop Studio, 3349 Blake St. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover. Advanced registration recommended. (Read more about The Pattern Shop in our coverage here.)
Tender Machines. Union Hall, 1750 Wewatta St., Suite 144. Noon-6 p.m. Free.
Woodbury Film Club. Woodbury Branch Library, 3265 Federal Blvd. 1-4 p.m. Free.
Visiting Artist Talk with Fernando Orellana. Union Hall, 1750 Wewatta St., Suite 144. 6-7:30 p.m. Free.
Class: Deep Colorful Trees. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 6:30 p.m. $45.
Denver Fashion Week Day One: Local Couture. The Brighton, 3403 Brighton Blvd. 7-10:45 p.m. $50-$175. Advanced registration required.
Lumonics Immersed. Lumonics Light & Sound Gallery, 800 E. 73 Ave., Unit 11. 8-10:30 p.m. $15-$25.
Colorado Governor's Art Show & Sale. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, Loveland. Times vary. Free.
Eat and drink
*Boulder County Farmers Market. Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover.
*Southwest Plaza Farmers Market. Southwest Plaza, 8501 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover.
*Cherry Creek Fresh Market. Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 1st Avenue and University Boulevard. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover.
Fifth Anniversary Fiesta. Cervecería Colorado, 1635 Platte St. Noon-6 p.m. No cover.
RiNo for the Roses 2023. The Source Hotel & Market Hall, 3330 Brighton Blvd. 3-6 p.m. $50 (includes two drink tickets and light appetizers). Advanced registration required.
Culinary Date Night: France. Cook Street, 43 W. 9th Ave. 6-9:30 p.m. $125 (per person).
Music and nightlife
*Live Music in the Alley: Justin Garber. Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St. 5-7 p.m. Free.
*Ganja White Night. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 5 p.m. Prices vary.
Fishbone with Frontside Five. Levitt Pavilion, 1380 W. Florida Ave. 7-10 p.m. Free. Advanced registration required.
Atlas of Remote Islands. MCA Denver's Holiday Theater, 2644 W. 32nd Ave. 7:30 p.m. Starting at $35.
Fitness and sports
*Dumb Friends League Furry Scurry. Washington Park or virtually. Starting at 9 a.m. Free (children 5 and under), $45 (virtual), $50 (children ages 6 and older), $60 (adult).
Derby Day Watch Party. Number Thirty Eight, 3560 Chestnut Place. 2 p.m. No cover.
*Colorado Rockies vs. New York Mets. Watch on ATT SportsNet-RM, or listen at 94.1 FM. 2:10 p.m.
*Colorado Rapids vs. LA Galaxy. Watch on Apple TV. 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7
Just for fun
*Denver Makers Market. Lamar Plaza, 6677 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.
Kids and family
*Denver Cinco De Mayo. Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. All ages.
Second Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander+ Festival. Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. 10:15 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children 2 and under), $18 (children 3-15), $21-$24 (adults). All ages. Advanced registration required.
Class: Open Paint - You be the Artist. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $25 (includes materials), $30 (paint a wood flower pot). All ages.
Class: Three Little Birds. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 2 p.m. $35 (children 12 and under), $40 (adults). All ages.
Comedy and theater
Chris Voth. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7 p.m. $14.
Caroline Rhea. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 7 p.m. $17.
Art, culture and media
*Unboxed: An LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Online Digital Storytelling Project. Denver Public Library, online. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.
The Pattern Shop Studio Final Shindig. The Pattern Shop Studio, 3349 Blake St. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover. Advanced registration recommended. (Read more about The Pattern Shop in our coverage here.)
Denver Fashion Week Day Two: Couture Kids. The Brighton, 3403 Brighton Blvd. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $50-$145. Advanced registration required.
Denver Fashion Week Day Two: Sustainable. The Brighton, 3403 Brighton Blvd. 5-9 p.m. $50-$125. Advanced registration required.
Colorado Governor's Art Show & Sale. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, Loveland. Times vary. Free.
Eat and drink
South Pearl Street Farmers Market. 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Pearl Street, between Iowa and Arkansas. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. No cover.
Highlands Ranch Farmers Market. Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. No cover.
Sunday Bingo Brunch. Denver Milk Market, 1800 Wazee St. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. No cover.
Music and nightlife
*Ganja White Night. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 4 p.m. Prices vary.
Mary & The Weber Brothers. Number Thirty Eight, 3560 Chestnut Place. 6 p.m. No cover.
Sports and fitness
Miami Grand Prix Watch Party. Rosemont Barbershop & Grooming Supply, 1801 Blake St., Suite 100. Starting at 1 p.m. No cover.
*Colorado Rockies vs. New York Mets. Watch on ATT SportsNet-RM, or listen at 94.1 FM. 11:40 a.m.
*Playoffs: Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns. Watch on TNT. 6 p.m.
All Weekend
Just for fun
Heyday Grand Opening. Heyday Lowry, 63 N. Quebec St., Suite 103. 2-5 p.m. (Friday) and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). Free.
Venardos Circus. Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. 7-8:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 1-2:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). Starting at $16.95 (children ages 12 and younger), starting at $27.95 (adults).
Kids and family
Bugs. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $4 (members) $22.95-$27.95 (non-members). Advanced registration required for timed entry.
Speaking with Light. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members and children ages 18 and younger), $12-$19.
Disney Animation Immersive Experience. Lighthouse Artspace, 3900 Elati St. 10:15 a.m.-8:15 p.m. Starting at $36. Advanced registration required for timed entry. All ages.
*Denver Public Art Self-Guided and Virtual Tours. Various locations and online. Anytime. Free.
*Pre-recorded Art Classes. Canvas and Cocktails, online. Anytime. $20 (materials sold separately).
Comedy and theater
The Color Purple. Denver Performing Arts Complex, Wolf Theatre, 1400 Curtis St. 7 p.m. (Friday-Sunday) and 1:30 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). $25-$86. (Read more about this musical from our partners at CPR.)
Art, culture and media
Vision and Resolve. Center for Colorado Women's History, 1310 Bannock St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) and noon-4 p.m. (Sunday). Free (members), $6-$10.
Breakthroughs: A Celebration of RedLine at 15. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children 18 and under), $7 (college students, teachers, military, seniors), $10 (adults and members).
Indigenous Arts of North America Galleries. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members and children ages 18 and younger), $12-$19.
Near East to Far West: Fictions of French and American Colonialism. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members and children ages 18 and younger), $12-$19.
Reclaiming Denver's Chinatown. Online. Anytime. Free.
*Until the Flood. Online. Anytime. Free.
