With the election now wrapped, let's all go do something fun in Denver this week. Or a few fun things.
Three large festivals kick off this week, including an Indigenous Comic and Art festival, a huge open-access performing arts festival in RiNo, and a festival for outdoor enthusiasts at the Colorado Convention Center.
If you're interested in experiencing a Black Light Powwow, an underground music showcase, yoga with puppies or an LGBTQ+ history walking tour read on.
2023 NBA Finals: Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat
Game 4 will take place Friday, June 9. If you're looking for good spots to watch games in Denver, here's our list of places to watch.
ayA Con: Denver's Indigenous Comic and Art Festival
Date: June 9-11
Location: McNichols Civic Center and Denver Art Museum
ayA Con is a celebration of North American Indigenous creators. The all-inclusive family festival will feature comic creators, bead artists, musicians, digital illustrators, designers, dancers and more.
The weekend will close with a Futurism Fashion Showcase featuring drag performances, fashion, cosplay and a Black Light Powwow at the Denver Art Museum.
Three-Day weekend passes are $35, single-day tickets are $20 and kids ages 18 and under enter for free. Tickets are available here.
Denver Fringe Festival
Date: June 8-11 p.m.
Location: RiNo and Five Points
The fourth annual open-access performing arts festival, Denver Fringe Festival, will feature 55 original shows across 12 performance venues in RiNo and Five Points. New plays, comedy, improv, cabaret, burlesque, dance, aerial, and other immersive experiences will be performed all weekend long.
All shows are around an hour in length and single-show tickets are $15. Full festival passes are $75 for access to all shows in the 2023 lineup. Find a full list of performances and locations here.
Youth on Record Annual Block Party
Date: Saturday, June 10, 1-7 p.m.
Location: 1301 W. 10th Ave
The day-long festival is youth-led and designed to provide festival management and performance experience for young creatives in the city. Denver music nonprofit Youth on Record will offer art workshops, interactive activities in their Mobile Studio, career advancement opportunities with CU Denver College of Arts and Media, local food trucks and live performances by YOR students.
The event is free to the community and more information about the festival can be found here.
"Love & Basketball" Movie Screening at Green Spaces
Date: Thursday, June 8, 8 p.m.
Location: 2590 Walnut St.
As part of the Culture Movie Nights series in RiNo, Green Spaces will host a screening of "Love & Basketball", a classic film about two next-door neighbors pursuing their respective basketball careers before eventually falling for each other.
CMN hopes to create a safe place for community building and highlighting local Black businesses and creators. Before the screening, attendees are encouraged to attend the Black People Know Things trivia night before the movie starting at 7:30 p.m.
AWOL: All Walks of Life Underground Show
Date: Saturday, June 10, 7 p.m.
Location: 2076 S. Huron St
This eclectic underground show is meant to bring together local Denver artists from hip-hop, R&B and indie rock backgrounds. Featuring Westword's 2023 Best Hip-Hop artist, Nelo, accompanying feature artists will include Fun Machine, Ason Yugen, Ego and Bunny Blake.
The Blue Bench 40th Anniversary at Ratio Beerworks
Date: Thursday, June 8, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: 2920 Larimer St.
The Blue Bench, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to ending sexual assault and supporting survivors, will host its 40th anniversary celebration at Ratio Beerworks.
The celebration will include live music, a muralist, sweepstake prizes and food. Tickets are $25 and will include two drinks or an empanada from Pico Arepa and one drink.
40 Years of The Denver Principles: A Battle Cry for Surviving and Thriving with HIV/AIDS
Date: June 11-12
Location: 1405 Curtis St
In honor of the historical significance of The Denver Principles, a declaration put together by a group of people demanding respect, dignity and autonomy for people living with HIV in Denver, The Curtis Hotel will host a series of events to celebrate the impact of this document and its history.
On Sunday, June 11, there will be a drag brunch starting at 10 a.m. followed by a Denver LGBTQ+ history walking tour to The Grove at Commons Park.
On Monday, June 12, there will be panels discussion around the history, context and legacy of The Denver Principles throughout the day.
All events are free of charge and open to the public. You can RSVP for the in-person events here.
The Big Gear Show and (e) revolution E-bike Show
Date: June 8-11
Location: 700 14th St.
The Big Gear Show is an inclusive outdoor industry event that will together industry insiders and consumers on a showcase of outdoor, cycling, climbing, paddlesports, camping gear and other outdoor initiatives.
A consumer festival for outdoor enthusiasts, The Big Gear Show will be held at the Colorado Convention Center and will also be co-locating with (e)revolution, a showcase of e-bikes to both retailers and consumers.
To learn more about the festival and to purchase tickets, click here.
