Although this year's official last day of summer isn't until Sept. 23, it sure feels like summer is over once we enter the ninth month of the year.
But the arrival of fall doesn't mean that the party has to end. It just means the party might move indoors.
Before we kiss summer goodbye, here's a list of some interesting lineup of events happening this week in Denver: a food and wine festival, live music in Sunnyside, a ladies' night R&B festival, a chile fest in Westwood, and a celebration of Indigenous communities at the Denver Art Museum.
2023 Denver Food + Wine Festival
Date: Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 6-9
Location: Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer St.
Presented by the Colorado Restaurant Association and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, the festival will be a multi-day event of food, wine and spirits showcasing the Mile High restaurant community.
Two Riedel Wine Glass Seminars will be held on Sept. 6 and 7 starting at 6 p.m. where attendees can get a firsthand experience on how the shape of a wine glass affects unique varietals.
The Shake + Brake Showdown, a dual competition during which local food trucks face off for the title of "Best Food Truck" and 12 pro bartenders will serve their best mixes in the hopes winning the "Best Cocktail" crown, will take place on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 7 to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, Sept. 9 from noon to 4 p.m., the Grand Tasting will showcase local award-winning chefs, mixologists and wine professionals who will share food endless bites and more than 700 wines and spirits.
Click here for tickets and the full restaurant lineup.
R&B Jam Fest, Ladies Night Edition
Date: Thursday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Location: Your Mom's House, 608 E. 13th Ave.
If you miss the golden era of 90s R&B, this could be the event for you. Coming back for the fifth volume in a series of R&B music festivals presented by Picasso Gang and Boogie Groove Entertainment, the showcase is keen on highlighting Denver's R&B talent.
This ladies' night edition will feature seven local R&B acts including Danae Simone, Cleopatra, Cameron Cade, Xandra Day, DSCRND, Home, Renee and music provided by Guyanese-American DJ MnM.
Click here for a playlist of R&B Jam Fest past and future performers and click here for tickets.
The Colfax Crawl
Date: Saturday, Sept. 9, starts at 5 p.m.
Location: Bruz Off Fax, 1495 York Street
Choose your own adventure at the annual Colfax Crawl, hosted by the Colfax Ave Business Improvement District. Instead of a guided tour, folks can choose between five themed routes. The starting point and registration point will be Bruz Off Fax and from there attendees can choose between Dive Bars, Queer Bars, Beer Lovers, Wine & Cocktails or a Wildcard route. If a route isn't your thing, feel free to pop into any participating location. Some spots include XBar, Bar Max, Pete's Satire Lounge, Lion's Lair, The Squire Lounge and Tight End Bar.
Tickets are $25 and participants will receive a limited-edition t-shirt and a wristband that unlocks specials at each stop.
Click here for more information and ticket purchase.
Sunnyside Music Festival
Date: Saturday, Sept. 9, noon to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Chaffee Park, 1901 W. 43rd Ave.
This free, family-friendly event is focused on Colorado musicians, craft beer, cocktails, artisan vendors and the Sunnyside community. The volunteer-run nonprofit is going into its 21st year hosting the festival.
This year the festival will be headlined by Extra Gold, Mono Verde, Lazy Summer Home, Buffalo Commons, and a Colorado Blue Revue featuring The Delta Sonics, Lionel Young, Erica Brown, Jack Hadley and Ken Saydak.
Click here for more information on road closures and safe routes to the festival.
Westwood Chile Fest
Date: Saturday, Sept. 9, noon to 7 p.m.
Location: 3738 Morrison Road
This year's festival returns to celebrate "business and culture" on Morrison Road, the heart of the Westwood community. What originally began as a small community potluck has evolved into a full-fledged street festival with vendors, food trucks, community organizations, live art installations and live music celebrating Hispanic culture and cuisine.
The event is free and open to the public. It will include entertainment for all ages including a new Salsa de Westwood Competition in partnership with Hecho en Westwood, the longstanding tradition of a Chile Pepper-Eating contest and more than 60 artists and vendors.
Click here for more information and the schedule of live performances.
34th Annual Friendship Powwow at the Denver Art Museum
Date: Saturday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy.
As one of the Denver Art Museum's long-running events, the Friendship Powwow will feature Native American dance competitions, hands-on activities for the whole family, artist, food and vendor booths all in celebration of Indigenous communities across Denver and the Front Range.
There will also be beadwork artmaking activities with local Native artists Katherine Flecking and Chelsea Kaiah, one of the DAM's former Artists in Residence.
This Saturday is a Free Day at the DAM meaning general admission is free of charge for all visitors.
