From superstar acts touring through Denver's largest indoor venue to the possible reopening of the downtown library, bug-eating festivals and the Historic Elitch Theatre's future, there are tons of things to look forward to in this calendar year.
Here are some of the things we've got our eye on, including when farmers' market season returns (for those daydreaming about warmer weather).
Drake, Bad Bunny and other acts scheduled to perform at Ball Arena
Colorado's largest indoor concert venue will host a lineup of superstar talent in 2024. A couple of Ball Arena double headers are worth circling in your music calendar.
Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny, who got 3.6 billion on-demand audio streams in the U.S. last year, will pay Denver a visit on March 20, just a day after Madonna takes the stage on March 19.
Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo will visit July 30 as she tours her critically acclaimed sophomore project, "Guts." Then, a day later, Alanis Morissette -- who, similar to Rodrigo, has been a voice for women-helmed rock music over the years -- performs July 31.
And, maybe this time, it will happen.
Coming off his eighth studio album "For All the Dogs," which had the largest streaming week of 2023 with 514.01 million streams, Canadian rapper Drake is scheduled to be in town with fellow hip-hop superstar J. Cole on April 15 and 16. Despite two postponements three days before scheduled shows, fans are hoping third time's the charm to see two rap stars grace the stage together in the Mile High. Drake also postponed a show last fall.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre has also recently added a list of shows to its 2024 schedule worth checking out.
The future of historic theaters
A couple of historic theaters in Denver are facing uncertain futures headed into the year.
The Aztlan Theatre is on the market for $5 million as owner Timeo Correa looks to close a chapter in his 51-year career of owning the historic venue. This comes after years of mulling over the decision to sell, ultimately attributing old age and rising property taxes as reasons to sell. The potential for landmark designation is up in the air as Correa awaits a suitable buyer.
Cap Hill's Esquire Theatre is at risk of closing its doors for good as its owners submitted plans to redevelop the nearly 100-year-old property in late 2023. Plans would turn the space into retail, office and restaurant space. Community members have organized in support of preserving the beloved movie theatre, led by Jolee Harston, creating a social media following and a petition in an effort to Save the Esquire.
This summer could be the first time that North Denver's Historic Elitch Theatre has hosted live theatre productions inside the venue since 1991. Despite the setbacks of a 2018 flood and COVID-19, organizers have entered phase 4 of the venue's decades-long restoration project which includes upgrades needed to host productions inside. This could mean the revitalization of a venue that once hosted some of the industry's biggest names like legendary director Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, and one of the world's first celebrities, Sarah Bernhardt.
Things we're excited to eat.
What began as just an idea to bring together and highlight some of the best Asian food vendors in Denver turned into a successful lineup of dozens of participating restaurants and food purveyors.
Organizers of Mile High Asian Food Week have committed to hosting a second annual event, scheduled for April 28 to May 4, this time helping kick off AANHPI Heritage Month in May. Participating restaurants offer secret menu options, specialty menus and discounts to customers who mention AFW.
Before landing the food industry's prestigious Michelin "Bib Gourmand" designation in 2023, awarded to restaurants with "best value for money," La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal hosted an inaugural bug festival featuring a menu of scorpions, ants, grasshoppers, larvae and worms.
Intended to honor the culinary traditions of bug eating across Mexican cities, La Diabla has begun to tease the second "Festival de Bichos," scheduled for Feb. 5 -11.
Denver's Central Public Library could also reopen this year.
For faithful bookworms, or novice public library users, DPL's Central Public Library is expected to complete renovations in the first half of 2024. With a possible reopening later in the year, visitors can expect remodeled "trauma-informed" bathrooms, new meeting rooms and renovated elevators that no longer get stuck.
And if you're daydreaming of warmer weather and a stroll through the local farmers' market...
Keep the faith, warmer days and 5 p.m. sunsets are on the horizon. And if you're circling dates on the calendar for strolls through your local farmers market, the season begins in the month of May with some running as late as October.
What are you looking forward to this year? Drop me a line at [email protected].
