Things to do around Denver, Nov. 9-11, 2012

Here's some fun and affordable things to do around Denver, Nov. 9-11, 2012. Have a great weekend and Happy Veteran's Day!

Head over to St. John's Cathedral on Friday Nov. 9 at 7:30PM. when Dr. Cindy Lindeen-Martin, Minister of Music and Organist at Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver performs a recital drawn from the repertoire of J.S. Bach, Louis Vierne, Cesar Franck, Marcel Dupré, Frank Martin, Samuel Barber, and William Bolcom. 350 Washington St., Denver, Co. Admission is a free will offering -- give what you can.

Black Sheep Fridays offer the artsiest Happy Hour in Denver Friday Nov. 9 and  every Friday at the Museum of Contemporary Art.. Happy hour drink specials and $5 admission after 5PM, which includes admission to the galleries. Galleries stay open until 9PM. Tonight's fun includes a battle of the bands.

Celebrate Veteran's Day on Nov. 10, 2012. Bring your family and friends downtown to celebrate Denver's largest Veterans Day. This festive celebration will feature a 5k run, a parade and a remembrance ceremony. There will be free chow, entertainment galore and  giveaways throughout the day. Ignore the bad weather -- this is Colorado!  Bundle up and take the train, because you won't want to miss the evening activities at Auraria Campus, featuring a flyover at around 5PM. From there, watch the sun go down, while enjoying music provided by KYGO, a special performance by Reveille3, and the VFW Post 1 Forgotten Heroes and Remembering the Fallen Presentations. The day culminates with an amazing fireworks display that begins around 6:30PM. Check out the schedule here.

The Mile High Banjo Society will offer toe-tapping Dixieland, ragtime, polka and bluegrass music at Bemis Public Library. Saturday Nov. 10 2-3PM. 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. FREE admission. 303-795-3961 

Englewood Live, a showcase of local talent, will be held at at Hampden Hall in the Englewood Civic Center. From 7PM --9PM Saturday, Nov. 10. Tickets are a mere $5 and kids under 11 get in FREE. Schedule is here. Above the library at 1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood.

Denver's First Friday Art Scene Nov. 2 - FREE!

Nov. 2  is First Friday in Denver, and you know what that means. Art districts across the city will rock late into the evening, with galleries, artists receptions, studios and cultural attractions open late for a mind-expanding night of art, food, drink and fun. The best art, and people watching in Denver, and best of all, it is FREE! Even better, This month the traditional “First Friday” arts walks in six Denver neighborhoods plan to kick it up a notch due to Denver Arts Week.  

NAVAJO STREET ART DISTRICT 
Small district in Denver's lower Highlands neighborhood, but don't overlook it. Pirate: Contemporary Art, has been a fixture on Denver’s art scene for more than three decades and it anchors the district, which runs between 35th and 37th streets. Check out Patsy's Inn  for its vintage North Denver Italian vibe and delish pizza. Another area fave: The Bug Theater which kicks off its Nightmare on Navajo film/concert series on Friday, Oct. 5.

ART DISTRICT ON SANTA FE
Our personal favorite. More than 60 participating galleries, artist studios and restaurants on the First Friday Art Walk, 6-9PM every first Friday of the month. Parking is terrible, but there is a great FREE shuttle coach that will pick you up at the light rail station at 10th Avenue and Osage Street and ferry you around the Art District between 5:30-9:30PM. Grab some great Mexican food at El Taco de Mexico (don't miss those smothered chicken burritos) or a quick cocktail at El Noa Noa and off you go. Look here for info on FREE shuttle from the train station at 10th and Osage. 

OLD SOUTH PEARL STREET
Stroll between 1200 and 1800 blocks on South Pearl on First Fridays (April through December) and check out eight galleries, plus many shops hosting local artists, plus live music, food and drink. We love the he Sand Dollar Gallery (1256 S. Pearl) which opened its doors in 1975, making it one of the longest running galleries in Denver. Grab a table and latte at Stella's for prime people watching or hoof it to Lincoln's Roadhouse for great blues (no cover).

GOLDEN TRIANGLE MUSEUM DISTRICT

First Friday Art Tours take place in the Golden Triangle from 5-9PM every month, with as many as 50 galleries, artist's studios, specialty stores and museums or cultural centers participating. The free Art Bus shuttles participants around the neighborhood to all of the openings. Home to the Denver Art Museum, the Molly Brown House Museum and the Kirkland Museum. The free GTMD Art Bus shuttles participants around the neighborhood to all of the openings. Free maps are available at all participating galleries, or may be printed from their website, www.gtmd.org.

RIVER NORTH ART DISTRICT (RiNo)
Located just north of downtown, RiNo is the city's most diversely creative art district. Architects, art galleries, designers, furniture makers, illustrators, painters, media artists, photographers and sculptors are   set up in an array of unique studio spaces. Explore this innovative scene on the first Friday of every month between 5:30-9:30PM.

TENNYSON STREET CULTURAL DISTRICT
Such a funky, fun area. The First Friday evening of each month, the merchants along North Denver’s Tennyson Street invite you to stroll, shop, and gallery hop from 6-10PM. Stretches between 38th and 44th avenues it features plenty of restaurants, coffee houses, indie book stores and galleries galore. 

FREE Day Denver Art Museum Nov. 3

Colorado residents can enjoy a FREE day at the Denver Art Museum.on Saturday Nov. 3 from 10AM-5PM. 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway  Denver.  Also, "penny Saturday" at Denver Museum of Contemporary Art.  Admission just one cent! 15th and Delgany, roughly two blocks from Union Station.  Finally, another FREE day at the Clyfford Still Museum on Saturday Nov. 3, 10AM-5PM.250 Bannock St., Denver, CO

Fun, Free and Affordable Denver Events Oct. 5-7 2012

Here are some fun and inexpensive things to do around Denver this weekend, Oct. 5-7, 2012.

FREE Museum Day - Saturday Oct. 6 is a FREE day at the Denver Art Museum. Does not include ticked exhibits. Bring Colorado ID.100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver.

Emily Griffith Block Party - Yeah baby! Come join the party as Emily Griffith Technical College's "Rocks the Block" on Saturday Oct. 6 from 10AM-2PM. FREE admission. Live music by Manuel Molina, DENT, Street Royalties and more. Food from Emily's Deli, El Nopalito, Pinky the Cupcake Camper, Cravings. Vendor booths. 1250 Welton St. Denver.

FREE Jazz Concert -- On Friday Oct. 5 The Queen City Jazz band showcases the style of  Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver and Ma Rainey. Starts at 7:30PM, Come early to get a seat and hear one of the most recognized traditional jazz bands in the nation. FREE admission. Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura St., Littleton.

Cider Days --Saturday Oct. 6 and Sunday Oct. 7, from 10AM-5PM.  Lakewood Cider Days! Fun activities for the entire family – all included in admission price of $7 for adults, $4 for kids. From mule-drawn wagon and barrel train rides to the petting zoo, this event features exhibitors (cider pressing), live entertainment (magicians! trick pigs! trick roping! pie eating contest!) and, of course, food.  Admission also includes tours of the Heritage Center 20th Century Museum. 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood.

Cultivate Festival -- Head down to City Park from 10AM-6PM on Saturday Oct. 6, for the FREE one-day Chipotle Cultivate Festival, dedicated to sustainability, good food, cooking demos and good music. Family friendly. Schedule and details here.

Four Mile Park's Pumpkin Festival --  On Oct. 6-7 check out Four Mile Park, 12 bucolic acres of  historic fun nestled along the banks of Cherry Creek. FREE admission to the Pumpkin Festival, but there are fees for some of the activities, and you must pony up for pumpkins. Activities include creating your very own scarecrow, visiting with the mountain men and Native Americans in the living history camp, rides in a horse-drawn wagon or stage coach and of course, food. Four Mile House, 715 South Forest St., Denver.

First Friday - Friday Oct. 5 The first Friday of every month this fun and FREE event is celebrated citywide. Details here.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver - Admission is just one penny on Saturday, Oct. 6 (and every first Saturday of the month). General admission to the museum is normally $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors, so this is a decent deal. 10AM-6PM. 1485 Delgany St., Denver

First Friday Oct. 5 Rocks Denver Art Scene

Oct. 5. 2012  is First Friday in Denver, and you know what that means. Art districts across the city will rock late into the evening, with galleries, artists receptions, studios and cultural attractions open late for a mind-expanding night of art, food, drink and fun. The best art, and people watching in Denver, and best of all, it is FREE! 

NAVAJO STREET ART DISTRICT 
Small district in Denver's lower Highlands neighborhood, but don't overlook it. Pirate: Contemporary Art, has been a fixture on Denver’s art scene for more than three decades and it anchors the district, which runs between 35th and 37th streets. Check out Patsy's Inn  for its vintage North Denver Italian vibe and delish pizza. Another area fave: The Bug Theater which kicks off its Nightmare on Navajo film/concert series on Friday, Oct. 5.

ART DISTRICT ON SANTA FE
Our personal favorite. More than 60 participating galleries, artist studios and restaurants on the First Friday Art Walk, 6-9PM every first Friday of the month. Parking is terrible, but there is a great FREE shuttle coach that will pick you up at the light rail station at 10th Avenue and Osage Street and ferry you around the Art District between 5:30-9:30PM. Grab some great Mexican food at El Taco de Mexico (don't miss those smothered chicken burritos) or a quick cocktail at El Noa Noa and off you go. 

OLD SOUTH PEARL STREET
Stroll between 1200 and 1800 blocks on South Pearl on First Fridays (April through December) and check out eight galleries, plus many shops hosting local artists, plus live music, food and drink. We love the he Sand Dollar Gallery (1256 S. Pearl) which opened its doors in 1975, making it one of the longest running galleries in Denver. Grab a table and latte at Stella's for prime people watching or hoof it to Lincoln's Roadhouse for great blues (no cover).

GOLDEN TRIANGLE MUSEUM DISTRICT

First Friday Art Tours take place in the Golden Triangle from 5-9PM every month, with as many as 50 galleries, artist's studios, specialty stores and museums or cultural centers participating. The free Art Bus shuttles participants around the neighborhood to all of the openings. Home to the Denver Art Museum, the Molly Brown House Museum and the Kirkland Museum. 

RIVER NORTH ART DISTRICT (RiNo)
Located just north of downtown, RiNo is the city's most diversely creative art district. Architects, art galleries, designers, furniture makers, illustrators, painters, media artists, photographers and sculptors are   set up in an array of unique studio spaces. Explore this innovative scene on the first Friday of every month between 5:30-9:30PM.

TENNYSON STREET CULTURAL DISTRICT
Such a funky, fun area. The First Friday evening of each month, the merchants along North Denver’s Tennyson Street invite you to stroll, shop, and gallery hop from 6-10PM. Stretches between 38th and 44th avenues it features plenty of restaurants, coffee houses, indie book stores and galleries galore. 

Five Fun Things to Do in Denver Sept. 14-Sept. 16, 2012

Here are some other fun and affordable things to do around Denver this weekend, Sept. 14 - Sept. 16, 2012

The 45th Annual Gem and Mineral Show. Admission $6 adults, $4 for teens and seniors over 65, kids under   13 FREE when accompanied by an adult. Excellent Fossil Expo is included with admission, and please don't miss the room of glowing rocks. At Denver's Merchandise Mart through Sunday. More info at above link.

Denver Bead Show is at the Merchandise Mart Annex through Sunday. FREE admission. Pretty,shiny beads. Can't resist them!

Celtic Harvest Festival in Edgewater. FREE admission. Enjoy Celtic music and dancers, Renaissance Scots Village, dog games, a farmers market, food and drink and activities for all ages. Edgewater Citizen's Park
22st and Benton, Denver. Saturday Sept. 15 and Sunday Sept. 16. 

The Fort restaurant's 11th Spanish Colonial and Western Art Market and 1830s Rendezvous. You don't have to be a history buff to love this annual Morrison, Co. event. $6 admission. Seniors and students $3, kids under 12 are FREE.. Historical interpreters and colorful Mountain men and women trappers and traders from the Bent's Fort era sell and trade goods and put on a show. Much fun for all ages.10AM-5PM  Saturday Sept 15-Sunday Sept. 16. The Fort is at 19192 Highway 8, Morrison. 

An institution in South Denver, the Bonnie Brae Tavern celebrates 78 years in business with a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday Sept. 15 from 11AM to close. Stop by to get a sneak peek at their new fall menu. Enjoy food specials such as crispy rellenos for $3.50, spaghetti and meatballs for $2.50 and Reuben sliders for $3.50. A Coors Light is $2.50, Sam Adams Drafts are $3 and Stella Artois is $3.50. Such a deal! The Tavern also plans to hold drawings throughout the day. 740 S. University Blvd., Denver.

Sept. 8 New Belgium's Tour de Fat's Denver Event

The Denver stop of Tour de Fat on Sept. 8 not only raises money for charity but it builds community among bikers and boosts community spirits - well, and there's beer too.  Lots of it! Don't miss the  Denver stop in City Park on Sat. Sept. 8. Expect a wild, costumed bike parade, food, drink and much, much merriment. Most events, including participating in the ride, are FREE. The ride begins at 10AM from the west side of City Park. Performances by:Yo-Yo People, The Cleverly's, Sssnakenstein, and Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds. Money raised goes to Bike Denver and and our own rockin' Denver Cruisers!  

Tentative Schedule
9:00AM   Bike Parade Registration
10:00AM Bike Parade Launch
11:00AM Performances Begin
12:20PM The SLOW RIDE
1:30PM   The Great Bike Story Contest for New Belgium Cruiser Bike
2:35PM. Car-for-Bike Trade Celebration
3:50PM. Faux Finale
3:55PM  Faux-Real Finale
4:00PM  Curtain Closes
Please remember that this is a pro-bike event, not an anti-car event. Non-bike riders are welcome to attend all the festivities. For more details see the above link.City Park is at 17th & York, Denver.