Best things to do in Colorado in the next few weeks

Film and drinks festivals, theater openings, recreation challenges on tap

By the Thirst Team

Get Out of Town is our roundup of the best events across Colorado for the next few weeks. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

Denver Film Fest opens Friday

The 48th Denver Film Fest runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 9 at Sie Film Center and various other venues around the city. 

The festival includes 19 “Colorado Spotlight” films created in the state, including a  documentary about immigrant workers at Churchill Downs and a feature film about the town of Creede’s renaissance. Some films also include a post-screening discussion with filmmakers. 

Comic theater in Denver opens Friday

Buntport Theater in central Denver continues its 25th season of quirky theater with a revival of the 2017 show “Edgar Allan Poe Is Dead and So Is My Cat.” The Buntport crew promises minimal scares, “unless you think podcasts and Boston Market are spooky.”

The Buntport team also is buying their building and expanding their space, which also provides performance and rehearsal space for many other regional creatives. Click here for more details about the Buntport capital campaign. 

Photo provided

Dia de Los Muertos in Greeley Saturday

The Greeley Creative District hosts a series of events to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos on Saturday. The LINC Library hosts music, crafts and face painting from 3 to 5 p.m. 

A community celebration starts at 4:30 in the 8th Street Plaza, including a memory wall to honor whomever they choose, followed by a procession to the Tointon Gallery for an art exhibition and community ofrenda.

The closing event is a Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra concert of works about life and death by Latin American artists. 

Drinks festival in Estes Park Saturday

The Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival comes to the Estes Park Events Complex. The speakeasy-themed festival includes sampling from more than 40 distilleries, as well as tin type vintage portraits, food trucks, vendors and more.

Stephen King classic opens in Boulder Saturday

The horror shows don’t end on Halloween. From Nov. 1 to 29, OpenStage Theatre in Fort Collins will stage its adaptation of the Stephen King classic “Misery.” Set in Colorado, it tells the story of a romance novelist trapped in a cabin with a fan who is obsessive, to say the least.

Marathon through Colorado National Monument Sunday

The 29th Rim Rock Marathon and Half Marathon course follows Rim Rock Drive through the Colorado National Monument, offering a heart-pounding climb and beautiful views of the Grand Valley.

Registration includes event apparel, a finisher's medal, access to the Colorado National Monument, post-race food, chip timing and more.

​Organizers promise the event will occur as planned, as the permit was approved before the federal shutdown.

Climbing competition in Gunnison Sunday

Western Colorado University hosts the Nightmare on Crux Street, a Halloween-themed bouldering competition. The event is open to all abilities and experience levels, and 21 spots were available at press time.  

There also will be music, a costume contest, a slackline showdown and other events. Admission is free for spectators.

PLAN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Comedy season opens in Beaver Creek Nov. 6 

Beloved standup comedian and film star Hannibal Buress takes the stage for the first of several comedy shows at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek.

The schedule also includes Hannah Berner on Jan. 18, Demitri Martin on March 7 and Colorado YouTube sensation Dude Dad on March 27.

Night of the Dead in Manitou Springs Nov. 7

The 13th annual Noche de Los Muertos festival is coming to the Rockledge Inn on the final night of Mexico’s traditional Day of the Dead week. The event includes Latin dance performances, a symbolic skeleton burning ceremony to honor the dearly departed, face painting, fortune tellers and more. Attendees are invited to bring a memento of a departed loved one to add to the Ofrenda, and dress up in Day of the Dead costumes and make up.

Denver Arts Week opens Nov. 7

Denver Arts Week runs from Nov. 7 to 16, starting with expanded First Friday Art Walks around the metro area, followed by free nights at many area museums on Saturday. There are dozens of other events throughout the week at various venues.

Denver Fashion Week starts Nov. 8

Denver Fashion Week also is back, with seven runway shows between Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 16, at the Brighton in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. Highlights include the first High Altitude Runway Show, with cutting-edge winter collections, and the Western Runway Show spotlighting reimagined cowboy classics.

Regional theatrical debut opens Nov. 8 in Denver 

Curious Theatre in Denver will stage the regional debut of Max Wolf Friedlich’s “Job” from Nov. 8 to Dec. 7

The edgy and award-winning theater company calls the show “a taut, provocative thriller that asks urgent questions about mental health, corporate loyalty, and what we’re willing to sacrifice to keep our place in the system.”

Denver Brass concerts coming Nov. 8 and 9

The Denver Brass classical ensemble will record a live album, featuring works written by Hennessy, Wolfe, Ellisor, Denler, and Pfoltner. Joseph Galema will join the group on pipe organ.

Disco party in Colorado Springs Nov. 15

We Fortify hosts its third annual ‘Gala, Not Gala’ fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Meanwhile Block in downtown Colorado Springs.

Chef Brother Luck, will serve as the emcee and DJ for this disco-themed party, with dinner, a paddle raise, dancing, and a celebration of We Fortify’s work to tackle housing insecurity and generational poverty. 

Banjofest in Denver Nov. 15

The second annual Swallow Hill BanjoFest includes workshops and a concert with banjo all-stars Pete Wernick, Kyle Tuttle, Chris Coole and the Lowest Pair. Tickets are available for workshops, performances or both. Loaner banjos for the day are available.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.