THIS WEEK

Denver Arts Week opens Friday

Denver Arts Week opens Friday, with events, concerts, special exhibits and discounts at venues all over the Denver area. The arts week website lists hundreds of offerings.

We are particularly excited for the Listen to Your Mother alumni storytelling show at the Dairy Arts Center on Friday; the Autumn Artfest from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Globeville Riverfront Art Center; and a multimedia performance of an Oscar Peterson suite on Sunday at Dazzle.

Concert and gear expo in Denver Saturday

Skiers and snowboarders will gather to “summon the snow” at the REI Denver Flagship store on the Platte River. The event is a combination of gear expo, fashion show and music festival, with performances by Chromeo and Goldilox, plus silent disco and food trucks.

Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival in Estes Saturday

The Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival comes to the Estes Park Events Center. The speakeasy-themed festival includes sampling from more than 40 distilleries, 10 craft breweries and several non-alcoholic drink makers. The festival also offers tintype vintage portraits and live music from Deborah Stafford.

Climbing festival in Ouray Sunday

Ourock is a daylong celebration of rock climbing in Ouray. Events include a guided climbing wall, climbing competitions, silent auction, raffle and live DJ. The festival is a fundraiser and membership drive for the Ouray Climbers Alliance.

Bloody Mary Festival in Denver Nov. 8

The 10th annual Denver Bloody Mary Festival is coming to Reelworks. Some of Denver's top bars, restaurants and artisanal bottled cocktails will compete for a people’s choice award and the official prize voted on by expert judges. A VIP session starts at 11:30, with general admission from 12:15 to 2:30 p.m.

Local concert series in Fort Collins opens Nov. 11

The Mishawaka Amphitheatre team has been deeply involved in the local music scene for a long time. So they are the perfect crew to curate the winter concert series on Wednesdays at Odell Brewing’s Wine Project. The series opens next week with Veronica May, and continues Nov. 25 with 2 P’s in a Band. The series continues every other Wednesday through April 14.

PLAN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Steve Martin-penned comedy in Denver Nov. 12 to 14

The Metro State University theater department will stage “Picasso at the Lapine Agile” by Steve Martin. The absurdist comedy is set in a Parisian cafe in 1904, and will be staged at the King Center on the Auraria campus.

Indy film fest in Ridgway Nov. 13 to 15

The Ridgway Independent Film Festival brings six blocks of independent short films on Saturday and Sunday, after an opening party on Friday night. This year’s theme is campfire stories. A volunteer-led grassroots effort created the festival shortly after Ridgway became one of Colorado’s first Certified Creative Districts. All screenings are at the historic Sherbino Theater.

Estes Park Restaurant Week Nov. 13 to 22

Eateries around Estes Park will offer special menus and meals. Diners also can check into each spot in an online passport for a shot at prize packages. Offers range from a $15 slider, chili and cinnamon roll combo at Glen Haven General Store to an exclusive $75 five-course menu at Ember Restaurant & Bar.

Blues festival in Berthoud Nov. 14

Bayou Smokehouse and City Star Brewing will host the free Berthoud Blues Bash from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, with live music from the Jack Hadley Band, the Johnny O Band, Mad Dog Blues Duo, 100LB Housecat and Delta Sonics.

Banjo festival in Denver Nov. 14

The Swallow Hill Banjofest is a day of performances, jams and workshops with Kaia Kater, Allison de Groot, Nic Gareiss and Natalie Spears, as well as Swallow Hill instructors and community members. Workshops and jam sessions run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a concert at 7 p.m.

Bighorn sheep celebration in Georgetown Nov. 14

The Bighorn Sheep Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with education, crafts and other activities. The first 50 kids at the town booth will get a free stuffed bighorn sheep.

Holiday wine festival in Estes Park Nov. 28

The 7th annual Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Estes Park Events Complex. The festival includes more than 100 varietals from at least 20 Colorado wineries, as well as retail and holiday vendors, food vendors, free pics with Santa and free kids’ activities. Each ticket includes a wine glass, wine tote, and unlimited tastings. Non-drinker and children’s tickets also are available.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in this events roundup, we will add them to our events calendar.

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