10 Ways to Make the Most of Denver Arts Week
It can be difficult to choose from the myriad of
events taking place around town; here’s how to get the most out of
Denver Arts Week:
1. Explore vibrant art districts and diverse neighborhoods on First Friday Art Walks, Nov. 4
The annual event kicks off with citywide First Friday
Art Walks in Denver’s art districts, where more than 100 galleries and
display spaces stay open late and feature art shows, demonstrations and
more. Go on a VIP Art Tour in the River
North Art District (RiNo), take advantage of Tennyson Street Cultural
District’s $52.80 art sale, submit your own art in the Art District on
Santa Fe’s “To Denver With Love” art contest, and venture to the Golden
Triangle neighborhood to see some of the city’s
finest galleries.
2. Experience FREE Night at the Museums on Nov. 5
Venues around town are open late, from 5 to 10 p.m.,
during FREE Night at the Museums. The museums offer special
programming, family-friendly activities and live entertainment, and
there are complimentary shuttles to make “museum
hopping” easy and convenient. The Denver Museum of Nature &
Science, Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center,
The Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), Forney Museum of
Transportation and Denver Firefighters Museum are just some of this
year’s
many not-to-miss participants.
3. Check out blockbuster exhibitions, from mummies to Japanese fashion
This fall, several of Denver’s major museums are hosting international traveling exhibitions and original curations. See
Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea at Denver Zoo; Shock Wave: Japanese Fashion Design, 1980s-90s at the Denver Art Museum; and
Extreme Mammals and Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs, both of which
are at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
4. See 'only in Denver' dance performances and events
Kick off Denver Arts Week with a free First Friday performance of
The Nutcracker (Nov. 4) at Colorado Ballet. Attend a professional dance workshop for free at
Chance to Dance (Nov. 5)
at the newly renovated McNichols Building in Civic Center Park. See 10
amazing dancers perform as part of the Wonderbound dance company (Nov. 10) at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center; and experience the passion of flamenco dancing
when Una Noche de Flamenco! (Nov. 11) takes the stage at Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center.
5. Tune in to Denver’s thriving music scene
Hear beautiful music inspired by Shakespeare as the St. Martin’s Chamber Choir presents
There is Sweet Music: Shakespeare at 400 (Nov. 11). Or check out pop and electronic artists at some of the city’s more intimate music venues, such as Timeflies (Nov. 8) and Space Jesus (Nov. 11) at the Bluebird Theater, country bands like Dan + Shay
(Nov. 10) at the Ogden Theatre, and country and roots rock singer Sturgill Simpson (Nov. 4 & 5) at the Paramount Theatre.
6. Make plans for a 'theater night out'
Denver is home to a premier performing arts scene. See Jersey Boys (Nov. 9-13) at Denver Center for the Performing Arts and
Hand to God (Nov. 3 –Dec. 17)
at the Curious Theatre Company. But if you want to unlock the magic
behind theatrical performances, check out the free, family-friendly
Magic of Theatre (Nov. 7)
activity where you'll learn about combat, fake blood and conjuring rain
on stage from Tony Award-winning professionals at the Denver Center for
the Performing Arts.
7. See the newest independent films during The Denver Film Festival
The Denver Film Festival (Nov. 2-13)
features more than 250 films: blockbusters, documentaries, shorts and
more. Regular festival screenings take place at the Sie FilmCenter and
UA Denver Pavilions Stadium 15.
8. Discover unique art exhibits
Pay homage to influential artists from the past four decades during
Looking Back: 40 Years/40 Artists (through Nov. 13)
at Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities and survey Western art
by viewing more than 300 paintings at the American Museum of Western
Art. If you want to get smart about art, immerse yourself in a
week-long series of educational experiences. Join artists, dealers and
other experts at
Art Smart in Cherry Creek North (Nov. 4-12).
9. Get in for free at the city’s top cultural attractions
On select days, get free admission to some of the city’s most sought after attractions like Denver Zoo (Nov. 4 & 7), Denver Art Museum (Nov. 5) and Denver Botanic Gardens (Nov. 11 & 12).
10. Choose from numerous great deals and discounts
Take advantage of excellent deals on artwork and tickets and find free events by searching the
Denver Arts Week Deals page.