The holiday weekend is behind us, but summer is still going strong! Summer festivals are back in full swing, with the Denver Black Arts Festival in City Park, and the Colorado Irish Festival in Clement Park out in Littleton. Two vastly different but equally interesting cultures. Of course, live entertainment, food, and fun (including activities for the kids!) are abundant at both events. Don’t forget the Renaissance Festival is still going strong down in Larkspur, thought only for a few more weekends.

Also, for you train buffs: Take advantage of the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s collaborative effort with Michael Martin Murphey (you remember him, right? “She ran callin’ Wiiiildfire. . .”) to stage country music shows over 4 consecutive weekends in Fir, Colorado. What’s that? You’ve never heard of Fir? That’s because you can only get there by train. Travel by train from Alamosa or La Veta up to Fir, enjoy an afternoon of music in a natural amphiteather, then head back down the way you came. Special deals are available online, including a 2-for-1 deal. That makes it darn reasonable. And darn cool. Check out the website for specifics on dates, perfomers, and information on tickets, or call 877-726-RAIL.

As always, check before you go out this weekend. And wear sunscreen.

Free Days

Monday, July 13: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver. 303-322-7009. The Expedition: Health exhibit is included, but you still need to make reservations to see it.

Summer Concerts

Friday, July 10
Noon – 1:30 pm: Noon Tunes, 1300 Block of Pearl, Boulder. This series runs through August 14. This week, head out and enjoy Spring Creek.

Sunday, July 12
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: City Park Jazz, at the Bandstand at City Park Pavilion. This popular series runs Sundays through August 9. Park for free at the Zoo or the Museum, then take the shuttle to the bandstand. Free bike parking is also available. This week’s band is the Buckner Funken Jazz. Say that three time fast after a martini or two.

Tuesday, July 14
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Concerts at the Crescent, Crescent Ampitheater, DTC Boulevard and Belleview (just east of Yia Yia’s Euro Café) in the Denver Tech Center. This recent addition to our list features fun concerts in a nice little area down south. Bring your own food, but leave Fido at home. This week’s band: Soul X, a contemporary band playing music from this decade.

Wednesday, July 15
6:30 pm: Northglenn Summer Concert Series, E.B. Rains, Jr. Memorial Park, 11701 Community Center Drive (across from City Hall), Northglenn. Northglenn’s World Beat series runs through July 29. In case of inclement weather, head across the street to the D.L. Parsons theater for the performance. This week, enjoy Book Em’ Danno! They’re a Hawaiian swing band. Who knew?

6:30 pm: (doors open at 6:00 pm) Swallow Hill’s Shady Grove Picnic Series at Four Mile Historic Park, 715 Forest Street, Denver. This week: Shalom Feivel and Rocky Mountain Jewgrass w/ Julie Geller. I am not making these things up, people! Tickets are $10/adults, $2 kids 12 and under.

7:00 pm: Lakewood Summer Concert Series, 801 South Yarrow Street in the Lakewood Heritage Center, Lakewood. Tickets for most of these shows are $6.00 the day of the show (a little less if purchased in advance), or buy a season ticket package for $37.80 for all six shows. Food and beverages available for purchase. Bring your own chairs or blanket. This week, Colorado favorite Wendy Woo.

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Evergreen Lake Summer Concert Series, Evergreen Lake House, Evergreen. A recent addition to our list! This week, the Kamikaze Klones entertain in high altitude style. Relax by the lake, but don’t forget your sweater. Parking is limited around Evergreen Lake; the good folks in Evergreen offer shuttle service from Evergreen High School, or try the VIP parking for $10 at the Lake House. Check the website for complete details.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Littleton Historic Museum Concert Series, 303-795-3950, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton. This week: Willson and McKee.

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Bands on the Bricks, 1300 Block of Pearl, Boulder. This one runs through August 12—catch a different band every Wednesday night. This week it’s Hazel Miller.

Thursday, July 16
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Highlands Ranch Summer Concert Series.Thursdays, through July (except July 2), at Highland Heritage Park, 9651 South Quebec, Highlands Ranch. The Nacho Men perform this week down in the Ranch.

6:30 pm: Sounds of Summer, CityCenter Englewood Ampitheater, 1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the light rail station). This week, it’s blues, funk and R & B with Atomic Brass Project.

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Banks in Harmony Summer Concert Series, Utah Park, 1800 South Peoria, Aurora. Runs through August 6th, and concessions are available. This week, it’s The Wendy Woo Band.

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Confluence Concerts, Confluence Park, 15th and Little Raven, LoDo (across the river from REI). Parking is available at the Downtown Aquarium for $6.00. This series runs Thursday evenings, but only in July, so catch it while it’s hot. This week: Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble.

7:00 pm: City of Thornton’s Summer Concert Series. Runs Thursdays through August 6. This week, enjoy some ice cream and get your dance on with Groove Machine at Sherwood Hills Park, 100th Avenue and Detroit Street.

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Summer Entertainment Series at Clement Park, Clement Park, at the corner of Bowles and Pierce, Littleton. This series runs throughout the summer. Tonight, catch Bill George and Flywheel.

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Westminster Summer Concert Series, Westminster City Park, 105th Ave. and Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster. Chris Daniels and the Kings performs this week. Series runs through August 6.

Summer Movie Programs
Friday, July 10, 6:30 pm: Centennial Night at the Movies presents Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa, at the Trails Recreation Center, 16799 E. Lake Avenue.

Friday, July 10, dusk: Movies at Founders’ Green, Founders Green Park, 29th Avenue and Roslyn Street, Stapleton. This week, sing along to Mamma Mia! You know you want to.

Saturday, July 11, dusk: Spiderman, Movies in the Parks. This week’s screening is at Skyline Park, 1775 Arapahoe. Free popcorn, cotton candy, and sno-cones; other concessions available for purchase.

Tuesday, July 14, 10:00 am: Summer Movie Clubhouse at the Century 16 in BelMar, 440 S. Teller Street, Lakewood. Tuesdays through August 4, the Century 16 in BelMar offers a different PG or G rated movie for the kids. 10-packs for all 10 movies are available at the beginning of the season for $5, but now it’s pay as you go for a buck a show. This week’s movie is Charlotte’s Web. That’s the Dakota Fanning Charlotte’s Web, not the animated movie some of us remember from back in the day.

Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15, 10:00 am: Regal Free Family Film Festival, West Village Stadium, 14225 West Colfax; Greenwood Plaza 12, 8151 E Arapahoe Road; Park Meadows 12, 9355 Park Meadows Drive; Continental 10, 3635 S Monaco Pkwy. Free movies for the family; movies vary by location, so check the website for complete listings.

Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, 10:00 am: Kerasotes Free Summer Movie Program, Old Town 14 in Arvada, Chinese 16 at Arapahoe Crossing in Aurora, Southlands 16 in Aurora, Castle Rock 12, Cherry Creek 8, Bowles Crossing 12 in Littleton, and 20 Mile Village 10 in Parker. Doors open at 9:00 am, and seating is on a first come-first serve basis. Series runs through August 6. This week’s film: Mall Cop.

Monday – Friday, 9:45 am: Harkins Kid Summer Movie Program, Northfield Theater, 8300 E 49th Avenue. This movie program runs through August 1st; movies cost $2.00. Adults must be accompanied by a child. Check the website for complete details and movie listings specific to this program.

Happenings and Other Fun Things to Do
Friday, July 10, Noon – 7:30 pm, Saturday, July 11, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Sunday, July 12, Noon – 8:00 pm: Denver Black Arts Festival, City Park (22nd Avenue and York Street), Denver. Live music, art, spoken word, and a Children’s Pavilion all serve to celebrate African-American arts, culture, and heritage. $1.00 donation suggested at the door.

Friday, July 10, 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Saturday, July 11, 11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Sunday, July 12, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm: Colorado Irish Festival, Clement Park (corner of Bowles and Pierce), Littleton. There will be no shortage of beer, Irish music, and Irish dance at this year’s Colorado Irish Festival. There will also be Gaelic sports, arts, food. . . and a wee bit of merriment, to be sure. Tickets are $8 for Friday, $10 Saturday and Sunday. Buy tickets online, or at the gate. No food is allowed in, just as an fyi.

Wednesday, July 15 – Sunday, July 26: Work and Play at the Children’s Museum Plaza, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, Denver. Check out these unique play houses, designed and built by local builders and architects, using sustainable and reusable materials. This exhibit is free! Play houses are available for exploration on Wednesdays from 9:00 am – 7:30 pm, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm all other weekdays, and 10:00 am – 5:00 pm on the weekends.

Thursday, July 16: Third Thursday at Highlands Square, 32nd and Lowell. Head up north—the weather will be perfect for strolling, shopping, sampling. . .

Friday, July 17: 12:00 p.m to 2:00 p.m. at The Denver Marriott Tech Center (4900 S. Syracuse Street, Denver, CO 80237) The Discovery Toys National Convention and Toy Fair is opening its doors to the public! Discover a great income opportunity and see the latest innovative educational toys.

Wednesdays in July (beginning July 1), 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Firehouse Kitchen at the Denver Firefighters Museum, 1325 Tremont Place, Denver. This program is designed to teach kitchen safety, but you get to enjoy firehouse treats at the same time. We all know what great chefs those firefighters are! Take your favorite fire engine fanatic for a little afternoon getaway. $5 per class, or $15 for the 4 week session.

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, now through August 28, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Tebo Train Rides on the Pearl Street Mall, Boulder. Let your little ones (10 and younger, please) hop on the train and get a little tour of the Pearl Street Mall—two whole blocks of it. Adults can ride with their child. Catch the train at the Wells Fargo Bank in the 1200 block of the Pearl Street Mall.

Theater and Music
Tuesday, July 14, 7:00 pm: “a href=“http://www.englewoodgov.org”>KidStage Family Night, CityCenter Englewood Amphitheater, 1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the Light Rail Station Bridge, next to the Civic Center), Englewood. Tuesday nights in July, Englewood offers special programming just for kids and their families. This week, channel your inner Hawaiian with John Coelho and Darlene.

July 1 – August 15: Colorado Shakespeare Festival, 914 Broadway (on the University of Boulder Campus), Boulder. Get a little culture this summer with one of the best Shakespeare Festivals around. Performances of the great works of the Bard (along with one or two others) run at various times. Check the website for specifics.

Through August 22: Cinderella, Mexican Style at the Denver Puppet Theater, 3156 West 38th Avenue, Denver. 303-458-6446. A charming little twist on a popular tale. Check out the Denver Puppet Theater this summer; tickets are inexpensive ($6.00!), and shows are appropriate for children 3 years and older.

Thursday, July 16 (and every Thursday night during the summer): Music on the Streets in Old Town Arvada, Old Wadsworth and Grandview Avenue. Stroll through Old Town Arvada as live music plays. A lovely way to spend a warm spring evening.

Through September 5: Annie at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder. The Broadway musical you love. . . with dinner! Special matinees added for families, so you can bring the little ones and you can all leave singing “It’s a hard knock life. . .” Check the website for show times and ticket prices.

Farmers’ (and other) Markets
Saturday, July 11, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm: Olde Town Market and Whimsical Artisans Emporium, Downtown Littleton. This new addition to the list runs on the second Saturday of each month through October 10th. Sidewalk shopping from unique vendors, featuring antique, vintage, and artisan goods. Check it out!

Saturday, July 11, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm: Ballpark Market, Larimer Street between 21st and 22nd. This European-style flea market runs the second Saturday of the month through October. Cool vintage stuff, collectibles, and other unique items abound.

The Farmers’ Markets have been rearranged by region, to improve your shopping experience.

Central:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University (in the Bed, Bath, and Beyond parking lot), Denver.

Sunday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Stapleton, 29th and Roslyn, Denver. .

Sunday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Old South Pearl Street Farmers’ Market, 1500 Block of South Pearl Street, Denver. This market makes its debut this weekend. Check it out!

Sunday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. City Park Esplanade Fresh Market, East Colfax Avenue and Columbine Street, Denver.

Tuesday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Denver Civic Center Outdoor Market and Café, Colfax and Broadway, Denver.

Wednesday, 9:00 am – 1:00. Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University (in the Bed, Bath, and Beyond parking lot), Denver.

South:

Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Highlands Ranch Farmers’ Market, Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester Street, Highlands Ranch.

Monday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Tamarac Square, Tamarac and Hampden, Denver.

North:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Northfield Stapelton, Northfield Stapleton Shopping Center, I-70 and Quebec.

Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Boulder Farmer’s Market, Downtown Boulder on 13th Street between Canyon and Arapahoe 303-910-2236.

Sunday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Orchards Farmers’ Market, 144th Avenue and I-25.

Northwest:

Thursday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 4260 Wadsworth Boulevard, Wheat Ridge.

Southwest:

Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Metro Denver Farmers’ Market, Southwest Plaza SE Parking Lot, Wadsworth and Bowles, Littleton.

Wednesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Aspen Grove, 7301 South Santa Fe, Littleton.

East:
Tuesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Aurora Farmers’ Market, 333 N. Havana, in the Maya Sports Bar and Grill parking lot.

Southeast:

Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Lone Tree, Yosemite and Maximus.

Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora. This market opens this weekend, and will then be open Saturdays, 9:00 – 1:00 and Thursdays, 10:00 – 1:00.

Sunday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Parker Farmer’s Market, Northwest corner of Parker and Main Street, in the Crossroads Shopping Center. Runs through October.

Thursday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora.

To be considered for inclusion in our weekly event picks, be sure to email Jennifer at jennifer@milehighmamas.com