Four words: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. Head over to Sloan’s Lake and find out what all the fuss is about.
The Central City Opera House offers its family matinee program on Tuesday of this week. Take the kids for a mid-week field trip to see Rinaldo, enjoy the mountains, and get a little culture.
Also, don’t forget that this weekend is Sam’s Mom Heather’s Courage Classic Ride. If you need an incentive to go to Copper Mountain and cheer Sams’s Mom on, Copper is offering free chair lift rides on the American Eagle lift. That’s pretty cool. Please note, that doesn’t apply if you’re one of those crazies who hauls their bike up to the top, only to scream down the hill inside of five minutes. That’s called “skiing,” and it’s a winter sport. In addition to the sweet chair lift deal, Copper is offering bargains on lodging. So, again, I say: “Go. Support Heather. Donate money, cheer her on, feel better about yourself for having done so, and reward yourself with a fun weekend at Copper Mountain.”
Or, donate to Summits for Sam, stay in Denver, and do all sorts of other fun things. See below.
Summer Concerts
Friday, July 24
9:30 am – 10:15 am: Summer Entertainment Series at Clement Park, Clement Park (South Pierce and West Bowles), Littleton. Take the kids out to Clement Park for the morning and enjoy the world percussion performance of Istari.
Noon – 1:30 pm: Noon Tunes, 1300 Block of Pearl, Boulder. This series runs through August 14. Leave it to Boulder to plan a party for lunch time. This week, head out and enjoy Finders and Youngberg.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Concerts on the Square at the Orchard, Orchard Town Center, 14697 Delaware Street, Westminster. Head up north to enjoy this new addition to our list. This week, Tidal Wave performs.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Sounds of Southlands, Southlands Shopping District, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road. Another new addition! This week, Wendy Woo serenades denizens of the southeastern suburbs. A note: Pets are welcome at this venue. Well-behaved pets, that is.
Saturday, July 25
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Bear Creek Lake Park Summer Concert, 15600 West Morrison Road, Lakewood (Morrison Road and C-470, roughly). Head out to the lawn by the swim beach at Bear Creek Lake Park for a summer concert with the Tropical Coyotes. The concert is free with $5 admission to the park (or, just plain free if you’ve got a park pass).
7:00 pm: The Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Sweetwater Park, Lone Tree, Denver. The CSO performs an All-American program down in Lone Tree to cap off its free summer concert series.
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Summer Entertainment Series at Clement Park, Clement Park (South Pierce and West Bowles), Littleton. Celtic rockers the Indulgers perform tonight.
Sunday, July 26
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 it’s everybody’s favorite summer band, Chris Daniels and the Kings.
Tuesday, July 28
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 new 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, pretend you’re at the beach with Tidal Wave. Think Jimmy Buffett, the Beach Boys, reggae, etc.
Wednesday, July 29
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 ends this week, with a final performance by Onda. In case of inclement weather, head across the street to the D.L. Parsons Theater.
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: Wendy Woo and Rob Drabkin. 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, it’s Sons of the San Joaquin. I don’t think we’re talking that crazy new rapper we saw on David Letterman a while back.
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Littleton Historic Museum Concert Series, 303-795-3950, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton. This week: John Chandler and the Wichitones.
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 The Legendary Nikators. And if you’ve been in Colorado long enough, you might know them by their original name. Which I can’t print here, because this is a family blog.
Thursday, July 30
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. Under a Blood Red Sky closes out this Highlands Ranch series. As you may have guessed, they’re a U2 tribute band.
6:30 pm: Sounds of Summer, CityCenter Englewood Ampitheater, 1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the light rail station). This week, get your jazz fix with the After Midnight Jazz Band.
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Banks in Harmony Summer Concert Series, Meadwood Park, 3054 S. Laredo Street, Avenue, Aurora. Runs through August 6th, and concessions are available. This week, Western Flyer performs.
7:00 pm: City of Thornton’s Summer Concert Series. Runs Thursdays through August 6. This week, enjoy Lionel Young at Cherrywood Park, 138th Place and Madison Street, Thornton.
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Westminster Summer Concert Series, Westminster City Park, 105th Ave. and Sheridan Boulevard, Westminster. Quemando performs this week. Series runs through August 6.
Summer Movie Programs
Friday, July 24, dusk: Movies at Founders’ Green, Founders Green Park, 29th Avenue and Roslyn Street, Stapleton. This week, get all the excitement you can handle with Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3-D. One of my favorite movies for the 6 – 10 year-old set.
Tuesday, July 28, 7:00 pm: Film on the Rocks, Red Rocks Ampitheater, Morrison. This week’s film is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with musical guest World’s Largest Music Lesson. I will confess now my love for all things Indiana Jones. He is to me what Star Wars is to my husband. We’re geeks that way. Tickets are $10 general admission if purchased in advance, $12 at the door; parking is free. Not familiar with the Film on the Rocks series? In short: Live music at the world’s greatest venue, followed by a movie. Best idea ever. Check the website for the complete schedule.
Tuesday, July 28, 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 Rugrats in Paris.
Tuesday, July 28 and Wednesday, July 29, 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 29, 7:00 pm: Ghostbusters, 11000 Colorado Boulevard, at the Thornton Multipurpose Fields. Venue opens at 7:00 pm, movie starts around dusk. Concessions are available.
Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30, 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: Hotel for Dogs.
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 24, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Louisville Downtown Street Faire, Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front Street, downtown Louisville. Live music begins around 6:00. Now that Louisville is all “We’re the greatest,” you can rest assured that the Faire is the place to be on Friday night. Food and drinks, vendors, artisans, and stuff for the kids, in addition to the aforementioned live music. . . this is one snappy little to-do. Catch it every Friday through August 14.
Saturday, July 25, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Sunday, July 26, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Sloan’s Lake Park on the east side, at 23rd and Stuart, Denver. Dragon Boat races, exhibits, and a full-on festival. Check the website for complete details, including how to get there and where to park when you do get there.
Saturday, July 25 – Sunday, July 26: Buffalo Bill Days, various locations throughout Golden; check the website for details. Buffalo Bill days continues, with festivities on Friday beginning at 5:00 at Parfet Park (10th and Washington), including live music, activities for the kids, and plenty of fun. Over the weekend, don’t miss the parade, a wild west show, mutton bustin’, a car show, and all sorts of other fun activities. A great excuse to get out to Golden.
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 28, 2:00 pm: Handel’s Rinaldo at the Central City Opera House, 124 Eureka Street, Central City. The Central City Opera is offering family matinees at bargain prices: $10 for children 6 – 18, and $15 for adults. These special performances (the first was last week, unfortunately) feature young up-and-coming talent taking the stage. A great way to introduce your child to the opera! The Central City Opera also offers a “Take Your Child to the Opera” option, which includes lunch, a tour of the Opera House, and the opportunity to meet one of the young artists. Check the website for details, or call 303-292-6700 for more information.
Tuesday, July 28, 7:00 pm: 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, be amazed by ventriloquist Wayne Francis and his sidekick Wing Nut.
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 30 (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
Sweet William Market, Founders Green in Stapleton, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This summer market runs the last Saturday of the month through September. All the cool kids will be there.
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. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com
Sunday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Stapleton, 29th and Roslyn, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.
Sunday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Old South Pearl Street Farmers’ Market, 1500 Block of South Pearl Street, Denver.
Sunday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. City Park Esplanade Fresh Market, East Colfax Avenue and Columbine Street, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.
Tuesday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Denver Civic Center Outdoor Market and Café, Colfax and Broadway, Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.
Wednesday, 9:00 am – 1:00. Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University (in the Bed, Bath, and Beyond parking lot), Denver. www.coloradofreshmarkets.com.
South:
Saturday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Highlands Ranch Farmers’ Market, Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester Street, Highlands Ranch. www.denverfarmersmarket.com
Monday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Tamarac Square, Tamarac and Hampden, Denver. www.denverfarmersmarket.com.
North:
Saturday, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. Northfield Stapelton, Northfield Stapleton Shopping Center, I-70 and Quebec. www.laughingdogfarms.net
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. www.laughingdogfarms.net
Northwest:
Thursday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. 4260 Wadsworth Boulevard, Wheat Ridge. www.denverfarmersmarket.com.
Southwest:
Saturday, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Metro Denver Farmers’ Market, Southwest Plaza SE Parking Lot, Wadsworth and Bowles, Littleton. www.denverfarmersmarket.com.
Wednesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Aspen Grove, 7301 South Santa Fe, Littleton. www.denverfarmersmarket.com
East:
Tuesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Aurora Farmers’ Market, 333 N. Havana, in the Maya Sports Bar and Grill parking lot. www.denverfarmersmarket.com
Southeast:
Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Lone Tree, Yosemite and Maximus. www.laughingdogfarms.net.
Saturday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora. www.laughingdogfarms.net. 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. www.laughingdogfarms.net. Runs through October.
Thursday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Southlands, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, in the Southlands Shopping Center, Aurora. www.laughingdogfarms.net.
To be considered for inclusion in our weekly event picks, be sure to email Jennifer at [email protected]