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Colorado Livin' / Events

Mamas’ Weekly Event Round-up

August gets me all panicky about school starting, and how I haven’t maximized the summer or gotten nearly enough done. But August has so much to offer: Produce at its peak at the farmer’s market, the last of the summer concerts, fairs and festivals (except, not this week, sorry! Everybody’s gearing up for the Colorado Scottish Festival next week in Highlands Ranch.), and perfect weather for those final days at the pool. Why can’t I just relax and enjoy August?

This is the last weekend for ye olde Renaissance Festival. Also, Rick Springfield is playing at the Hudson Gardens. So. . . And there’s that huge dinosaur thing down at the Pepsi Center. It’s a smidge pricey (by Casa de Jennifer standards), but really amazing.

Naturally, you should check before you go, just in case anything has changed. Go forth, be adventurous, and enjoy!

Free Days
Saturday, August 1: Free First Saturdays at the Denver Art Museum, 720-865-5000, 13th Avenue, between Broadway and Bannock in Downtown Denver.

Saturday, August 1, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Denver Firefighters Museum, 1326 Tremont Place, Denver. Celebrate 100 years of firefighting with a free day this weekend.

Saturday, August 1: Colorado Railroad Museum, 17155 West 44th Avenue, Golden. If you haven’t been, don’t wait for a “Day out with Thomas” to check out this awesome train museum. The Colorado Railroad Museum is an xcellent field trip for the train lover, young or old, in your life. Check the website for driving directions and more information.

Tuesday, August 4, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Free First Tuesdays at the Children’s Museum, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., 2121 Children’s Museum Drive (Off of I-25 and 23rd Ave, near the Denver Aquarium), Denver.

Sunday, August 2: Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys, 1880 Gaylord Street, Denver, 303-322-1053. This is part of the SCFD’s “pay what you can” family free days, so donations are happily accepted.

Sunday, August 2: Free Sundaes on First Sundays, Boulder History Museum, 1206 Euclid Avenue, Boulder. Free admission and free ice cream, all day. Now that’s my kind of free day.

Friday, August 7: Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton.

Summer Concerts
Friday, July 31

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 Red Apple Highway.

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, Fab 4 performs.

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Sounds of Southlands, Southlands Shopping District, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road. Another new addition! This week, catch Chris Daniels and the Kings. A note: Pets are welcome at this venue. Well-behaved pets, that is.

Sunday, August 2
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, enjoy The Otone Brass Band.

Tuesday, August 4

6:30 pm: Sounds of Summer, CityCenter Englewood Ampitheater, 1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the light rail station). Catch this rescheduled performance of the Mile High Banjo Society.

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, it’s the Fab 4.

Wednesday, August 5

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: Steve Poltz with Pete Kartsounes. 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 this show are $13 in advance, $15 the day of the show, $7.50 for kids. Food and beverages available for purchase. Bring your own chairs or blanket. This week, it’s Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen.

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Bands on the Bricks, 1300 Block of Pearl, Boulder. Boulder’s summer concert series runs through August 12—catch a different band every Wednesday night. This week it’s Chris Daniels and the Kings.

Thursday, August 6

6:30 pm: Sounds of Summer, CityCenter Englewood Ampitheater, 1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the light rail station). This week, enjoy the old school rock and roll and Motown sounds of Kenny Cordova and the Olde Rock Band.

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Summer Entertainment Series at Clement Park, Clement Park (South Pierce and West Bowles), Littleton. Santana tribute band Soul Sacrifice performs tonight.

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, Patrick Emerine performs contemporary and classic rock.

7:00 pm: City of Thornton’s Summer Concert Series. This is the last week for the “Free Parking” Summer Concerts in Thornton. Chris Daniels and the Kings performs at Community Park, Thornton Parkway and York Street in Thornton.

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Westminster Summer Concert Series, Irving Street Park, 7392 Irving Street in Westminster. This is also the last week for this summer series. The CU Denver Claim Jumpers cap things off.

Summer Movie Programs
Although most of the summer programs at various theaters are winding down, outdoor movie programs like Movies in the Parks and the Boulder Outdoor Cinema are still going strong for a few more weeks.

Friday, July 31, dusk: Kung Fu panda, Movies in the Parks, Barnum Park, 360 Hooker Street, Denver. Free popcorn, cotton candy, and sno-cones; other concessions available for purchase.

Saturday, August 1, 7:00 pm: Boulder Outdoor Cinema presents The Princess Bride, 1750 13th Street, Downtown Boulder (behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art). Loyal readers (all 2 of you!) may remember from earlier this summer how much I looooove this movie. So go see it! Suggested donation of $5 at the door; concessions available for purchase. Pre-show entertainment (movie shorts, etc.) begin around 7:00, movie begins around dusk.

Saturday, August 1, dusk: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Movies in the Parks. This one is showing at Skyline Park, 1775 Arapahoe, Denver. Free popcorn, cotton candy, and sno-cones; other concessions available for purchase. This is the original, with Gene Hackman. Not that other, really really cute guy.

Tuesday, August 4, 10:00 am Summer Movie Clubhouse at the Century 16 in BelMar, 440 S. Teller Street, Lakewood. This is the last week for this free movie program! This week’s movie is Open Season.

Tuesday, August 4, 7:00 pm: Film on the Rocks, Red Rocks Ampitheater, Morrison. This week’s film is Ghostbusters with musical guest Opie Gone Bad. It’s the 25th Anniversary of this classic comedy. Tickets are $10 general admission if purchased in advance, $12 at the door; parking is free. Check the website for the complete schedule.

Tuesday, August 4 and Wednesday, August 5, 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, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, 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. This is the last week for this series, as well. This week’s film: Coraline.

Thursday, August 6, dusk: River Flicks presents Transformers at Confluence Park, 15th and Little Raven (across the river from the REI Flagship Store), Downtown Denver. The Greenway Foundation is just getting started with the movies, and will be showing three more during the month of August. Parking is available at the Downtown Aquarium for $6.00.

County Fairs
The county fairs get their own section, because there’s just so darn many of them! Check out your local county fair—you’ll be amazed at all the things that go on in your own backyard, about which you weren’t even aware!

July 31 – August 8: Boulder County Fair, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Live music, activities for the kids (including mutton bustin’ and Ballet on Horseback. . . ??), a chili cook-off, talent show. . . the Boulder County Fair, is, of course, free and green and all Boulder-y. Take the family up and find out where those burgers and chicken nuggets really come from. And I mean that in a good, educational way.

Saturday, August 1 – Sunday, August 9: Douglas County Fair, Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Drive, Castle Rock. Not to be outdone by Boulder, Douglas County kicks off their fair this weekend, as well. Kudos to Douglas County for having a Roller Derby. I am not making this up. You can’t make up stuff like this. On Wedneday, August 5, the Castle Rock ‘N Rollers take on the Pueblo Derby Devil Dollz. Seriously. Check the website for more details, along with a complete listing of events that aren’t the roller derby.

Wednesday, August 5 – Sunday, August 9: Adams County Fair, Adams County Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton. Interactive game experience, petting zoo, kids’ day, a kayak tank. . . all the fair trappings up there in Brighton.

Thursday, August 6, – Sunday, August 9: Jefferson County RoundUp Fair and Rodeo, Jefferson County Fairgrounds,15200 West 6th Avenue, Lakewood.

Happenings and Other Fun Things to Do
Friday, July 31, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Louisville Downtown Street Faire, Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front Street, downtown Louisville. Live music begins around 6:00. Food and drinks, vendors, artisans, and stuff for the kids, in addition to the live music. . . this is one snappy little to-do. Catch it every Friday through August 14.

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
Friday, July 31, 9:30 am and 11:30 am: Mary Sue and Cari Family Concert at Chautauqua Park, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder. A great show for the kids, featuring puppets, songs, and merriment. Only $5.00!

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, August 6 (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, August 1, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm: A Paris Street Market, Aspen Grove, 7301 South Santa Fe, Littleton. Vintage, antique, and just plain cool. That’s the sort of stuff you’ll find at this funky little market down south. It only happens on the first Saturday of the month through October, so don’t miss your chance to find that cool objet that will make all your friends drool.

Also, a heads-up for next weekend: On August 8 from 10:00 – 3:00, Congrats from Colorado is having a sample sale, offering you the opportunity to snap up all sorts of cool, Colorado-made gifts for just about everyone in your life. 3457 Ringsby Court, Denver. That’s an old taxi warehouse near I-70 and Washington, just outside of Downtown.

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]

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