Sunday. Discover the roots of the Renaissance at “Cities of Splendor: A Journey Through Renaissance Italy” at the Denver Art Museum. Opening Sunday, the exhibition features a variety of Renaissance artworks from all over Italy. See how the styles of different cities—like Milan, Venice and Siena—helped shape the aesthetics of the era. The exhibit also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the DAM’s Kress Collection: A half-century ago, the museum received the first of nearly 40 art pieces donated by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, many of them from the Italian Renaissance period. Through July 31. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, open until 8 p.m. Fridays. Closed Mondays. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy.; 720-865-5000. denverartmuseum.org.
Saturday. Take to the skies at the 9th annual Arvada Kite Festival. Spring is prime kite-flying time—bring a kite from home to enter the kite contest. Prizes will be awarded in categories like “Highest Kites,” “Smallest Kites” and more. Kids can make and decorate a little kite for free, too. Watch high-flying demonstrations by the Foothills Kite Club, listen to music by the Jeffco Brass Band and join in YMCA-sponsored activities. Plenty of food will be on-hand, too, to help fuel the fun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Robby Ferrufino Park, 74th Avenue and Carr Drive, Arvada. Admission is free. arvadafestivals.com
Saturday. Forget the buffaloes—it’s all about bugs: “Bugapalooza” at the University of Colorado Museum of Nature and Science. Creepy crawlers will be all over the place at this free family event, from hands-on craft activities to real, live insects. Be on the lookout for bug bites, too: Not the bug bites on your skin, but crunchy, little, many-legged snacks. 1-4 p.m. Saturday. CU Museum of Nature and Science, The Henderson Building, 15th Street and Broadway, Boulder; 303-492-6892. Admission is free. cumuseum.colorado.edu
Sunday. Bring the whole gang for the Frank Shorter Race 4 Kids’ Health. The 2nd annual 5K salutes Olympic gold-medal marathoner Frank Shorter, a resident of Boulder, for his support of children’s fitness. In addition to a timed 5K race, the event includes a 1K run/walk, races for youngsters, an all-ages running clinic and a scavenger hunt. Strollers are OK, but leave Fido at home. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday; 5K starts at 9 a.m.; family events begin at 10 a.m. Broomfield County Commons Park, 13200 Sheridan Blvd. Day-of-race registration for the 5K is $35, or $80 for a family of four or more. All other events are free. healthylearningpaths.org
Sunday. Settle in for some old-fashioned fun at “Pipes and Pops” at the Paramount Theatre. Presented by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society, this family friendly concert features organist Brett Valliant on the Paramount’s 1930 Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. He’ll be accompanied by band ensembles from the Denver School of the Arts, directed by David Hammond. Best of all, the show is free for students age 18 and younger—no ticket required. 2 p.m. Sunday. Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place; 303-623-0106. Adult tickets are $12. Buy tickets in advance at tickethorse.com or call 866-461-6556. paramountdenver.com.
-Kathleen St. John
Author: Mile High Mamas
