Mother’s Day in Denver is almost here! While Mother’s Day events have not yet returned to normal, we certainly have more options than last year and Mom is a reason to celebrate.
Kick off the day with a fragrant bouquet of freshly cut, elegantly arranged flowers. Colorado’s largest flower business, Lehrer’s Flowers, can help you find the perfect combination for your mom. Or order from Bouquets in Lower Downtown — they were named one of America’s top 10 florists by Bon Appetit Magazine.
If it takes a village to raise a child, why do we shame each other when we get help?
I have been mulling over this question for a while. In the age of social media, Colorado moms are expected to project a perfect facade or being able to do it all and these expectations leave many of us feeling guilty and overwhelmed.
If mom loves vino, get her a bottle of red, white or rose from one of Denver’s urban wineries, like Infinite Monkey Theorem , Carboy Winery or Bigsby’s Folly .
And of course, you can never go wrong with chocolate! Get her a sweet treat from Chocolate Lab , The Chocolate Therapist , Enstrom’s Candies , Temper Chocolates and Confections or Kilwins Chocolates & Ice Cream.
Here are some of our top picks for moms!
EVENTS
MOMS & MIMOSAS
Join Colorado’s largest open-air outlet center for a day that’s all about celebrating Mom! Join Mom in the fun, or give her a special day to enjoy with her pals! This social-distance-friendly event will take place in suite 515 at Outlets at Castle Rock (on the west side of 3rd Street between Hot Topic and Norrona).
MOTHER AND ME MOTHER’S DAY THEMED EVENTS
MOTHER’S DAY CUPCAKES CLASS
WHEN: May 8, 2021, 12-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: My Make Studio
FRIDAY NIGHT BAZAAR
WHEN: May 7, 2021
WHERE: Friday Night BAZAAR
Grab mom for an evening of shopping, sipping and mingling in the RiNo Art District! The Friday Night BAZAAR features more than 40 local vendors, food trucks, craft beer and cocktails and live music. Entry is free and everyone is welcome!
PAINT YOUR MOM A MASTERPIECE
SPRING HORSESHOE MARKET
Denver’s premier indie craft flea market! Modern handmade, vintage and antiques, art, food trucks and more. Theme: KNOTS Custom Wooden Creations. Combining two of Nature’s best elements of domestic hardwoods and semi-precious stones, KNOTS creates hip and stylish, culinary, functional, art pieces! Cutting boards, with inlaid stones, double as cheese boards and or serving platters.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
RED ROCKS PARK & AMPHITHEATRE
Carved from towering red rock monuments, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison is one of the world’s most renowned concert venues. The surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks.
FARMERS’ MARKETS
The Mile High City’s more than 20 farmers’ markets aren’t just about locally grown produce, delicious baked goods and prepared foods — though you’ll find those in abundance! Each market is a festive, weekly street fair, many with live entertainment and family-friendly activities.
DENVER ZOO
With over 3,500 animals on 84 gorgeous acres, Denver Zoo is an amazing experience year-round. Your donation helps to provide world-class care for the lions, giraffes and elephants, as well as other wild animals and wild places, from the Rockies to Mongolia.
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
One of the top five botanic gardens in the nation, Denver Botanic Gardens is an oasis in the city, offering year-round events, a children’s garden, lifelong-learning opportunities and research to preserve Colorado’s precious natural resources. Meanwhile, Chatfield Farms, located in nearby Littleton, takes pride in its exemplary nature preserve and gardens. Located on 750 acres, this picturesque site includes display gardens and a historical farm with a rustic barn.
DENVER’S CITY PARKS
No matter where you find yourself in The Mile High City, you’re likely only a few steps away from a lush and relaxing green space. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to explore Denver’s more than 5,000 acres of traditional parks and parkways, as well as an additional 14,000 acres of spectacular mountain parks in neighboring counties that are maintained by the City and County of Denver.
DENVER STREET ART
Denver street artists have been busy brightening (and enlightening) the urban landscape for decades by making canvases of the city’s alleyways, building exteriors, warehouses, garage doors and storefronts. Grab your camera and take a stroll past some of the city’s favorite murals.
MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS
BRANTLEY GILBERT
WHEN: May 7–8, 2021
WHERE: Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Is mom a country music fan? If so, she’ll love seeing country crooner Brantley Gilbert live at Red Rocks.
DISCO BISCUITS
WHEN: May 7–8, 2021
WHERE: AEG Presents – The Mission Ballroom
The Disco Biscuits are the trailblazers of “trance-fusion,” bridging the gap between electronic music and jam bands.
RAC
WHEN: May 8, 2021
WHERE: The Bluebird Theater
Join RAC and Hotel Garuda for BOY TOUR 2020 at The Bluebird.
THE GARDEN
WHEN: Apr. 22–May 9, 2021
WHERE: Wonderbound
With a soundtrack of 40s, 50s and 60s pop, Artistic Director Garrett Ammon’s newest creation takes us behind the garden wall, to a place of love, betrayal, passion and deceit. Snacks and beverages included with the price of admission!
DISTORTIONS MONSTER WORLD
WHEN: Thru July 31, 2021
WHERE: Denver Pavilions
Ready to get up close and personal with the things that go bump in the night? Come to Distortions Monster World (if you dare), where surprises will greet you around every corner on an out-of-this-world interactive adventure. This series of cinematic environments featuring immersive installations and infamous creatures and characters will truly transport you to another place!
LATE NIGHT STAND-UP
WHEN: Thru Dec. 25, 2021
WHERE: Colorado Sake Co.
The Denver Comedy Lounge features the best local and national comedians! Shows are indoors in the back of Colorado Sake Co. Enjoy full-service dining from Denver Sushi House and Colorado Sake!
ART & MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
TRANSLUCENT REALITY
WHEN: Thru May 8, 2021
WHERE: Walker Fine Art
The artists in this exhibition are striving for a sense of enlightenment by shining through the veil of translucent reality — where reality and fantasy overlap — to express their truths and mysteries. The featured artists in this exhibition utilize traditional and alternative photographic methods, in conjunction with Denver’s famous Month of Photography.
CROSS CURRENTS
WHEN: Apr. 15–May 15, 2021
WHERE: SYNC Gallery
In this series, fine artist Phyllis Rider has worked with colored inks on rice paper, allowing her to incorporate a vivid range of colors, vibrant washes and gestural lines and to combine them with images from stone stamps of her own design. Each piece is mounted on printmaking paper and run through an etching press to stabilize the delicate rice paper.
DREAMS IN BLOOM: PHOTOS BY FARES MICUE
WHEN: Thru May 16, 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Photographer Fares Micue creates dreamlike self-portraits that integrate natural and surprising objects in vibrant hues. Set against a dark, mysterious ground, her images document the hope and positivity of the human spirit. Micue’s first solo exhibition, Dreams in Bloom celebrates the individual beauty of the human form and the universal creative optimism within.
DEER: EILID
WHEN: May 7–23, 2021
WHERE: Core New Art Space
Julie Vaught explores the sacred meaning of the deer in this immersive exhibit featuring paintings and video art. In many cultures, the deer is a powerful symbol representing and mirroring the deeper spiritual aspects of our human lives.
PERSONAL LANDSCAPES
WHEN: May 7–23, 2021
WHERE: Core New Art Space
Using a variety of materials, including beads, thread, photo snapshots, maps, and cloth, Kathy Mitchell-Garton explores her unique perspective on the natural world and the built environment of her Colorado home. Recently, she has begun incorporating fabrics handed down from her grandmothers, which she has dyed with plants grown in her garden.
GREGG DEAL
WHEN: Thru May 27, 2021
WHERE: east window, Boulder
Gregg Deal (Pyramid Lake Paiute) is a provocative contemporary artist who challenges Western perceptions of Indigenous people, touching on issues of race, history, cultural erasure and stereotypes. Through his work — paintings, murals work, performance art, filmmaking and spoken word — Deal critically examines issues and tells stories of decolonization and appropriation that affect Indian Country.
DEBORAH DANCY | A FAINT LIGHT
WHEN: Thru May 27, 2021
WHERE: Robischon Gallery
This extensive, two-part solo exhibition explores the fragile and nuanced space between defined and suggested structures. Dancy’s unapologetically political Oblivion series consists of works on paper and altered period porcelain figurines.
APRON CHRONICLES
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Apron Chronicles features photography, personal narratives and one-of-a-kind aprons. While the storytellers’ recollections were each prompted by an apron, they’re not about fabric. Sharing a depth of emotion and social complexity both intimately personal and universally relatable, the exhibit reminds us that we’re all in this together and even lets visitors add their own stories to the experience.
SHANTELL MARTIN: WORDS AND LINES
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
London-born, New York-based contemporary artist Shantell Martin has collaborated with iconic brands and artists from Puma and Nike to Max Mara and Kendrick Lamar. This interactive multimedia installation features Martin’s signature black and white drawings that explore intersectionality, identity and play.
JOHN GIBSON, STEVE MURPHY & RICHARD CARTER
WHEN: Apr. 23–June 5, 2021
WHERE: William Havu Gallery
The William Havu Gallery presents a solo exhibition by renowned painter John Gibson. Presented concurrently in the main gallery will be select works by Texas sculptor Steve Murphy, and on the mezzanine will be Aspen-based painter Richard Carter’s Erratic Series.
ARTEMESIA PRESENTS: MEETING WITH THE GODDESS
WHEN: Apr. 23–June 19, 2021
WHERE: Artemesia Galerie
Who or what is the Goddess? This show asks the artists directly about their own intimate encounters with the divine feminine within themselves or throughout the world as we know it.
PARIS TO HOLLYWOOD: THE FASHION AND INFLUENCE OF VÉRONIQUE AND GREGORY PECK
WHEN: Thru July 18, 2021
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
A selection of haute couture, fashion sketches, photographs, film clips, family snapshots, and documents will be exhibited publicly for the first time, providing a unique look into the style of one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples.
RADIANT SEASON: PAINTINGS BY KEVIN SLOAN
WHEN: Thru July 11, 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Sloan’s paintings elevate the often-overlooked plants, animals and discarded objects inhabiting the edges of the urban landscape: thistles, traffic cones, sparrows and the like.
ENDURING IMPRESSIONS: DEGAS, MONET, PISSARRO, AND THEIR PRINTMAKER GEORGE WILLIAM THORNLEY
WHEN: Thru July 18, 2021
WHERE: Longmont Museum
Impressionism is one of the most well-known movements in the history of art. This unique exhibit features original paintings, charcoal illustrations and prints by iconic impressionists like Claude Monet, Edgar Dega, and Camille Pissarro. All three painters produced copious amounts of stunning lithographs in collaboration with printmaker George William Thornley. This exhibition is among the first to examine these remarkable relationships and to showcase the works that emerged from this influential moment in time.
GREGG DEAL: PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE
WHEN: Thru July 31, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center.
What does America mean to a person whose ancestors were insulted in its founding document? Gregg Deal of the Pyramid Lake Paiute leads an Indigenous exploration of what democracy means in Indian Country through his unique, dynamic works.
EARTH ILLUMINATED
WHEN: Thru December 31, 2021
WHERE: Denver Pavilions
Earth Illuminated is an immersive experience where the natural world and digital media merge to take you on an ethereal journey. Wander through a 13,000-square-foot space showcasing our planet’s beauty from air, land and sea. Explore a series of immersive environments and large-scale interactive art installations that change the way you experience art and nature.
COLORADO IN THE PRESENT TENSE: NARKITA GOLD, RICK GRIFFITH, NATHAN HALL, AND MAIA RUTH LEE
WHEN: Thru Aug. 22, 2021
WHERE: MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
This exhibition of site-specific responses, large-scale projects, photography, sculpture, sonic movements and works that may live beyond the four walls of a museum centers on how artists in Colorado are absorbing, responding to, grappling with and reimagining the upended world in which we presently find ourselves, from COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter, climate change and beyond.
KEITH HARING: GRACE HOUSE MURAL
WHEN: Thru Aug. 22, 2021
WHERE: MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Recently excavated from its original site, this site-specific mural that Haring executed in 1983/84 for those living at Grace House, a Catholic youth center in Manhattan, now exists as a series of 13 panels and additional ephemera, including the original plaque, mailbox and two doors that Haring integrated into his design.
JAIME CARREJO: WAITING
WHEN: Thru Aug. 22, 2021
WHERE: MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
This new installation by the Denver-based artist explores the relationship between confinement and duration. Through a layering of Southwestern symbolism, mid-century desig, and objects from his own domestic space, Carrejo offers an environment reminiscent of an interior waiting room and exterior courtyard. These settings intend to prompt reflection on various physical and psychological barriers experienced during the pandemic as well as also pose the question of what will come after this extended period of waiting.
SALVADOR DALÍ: GARDENS OF THE MIND
WHEN: Apr. 10–Aug. 22, 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Salvador Dalí: Gardens of the Mind features two rarely seen series of fanciful color lithographs of flowers and fruits on loan from The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mixing flora with the artist’s signature motifs, these works underscore Dalí’s ongoing infatuation with his native landscape of Catalonia and the intriguing images of his Surrealist works.
STONEHENGE: ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND MODERN DISCOVERIES
WHEN: Thru Sept. 6, 2021
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
After centuries of speculation, experts are finally starting to understand the mysteries of Stonehenge, thanks to archaeological excavations and advances in scientific techniques. Explore where, when, why, and perhaps most intriguing, how Stonehenge was built.
ALL THE COSMOS A CANVAS
WHEN: Thru Sept. 15, 2021
WHERE: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Drift deep into space and experience the majesty and wonder of our universe purely through images in this contemplative, aesthetic and introspective exhibition.
LOOKING FORWARD/LOOKING BACK
WHEN: Thru Sept. 19, 2021
WHERE: Molly Brown House Museum
Celebrate Historic Denver’s 50th anniversary! Looking Forward/Looking Back relives the early days as Historic Denver began restoring the home of the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown and the beginnings of the Molly Brown House Museum, which for the first time allowed the public to enter Brown’s Denver residence and learn about the mark she left on the world.
STORIES WE TELL: THE COLLECTION TWO WAYS
WHEN: Thru Oct. 10, 2021
WHERE: Clyfford Still Museum
This exhibition digs deep into the Clyfford Still Museum’s vaults to present the collection in two complementary but alternate ways as a means to understand how artworks and their meaning can change based upon curatorial strategy. It begins with a new chronological presentation in the first five galleries. In the remaining four rooms, the artworks are grouped into specific thematic categories regardless of their chronology.
THE CIVIL WAR MONUMENT “ON GUARD”
WHEN: Thru Oct. 15, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center
This monument stood in front of Colorado’s State Capitol until it was toppled in June 2020 during protests for Black lives. Installed in 1909 to memorialize Colorado’s role in the Civil War, the monument holds multiple meanings for viewers today: a tribute to those who’ve served and sacrificed in the nation’s armed forces, a reminder of atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples, a symbol of white supremacy and injustice, a casualty of destructive lawlessness, and more. Lonnie Bunch, the first African American and first historian to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, said, “what you really want to do is use the statues as teachable moments. Some of these need to go. But others need to be taken into a park, into a museum, into a warehouse, and interpreted for people, because they’re part of our history.”
SHIKI DREAMS BY PRISMAJIC
WHEN: Apr. 17–Dec. 19, 2021
WHERE: Prismajic
Shiki Dreams is the latest immersive adventure from the creators of 2019’s smash hit Natura Obscura. The multi-sensory immersive experience leads guests on a fun and mystical journey of exploration and discovery that combines art and technology in beautiful and amazing ways.
FORTY YEARS ON THE ’FAX
WHEN: Thru Dec. 31, 2021
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Take a nostalgic ride down Colfax, with stops at the quirky and memorable places that gave the street its worldwide reputation.
BLACK IN DENVER
WHEN: Thru Mar. 5, 2022
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Narkita Gold is a Denver-based artist who’s been honing her skills in digital photography since 2009. Her exhibition Black in Denver is a portrait and interview series that takes delves into Black life in Denver.
STATE HISTORICAL FUND RETROSPECTIVE
WHEN: Thru Apr. 30, 2022
WHERE: History Colorado Center
This exhibit explores the rich contributions of History Colorado’s State Historical Fund. Through the preservation of the built environment, the SHF has enhanced vibrant communities across the state for more than three decades.
NIGHT LIGHTS DENVER
WHEN: Permanent Installation
WHERE: Daniels & Fisher Tower
Night Lights Denver features rotating content designed by local artists and the community and projected on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower every Thursday through Saturday evening.
VIRTUAL FUN
‘STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS’
WHEN: May 7, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Watch totally kooky people doing absolutely nutty things live online!
‘TANTALUS: BEHIND THE MASK’
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Twenty years ago, the DCPA Theatre Company and Royal Shakespeare Company embarked upon the most ambitious play ever attempted: “TANTALUS”. Now a part of theatrical history, you are invited to peer into the creation of this world premiere. Stream “TANTALUS: Behind the Mask”, a two-and-a-half-hour documentary that captured all the determination, drama and artistry that led to this highly acclaimed and unforgettable theatrical experience.
VIRTUAL STAGE — ACOUSTIC ON THE ROCKS: ‘VIVALDI’S THE FOUR SEASONS’
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Your Colorado Symphony is thrilled to bring you “Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons,” recorded live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Whether you were one of the lucky few able to experience this concert in person or seeing it for the first time, this is an astounding virtual performance you’ll return to again and again.
VIRTUAL STAGE — WAGNER: ‘THE RING WITHOUT WORDS’
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Richard Wagner’s “The Ring of the Nibelung” notoriously takes days to perform in its entirety. But a unique treatment created by conductor and composer Lorin Maazel distills the work into a form that is moving and enjoyable in just one sitting! Relive this breathtaking 2018 performance from your Colorado Symphony.
VIRTUAL CINEMA
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Since 1978, Denver Film has worked to promote film as both an art form and a civic forum. As the only nonprofit theater in Colorado, we’re dedicated to engaging both our members and the general public in a lifelong relationship with film. Now, Denver Film is bringing the cinema experience directly into your home with Virtual Cinema.
BRAIN BREAKS
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
These short, interactive sessions from Opera Colorado are designed to get you up and moving, learning about music and the arts. Available as a series of ten short episodes, Brain Breaks will spark creative thinking and set the tone for the rest of your day.
STORYTIME SESSIONS
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Step inside Bravo Books, where stories come to life. You’ll meet the Finley brothers, the owners of the bookstore. They know just how magical a story can be and share that knowledge with anyone who may drop in. Each character pulls you into the pages of some of the most beloved tales and tunes from opera, musical theatre and more. Enjoy two different stories from Opera Colorado, each running at approximately 30 minutes in length.
ARIAS & ENSEMBLES
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
This series of concerts are led by an emcee and conducted virtually for the safety of the audience and performers. In Arias & Ensembles, selections are performed as they would be on stage, but without the use of sets and costumes, creating an intimate and engaging at-home experience. Featuring the Opera Colorado Artists in Residence, these delightful, 30-minute programs include arias and ensemble pieces from opera, musical theatre and more.
2ND STORY TOUR OF LOUIS DUPUY’S HOTEL DE PARIS
WHEN: Thru May 31, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Explore the luxurious accommodations that attracted celebrities, politicians, railroad men, commercial travelers, lady tourists and entertainers to Colorado’s most famous mining camp on this free virtual tour. Hotel de Paris Museum, a Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is owned and operated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Colorado. You can also take a tour of the Cellar.
TINY TOTS – EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
WHEN: Thru July 1, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Your kiddos will delight in the Tiny Tots virtual performances, musical online games and activity books for screen-free fun. They’ll sing, dance and imagine along with the music performed by instruments of the orchestra and special guest artists.
BINH DAHN: C.A.R.S ONLINE
WHEN: Thru Aug. 25, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
The artist-curated C.A.R.S. Online series features past participants in the long-running Critic & Artist Residency Series at Colorado State University. In this virtual exhibition, Binh Danh investigates his Vietnamese heritage and our collective memory of war. His technique incorporates his invention of the chlorophyll printing process, in which photographic images appear embedded in leaves through the action of photosynthesis.
JESS T. DUGAN: C.A.R.S ONLINE
WHEN: Thru Sept. 30, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
The artist-curated C.A.R.S. Online series features past participants in the long-running Critic & Artist Residency Series at Colorado State University. In this virtual exhibition, Jess T. Dugan explores issues of identity through photographic portraiture.
CMC PRESENTS: BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR
WHEN: Thru Oct. 24, 2021
WHERE: Virtual/Online
Get stoked for the 2021 presentation of the most outrageous, adventure-packed films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Follow along as some of the world’s best adventurers and filmmakers hike tough trails, paddle wild waters and ski steep slopes.
‘UNTIL THE FLOOD’
WHEN: Thru Apr. 6, 2023
WHERE: Virtual/Online
After the death of Michael Brown, The Ferguson Unrest shook the nation to its core and put a spotlight on police brutality and discrimination. Using extensive interviews she conducted herself, Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Dael Orlandersmith created eight fictional characters to represent the broad spectrum of perspectives that continue to define and divide our country at large.
FITNESS & PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
DENVER NUGGETS V. BROOKLYN NETS
WHEN: May 8, 2021
WHERE: Ball Arena
The Denver Nuggets battle it out against the Brooklyn Nets at Denver’s Ball Arena.
COLORADO RAPIDS V. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
WHEN: May 8, 2021
WHERE: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Is mom a soccer fan? If so, grab tickets to cheer on the Colorado Rapids as they take on Minnesota United FC.
DENVER FIGHT FOR AIR CLIMB
WHEN: May 8, 2021
WHERE: Coors Field – Home of the Colorado Rockies
Join the fight for healthy lungs and clean air during the annual Denver Fight for Air Climb! Head to Coors Field for the shared challenge, the camaraderie and a world free of lung disease.
THE COLORADO WOMEN’S CLASSIC 10 MILER & 5K/10K
WHEN: May 9, 2021
WHERE: Westminster Promenade Terrace
The Colorado Women’s Classic is the perfect way to celebrate women everywhere — including mom!
-Visit Denver
Author: Mile High Mamas
