ART

OPENS JULY 4: Memory Mirror – Denver Art Museum Lares Feliciano’s Memory Mirror is an immersive installation that invites visitors to explore their relationship with memory through animation, dioramas, and interactive storytelling. Designed to evoke the memory of a relative’s living room, Memory Mirror will transform the museum’s Precourt Family Discovery Hall into a surreal domestic den that is both familiar and fantastic. As part of the installation, Lares Feliciano is inviting the community to contribute images or an audio recording that represent a personal memory. The memories shared with Feliciano will result in a changing animation and experience that evolves regularly, morphing and changing, just like memory. To contribute your memory follow this link. Please review our disclaimer before contributing a memory. Lares Feliciano is an interdisciplinary artist and cultural worker based in Denver, CO. Feliciano uses animation, installation, and collage to create worlds where marginalized experiences are front and center. Her work explores queer identities, mixed-race experiences, and complex expressions of grief and trauma. She holds a master’s of fine arts in cinema production from San Francisco State University and a bachelor’s in film and American studies from Smith College. She has completed residencies with RedLine Contemporary Art Center and Grand Canyon National Park.

THRU OCTOBER 10: Simphiwe Ndzube: Oracles of the Pink Universe – Denver Art Museum In the first U.S. solo museum exhibition for South African contemporary artist Simphiwe Ndzube, Oracles of the Pink Universe presents eight new works exploring the interplay between magical realism and history. The exhibition integrates themes related to power, conflict, and the search for freedom through a Pink Universe, an imaginative world that combines fantasy with the history of Ndzube’s post-apartheid South Africa. A genre first conceptualized in Latin America, magical realism infuses reality with elements of the fantastical. Oracles of the Pink Universe is an expansion of Ndzube’s visual search that explores a mythological place, drawing from his personal experiences, imagination, and art history. He will present exclusive works that depart from Hieronymus Bosch’s painting The Garden of Earthly Delights (1490–1500), depicting a theatrical space where heaven, earth and hell intersect. As visitors step into this alternate universe, they will be confronted with artworks that explore themes of conflict, tension, resilience, strength and a fight for human rights.

NOW ON VIEW: Colorado in the Present Tense: Narkita Gold, Rick Griffith, Nathan Hall and Maia Ruth Lee – MCA Denver Colorado in the Present Tense: Narkita Gold, Rick Griffith, Nathan Hall, and Maia Ruth Lee centers on how artists of the Colorado region are absorbing, responding to, grappling with, and reimagining the upended world in which we presently find ourselves. The exhibition will present commissioned new work and reframe existing projects from four Colorado-based artists that respond to our current moment of upheaval, uncertainty, and complexity. Site-specific responses, large-scale projects, photography, sculpture, sonic movements, and works that may live beyond the four walls of the museum will collectively highlight how artists in our city and our region are engaging with the most pressing issues of the day, from COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter, climate change, and beyond.  “It’s an honor to put a spotlight on these four Colorado-based artists and their distinct perspectives on this turbulent time. Colorado in the Present Tense looks to these artists for new angles, perspectives, and solutions to the constrained and conflicted ‘normal’ within which we presently find ourselves,” continued Abrams.  

THRU AUGUST 14: NEW EXHIBITION – Space Gallery Featuring new work by Tom Flanagan, Ian Torres McLaughlin and Christina Sorace Mackinnon.  Space Gallery – 400 Santa Fe Drive. 303-993-3321 www.spacegallery.org

MUSIC

Wavves – Hideaway Last month, Nathan Williams, from the California born and bred rock band Wavves, announced a new Wavves album called Hideaway, the project’s first new collection in four years and one that marks its return to Fat Possum.  The album’s title apparently references a shed in Williams’ parents’ backyard, where he secluded himself and wrote these new songs. 

Jake Bugg – Saturday Night, Sunday Morning ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’ marks a bold and exciting new chapter for Jake Bugg. His 5th studio album is filled with catchy guitar hooks, rhythmic base lines & anthemic choruses giving the record a huge euphoric feel. Cleverly set against more introspective songs with beautifully crafted lyrics, the album plays with a spectrum of emotions that we can all relate to. Jake says it was “the most fun he’s ever had making a record”. The album, released on 20th August, features singles ‘Kiss Like the Sun’ and gospel-infused anthem ‘All I Need.’

The Joy Formidable – Into The Blue Welsh indie rock band The Joy Formidable will release their new album, Into The Blue, on August 20th. The album was written in North Wales and later completed at the band’s homes in Utah. Into The Blue is about opening your eyes to beauty & love again. Making it to the other side. Bryan says, “Whilst not conceived as a metaphor for the times we all live in now, it certainly turned out that way.”

COMEDY

AVAILABLE NOW: Bo Burnham: INSIDE – Netflix A musical comedy special shot and performed by Bo Burnham, alone, over the course of a very unusual year.

FILM

JULY 16: The Sleepless Unrest: The Real Conjuring Home – Landmark Theatres The world-famous house that inspired The Conjuring film has recently been sold and is now open to paranormal investigations. With special access, a small group of filmmakers and paranormal investigators are allowed to move into the famously haunted home for two weeks in hopes of capturing evidence. During this time the group will be experiencing, investigating, and documenting every moment. Will they be able to make it through their stay? Do malevolent spirits still haunt this home, or is it something more sinister?

NOW PLAYING: Werewolves Within – Landmark Theatres After a proposed pipeline creates divisions within the small town of Beaverfield, and a snowstorm traps its residents together inside the local inn, newly arrived forest ranger Finn (Sam Richardson) and postal worker Cecily (Milana Vayntrub) must try to keep the peace and uncover the truth behind a mysterious creature that has begun terrorizing the community. 

JULY 23: Joe Bell – Landmark Theatres Based on the true story of a small-town, working-class father (Mark Wahlberg) who embarks on a solo walk across the U.S. to crusade against bullying after his gay teenage son, Jadin (Reid Miller), is tormented in high school. Joe makes his way along the breathtaking expanse heading from Oregon to New York City, delivering a simple message of tolerance from a father’s perspective, hoping to reach those who may be open to hearing it from someone like themselves. Confronting many hardships, Joe ultimately shows us all that you can make a difference if you just take it one step at a time.

JULY 30: Nine Days – Landmark Theatres Will (Winston Duke) spends his days in a remote outpost watching the live Point of View (POV) on TV’s of people going about their lives, until one subject perishes, leaving a vacancy for a new life on earth. Soon, several candidates – unborn souls – arrive at Will’s to undergo tests determining their fitness, facing oblivion when they are deemed unsuitable. But Will soon faces his own existential challenge in the form of free-spirited Emma (Zazie Beetz), a candidate who is not like the others, forcing him to turn within and reckon with his own tumultuous past. Fueled by unexpected power, he discovers a bold new path forward in his own life. Making his feature-film debut after a series of highly acclaimed and award-winning short films and music videos, Japanese Brazilian director Edson Oda delivers a heartfelt and meditative vision of human souls in limbo, aching to be born against unimaginable odds, yet hindered by forces beyond their will.

THEATRE

AUGUST 16: Wild Fire: A Theatrical Concert Inspired by Real Colorado Stories from the East Troublesome Fire – Levitt Pavilion A one-of-a-kind event celebrating the astounding generosity and resilience of our Colorado community. Join an 8-person cast of performers as they share powerful real-life stories from 2020’s East Troublesome Fire and songs written by some of Colorado’s best folk artists: Cary Morin, Chimney Choir, Daniel Rodriguez, Elephant Revival, Gregory Alan Isakov, and SHEL (bands listed in alphabetical order). Wild Fire follows the lives of 8 people in Grand County over the course of one momentous week as they face the threat of an unprecedented wildfire. A local fire marshal, a park ranger, a reporter, a rancher, and other evacuated residents…these are a few of the lives that are crossed, changed, and ultimately interwoven forever. Featuring a folk score written by Colorado musicians, crafted by a Colorado playwright, and inspired by real testimony from more than 30 oral history interviews, Wild Fire honors real stories from our neighbors and friends — with urgent relevance to events happening across the country.

EVENTS

JULY 17: Flower Farmer Experience – Blossom and Branch Farm Lakewood Birds chirp and the soft light of sunset permeates the field in the evening as we do our flower harvest. It’s an incredibly magical experience that puts you in touch with nature and your own quiet thoughts. This class will allow you into the experience of the flower farmer–you will be given your own bucket and clippers and sent into the field to harvest after a tour and harvest instructions. After you’ve created your palette for your bouquet, we will convene in the barn for a glass of wine and instructions on how to do a proper hand-tied bouquet to showcase your bounty! 6-8pm

JULY 22: Night at the Movies for Special Olympics Colorado – South High School Hosted by the Young Professional’s Board, we have a “great show” planned for you! We will be screening “The Greatest Showman” in the parking lot of South High School (next to Wash Park in Denver). Join us before the show and enjoy samples and giveaways from “Pop-Up Market” partners and help yourself to popcorn, cotton candy and more! $75 for a car of four – includes event access with general parking and a goodie bag with movie treats. All funds raised benefit 15,000+ Special Olympics Colorado athletes (children and adults with intellectual disabilities). 6-10:30pm

JULY 22: Turn on Your Red Light – Molly Brown House The ladies of Market Street are awaiting you as we take you into the dark world of prostitution and opium dens in Denver. Learn about the rise of the red light and backstreet deals that lead to the infamous nature of these ladies. Be on your guard for the police as they patrol these parts.   Margaret’s 1340 Penn/After Hours are filled with chilling tales and taboo topics! From sassy suffragists to soulful spirits, see 1340 Penn in a whole new light! 7-9pm

AUGUST 1: Neighborhood Picnic – Wash Park West Wash Park Neighborhood Association is hosting a picnic! Please bring your own meal and enjoy acoustic music from some up-and-coming neighborhood musicians. Visit with neighbors, meet the WWPNA Board and committee members and play in the kickball game. We have reserved picnic area #2 which is is west of the recreation center between Exposition and Center. Everyone is welcome. We hope to get representation from all over the neighborhood (Speer to I-25 and Broadway to Downing) 5pm

AUGUST 28 & 29: Firefly Handmade – Old South Gaylord Street Firefly Handmade is Colorado’s premier handmade artisan market. We are a COMMUNITY of makers, entrepreneurs, and artists who are passionate about sharing craft and supporting local business. Grab a drink from one of our outdoor bars and discover unique handmade home goods, jewelry & accessories, adult & children’s fashion, skin care, ceramics, art, artisanal food, paper goods, pet goods, and more.

THRU SEPTEMBER 24: Stonehenge: Ancient Mysteries and Modern Discoveries – Museum of Nature and Science “Stonehenge” features 400 artifacts and the breakthrough science behind some of the latest discoveries about this prehistoric monument. Designated as a World Heritage Site and described as inspiring, magical and sacred, Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, is one of the most famous landmarks in the United Kingdom. The monument once consisted of rings and horseshoes of standing stones, some topped by horizontal “lintels.” The largest stones are around 23 feet high, nine feet wide and weigh over 50,000 pounds. Scientific analysis has revealed that some of the stones were transported an incredible distance from the Preseli Mountains in Wales, over 150 miles away, with no modern means of transportation.