ART
APRIL 19 – MAY 4: W. Max Thomason: Celebrates 10 years of Bitfactory – Bitfactory Owner and curator W. Max “Bill” Thomason is delighted to be marking the 10th anniversary of establishing Bitfactory, the creative hub at 851 Santa Fe Drive which houses artist studios and a retail gallery. Also a working artist, Thomason is embracing the opportunity to feature his new collection of paintings in a solo exhibition entitled “Bespoke”, on view April 19 through May 4, 2024. Much of the work features detailed urban settings focusing on a singular figure that activates and enlivens the scene. The public is invited to an Opening Night Celebration on Friday, April 19 from 6 to 9 pm and to stop in during the May First Friday Art Walk or during regular gallery hours. Finally able to concentrate on painting again after several years of personal loss and tumultuous life changes, Thomason found a respite and renewed enjoyment in his creative practice resulting in the body of work that makes up this exhibition. Some subjects in the pieces are observed unaware, moving through the cityscape by day, or quietly lit by the signs and streetlights.
NOW ON VIEW: Bold ceramics by AJ Collins – Plinth Gallery Plinth Gallery in RiNo presents the visually stunning decorative and functional ceramics of A.J. Collins, April 5–May 25, 2024. The collection showcased in this exhibition highlights his signature forms, crisp lines and vivid colors used to evoke conceptual landscapes of the places he has lived or traveled to. The public is invited to enjoy the show during regular gallery hours, Thursday-Saturday, 12 pm-5 pm and until 9 pm during the Opening Reception on First Friday, April 5, and the First Friday Art Walk on May 3. As his work continues to evolve in dialogue with his materials and the larger world, he develops fresh bodies of work that are released as editions. Each piece is unique but plays off that edition’s common theme.
NOW ON VIEW: Islands Beyond Blue: Niki Hastings-McFall – Denver Art Museum The arts of Oceania gallery will reopen with the presentation of a new temporary exhibition, Islands Beyond Blue: Niki Hastings-McFall and Treasures from the Oceania Collection. This presentation showcases the work of celebrated contemporary artist Niki Hastings-McFall, who will create site-specific work in conversation with works from the DAM’s Arts of Oceania collection. Hastings-McFall, who is of Sāmoan and Pākehā descent, has been credited with shepherding contemporary Pacific art onto an international stage. Known for her large-scale and immersive “lei bombing” installations, she will use hundreds of synthetic lei to create an installation. Her work will be presented in dialogue with approximately 25 treasures—Pacific Peoples prefer the term “treasures” over “objects”—from the DAM’s collection that illustrate regional historic arts alongside new innovations.
NOW ON VIEW: STEVEN J. YAZZIE: MEANDERED – MCA Denver For his solo exhibition at MCA Denver, Steven J. Yazzie (Diné/Laguna Pueblo) presents recent painting, drawing, sculpture, and video works that reflect on his shifting perceptions of and relationship with landscape. Yazzie is a multidisciplinary artist who explores the complexities of an Indigenous experience as it relates to personal identity, community relationships, and a connection to the land as the source of life, stories, conflict, and healing.
APRIL 12 – MAY 18: NEW EXHIBITION – Space Gallery Featuring new work by Alyson Khan and Wendy Kowynia. Artist reception April 12th, 6-8pm. Space Gallery – 400 Santa Fe Drive. 303-993-3321 www.spacegallery.org
MUSIC
APRIL 20: Silversun Pickups – Boulder Theater Silversun Pickups is the kind of band that wins you over. You could go to one of their shows knowing nothing about them and leave with a new band for your heavy rotation. Their records are among some of the finest 21st-century indie rock, but seeing them live takes their music to a whole new level.
APRIL 20: Old 97’s, Holler Choir – Gothic Theatre It’s probably not accurate to say a band just finishing their 30th anniversary tour and preparing to record its 13th album has had bum luck. But for those who’ve embraced the Old 97s’ it’s inexplicable that the quartet doesn’t enjoy a bigger place in the modern rock pantheon.
MAY 1: Slowdive – Levitt Pavilion It speaks to the timelessness of Slowdive, whose music is a simple yet potent mixture of tenderness and chaos that mirrors the experience of growing up. For a generation that came of age online, the band’s sound perfectly taps into a melancholy that practically embodies their existence
COMEDY
AVAILABLE NOW: Jack Whitehall: Settle Down – Netflix Jack Whitehall is back with his special, Jack Whitehall: Settle Down, and it’s like he never left at all. Whitehall’s hair may be longer, and he may be more domesticated, but he’s still largely the same guy at heart.
FILM
NOW PLAYING: Carol Doda Topless at the Condor – Landmark Theatres Against the backdrop of the 1964 Republican Convention, a San Francisco cocktail waitress became one of the city’s most popular entertainers after making her debut as America’s first topless dancer. The new documentary feature Carol Doda Topless at the Condor tells the story of the fresh-faced girl next door who defied convention and the law by gyrating atop a white baby grand piano and turning a North Beach nightclub into the city’s second-most-popular tourist attraction after the Golden Gate Bridge. Meanwhile, Doda’s very public use of silicone to enhance her breasts launched a new industry. Directors Marlo McKenzie and Jonathan Parker share an unprecedented look at Doda’s life and legacy, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the vibrant, sometimes outrageous and always entertaining world of North Beach.
NOW PLAYING: Late Night With the Devil – Landmark Theatres Johnny Carson rival Jack Delroy hosts a syndicated talk show ‘Night Owls’ that has long been a trusted companion to insomniacs around the country. However, ratings for the show have plummeted since the tragic death of Jack’s beloved wife. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, on October 31st, 1977, Jack plans a Halloween special like no other – unaware he is about to unleash evil into the living rooms of America. The electrifying, playful Late Night With the Devil has all the ingredients to be one of the year’s most successful indie horror popcorn movies, giving the Cairnes brothers the place in the international spotlight that they have so long deserved.
OPENS APRIL 19: Sasquatch Sunset – In Theatres In the misty forests of North America, a family of Sasquatches–possibly the last of their enigmatic kind–embark on an absurdist, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey over the course of one year. These shaggy and noble giants fight for survival as they find themselves on a collision course with the ever-changing world around them. Starring Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg, acclaimed directors David and Nathan Zellner (Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter) bring you the greatest Bigfoot story ever told. It captures the daily life of the Sasquatch with a level of detail and rigor that is simply unforgettable. Starring Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keogh.
OPENS APRIL 26: Challengers – In Theatres From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
THEATRE
THRU MAY 5: Emma – Wolf Theatre A delightfully unconventional and fun adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic comedy. Ever the romantic, Emma Woodhouse prides herself on being the best matchmaker in town. But love has its own agenda with plenty of twists and turns in store – including a few for Emma herself. This rendition of Emma is a joyous, irreverent take in conversation with the Regency novel. In a new adaptation that’s a bit zany and refreshingly contemporary, playwright Kate Hamill infuses the language and perspectives of today into Austen’s beloved characters. You may be surprised by who says what — and how. One thing’s for sure, you’ll never see Emma the same way again.
EVENTS
MAY 4 & 5: Firefly Handmade Spring Market – Old South Gaylord Street Firefly Handmade Market creatively curates a collective of fabulous returning and new handmade artisans: artists, makers, and designers! Just in time for Mother’s Day, graduations and other spring celebrations, this will be a spectacular spot to kick off the new market season and gather our wonderful Firefly community again!
80+ creatively curated artisans, South Gaylord Merchants Association Bar hosted by Salta Events, Live music, Local shops, restaurants, and bars. Free admission and Pup-friendly! Details at https://www.fireflyhandmade.com/spring-market
MAY 4 & 5: Cinco de Mayo Festival – Civic Center Park Denver’s annual Cinco De Mayo festival is a wonderful way to celebrate culture and the Mile High City’s Latino population. Heading into its 35th year, it’s one of the most fun family-friendly events in town and welcomes thousands of attendees each year. There will be two large stages featuring Latino music and dance like Cumba, Salsa, Mariachi, and Norteno. The park fills with vendors showcasing handcrafted items and Mexican folk art. Children will have loads of fun at the Children’s Carnival with rides and animals in a petting zoo. Of course, the event won’t be complete without mouthwatering cuisine choices like tacos, enchiladas, and burritos. Other events include a taco eating contest, a Chihuahua race, a low-rider car show, and a Saturday morning parade.
MAY 4: Royal Gorge Rodeo – Cañyon City The Royal Gorge Rodeo claims the spot of hosting “Colorado’s oldest continuous rodeo since 1872.” Held at the Jack Merris Arena in Cañon City, it’s a can’t-miss event filled with exciting rodeo competitions in early May. Held during the weekend of the Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival, which takes place May 1st to 5th, 2024. Wild Horse Racing, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Bronc Riding, Mutton Busting.
MAY 5: Yo-Yo Ma with the Colorado Symphony – Boettcher Concert Hall Multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma returns to perform Elgar’s renowned Cello Concerto with your Colorado Symphony. Yo-Yo Ma’s multifaceted career is a testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences, and to his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal. Whether performing new or familiar works from the cello repertoire, coming together with colleagues for chamber music, or exploring cultures and musical forms outside the Western classical tradition, Mr. Ma strives to find connections that stimulate the imagination.
MAY 11: Wash Park Home Tour – 100 & 200 S. Blocks of Humboldt St. This long-standing community event showcases a unique mix of four distinctive homes in the East Washington Park neighborhood. Attendees can tour the properties at their leisure and enjoy local artisans, vendors, and entertainment at the Mothers Day Market Street Fair, conveniently located in the same area as the tour. This event hosted by Steele Elementary’s PTA, raises funds to directly support many programs and services that make Wash Park’s neighborhood DPS elementary school a special place. Additionally, a percentage of funds raised this year will directly benefit families in need through the LOVVE Project by providing fresh food, hygiene products and cleaning supplies to our neighbors in Virginia Village in partnership with Steele’s sister school, Ellis Elementary. 10am -3pm
MAY 18: Colfax Marathon – Downtown Denver The Colfax Marathon weekend is the largest marathon weekend in the Rocky Mountains, with 20,000 runners in 2019. Races include a marathon, half marathon, urban 10 miler, and a 5K. In addition, the marathon relay has over 1,330 teams in Corporate, Government or Open divisions and is the second largest Marathon Relay in the US. As Denver’s largest running event, the Colfax Marathon includes seven races over two days and a two-day Health & Fitness Expo. Runner’s World has selected Colfax Marathon in its top 10 lists in multiple years!