Bored and broke Denverites needn't hide away. Fun can be had for $10 and under all weekend long. Whether you're a comedy nerd, a burlesque aficionado, thirsty for mimosas or a dog-owning brewhound, you owe yourself a look at these ten events that will help you break the monotony without breaking the bank. Events are listed below in chronological order.
1. Civic Stitch ’n' Bitch: What Is Militarism?
Thursday, May 18, 6 p.m.
McNichols Building
$5 donation requested
Warm Cookies of the Revolution, Denver's civic health club, has issued a call to arms for this month's stitch ’n' bitch session, titled What Is Militarism? Bring your hand-occupying crafts (if you don't have any, materials will be supplied) as well as your opinions (we know you have those) to the McNichols Building, 144 West Colfax Avenue. From 6 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, May 18, you can chat with combat veterans from World War II and the Iraq War as well as veterans of anti-war movements, and chew over the issues of the day over cookies and milk. A donation of $5 is requested; for more information, go online to Warm Cookies of the Revolution.
2. Dumb Friends League Yappy Hour Series
Thursday, May 18, 6 p.m.
Living the Dream Brewing
Free
There’s nothing more quintessentially Colorado than quaffing craft beer in the company of a canine companion, a proud tradition celebrated at the Dumb Friends League’s Yappy Hour series, which continues on Thursday, May 18, at Littleton's Living the Dream Brewing, 12305 Dumont Way, from 6 to 8 p.m. There you can dive into Living the Dream's tap list of tasty brews while munching on food-truck cuisine; you can also enter a sweepstakes giveaway with prizes sure to delight pets and owners alike. Keepsake pint glasses are available for $10 each, with proceeds going toward care for homeless pets; $1 from every beer sold will also be donated. And of course, leashed and well-mannered dogs are welcome. Visit Denver Dumb Friends League to learn more.
3. Crom Comedy Festival Pre-Show
Thursday, May 18, 9 p.m.
Mutiny Information Cafe
Free
Since starting in Omaha back in 2013, the Crom Comedy Festival has grown steadily and expanded into other cities, including Denver. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and earlier this year, fest founder Ian Douglas Terry announced that 2017 would be Crom's final year. With a bevy of local and national comics joining this year's headliners Brooks Wheelan, the Puterbaugh Sisters, Solomon Georgio and Allen Strickland Williams, the streamlined 2017 schedule kicks off with a free Crom pre-show at Mutiny Information Cafe. Spotlighting Crom comics Zach Welch, Grace Thomas, Adam Pasi, Wonslow Dumaine, Olive Lynch, Nolawee Mengist, Matt Monroe and a pair of secret co-headliners, this pre-show is a fine way to get into the Crom spirit and kick your festival weekend off right.
4. Borderlandia
May 19-20, 7:30 p.m.
PlatteForum
Free
Borderlandia was created by Kate Speer during her two-month residency at PlatteForum; she worked with students from the Colorado I Have a Dream Ruby Hill Strive Prep Program on an immersive piece that investigates Denver’s neighborhood segregation and gentrification. “As I bike around Denver, I am continually struck by the racial and ethnic segregations between neighborhoods and the rapid gentrification taking over the city,” Speer explains on the PlatteForum site. “Being a white female of the hipster generation, I am also aware of my movement and how easily and comfortably I can pass through the newly gentrified neighborhoods, such as RiNo. This led me to think about my complicity as an artist in this rapidly changing landscape and how I personally, and anyone who calls Denver home, can establish a sense of place.” There will be additional free performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 19, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20. For more information, visit PlatteForum.
5. HitchCocktails
Friday, May 19, 10 p.m.
Voodoo Comedy Playhouse
Free
The cinematic oeuvre of Alfred Hitchcock is utterly distinctive, with its icy blondes and secrets hidden in inky shadows. Therefore, it's also ripe for parody. HitchCocktails, a new improv show at the Voodoo Comedy Playhouse, mines the penguin-shaped filmmaker's favorite tropes, such as double agents and fraught romances, for scenes. Meanwhile, the crowd and performers alike get increasingly soused – there'll be a full bar on stage – as they play an increasingly elaborate drinking game where no one in the cast can refuse a drink when offered. HitchCocktails, which continues through the end of June, is a hilarious and high-energy performance where everyone gets so drunk they don't know their north from their northwest.
Read on for more of this weekend's best events under $10.
6. 45s Against 45
Saturday, May 20, 9 p.m.
hi-dive
$5
Turntables blazing, six Denver DJs – Jason Heller, Boyhollow, Eric Allen, Erin Stereo, Tyler Jacobson and Steve Cervantes – have joined forces to air this message: “Donald Trump is destroying America.” At 45s Against 45: An Anti-Trump Dance Party, the crew will spin vinyl 45s as a protest against the 45th president, playing everything from oldies and ’80s hits to hip-hop and EDM. The show, a fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union, starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, at the hi-dive, 7 South Broadway. For more information, visit the hi-dive online. Admission is $5 at ticketfly.com.
7. Brunchlesque Pajama Party — Summer BBQ Edition
Sunday, May 21, 11:20 a.m.
El Charrito
$5
Although Denver is a particularly brunch-crazed city, the Brunchlesque Pajama Party — Summer BBQ Edition has much more to offer guests than fancy breakfast food. A feast for the belly and the eyes alike, this edition of Brunchlesque showcases routines from Frenchie Renard, Kit Kombat, Rose West, Scarlett Storm and Blyre Cpanx. Guests can wash away their weekend hangovers with $7 bottomless mimosas while enjoying the Five-Star Dive Bar's surprisingly great brunch menu. A single ticket is $5, while VIP booths (for up to four people) are $25 at eventbrite.com.
8. Talk With Burn Black's Rory "Bee" Britt
Saturday, May 21, 2 p.m.
Hooked on Colfax
Free
After her close friend died at a young age, Rory “Bee” Britt started Burn Black, a zine to help her remember her friend and process the loss; its stories documented how people have found redemption after facing life’s most difficult obstacles. After a few years, Britt started distributing not just copies of the zine, but kitschy objects often related to radical politics, the punk scene and mental illness. She’ll be at Hooked on Colfax, 3213 East Colfax Avenue, at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21, hosting a free workshop on healing from trauma through art and writing. For more information, go online to Burn Black.
9. Folk Night at Pon Pon!
Monday, May 22, 8 p.m.
Pon Pon Bar
Free
Monday night means it's time to folk around, and lucky Denverites will have the opportunity to do just that at Folk Night at Pon Pon! Hosted by comedian Ben Kronberg, Folk Night at Pon Pon! presents an evening of standup, folk music and frivolity at one of the city's artiest bars. Enjoying the folky stylings of Littles Paia and Emily Frembgen, viewers can also enjoy sets from local comics William Montgomery, Cody Spyker and Greg Baumhauer. The folk-filled fun begins at 8 p.m., and admission is free.
10. Weeding Out the Stoned
Monday, May 22, 8 p.m.
Buntport Theater
$10
A staple of Philadelphia's Good Good Comedy Theatre, Weeding Out the Stoned is at once unlike any other comedy show you've seen and precisely what Denver has been waiting for. Host, producer and visiting Philadelphian Alex Grubard invites sixteen comics to the Bunport stage to perform. With the exception of one comic, all of them will be demonstrably high – which isn't necessarily rare for a Denver show. While Grubard presents a series of challenges to the performers, including field sobriety tests, it's up to the audience to determine which comic is the sober sore thumb while competing for prizes along the way. The lineup, which remains a mystery until the surprise is revealed at the show, is packed with local crushers. Admission is $10 (less than a dollar per comic), and the show starts at 8 p.m. Visit Good Good Comedy online to learn more and buy tickets.