Free for All: The Five Best Free Events in Denver This Week

August has arrived, but just because the summer is reaching its final days doesn't mean that Denver's entertainment calendar is fizzling, too. The week ahead includes a pair of movie screenings, an opportunity to gain entry to a world-class museum for a penny and standup comedy for a cause. Even better, locals can attend any of the events listed below without breaking the bank. Have fun and save money in Denver this week with the following five events, presented in chronological order.

America Divided: The Class Divide
Tuesday, August 1, 11 a.m.
Denver Open Media Foundation
America Divided is a documentary series hosted by actor and outspoken activist Jesse Williams exploring the systemic issues that drive this country apart. The episode screening at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, focuses on how unbalanced enforcement of unjust laws has re-segregated not only the justice system, but educational opportunities as well. While privileged children enjoy every advantage a good education can provide, too many struggling kids in racially and economically segregated institutions get swept up in a tacit "school-to-prison pipeline." Join the Community Resource Center at the Denver Open Media Foundation, 700 Kalamath Street, for a screening, followed by a lively discussion led by RISE Colorado and community leaders. Free admission includes complimentary beverages and light snacks. Visit crcamerica.org to learn more and get involved.

Movie Under the Moon: The Goonies
Wednesday, August 2, 8 p.m.
Governor's Park
Goonies may never say die, but local cinephiles never say no to a free outdoor screening. Sponsored by nearby Lala's Wine Bar + Pizzeria — which will serve up sips and noshes at a pre-movie reception— Movie Under the Moon offers guests the chance to unwind in an inviting park flanked by stately mansions. Richard Donner's classic tale of childhood adventurers may be nostalgic catnip for grown-up ’80s babies, but the film is such rollicking good fun that it's won over subsequent generations of fans since its 1985 release. The movie starts at 8:15 p.m. Show up early to cool your heels at Lala's beer garden or secure your viewing spot. Visit Lala's events page to learn more.

Keep reading for more free events.

Something Is Happening at the Museum
Thursday, August 3, 4-7 p.m.
MCA Denver
While pennies are an essentially worthless and outmoded currency, it turns out locals can still use them to buy something worthwhile: admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. The MCA is offering guests penny admission for a special event, though the museum has been deliberately cryptic about what the special happening will be. Honestly, with exhibitions from Ryan McGinley, Jenny Morgan and Derrick Velasquez nearing the end of their runs at the end of the month – not to mention Pose's colorful graffiti installation – it's well worth paying MCA's modest admission fees any day of the week. But if you're extra-thrifty and don't mind a crowd, a copper Lincoln is all you need to get in. This deal is only available to Colorado residents, so pay up, tourists. Visit mcadenver.org to learn more.

Power Move: Comedy in Action
Thursday, August 3, 8 p.m.
Image Brew
Among programming at the city's most unconventional comedy venues, shows at Image Brew studios thrive because of a collaborative spirit of goodwill. That tradition, first started by Denver expat Mara Wiles's Funnyside Sessions showcase, continues at Power Move. Co-created by Denver comics Nathan Lund and Aaron Urist, Power Move is a monthly showcase that combines standup with sketch comedy and puts the "fun" into fundraiser. Each month, Lund and Urist solicit a suggested $5 donation to benefit a different worthy cause. All proceeds from August's show will be donated to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network). The lineup features local mirth merchants Anthony Crawford, Ben Bryant and Nora Lynch along with New York's Nicole Conlan and Las Vegas's Shanna Christmas. Visit the Facebook events page to learn more.

Pulse of the Mountains Fusion Show
Saturday, August 5, 7 p.m.
Eugenia Rawls Courtyard Theatre at the King Center
Pulse of the Mountains is an upcoming documentary that tells the stories of performers Swagata Banerjee (an East Indian Odissi dancer), Fara Tolno (a West African drummer) and Maria Vazquez (a Spanish Flamenco dancer), who come together to blend their gifts into a tuneful, toe-tapping fusion. Besides their shared effort to bring classical and world-music traditions to Colorado, Banerjee, Tolno and Vasquez are all magnetic performers who create an utterly unique show with their powers combined. See for yourself at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, when the performers take over the Eugenia Rawls Courtyard Theatre at the King Academic & Performing Arts Center on the Auraria campus. Visit the Facebook events page to learn more. Admission is free.

Looking for more to do? Go to the Westword calendar.