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10 things to do for $10 in Denver this weekend (7 free!), January 4-6

It's the first First Friday of the year, and that means that Denver is teeming with art openings galore. The great thing about art openings? They're almost always free. And the rest of the weekend is packed full of events, too, from classic film screenings to go-go dancing tryouts, and none of these ... More >>

New Year's Eve: Three parties that end well before the clock strikes midnight

Whether you think of New Year's Eve as a time for parties that keep you dancing into the wee hours, or you're the type who's lucky to still be awake when the corks pop and Auld Lang Syne rings through the town, several events are perfect to prime your pump -- or let you live a little before you slee ... More >>

Central Park Five co-director Sarah Burns talks racial profiling and media sensationalism

Five black and Latino teenagers were convicted of beating and raping a white woman in New York City's Central Park in 1989, when the city was in the midst of a racially-motivated witch hunt. Though no compelling evidence placed any of the boys -- Antron McKray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymon ... More >>

Gorinto rethinks the musical instrument at the Mercury Cafe Wednesday

Gorinto, the Mercury Cafe's occasional music, food and whatever Wednesday evening get-together, continues to reinvent itself. This week, it will transform into a showcase of homemade and found-object musical instruments featuring a revolving parade of local folks who toy -- sometimes literally -- wi ... More >>

May the Best Witch Win

10 things to do for $10 (7 free!) this weekend, October 5-7

October is finally here, and that means pumpkin beer, butternut squash soup and Halloween-themed events all month. But you won't have to fork over a ton of cash to get in on the fun. We've rounded up ten events this weekend that all cost less than $10, from people-watching at a zombie dash to seeing ... More >>

3 things to do for free this week, September 24-27, 2012

We get it, you're broke. But that doesn't mean you have to fill your weeknights with bad prime- time sitcoms. Instead, get out of the house and enjoy three three stellar events that feature entertaining stories, flirty songs and/or Lady Gaga. And get this: All three are free! For a full calendar o ... More >>

10 things to do for $10 this weekend, August 24-26, 2012

Down to your last $10? Rather than spend it on something boring like food or your electricity bill, do something fun with that Hamilton. September is just a week away, but there are still plenty of ways to get out and have some inexpensive summer fun. From a Fiesta Cookout to comedy festivals with b ... More >>

A Night at the Opera

Ten things to do for $10 this weekend, April 27-29, 2012

Whether you're an indoor- or outdoor-lover, a literature-aficionado or a film geek, this weekend is packed with something for everyone -- from a screening of His Royal Badness's 1984 classic Purple Rain to free admission at National Parks. And everything in our roundup is under $10! For a full calen ... More >>

Wide Open Spaces

Ten things to do for $10 this weekend, March 23-25, 2012

Spring is finally here, and that means that more people are touring this way, more patios are opening, and there are plenty more ways to get out and have fun. But just because you'll be going out more doesn't mean you have to part with your hard-earned cash. From '80s-themed burlesque to punk-art sh ... More >>

Reader: Corey Elbin leaves big shoes to fill at the Mercury

The Mercury Cafe has been a community gathering place for decades.​Corey Elbin's departure from Denver is a real loss for this city's cultural scene. He's been the driving force behind Gorinto, the Mercury Cafe's Wednesday night food and music gathering, since it was introduced almost two year ... More >>

The Key to Community

Tinny Dancers

Tribal Dancing

New Year's Eve 2011 Denver: ten best cheap events

​The last thing you want to do is start out 2012 in debt, right? We feel your pain -- and believe it or not, you can have a fun (and affordable!) night out on New Year's Eve. Keep reading for the top ten events that prove our point...

Bring the Light

Denver's Slam Nuba wins the National Poetry Slam

Winning it all.​ It's been a banner year for Slam Nuba, the newer nationally competitive arrival on the Denver slam poetry scene, and for a group started hardly four years ago, it's seen some remarkable achievements already. Having placed in the top ten finishing teams at the National Poetry S ... More >>

Slam Nuba and the Mercury Cafe slam team head to the nationals

​For the two highly respected teams Denver sends to the National Poetry Slam each year, the moment of truth has finally arrived: After a year-long process of elimination, the teams have selected their top five poets of the year and are gearing up today to travel all the way to Boston for the b ... More >>

Mercury Cafe is a Five Points haven for veggie diners

​Marilyn Megenity has done such a fantastic job turning the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street, into a creative community outlet -- offering dancing, live music, poetry slams, solstice celebrations, eco-friendly festivals and much more -- that it's easy to forget that the Merc is also, well, ... More >>

Eighth annual all-ages Tellerpalooza bash promises to not suck

​Now in its eighth year, Teller Elementary School's Tellerpalooza is an annual evening of music, dancing and all-ages fun tomorrow at the Mercury Cafe (2199 California Street). While the annual fundraiser is very much family-friendly, the event has attracted a diverse array of local artists a ... More >>

Tonight: Magician and enchantress Erica Sodos magically enchants at the Mercury Cafe

​Tonight, Erica Sodos brings her magical variety show to the Mercury Cafe (2199 California St.) once again for an evening of mystery, poetry and of course, magic. Taking on a role generally played by men, the Boulder-based magician flips the script with her own spin on classic illusions and m ... More >>

When the going gets tough, the tough get going: SlamNuba's final faceoff commences tonight

​There are slam poets, and then there are SLAM POETS: Though there's more than a little love and support spread around in the performance poetry community, it's still everybody for themselves when they hit the stage. That means there's going to be some fierce nitty-gritty going down at Westwor ... More >>

MasterMind: Tiffiny Wine, swing dance instructor

MasterMinds: Slam Nuba, Denver poets

Shenandoah Davis at the Mercury, 01/08/11

Lance Stack​ SHENANDOAH DAVIS With Pee-Pee, Laura Goldhamer and Princess Music 01.08.11 | Mercury Cafe The Mercury Café was looking sexy on Saturday night. Candle-lit tables topped with roses, a swooping network of lights above, fine wines, hearty beers and delicious food, all coming togeth ... More >>

The Mercury’s Marathon

Bring your own records party and auction December 22 to benefit former Pablo's barista Meagan Patrick

​When Meagan Patrick, a former friendly face behind the counter at Pablo's Coffee on 6th and Washington got sick, the community within the neighborhood hangout wanted to help. Tomorrow, December 22, long-time Pablo's employee Jason Cain and longtime Pablo's customer Sarah Slater have put toget ... More >>

Ghost Story

Get Your Slam On

Ladies' Night

All Heart, All of the Time

Tonight: Conscious Eating discussion at the Mercury Cafe

Adam Brock and others speak out.​"You are what you eat" -- we've all heard that one before. But writers and activists such as Michael Pollan have brought the issue of conscious eating into the forefront. And tonight, the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street, will serve up "Conscious Eating: ... More >>

The One That Got Away

New Year’s Eve at the Mercury Cafe

A Terrific Trio

Striking Chords

Girls Rock campers push the pedals to the metal.

Slinging Mud

Muddy’s proprietor Bill Stevens tells all.

Fair Trade

The Mercury Cafe hosts a holiday gift-bartering event.

Anarchist Ball

Mahalo Mercury

Say aloha to a swinging end-of-summer tiki party.

Music and Lyrics

Milonga overtakes the Mercury Cafe dance floor.

Freedom Isn't Free

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

The Mercury Motley Players cast a hot Colombian spell.

Old Curtis Street Bar

From stocks to shots

This Week's Day-by-Day Picks

Welcome Home

For a true taste of Denver, try the Mercury Cafe.

Community Garden Spot