Dance Theatre of Harlem
Audio By Carbonatix
The current COVID case count has upended many of the plans that people made for the start of the new year, with events canceled or postponed. Still, the show must go on (in some cases, at least), with activities online, outside and indoors (with safety precautions).
See our list of free events here, and keep reading for ten ticketed events worth the price of admission this weekend.
If you’re ready to head for the hills, go straight to Aspen.
Aspen
WinterskÁ¶l 2022
Through Sunday, January 16
Aspen
What do you do in the middle of January in Aspen when you’re not schussing down a hill? You celebrate WinterskÁ¶l, the ski town’s annual four-day festival designed for fun in the snow and cold. Much of the fest is free, including snow sculpture and light displays, fat-bike races, live music on the mall, ice skating, ski tours and, after dark on Saturday, a torchlight descent and fireworks show. But there are some big paid events, too, including concerts and a museum history exhibition. Aspen turns 75 this year (and Winterkol is just five years shy of that); it’s a good time to visit the legendary town. Find the full schedule here.
Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Sunday, January 16
American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, Golden
Yeehaw: This is how the West was fun! Activities run both days, with lectures, performances, concerts and films. Tickets start at $20; get them and the full schedule here.
Denver Selfie Lounge
Daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 East Dallas Street, Aurora
Selfies are a thing of our times, and they’ll be around as long as the internet. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em at Stanley Marketplace’s new Denver Selfie Lounge, which opened for business this weekend. With more than 25 backdrops to choose from, the lounge is perfect for birthday parties, BFF adventures, family get-togethers, dates and wasting time at the marketplace. Prices start at $20 ($18 for groups of twelve); reserve a spot here.
The Gaylord is going totally tubular. Deanne French National Western Stock Show Winter Fest 
Through January 23
Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt Street
The National Western Stock Show is in full gear, with the grounds opening at 7 a.m. each day for those who want to wander through the animal pens and vendor booths and catch different events throughout the complex. There’s a rodeo every night, as well. Grounds admission tickets start at $17 and include parking; get the full Stock Show schedule here.
Gaylord Rockies, 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard, Aurora
Need a break? The Gaylord is hosting Winter Fest, with family-friendly activities ranging from tubing and ice skating to a Jack Frost-themed scavenger hunt and miniature golf. Packages available, or pay by activity; find out more here.
Mine Site Reclamation: Mining and the Environment
Opening Friday, January 14
National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, 120 West 9th, Leadville
Heading to the hills? Swing by Leadville, where this new exhibit focuses on the essential efforts of mine site reclamation – a big topic in Leadville and surrounding areas that were mining boom towns a century and a half ago. Museum admission is $12; find out more here.
The Sound Inside
Through February 12
Curious Theatre Company, 1080 Acoma Street
Curious Theatre Company forges ahead with Adam Rapp’s drama The Sound Inside, which received six Tony Award nominations in 2020, including Best Play. The story is about creative-writing professor Bella and the brilliant but unhinged student Christopher whom she mentors; the members of this academic odd couple grow close while struggling with their own demons, and that tale is as much about writing as it is about life. The production runs through February 12, with shows Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. starting January 23. Learn more and get tickets, ranging from $20 to $50, here.
Do you know of a great event in Denver? We’ll be updating this list through the weekend; send information to editorial@westword.com.