Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
Audio By Carbonatix
It’s that time of the year when summer events are winding down and fall events are winding up. Get into the Halloween spirit with the launch of this year’s Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns on Friday and see Kevin Fitzgerald perform at Laughs on the Lawn’s season finale on Saturday. Not your cup of PSL? There’s a lot more happening around town this weekend.
If you’re on a budget, we also have a list of free things to do. But for now, stick around for events worth the price of admission in and around Denver:
Things to Do in Denver This Weekend
Taco Bar Dinner Benefit
Wednesday, September 17, 6 to 8 p.m.
Charlie’s, 900 East Colfax Ave
The cowboys and vaqueros of Charlie’s Night Club will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a benefit taco dinner to support the Cameron Jesse and Joana Lucero Manito Scholarship at Regis University. “We want to celebrate the culture and history of Hispanic Heritage Month by helping to ensure the endowment of this unique scholarship. In doing so, we honor the legacy of Cameron Jesse, a young Hispanic gay leader who devoted himself with passion and commitment to advocating for the LGBTQ+ community,” says Charlie’s General Manager, Edd Schommer. Efforts from earlier in the summer during Pride raised over $1,000 for the scholarship, according to Charlie’s. All proceeds from the Taco Bar Dinner will go to the scholarship. The event is $40 per person and includes dinner and an 1800 Cucumber/ Jalapeño Margarita.
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
Friday, September 19 through November 2
Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
This Friday, Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns returns for a fifth year at Hudson Gardens, where guests will be able to enjoy a glowing pumpkin scene and a redesigned Enchanted Hollow Trail. The trail is filled with lighting, newly carved pumpkin designs and a Halloween-themed inflatable maze. Every thirty minutes, pumpkins across the gardens display a synchronized light show set to music. Tickets start at $14.99 for kids and $19.99 for adults on select nights.
Hold Fast to Dreams: Honoring Clara Brown’s Legacy
Saturday, September 20, 11 a.m.
Dr. Nathaniel Howard Outdoor Classroom, 255 Pactolus Lake Road, Black Hawk
Celebrate Clara Brown Day with a historic tour, lunch and a performance featuring songs and arias by America’s Black composers by soprano Courtney Caston and Teresa Crane at the piano. Brown was born a slave in 1800 and came to Denver in 1859 after being freed by her third owner. Brown is reportedly the first black woman to cross the plains during the Gold Rush. She helped other freed slaves relocate to Colorado and became known for her charitable efforts. Tickets to Hold Fast to Dreams are $20 for general admission and $10 for students.
Courtesy of Comedy Works
Laughs on the Lawn Season Finale: Kevin Fitzgerald
Saturday, September 20, 7 p.m.
Marjorie Park at Fiddler’s Green, 6301 South Fiddlers Green Circle, Greenwood Village
Popular local veterinarian, author and stand-up comedian Kevin Fitzgerald closes this year’s season of Laughs on the Lawn at Fiddler’s Green with a 21+ performance. Tickets are $17.85 and beer, wine, cocktails and snacks will be available for purchase.
Elitch Encore: Elizabeth I – In Her Own Words
Saturday, September 20, 7 p.m. and Sunday, September 21, 2 p.m.
Historic Elitch Theatre, 4600 West 37th Place
Learn about one of history’s most fascinating monarchs in this one-woman show at the Historic Elitch Theatre. Drawing directly from Queen Elizabeth’s speeches, letters and other sources, this play brings the legendary ruler to life through her own voice. Tickets are $20.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Bolero, Presented by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Saturday, September 20, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 21, 2 p.m.
DCPA Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis Street
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance launches its 55th season with Bolero, a classical and vibrant work choreographed by Christopher Huggins, set to Maurice Ravel’s iconic score. Learn more and get tickets online.
Back to School Photos For Your Dogs
Sunday, September 21, 12 p.m.
Spirit Hound, 3622 Tejon Street
Back-to-school season means fresh school portraits…even for dogs. Lauren Schwab of High Heals Photography will be at Spirit Hound to take pooch portraits while you sip on a cocktail. Book online.
Denver Film
Ravishing Radiance Film Series: The Tale of Sorrow and Sadness
Sunday, September 21, 12:30 p.m.
Sie FilmCenter, 2510 East Colfax Avenue
The Ravishing Radiance Film Series gives audiences the chance to explore “boutique” label Radiance Films’ bold, eclectic titles from a variety of genres. Next up in the series is The Tale of Sorrow and Sadness, a film based on material from popular sports manga author Ikki Kajiwara. The Tale of Sorrow and Sadness follows the life of a young model who skyrockets to fame as a pro golfer after a sports magazine editor obtains the rights to her likeness. However, her newfound fame takes a dark turn when an obsessive fan starts to blackmail her. Tickets range from $12-$15.
Ongoing Things to Do in Denver
Exhibition Hub executive producer John Zaller says people can expect to experience the Titanic story as if they are onboard the ship during Titanic: An Immersive Voyage.
Immersive Voyage
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
Through Sunday, September 21
Exhibition Hub Art Center Denver, 3900 Elati Street
Want to feel like you’re literally on the Titanic? Including the part where the ship crashes into an iceberg and sinks? Then this exhibit is for you. Walk through the “unsinkable” ship’s construction to its fatal end, including a virtual reality option that takes participants down to the wreck site to see the Titanic’s remains. Tickets range from $19-$26.
Bright Nights at Four Mile Historic Park’s ladybug lantern installation.
Courtesy of Bright Nights at Four Mile
Bright Nights at Four Mile
Wednesdays through Sundays, through October 5
Four Mile Historic Park, 715 South Forest Street
Bright Nights at Four Mile returns for its third year, transforming the park into a glowing dreamscape of interactive art, oversized lantern sculptures and immersive storytelling. Jennifer LaGraff, CEO of Four Mile Historic Park, promises that “every inch” of the park will be filled with lanterns. Tickets range from $19 to $48.
China and silverware from the Titanic’s sister ship, the Olympic. “The Olympic went on until it was decommissioned after World War II, so lots more exists of it because it’s not at the bottom of the ocean,” Malcomb says.
Kristen Fiore
See Justice Done: The Legacy of the Titanic Survivors’ Committee
Through Sunday, December 28
Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania Street
The Molly Brown House’s new Titanic exhibit offers an intimate look at the aftermath of the Titanic for Margaret Brown and how she became known as the “Heroine of the Titanic.” The exhibit includes several newly acquired artifacts that tell the story of Brown’s role in forming and leading the Titanic Survivors’ Committee and helping those pulled to safety on the Carpathia – particularly the immigrants and Titanic crew members who lost everything with the sinking of the “Unsinkable Ship.” The exhibit is included with general museum admission and there are related event slated for those who want to dive deeper; learn more at mollybrown.org.
Do you know of a great event in Denver? We’ll update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.