Stories on Stage
Audio By Carbonatix
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and we have a whole list of things to do for the holiday. But if you want nothing to do with Valentine’s Day, you’re in the right place. Check out events like a James Baldwin-inspired show, dancing, and Buntport Theater Company’s night of silly short stories, Chock Full of Nuts.
On a budget? Check out our list of free things to do. But for now, stick around for events worth the price of admission in and around Denver:
This Week
Spelling Bee(r)
Wednesday, February 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
River North Brewery, 3400 Blake Street
Drink some beer and spell some words to support literacy. Participants will win a beer for every three rounds of correct spelling, and those who win first, second and third place will get special prizes. Proceeds from the event support Burning Through Pages’ hands-on youth literacy programming. Get tickets here.
No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin
Friday, February 13, 7:30 p.m.
Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts, University of Denver, 2344 East Iliff Avenue
In No More Water, Meshell Ndegeocello “embarks on a prophetic musical odyssey that transcends boundaries and genres, delving headfirst into race, sexuality, religion, and other recurring themes explored in the celebrated writer’s canon.” Learn more and buy tickets here.
Lumonics Light & Sound Gallery
Lumonics Immersed
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Lumonics Light & Sound Gallery, 800 East 73 Avenue
Lumonics is a multi-sensory environment intended to bring guests into a state of comfort and expanded awareness. It features interactive art, such as light sculptures, painting, music, water fountains and projection. General admission tickets are $25.
Rainforest Yoga
Saturdays and Sundays, 7:45 to 8:45 a.m.
Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 West 104th Avenue, Westminster
Get your yoga mat and a towel and head to the Butterfly Pavilion for rejuvenating yoga surrounded by butterflies and exotic plants. Registration, which is $18, is required before the class. Register here.
Chock Full of Nuts
Sunday, February 15, 2 p.m.
Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Drive
The Buntport Theater Company presents its annual collection of silly short stories. Tickets are $26.
Galentine’s Body Boogie
Sunday, February 15, 5 to 6 p.m.
Sexploratorium, 1800 South Broadway
Body Boogie is a body-positive bachata class for people of all sizes — especially bigger bodies — teaching steps, turns, and history in a welcoming space. This edition is for “gal pals,” and tickets are $25.
Sunday Night Swing Dance Class
Sunday, February 15, 6:30 p.m.
The Pearl, 2199 California Street
Swing out every Sunday at The Pearl (formerly the Mercury Cafe) for live music and swing dance lessons. Each week, swing dance basics and a few other tricks are taught, and drop-ins, singles, couples, families and groups of all sizes are welcome. Tickets are $18.
Plan Ahead
Artemis II Family Day
Monday, February 16, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Air & Space Museum, 7711 East Academy Boulevard
Discover NASA’s plan to send astronauts beyond the moon and how Colorado’s aerospace community is helping make it happen. Guests will have the chance to connect with local companies and professionals working on the Artemis program and hear from astronauts Steve Lindsey, Ronald Garan and Scott Kelly. Get tickets here.
Ladies’ Crafternoon: Felt Garland
Wednesday, February 18, 6 p.m.
Spirit Hound Distillers, 3622 Tejon Street
Learn how to make felt garland at this beginner-friendly workshop. An instructor will guide the group through the basics of working with felt, including crafting simple shapes, learning foundational hand-sewing techniques, and exploring composition and color balance. Tickets are $16.50.
Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association
Wednesday, February 18, 6:30 p.m.
Sie FilmCenter, 2510 East Colfax Avenue
SeriesFest and DenverFilm present the first episode of Soul Power, a series about how a bold, short-lived league permanently reshaped professional basketball, player empowerment and American sports culture. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with George Carl, Ralph Simpson, Chuck Williams and Brett Goldberg, moderated by Vic Lombardi.
Ongoing
Silverthorne Ice Castles
Through Saturday, February 21
125 Stephens Way, Silverthorne
Reserve your spot to enjoy all things ice in Silverthorne, from ice sculptures and slides to tunnels, caverns and even an ice bar. Peak ticket pricing is $23-$30 while off-peak pricing is $16-$22. See dates here.
Courtesy of Exhibition Hub/Fever
Dinos Alive Immersive Experience
Through Sunday, March 29
Exhibition Hub, 3900 Elati Street
Taking up the space previously occupied by Titanic: An Immersive Voyage is Dinos Alive, a prehistoric playground with 35 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and a VR experience. “With Dinos Alive, from the time you first enter all the way to the time you leave, the space is completely consumed by this feeling of being in a sort of Mesozoic-era Jungle,” says executive producer John Zaller. “We’ve got theatrical lighting throughout that’s creating this scene that’s transitioning from day to night, as though you’re going through the whole day with the dinosaurs.” Tickets are $18.90 to $34.90.
Courtesy of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Brick Planet
Through Sunday, May 3
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard
Brick Planet: A Magical Journey Made with LEGO Bricks is a massive display of LEGO artistry at the DMNS. The new traveling exhibition by acclaimed LEGO artist Sean Kenney transforms ecosystems from around the globe into vivid, playful environments made from more than 1.5 million colorful bricks. The exhibit is included with general admission to the museum.
Do you know of a great event in Denver? We’ll update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.