Ten Things to Do in Denver for $10 or Less (Six Free), April 29-May1

Don't let the return of snow deter you from getting out and about, because there are lots of events worth your attention this weekend, including markets, comedy and the world's largest Shakespeare Festival. Here are our ten favorites; check out the Westword calendar for even more.

Denver Public Schools Shakespeare Festival
Denver Performing Arts Complex
10 a.m. Friday, free
Catch a day of performances at the nation's largest youth Shakespeare festival. Starting at 10 a.m., you can catch the Elizabethan Parade rolling down Curtis Street, and that's just the start of the fun. Students from over eighty schools will be performing on fourteen (covered) stages throughout the complex; there will also be street performances. Stick around for the Shakespeare After-Fest, with a string quartet featuring Tom Hagerman of DevotchKa fame, and much more. 

Sexpot Comedy Presents: The Nerd Roast Game of Thrones vs. The Lord of the Rings
El Charrito
7 p.m. Friday, free
Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings are both near the top of nerd mountain — one just has more nudity. So it will be an epic comedic battle as local jokesters like Rachel Weeks, Matt Cobos, Harris Alterman and many more portray characters from both camps and battle it out for nerd royalty. Dress up and root for your favorite team.
John F. O'Donnell 
The Bakery
9 p.m. Friday, $7
For everyone who likes comedy with a side of politics, John F. O'Donnell is rolling through town; you may have see him as a correspondent on Redacted Tonight With Lee Camp, a rogue version of The Daily Show. Now you can see him with Timmi Lasley and Aaron Urist. 
Independent Bookstore Day
Denver Metro Area
9 a.m. Saturday, free
Give thanks for all the independently owned shops — places like Tattered Cover, BookBar, Boulder Book Store — and be sure to stop by your favorite book nook to check out special deals and events. 

Mutiny's Saturday Morning Cartoons
Mutiny Information Cafe
10 a.m. Saturday, free
Start your day off with some chuckles at this curated cartoon show. If you have them, bring the kids and show them what classic cartoons looked like. But this is fun for adults, too. And the show isn't complete until you get your complimentary bowl of cereal. 

Keep reading for more things to do this weekend.


Denver Handmade Homemade Market
National Western Complex
10 a.m. Saturday, free
A lot of vendors will make their debut today; see how crafty your neighbors can get at the Denver HAHO. Grab some accessories for your garden, extra fluffy pillows, clothes for the kids and all kinds of stuff you didn't know you needed. As a bonus, there's also an alpaca festival going on in the complex, so you can see cool animals, too.

Erin Espelie in Person
Glob
8 p.m. Saturday, $5-8 donation
This is a cool chance to meet a filmmaker, editor, writer, scientific enthusiast and professor. Erin Espelie is currently involved in the film-studies program at the University of Colorado, and has previously been featured at film festivals all over the world; she's also served as the editor in chief of Natural History magazine. 
Ratio Comedy: An Evening With Eddie Pepitone
Ratio Beerworks
8 p.m. Saturday, $10
This night at Ratio should go down as a night of legend. Pepitone is a legend of the comedy scene, especially for his ability to harness the dark comedy. Nicknamed the Bitter Buddha, his large on-stage presence switches between silly jokes, self loathing and social rage. Grab your tickets here ASAP.
Eliza Rickman & Friends
Mutiny Information Cafe
8 p.m. Sunday, $10 donation
You may know this talented performer from the popular podcast Welcome to Night Vale. Catch Eliza Rickman at Mutiny, along with comedy from Matt Monroe, Mara Wiles and Kevin O'Brien. It's the perfect place to get quirky, have a laugh and enjoy yourself. 
May Day 
Mercury Cafe
2 p.m. Sunday, free
May 1 is International Workers Day, commemorating a nationwide strike in 1886 that led to the eight-hour workday common today. Celebrate at the Mercury today with songs by the Solidarity Singers, a performance by singer-songwriter Elena Klaver, and spoken word from Juan Manuel Patraca. When you return to work on Monday, you'll have something to reflect on.