See also: - 25th annual Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival kicks off Friday in Colorado Springs - West meets East at the Denver Botanic Gardens through this weekend - Countdown to Denver Arts Week: Muertos Mart at Pirate Contemporary Art
Day of the Dead show at Studio 12 Gallery (Friday, free) If you haven't gotten your fill of sugar skulls and altar-making, you're in luck. Studio 12 is going all out with this free Day of the Dead bash, which will include workshops on such things as how to make traditional Dia de los Muertos crafts, as well as face-painting, displays of Dead-related art, and beer from Breckenridge Brewery.Goghing Digital at Tenn Street ART (Friday, free) Get a new perspective on Van Gogh at this fascinating Regis University student show. Inspired by the Denver Art Museum's current "Becoming Van Gogh" exhibit, the Regis digital art class will showcase work that explores post-Impressionism with digital art techniques. Listen to the music of Matt Nasi at the opening reception, and see Van Gogh's lasting influence on modern art.
Not So Pretty in Pink at the MCA Denver (Friday, $5) The MCA's Black Sheep Fridays continue tonight with yet another bizarre program. This time, Denver personality Sid Pink will recite dialogue from the 1986 John Hughes classic Pretty in Pink. The Friday-night series is your chance to get in to the MCA for cheap, enjoy art and a cocktail, and see some offbeat entertainment. In keeping with the theme, rare roast beef sandwiches will be served.
Arctic Impressions: Spitsbergen at The Bolt Factory (Friday, free) This fall, photographer Evan Anderman went on a trip to the Arctic; he took a lot of photographs along the way. See his spectacular photos today in the first installment: Spitsbergen. Focusing on the first site he visited, this portion of the exhibit will show wildlife, glaciers and other breathtaking images from a faraway part of the world.
Blaxploitation Double Feature Friday at Gypsy House Cafe (Friday, $2 for films, $5 for after party) Afros & Beats will have everything you need in a Friday night this evening: film, food, and of course, dancing. Watch two blaxploitation films: Black Samson and The Spook Who Sat By The Door, dance to DJ Cavem's afro-beat, hip hop, and soul music, and stick around past 2 a.m. for an after party full of good music and refreshments from Gypsy House.
Roller Derby Viewing Party at eden (Friday-Sunday, free) The Denver Roller Dolls are in Atlanta for Grits & Glory, the 2012 WFTDA Championships this weekend. While you probably can't make it there to cheer them on in person, you can watch the competition while you eat food at eden. The first bout is against the Charm City Rollergirls on Friday at 11:30 a.m., and eden will show the rest of the bouts throughout the weekend as these roller-derby teams battle for the championship title.Don't Leave Your Friends Behind at the Denver Zine Library (Saturday, free) Baltimore writer China Martens' new book, Don't Leave Your Friends Behind, is a practical guide on, as the description explains, "ways that non-parents can support parents, children, and caregivers in their communities, social movements, and collective processes." Martens will be in town to read from her book at this potluck event, which will focus on getting kids involved in social justice movements. Bring a dish to share, learn from Martens, and enjoy a puppet show.
Ninja Pirate Robot 6 at Huth's House of Horrors (Saturday, $5 in advance, $8 day of show) Don your best ninja, pirate or robot outfit (or combination of the three!) and prepare to dance the night away at this fun costume party. DJ Gatsby and Ginger Perry will provide the tunes for your robot/pirate/ninja dance moves. Save $3 by buying tickets in advance and spend that extra few bucks on costume accessories.Night at the Museums at various museums (Saturday, free) As part of Denver Arts Week, museums all over the metro area are opening their doors tonight for absolutely free. Stay late into the night browsing the new Van Gogh exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, experience Japanese bamboo sculptures at the Denver Botanic Gardens, and see the dinosaur bones at the Museum of Nature & Science. Free shuttles will run between museums so you can spend the whole night experiencing culture at no cost.
South Pearl Street Farmers' Market at Old South Pearl Street (Sunday, free) As the weather gets colder, that signifies the end of weekly outdoor farmers' markets. Be sure to catch South Pearl Street's last day of the year for locally grown produce, fresh bread, and outdoor shopping today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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