For a full listing of events, visit the Westword calendar. See also: - Comedian Kelsie Huff on Boulder Fringe, the stand-up bug and insult-compliments - IndyInk printshop and gallery celebrates a decade in Denver - Gemma Wilcox on playing 21 characters in Fringe Fest's Magical Mystery Detour
Beetlejuice at the Historic Elitch Theatre (Friday, $5) See a film in the place where the first movie in Colorado ever screened. Tonight you can watch the Tim Burton cult classic Beetlejuice in classic 35mm glory. Gawk at young, goth Winona Ryder, eat at the food trucks on hand, and enjoy music beforehand by the Colorado Conservatory of Jazz Arts Jazz Messengers band.Beyond Erotic at NEXT Gallery (Friday, free) Examine the nature of sexuality tonight at this raunchy show, which will celebrate artwork that questions the idea of taboo. Whether you're browsing the installation made with vintage vibrators or peeking into the "What-the-butler-saw" machine, this promises to be a fascinating exhibit that investigates the very idea of eroticism.
Showapalooza: Part Deux at Video One (Friday, free) Video-rental stores are still going strong in Denver, so celebrate that fact by visiting Video One for its grand re-opening party. The local staple is moving from Colfax to Sixth Avenue and Downing, and the owners are throwing a big bash. Listen to the tunes of Pythian Whispers, Kevin Costner Suicide Pact, Twin Peaks, and Action Friend and get stoked that you can still physically browse DVDs.
Ouoia at Fraction Gallery (Friday, free) For a much more intellectual (and less costly) take on religion than The Book of Mormon, check out Dmitri Obergfell's new exhibit at Fraction Gallery. The show will, according to the description, "remix symbols, illusions and gestures taken from various religious and cultural practices."
Throw a party for Bill Murray (Friday, free) While this announcement about Bill Murray's party-crashing tour is probably a hoax, what if it's not? As the story goes, the famous actor will be traveling the country, looking for parties with booze and karaoke machines to crash. All you have to do to make it happen your house? Put up a sign that says "Bill Murray can crash here." Best case scenario: you get to party with Murray. Worst? As it says on the humor site that announced the tour, Super Official News, "a bunch of people get together in different cities around the country, get drunk, sing karaoke and show their love for a living legend." Sounds win-win to us.Grease Sing-a-Long at the Esquire Theatre (Friday-Saturday, $8) While belting out "Summer Nights" in your shower is definitely a blast, it's even more fun to get up and sing those corny Grease songs in real life in front of a crowd. The sing-along version of the classic give-in-to-peer-pressure tale of adolescent love and 34-year-olds playing teenagers will show all the words on the screen so that you, the audience, can sing along. Plus, if you want to be a star, there will be a karaoke machine on hand so you can get up in front of the crowd and belt out your favorite tunes. (Full disclosure: I scoop popcorn at the Esquire and was asked to host this night but sadly could not.)
16th Street Fair at the 16th Street Mall (Friday-Saturday, free) You might as well get in as many street fairs as you can while it's still summer, and here's another submitted for your approval: the 16th Street Fair. Wander the mall, look at arts and crafts, and possibly purchase some handmade goods. Be sure to wear your sunscreen, lest you end up one of the sunburned masses.
Hugo at Skyline Park (Saturday, free) This Martin Scorsese epic won five Oscars this year - and with good reason. It's a sweet ode to filmmaking, following the story of a young boy in 1930s Paris with a passion for movies. Bike to see the movie projected on the big screen outdoors in Skyline Park; it's a great chance to see the film that captured so many Academy Awards for free while enjoying the summer night.
Boulder Fringe's Big Time at Folsom Street Coffee (Friday-Sunday, free) Comedian Kelsie Huff will host the nightly Fringe after-parties this weekend, and they're free! Each night has its own theme: Friday is Fringe virgin sacrifice night (complete with prizes), Saturday is Speed Fringing (like speed dating, but with Fringe artists), and Sunday is Secret Talent Show. They all sound like a great way to experience some Fringe fun for free.
Golden Fine Arts Festival at Downtown Golden (Saturday-Sunday, free) Head for the (foot)hills to see some art. The Golden Fine Arts Festival will display creations of all types along with free horse-drawn carriage rides through the town. See live demonstrations by artists, check out the wares, and enjoy the day outdoors.
Follow @WestwordCulture