First Friday at Denver Metro (Friday, free) There is so much to do this First Friday (like always) that we figured we'd just tell you to get off your ass and check out some awesome art -- anywhere. Just wander out of your house, pick a direction and start walking until you hit an art gallery.
Red Bull Illume at The Galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (Friday, free) Action photography is a criminally underrated art form -- not because people don't appreciate it, but because it's rarely shown in blown-out gallery form. Sure, you can see it on the cover of every sports magazine in existence, but rarely do you get a chance to see the original picture, without captions or text. You'll be able to check fifty of the finalists for Red Bull Illume, an action-sports photography competition this weekend, all of which are some of the most amazing action shots you'll ever see in a gallery space. American: The Bill Hicks Story at Denver FilmCenter (Friday, $9.75) Bill Hicks' standup is easy enough to come by, but his life story, from his start as a little comedian to his eventual rise, fall and rise again with drug addiction, is an oft-misunderstood one. That's partially because when Hicks died in 1994, most Americans still didn't really know who he was. American hopes to tackle that problem and introduce Hicks' style to a wider audience. Mirror, Mirror at Plus Gallery (Friday, free) If randomly wandering around the city and into art galleries is too experimental for you, why not just head straight over to Plus Gallery for Mirror, Mirror, a show dedicated to online dating. The show's purpose is to give a reflection of what you are and what you pretend to be online. If that's too deep for you, don't worry, we're sure you'll be able to see pictures of the event on Facebook.John J. Audubon: American Artist and Naturalist at Longmont Museum and Cultural Center (Friday, $5-$7) There will be forty images from famed naturalist John J. Audubon on display today -- do we really need to say anything else? If you're a fan of pictures of birds, ones by Audubon in particular, there is no other place you should be this weekend.
Arvada Trails Day at Majestic View Nature Center (Saturday, free) Admittedly, the closest we usually get to nature is when we're poking the carcass of dead pigeons, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate a good old-fashioned trail walk now and again. Thankfully, the purpose of Arvada Trails Day isn't to break a sweat, it's just about checking out this little nook of nature hidden inside a suburban setting.Rockin' Block Party at Lakewood's Heritage Center (Saturday, free) Summer is here, which means it's time to get the block parties in full swing. First up, Lakewood! You'll get to check out a landmark site, participate in balloon tosses, hula-hoop contests and more. Good wholesome fun -- now if someone brings some double-dutch ropes it'd be the perfect Saturday afternoon.
Festival Brazil at Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (Saturday, free) There will be art on display from Henrique Oliveira and Jessica Moon Bernstein at the BMCA, but more importantly, there will be a film screening, costume-making activity, Brazilian music and -- here's the best part -- Brazilian themed hors d'oeuvres. We haven't a clue what that entails, which is why it sounds awesome.
Microclimates at Super Ordinary Gallery (Saturday, free) Microclimates isn't just a display or art -- it's an entire experience. Not only will you be able to walk through the gallery and look at things, you'll also be able to check out music, visuals, a pop-up shop, fashion show and food trucks. We all know you follow the food trucks around town, you might as well venture in to the gallery while you're at it.
Jimmy Sellars: My Year as a Rabbit Part 1 at Spark Gallery (Sunday, free) We mentioned there was a lot of art happening this weekend right? So if you've still got it in you and if you happened to miss My Year as a Rabbit's opening last weekend, you might want to catch it while you still can. Humans as rabbits! It doesn't get much better than this.
