Free for All: The Five Best Free Events in Denver This Week

Who says weekdays have to be boring? As the first month of 2018 winds down and February begins, Denver's arts community continues its proud tradition of providing world-class entertainment for fellow citizens at pauper-friendly prices. Classical-music aficionados, comedy nerds and neo-soul locavores in particular have reasons to celebrate as creators take to venues all over the Front Range. Keep reading for the five best free events in Denver and Boulder this week.


Faculty Tuesdays: Romance in Italy
Tuesday, January 30, 7:30 p.m.
Grusin Music Hall, University of Colorado Boulder
The University of Colorado's music program is the school's gift to classical-music lovers, hosting world-class concerts week in and week out, and often several times per day. Though too few CU students take full advantage of Grusin Music Hall's thriving performance calendar, many of the campus venue's events are open to the public. Better yet, they're often free. Join faculty musicians Paul Erhard (double bass), Edward Dusinberre (violin) and David Requiro (cello) along with pianists David Korevaar and Hsing-ay Hsu for a romantic tour through the sounds of Italy. The centerpiece of the concert program is a pair of string duets by Italian composers Gioacchino Rossini and Giovanni Bottesini:  "Duet for Cello and Double Bass in D Major" and "Gran Duo for Violin and Double Bass," respectively. Also on tap are the Italian-inspired "Prelude and Tarantella," by Russian composer Reinhold Gliere and the "Duo-ASTA for Double Bass and Piano," by Finland's Teppo Hauta-aho. Visit the CU Presents box-office page to learn more. Viewers who can't make the trip to Boulder can visit the same page to watch a live stream of the performance.

Deep Cuts Comedy Two-Year Anniversary
Wednesday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.
Jagged Mountain Brewing Company
Persisting for two years in Denver's crowded comedy landscape is a toast-worthy triumph, one local comics Harrison Garcia and Alex Fenaughty will achieve on Wednesday night as Deep Cuts Comedy celebrates two years of shows at Jagged Mountain Brewing Company. The hosts are marking the milestone by welcoming a gaggle of their favorite comics back to the stage for another bow. Spotlighting local chuckle champions Zach Welch, Georgia Rae, Nic Dean, Derrick Stroup, Roger Haak and Anthony Crawford, the show also offers a fine excuse to enjoy Jagged Mountain's signature beers. Visit the Malcontent Comedy Facebook events page for more information.

Queen City Companion 5
Thursday, February 1, 8 p.m.
Mutiny Information Cafe
Though the misconduct allegations against Garrison Keillor (not to mention his problematic response to them) cast the long-running public-radio staple A Prairie Home Companion in a troubling new light, there's no need to dismiss the efforts of the thousands of performers who've been inspired by the show. Spearheaded by Christie Buchele of the Empty Girlfriend podcast and the Pussy Bros. standup supergroup, Queen City Companion invites a rogues' gallery of local comics, writers, musicians and other creatives to share their entirely fabricated tales through whatever medium suits them best. United by a common theme, the storytellers can let their imaginations run free, with everything recorded for posterity thanks to resident Mutiny lackey and beloved Denver comic Cory Helie. February's lineup includes storytellers Sam Malcolm, Les Baca, Gary Burtman, Rebecca Robinson, John Tole, former Westword scribe Josiah Hesse and an excerpt from JANE/EYRE. Admission is free; find more details on the event's Facebook page, and head over to Mutiny Transmissions to listen to past episodes.

First Friday: Live Pottery with Fenway Clayworks
Friday, February 2, 4 to 7 p.m.
Modern Nomad
Though artsy readers are spoiled for choice as far as First Friday entertainments go, a unique opportunity to witness the spontaneous act of creation awaits at Modern Nomad. Join artist Sean Vandervliet for a live pottery demonstration as well as an exhibit of his latest line of ceramics. Co-sponsored by Mod Livin' RiNo and Fenway Clayworks, the evening also offers live music and libations from Deerhammer Distilling Company. Visit Fenway Clayworks events page for more details.

The Lee Clark Allen Band, Kid Astronaut, and Britney Jane
Friday, February 2, 8 p.m.
Denver Bicycle Cafe
The Denver Bicycle Cafe's Vintage and Neo-Soul Night is a fine addition to an already thriving performance calendar at the Uptown beer hall, but the concert on Friday, February 2 is a delightful standout. Spotlighting local musicians the Lee Clark Allen Band, Kid Astronaut and Britney Jane, Vintage and Neo-Soul Night is a wondrous way to while away an evening, sampling soulful sounds and draughts from the DBC's rotating roster of local brews. Find more information on the DBC Facebook events page.

For more to do, visit Westword's event calendar.