Among this week's listings are Denver PrideFest 2012, Denver Comic Con and the Food & Wine Classic. For a full guide of things to do in and around Denver, consult westword.com/calendar.
This week in the Denver area:
1940s WWII Era Ball: Dance beneath classic WWII planes and military vehicles to music inspired by Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller. Sat., June 16, 6 p.m.-1 a.m., $30 in advance; $35 doors, Boulder Municipal Airport, 3327 Airport, Boulder, 720-924-1945, www.1940sball.org.
Art of a Life in Sport: Tour an exhibition exploring the art inherent in outdoors sports. Tue., June 19, 5:30 p.m.; $8 GA, $5 members, The Wildlife Experience Museum, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, 720-488-3344, www.twexp.org, www.thewildlifeexperience.org.
Aspen Summer Words 2012: Solazu: A literary festival celebrating stories from Latin America and the Caribbean. Featuring lectures from a variety of writers, including Edqidge Danticat, Luis Urrea, Daniel Alarcon, Francisco Goldman and others. June 17-22, Colo. 82, Aspen, 970-925-3122, www.aspenwriters.org.
Bacon Burner 5K Run/Walk: Earn your barbecue at the first-ever pre-BBQ Challenge run. Sat., June 16, 9 a.m., Frisco, I-70 exit 203, www.townoffrisco.com/events/bbq-challenge/.
Campsite Cooking: Learn how to properly pack food, maintain food safety, and create easy, delicious, camp-friendly meals. Sat., June 16, 1-3 p.m., $18 GA: $15 members, The Wildlife Experience Museum, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, 720-488-3344, www.thewildlifeexperience.org.
Clay Kirkland and Al Chesis: Presented as part of the Shady Grove Picnic Series. Wed., June 20, 6 p.m., $10 GA; $7 members/seniors/cyclists; $2 kids under 12, Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Denver, 720-865-0800, www.fourmilepark.org, www.swallowhillmusic.org.
The Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride: Three long-distance bike rides including 100-mile, 85-mile, and 65-mile courses winding from Stapleton through downtown Denver and west to Golden. Sun., June 17, 6:30 a.m., $75, Stapleton Central Park, 9225 Martin Luther King Blvd., Denver, 303-558-8184, www.denvercenturyride.com.
Colorado BBQ Challenge: A community barbecue festival featuring pig races, a 5K Bacon Burner run, live music, cooking demonstrations, and more. June 14-16, Frisco, I-70 exit 203, www.townoffrisco.com/events/bbq-challenge/.
Colorado Rapids vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Wed., June 20, 7:30 p.m., $17-$45, 303-825-GOAL, www.coloradorapids.com. Dicks Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, www.dickssportinggoodspark.com.
Colorado Rockies vs. Oakland Athletics: Thu., June 14, 1:10 p.m., $8, colorado.rockies.mlb.com/. Coors Field, 2001 Blake St., Denver, 303-292-0200, colorado.rockies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/col/ballpark/directions.jsp.
Crested Butte Restaurant Week: A week-long highlight of the best meals local eateries and lodging establishments have to offer. Through June 22, $8.85-$88.85, 800-814-7988, www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com. Crested Butte Mountain Resort, 135, Crested Butte, www.crestedbuttechamber.com.
Denver Comic Con: A full-scale comic and pop culture convention featuring celebrity guests, comic artists, gaming, comic book classroom, sci-fi speed dating and more. Fri., June 15, 6-10 p.m.; Sat., June 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., June 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Advance tickets: $30-$50 three-day pass, $6-$25 daily passes, children ages 10 and under free with paying adult (limit two children); prices higher at the door, www.denvercomiccon.com/. Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver, 303-228-8000, www.denverconvention.com.
Denver Greek Festival: A celebration of Greek culture, complete with live traditional music and dance, art, jewelry, homemade food, and more. June 15-17, $2 GA; free for kids under 12 and seniors over 62, www.thegreekfestival.com. Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4610 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, 303-388-9314, www.assumptioncathedral.org.
Denver PrideFest 2012: A celebration of LGTBQ community, identity, and lifestyle, with live music performances on multiple stages, dancing, vending, and more. June 16-17, www.glbtcolorado.org. Civic Center Park, Broadway and Colfax Ave., Denver, 303-892-1112, www.denvergov.org.
Enchanted Gardens Tour of Northwest Denver: A showcase of exceptional gardens located in northwest Denver neighborhoods. Proceeds benefit The Conflict Center. Sat., June 16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $15. The Conflict Center, 4140 Tejon St., Denver, 303-433-4983, www.conflictcenter.org.
Find more things to do June 14-20 on the next page.
Food & Wine Classic: A culinary festival offering more than 80 cooking seminars and demonstrations led by chefs Mario Batali, Giada DeLaurentiis, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Tom Colicchio, Danny Meyer, Jacques Pepin, Michael Symon, Ming Tsai, and others. June 15-17, Colo. 82, Aspen, www.foodandwine.com/classic.
GKnight Ride: A celebration of all things cycling, featuring 1-, 3-, and 10-mile cruiser courses, kids activities, food, a beer garden, and more. Sat., June 16, 3-11 p.m.; $20 GA, $45 for families, Prospect Park, 700 Tenacity, Longmont, 303-319-9882, www.bicyclelongmont.org.
Goose Fest: All seven of the Galloping Geese a series of seven railcars that once ran on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad freight down the Colorado Railroad Museums track for the first time in history. June 16-17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $15 GA; $50 for families; $5 kids; $10 seniors. Colorado Railroad Museum, 17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden, 303-279-4591, www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org.
Grease Monkey Thunder to the Mountain: Fathers Day showcase race event featuring 250-MPH alcohol dragsters and funny cars. Sun., June 17, noon, $6-$25 (kids ages 5 and under free). Bandimere Speedway, 3051 S. Rooney Road, Morrison, 303-697-6001, www.bandimere.com.
Inspire: Arts Week Lakewood: Ten days of music, art, and other cultural events hosted at venues around Lakewood. Through June 16, Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, 303-987-7856, www.lakewood.org/inspire, www.lakewood.org/culturalcenter.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival: Four nights of headline concerts from national and international musicians. June 17-22, Colo. 82, Aspen, www.jazzaspensnowmass.org.
Juneteenth Music Festival: Lineup includes Hazel Miller, Hot Lunch, The Rob Tz Experience, The Mighty Nice Band, Sammy Dee the Blue Man, The Ohio Players and others. June 16-17, free, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St., Denver, 303-656-5408, www.juneteenthmusicfestival.com.
Kingdom Days: A celebration of the history of Breckenridge, featuring outhouse races, live music, face painting, burro rides, gold panning, and more. June 16-17, free, Breckenridge, Colo. Hwy. 9 south of I-70, 970-453-5055 www.gobreck.com.
Kremmling Days 2012: A celebration of Kremmling history, community and culture. June 15-17, Colo Hwy. 9 and US Hwy. 40, Kremmling, www.kremmlingchamber.com.
Littleton Equine Center & Platinum Performance Grand Prix: Grand Prix show jumping accompanied by equestrian-themed vending. Sat., June 16, 4:30 p.m., free, Colorado Horse Park, 7522 S. Pinery Dr., Parker, 303-841-5550, www.coloradohorsepark.com.
Mike Butler: The author of Around the Spanish Peaks presents a slide show of then-and-now photographs of Colorados Spanish Peaks area. Thu., June 14, 303-791-7323. Highlands Ranch Library, 9292 Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch, www.douglascountylibraries.org.
Mountain Air Music Series: Weekly family-friendly concerts with on-site kids activities and vending. Lineup includes Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams, The Pimps of Joytime, OBrien Part of 7 with Tim & Mollie OBrien, and Chuck Prophet. Thursdays through June 28, free, U.S. wy. 550, Ouray, 800-228-1876, www.ouraycolorado.com.
Mountain Brew: Lets Talk About Beer: Ed Sealover discusses the history and quirkiness of the Colorado brewing community. Tue., June 19, 6:30 p.m., Parker Library, 10851 S. Crossroads Drive, Parker, 303-791-7323, www.parkerlibrary.org, www.douglascountylibraries.org.
New Belgium FIBArk Whitewater Festival: Paddling races featuring top whitewater sports stars from around the world competing on the Arkansas River, with Old Fashioned Kids Races, food and craft vendors, carnival in Riverside Park, live music, video premieres and brews from New Belgium Brewing. June 14-May 17, spectating free, registratiion fees vary, Hwys. 50 & 291, Salida, fibark.net/.
North Fork Uncorked: A festival celebrating Delta County wines, music, and food. June 16-17, Hwy. 133, Paonia, www.deltacountycolorado.com.
Find more things to do June 14-20 on the next page.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl: Wed., June 20. Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, 303-794-0640, www.shopaspengrove.com/Index.asp?x=010|000&~=.
Rocky Mountain Challenge Prep Rugby Tournament: A national-circuit rugby tournament with competitions in under-17 and under-19 divisions. June 16-17; $5, free for kids under 12, Aurora Sports Park, 18601 E. Sports Park, Aurora, 303-695-7201, www.rmu19c.com.
Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup: A gathering of Mustang owners and enthusiasts featuring car shows, mountain tours, auto cross and more. Thu., June 14, Steamboat Springs, www.steamboat-chamber.com.
Safety Last: A screening of the 1923 Harold Lloyd classic. Wed., June 20, 7:30 p.m., $10 GA; $5 members & kids. Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Baseline Rd., Boulder, 303-440-7666, www.chautauqua.com.
Springs Spree: An 8K run accompanied by an arts and crafts festival, live music, and vending. June 16-17, www.springsspree.org. Memorial Park, 606 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 800-642-2567.
Strawberry Days: Live music, vending, art, ice cream and of course an abundance of free strawberries. June 15-17, Sayre Park, Hyland Park & Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, 970-945-6589, www.strawberrydaysfestival.com.
Tractor Show: A showcase of the Arkansas Valley Flywheelers antique tractors and farming equipment. June 16-17. Royal Gorge Bridge Park, 4218 Fremont County Road 3A, Caon City, 888-333-5597, www.royalgorgebridge.com.
Tropic Thunder: With A. Tom Collins. Mon., June 18, 6:45 p.m., $12, Film on the Rocks, www.denverfilm.org. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, 720-865-2494, www.redrocksonline.com.
Worlds Largest Swimming Lesson: A gargantuan swimming lesson attempting to establish a new Guinness World Record. Thu., June 14, www.hylandhills.org. Hyland Hills Water World, 1800 W. 89th Ave., Westminster, 303-427-SURF, www.waterworldcolorado.com.
