The Weekend | 11 Denver Events to Kick-Off the Fall Season

Today officially marks the first day of fall, but Denverites are not buckling down in preparation of the coming cold. Rather than morn the end of summer, Denver is jumping into the season with more drinks, more bpms, and as always, just the right amount of weirdness (Weird Touch @ Syntax). Wether your ideal weekend is one in neons in the lights of Big Gigantic or swaying to the gentle vibes of The Album Leaf, like always, there's something for everyone in the Mile High city. Venture out and see what Denver has to offer.

 

FRIDAY, 9/23

Photo: Jim Mimna

Big Gigantic @ Red Rocks

Coming on the heels of their two sold-out headlining shows at New York City’s Terminal 5 and the release of their new single “The Little Things,” acclaimed electronic music group BIG GIGANTIC is to play Red Rocks both Friday and Saturday. The fifth installment of the Boulder-based duo’s massive hometown show—voted the #1 EDM show by Denver’s Westword in 2012 termed "RowdyTown V".  Tickets here.

Show Ya Teef! Hosted by The Black Actors Guild

 8 PM - 9 PM
Crossroads Denver Theater
(2590 Washington St)
Tickets here.

10$

Come and see why The Black Actors Guild has collected "Best of" Westword awards two years in a row in the return of the crtically acclaimed "Show Ya Teef" comedy experience.

Show ya Teef is a high octane, interactive improv show full of original creations of all kinds. Be prepared to get involved, witness incredible talent, and take part in a slice of Denver culture!!

Local Natives @ The Ogden Theatre 

16 & UP
8:00PM
Tickets: $32.50
Door Price: $35.00

Purchase here. 

Come out and see the Local Natives debut their album Sunlit Youth. Digital download included with every ticket you order for this show.

Sassmouth, Alala.one, & Ejay pt. Hosted by Nocturnal

$10 at the door
11 PM - 5 AM
EKŌ HOUSE (5201 York St)

Musical exploration focused on duality and community. 

SATURDAY, 9/24

The Album Leaf @ The Bluebird Theater
3317 E. Colfax Ave
16 & UP
 8:00PM
 

Known for their artful light shows, A+ performance and tranquility, this show is the perfect way to spend your Saturday. 

Renegade Craft Fair

Exdo Event Center (1399 35th St)

Saturday & Sunday 11 AM- 6 PM

Groove to sweet jams, as you browse world-class design and handcrafted goods by nearly 100 carefully selected indie Makers and artisans, including jewelry and accessories, home decor, apothecary, and art. Nom on treats by local trucks and food favorites, and enjoy an assortment of pre-packaged items by Dead Dog Chocolate, Strongwater, Teakoe Tea, T-We Tea, The Sophisticate's Tea, RedCamper, and Beautiful Briny Sea.

RiNO Oktoberfest

11am-10pm

The Rackhouse (2875 Blake Street)

Described as a 'bier drinking event', travel to Europe in the comfort of your favorite city. Ticket includes entrance to the festivities, your 0,5l mug, one liter of bier, and a donation to the RINO Art District, 'getting your good deed of the day out of the way' and buzzed in one fell swoop. 

Check out more information and ticket pricing here. 

Attending Breweries: 

Great Divide Brewing Co. 
Bierstadt Lagerhaus
Epic Brewing Company - Denver Taproom
C Squared Ciders
Ratio Beerworks
Our Mutual Friend Brewery
Beryl's Beer Co.
Black Shirt Brewing Co
Zephyr Brewing Company
Mockery Brewing
Stem Ciders

Weird Touch @ Syntax

9 PM- 2 AM

5$ Door Price

21+

Come get weird at Syntax this Saturday, 'all-vinyl dark disco, indie dance and weird house dance night'. It's sure to get you in touch with your dark side. The last Saturday of each month at Syntax. 

Jazz on the Patio 

4:20 PM - 8 PM

Vine Street Pub & Brewery (1700 Vine St)

Swingin' Denver and Vine Street Pub & Brewery present "Jazz on the Patio". The event features a free swing dancing lesson and live music provided by two of the best swing/jazz bands in town! Be ready for a West Patio party! We will be serving up our favorite beers and creating a special "picnic pack" special. Come support two of Denver's best features, Live Music and Great Beer! 

Swing lesson: 4:20-5pm
Odessa Rose: 5pm-6:15
La Pompe Jazz 6:30pm-8:00

SUNDAY, 9/25

Westword Dish Hosted by Stella Artois

11 AM - 3:30 PM
Sculpture Park (1700 Speer Blvd)

21 +

DISH, Denver's all-inclusive food-and-drink sampling event, returns to Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. This 22nd annual celebration of the local dining scene will feature 40+ favorite restaurants of Westword food writers and readers. Beverage samplings from exclusive beer sponsor, Stella Artois, and other liquor sponsors, as well as a smokin' area dedicated to barbecue.

Adelitas, Syrup, Little Man Ice Cream, The Real Dill, Aikopops, Onefold, Biker Jim's, Americatus, Interstate Kitchen, Neighbors Wine Bar, Milk & Cake, Brazen, Keenwah, CO, Il Porcellino, The Orange Crunch, Frijoles Colorado, Amore Gelato, Jozi's Kitchen & Sheebeen, FIRE at the Art, a hotel and many more will all be dishing samples at DISH.

The Last Light- Zombie Shoot @ Flat Acres Farm

7 PM - 10 PM
11321 Dransfeldt Rd, Parker, Colorado 80134

30$ 
Come on out to enjoy the ride through the field and maze while shooting live Zombies. Admission includes the Gun, ammunitions and protective face gear provided by Fox Airsoft. 

Tickets here. 

 

Lifestyle | Dish'n Bout Denver Dish

IMG_2338-1.JPG

This may be a controversial statement to our native readers...but Denver has never been known for its restaurants... Weed? Yes. 14,000 foot peaks? Of course. But a decade ago the only place putting us on the map was Casa Bonita! Not until these past couple of years did Denver begin to rival New York, LA and Las Vegas and start to roar its head into the restaurant scene.

Throughout the past couple of years we've been able to see the Applebee's and Yard Houses of 16th street mall be replaced by the Linger's and Rosenberg's of Denver's thriving eclectic neighborhoods. Westword's Dish is a celebration of how far we've come as a city. We have so many amazing local and creative restaurants; it's definitely a proud time to be a Denverite. 

Happy bagel Bakers from RiNo's famous Rosenberg's.

Happy bagel Bakers from RiNo's famous Rosenberg's.

Prior to the Dish we chose to forgo food as a life source and instead relied solely on ice water and rocky mountain air. Needless to say when we arrived at Discovery Park we were wide eyed and very hangry. Luckily, entry was a breeze and there were food trucks ready with samples waiting as soon as we entered! We hit up most of the food trucks first, starting with a healthy quinoa and mushroom cup at Keenwah, then ordered a GF beef and egg empanada, and a pork belly skewer from Orange Crunch, which were both very satisfying. Now that our stomachs weren't growling, we leisurely embarked into the main food area, looking like the sophisticated foodies that we are. 

The Nickel has a new executive chef (right) and an amazing new and innovative menu!

The Nickel has a new executive chef (right) and an amazing new and innovative menu!

The main event space consisted of five designated "food areas" with beverage companies and exhibitor sponsors mixed in. It was a bit tricky to find a non-alcoholic beverage that we could just quench our thirst with after our warm walk to get in. I really just wanted a cold water or something simple to keep hydrated and for us to cleanse our palettes before the next dish. There was plenty of booze, which we finally worked up to sampling, and kind of couldn't resist given there were some pretty unique vendors. One was Golden Moon Speakeasy in Golden, who sampled an array of spirits such as Gin, Violet Liquor, and Absinthe. Another fun one was Bird Dog Whiskey, sampling a variety of all-natural flavored Kentucky whiskies such as apple, peach, chocolate, and maple. Then there were, of course, the Colorado staples such as Mile High Spirits and Stranahan's Whiskey, both mixing up Mules.

Stranahan's Whiskey charming the long lines. 

Stranahan's Whiskey charming the long lines. 

It's easy to get caught up when surrounded by the likes of OneFold, Deep Eddy Vodka, Alamo Draft House, The Nickel, Rosenberg's, Lola's, Adelita's and Little Man's Ice Cream... So many Denver staples in ONE place! Our inner "big-boned" child was in food heaven! We each found many dishes that appealed to our tastes, and some just out of curiosity. A few of my favorites included the quick, healthy quinoa bowl and the beef empanada I scarfed down when we entered. I went back for seconds at Biju's Little Curry Shop for their coconut curry chicken roll, and Onefold's organic congee bowl of savory rice porridge with chicken confit, poached egg, green onions, soy sauce, ginger, chili oil...shall I go on? Basically, it was good enough to convince me I have to go into their restaurant asap.

Sadly, some of the restaurants I was most excited to try had already run out of samples. This was because those damn VIP ticket holders were allowed in a couple hours earlier and ate up all the best bites! Such places included Los Chingones, Table 6, The Kitchen, Milk and Cake, Fooducopia and Little Man Ice Cream. *tear* Luckily I found some great ice cream to cool the pain at God Save the Cream and some with alcohol infused at Twisted Cream.

On the scene.

On the scene.

We waltzed, we ate, we mingled and in the end we sauntered home with full bellies and even bigger hearts. We're already proud Coloradans but attending an event like Denver Dish is just the cherry on top of an amazing city. Yet another great reminder to support local and try something new! So in love with you Denver!