Denver Arts Week: Hidden Gems
The blockbuster first weekend of Denver Arts Week, featuring "Know Your Arts First Friday," "Saturday Night at the Museums" and "Sunday On Stage," is sure to attract thousands of arts and culture-loving Denverites. But Denver Arts Week isn’t just about the big events – it’s also about the more intimate affairs: artist receptions; hand-on workshops; cool concerts; and unique, one-time-only happenings. Check out some Denver Arts Week hidden gems below – and discover even more at www.DenverArtsWeek.com.
Visual Arts
$52.80 Art on Tennyson
When: Nov. 6-14
Where: Tennyson Street Cultural District, between 38th and 44th avenues at Tennyson Street
galleries throughout the Tennyson Street Cultural District will have specially priced “Art for $52.80” to celebrate Denver Arts week 2009 – a great way to start (or expand) your collection of local art!
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Allen True’s West
When: Throughout Denver Arts Week
Where: Colorado History Museum (1300 Broadway) , Denver Public Library (10 W. 14th Pkwy.), Denver Art Museum (100 W. 14th Pkwy.)
Discover the incredible Old West murals and artwork of Allen Tupper True, a turn-of-the-20th-century Denver artist who documented frontier life in Colorado.
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Embrace!
When: Nov. 14, 10 a.m.
Where: Denver Art Museum (DAM), 100 W. 14th Pkwy., Denver
This new, innovative exhibition explores the dynamic spaces of the DAM's Hamilton Building. Seventeen artists from Denver and around the world are creating site-specific works and installing them in the days and weeks before the exhibition opens. Be the first to glimpse the artists' work!
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Malcolm Farley: A Visual Retrospective of a Modern Day Master
When: Nov. 10-17
Where: Denver Pavilions, 500 16th St., Denver
The Denver Pavilions is not only unveiling its newly remodeled facade during Denver Arts Week, but it will also cut the ribbon on a 100-painting retrospective depicting the illustrious career of world-renowned Denver artist Malcolm Farley. Farley's work ranges from a seven-foot Led Zeppelin canvas, to a sultry super-sized Marilyn Monroe, to a gold leaf-clad Buddha.
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Seven Minutos
When: Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
A slide jam of local artists curated by Denver artist, Jerry Vigil.
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The Wild Side of Art
When: Nov. 6-13
Where: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Denver
Celebrate the wild side of art, as Zoo animals create their own artistic masterpieces regularly throughout the week to be auctioned off in support of animal conservation. Enjoy special family art classes throughout the week and download the Zoo’s free sculpture tour map at www.denverzoo.org to learn the details behind the Zoo’s numerous sculptures on the 80-acre campus.
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Know Your Arts First Friday at Grace Gallery Fine Art & Urban Patio
When: Nov. 6, 12-8 p.m.
Where: Grace Gallery Fine Art and Urban Patio, 877 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Join Grace Gallery Fine Art and Urban Patio for Know Your Arts First Friday featuring music, art, and a demonstration of Raku clay firing in the Urban Patio, also new art and new artists in the gallery.
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Night at the Littleton Museum
When: Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: Littleton Historical Museum, 6028, S. Gallup St., Littleton
Ride the Light Rail into Littleton! Delve into 19th-century nightlife on the two living history farms and explore the city's legacy, art and cool jazz in the galleries.
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Open Critique Night
When: Nov. 10, 6-7 p.m.
Where: RedLine Art Gallery, 2350 Arapahoe St., Denver
Bring in a piece of your artwork and get it critiqued (constructively!) by other artists.
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Wynkoop Brewing Company Art Show
When: Through Nov. 15
Where: Wynkoop Brewing Company, 1634 18th St., Denver
The artworks and photographs of Denver artists Jeff Starr, Izah Gallagher, Jill Hadley Hooper, John Davenport, Sabin Aell, Sherry Hern, and Matt O’Neill are on sale and on display at the Wynkoop, Oct. 11-Nov. 15. Artists will donate a percentage of sales to Friends of Riverside Cemetery.
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Denver Plein Air Arts Reception
When: Nov. 10, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Avenue Pkwy., Denver
The Golden Triangle Museum District presents an opening reception for the third annual Denver Plein Air Arts Festival, which featured international plein air painters creating at some of Denver’s most memorable sites.
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Goldyn Fashion Show
When: Nov. 6, 8 p.m.
Where: Taxi, 3455 Ringsby Ct., Denver
See the latest fall/winter arrivals from designers like Heimstone, Thurley, Crispin & Basilio, Joe’s Jeans, Rebecca Minkoff, and more. Drinks and nibbles by Fuel Café.
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Performing Arts
Anat Cohen Jazz Quartet Concert
When: Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Cultural Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
Israeli-born Anat Cohen, a brilliant young bandleader and prolific composer, is a major voice of her generation on both tenor saxophone and clarinet in genres as varied as modern and traditional jazz, classical music, Brazilian choro, Argentine tango, and Afro-Cuban styles.
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Not Quite Vertical
When: Nov. 12-13
Where: 470 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood
Kim Robards Dance Company presents the premiere of a new modern dance work by Artistic Director Kim Robards.
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Carlos Perez, Classical Guitar
When: Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Where: South Broadway Christian Church, 23 Lincoln St., Denver
Renowned classical guitarist Carlos Perez from Chile will perform works by Louis-Claude Daquin, Ferdinando Carulli, Tomas Damas, Julio Sagreras, Ernesto Cordero and Augustin Barrios in the acoustically splendid setting of the South Broadway Christian Church.
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Judy and David Concert
When: Nov. 8, 4 p.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Cultural Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
Known as “Canada’s Sing-Along Superstars,” Judy & David are Juno award-winning stars of T.V. and stage play fresh, inventive music that has been acclaimed for its ability to engage a young audience’s involvement at every turn.
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Stories On Stage
When: Nov. 14 (5 p.m., 8 p.m.), Nov. 15, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Buntport Theatre, 717 Lipan St., Denver
Stories on Stage and Buntport Theater Company collaborate to perform Jacob Rubin's story, "Little Stones, Little Pistols," which follows a garage band through their quirky and unexpected 15 minutes of fame. DEAL: $16 for “2 for 1” tickets or 50 percent off on one ticket.
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Hannah Kahn Dance Company/Ballet Ariel/Gossamer Winds
When: Nov. 7, 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
Where: Schlessman Hall, Denver Art Museum (North Building), 100 W. 14th Ave., Denver
These three Denver Arts organizations join forces to present two free performances of “Celebration” in Schlessman Hall, on the first floor of the Denver Art Museum's North Building. Free admission to the Art Museum is offered that day. The program provides a diverse assortment of contemporary and classical dance and music.
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Louisiana Creole Celebration
When: Nov. 8, 1-5 p.m.
Where: Mercury Café, 2197 California St., Denver
From 1-2 p.m., learn how to dance in the creole style. From 2-5 p.m., show off your newly acquired skills, accompanied by a live Cajun/Zydeco band!
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Dance Night for Beginners
When: Nov. 13, 8 p.m.
Where: The Packing House Center for the Arts (PHCA), 835 E. 50th St., Denver
Never seen modern dance? Seen way too much of it? Come get an (re-)education in dance-viewing at PHCA’s bi-monthly performance-with-sports-commentary showcase. Witness brain-bending movement performances accompanied by commentary from Certified Dance Analysis Experts and gain a whole new (mis-)understanding of the art form.
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Daniel Asa Rose Reading
When: Nov. 8, 7 p.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
How's this for a title? Larry's Kidney: Being the True Story of How I Found Myself in China With My Black-Sheep Cousin and His Mail-Order Bride, Skirting the Law to Get Him a Transplant and Save His Life. It's a hilarious and heartwarming true story of star-crossed cousins with unique insight into the world of medical tourism.
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Yumi Hwang-Williams with Dror Biran
When: Nov. 10, 7 p.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and a soloist in her own right, violinist Yumi Hwang-Williams is accompanied by Israeli pianist, Dror Biran, recipient of numerous awards and also a sought-after soloist. Attend the pre-concert talk by Elana Newman and get the low-down on four nice Jewish boys: Ernest Bloch, Felix Mendelssohn, Aaron Copland and Aaron Jay Kernis. Pre-concert talk followed by concert at 7:30 p.m.
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Sara Houghtelling Reading
When: Nov. 8, 11 a.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
Set in a Paris darkened by World War II, Sara Houghtelling's debut novel, Pictures at an Exhibition, tells the story of a son's quest to recover his family's lost masterpieces, looted by the Nazis.
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Peter Duffy Reading/Defiance Screening
When: Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
The Bielski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis, Built a Village in the Forest, and Saved 1,200 Jews -- simply reading the title of this incredible book is enough to bring a spark of joy and hope to the human heart. Peter Duffy is a freelance journalist who's written for The New York Times, Newsday, New York Post, and other publications. The movie Defiance, based on the Bielski story, will be screened following the author appearance and is included in your ticket price for this event.
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Ariel Sabar Reading
When: Nov. 11, 7 p.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Culture Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
An ancient land. A lost language. Ariel Sabar's My Father's Paradise is a true story of a wayward son who never knew what he and his father shared until they embarked on an epic journey into their family's extraordinary past. Sabar's father, Yona, was born in a mud hut in the remote Kurdish region of Northern Iraq.
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Returning Home: A Denver Duo
When: Nov. 8, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
Where: Byers Evans House Museum, 1310 Bannock St., Denver
Join Colorado Homegrown Tales for a theatrical reading of two short stories from the Rocky Mountain News' "Dozen on Denver" series published last fall in commemoration of Denver's 150th year. These stories share a special connection with the Byers-Evans House since William Byers, the house's original owner, launched the Rocky Mountain News in 1859.
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Lectures/Workshops/Tours
David Sax Deli Lunch
When: Nov. 13, 12 p.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Cultural Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
Enjoy a classic Jewish deli lunch as David Sax, the author of “Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen” discusses the history, current state, and next generation of the Jewish deli: its culture, people, and foods. Come savor the flavors!
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Denver Civic Center Public Art Tour
When: Nov. 9, 12 p.m.
Where: Starts at 201 W. Colfax Ave. # 700, Denver
Focusing on the 100-year history of Denver’s public art and architecture, this eye-opening, free one-hour tour provides an incredible snapshot of Denver’s diverse artistic and architectural styles in a single, concentrated area. From Alexander Proctor’s bronze Bronco Buster to Beverly Pepper’s Denver Monoliths, and the Neoclassical Capitol to the Beaux-Arts Civic Center Park and Postmodern Denver Public Library, this tour is sure to inspire.
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Holiday Ink Workshop
When: Nov. 14, 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m.
Where: Ink Lounge, 1512 S. Acoma St., Denver
Get your hands inky while you screen-print a set of 20 holiday cards and envelopes. During the 2-hour workshop, the Ink Lounge will provide holiday-themed screens for your two-color cards and one-color envelopes, plus cider and snacks to enjoy while you wait for your cards to dry. Register at www.inkloungegallery.com
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Painting With Presses
When: Nov. 7, 1-2:30 p.m., 3-4:30 p.m.
Where: Dry Creek Art Press & Melinda Laz Studio, 1456 S. Broadway, Denver
Want to try printmaking for a day? Here’s your chance! Learn about printmaking processes during these FREE, assisted-but-unstructured printing sessions led by two experienced local printmakers, Leon Loughridge and Melinda Laz, No prior printmaking experience is required!
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Peter Manseau
When: Nov. 12, 7 p.m.
Where: Mizel Arts & Cultural Center, 350 S. Dahlia St., Denver
Peter Manseau reads from “Songs for the Butcher’s Daughter,” winner of the 2008 National Jewish Book Award for Fiction.
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COSMORPHOLOGY: Exploring Science Through Art
When: Nov. 11, 6 p.m.
Where: Walker Fine Art, 300 West 11th Ave. #A, Denver
Cosmorphology is a fascinating free exhibition and lecture by Tyler and Monica Aiello that explores universal forms from a macro and microcosmic perspective.
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DADASPEAK – “Figure Matters: The Alchemy of Color"
When: Nov. 11, 6 p.m.
Where: Sandra Phillips Gallery, 744 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Participate in a free, provocative discussion with one of the region's most popular and controversial figure painters, Irene Delka McCray, in her slide presentation and dialogue on the nude in popular culture 2009.
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Know Your Arts 8 Days a Week
When: Nov. 7-14
Where: ArtDistrict On Santa Fe
Know Your Arts 8 Days a Week extends "Know Your Arts First Friday" throughout Denver Arts Week, with many special events, workshops and lectures. Check out You, Me and Art, an educational lecture on buying artwork at Grace Gallery Fine Art & Urban Patio, or Life In Oz, and exhibit by artist Blake Flynn, with a special reception and lecture on Nov. 11 at Habitat Gallery & Studio.
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