Denver's Biennial of the Americas: July 2010

Denver will be dancing to a different beat in July when the city stages the 2010 Biennial of the Americas, an international celebration of the art, culture, ideas and music of the 35 nations that make up the Western Hemisphere. The cross-cultural experience will run from July 1-31, 2010, and includes art shows, concerts, special exhibitions, dance, and food, as well as a series of conversational roundtables, bringing together past and present leaders of the Americas to discuss topics ranging from science and technology to politics and the economy.

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Kids Patch

Throughout July
McNichols Building at Civic Center Park
Kids Patch, a program that originated in Belgrade, Serbia, is an interactive series of workshops taking place throughout the Denver Biennial. Ranging from music, graphic art, performance and new media, each workshop is a hands-on, fully interactive experience.
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Butterflies of the Americas

Throughout July
Butterfly Pavilion
Take a self-guided tour through a tropical rainforest and learn all about tropical plants and butterflies from the Americas at the Butterfly Pavilion as part of the Biennial of the Americas during the month of July.
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International Youth Orchestra Concert

July 9, 7:30 p.m.
Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver University
Twenty five young adult string musicians from 18 different nations in the Western Hemisphere celebrate the music of the Americas in a FREE concert – a great way to introduce your kids to the wonders of classical music.
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Dolls of the Americas

Throughout July
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls & Toys
Discover incredible antique and modern dolls from all over the Americas at this special exhibit at one of Denver’s true hidden gem museums.
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Live Music

Civic Center Sounds: Fireworks Celebration with the CSO

July 3, 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Civic Center Park
This FREE "Independence Eve" community concert features patriotic favorites performed by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, an innovative light show and a rooftop fireworks finale in Denver's historic Civic Center Park.
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Latino Rhythms: Biennial Edition with Horacio Valdes

July 15, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
La Alma/Lincoln Park
Headlined by Panamanian superstar Horacio Valdes, this annual music festival highlights the amazing, invigorating music being made in Central and South America. Dancing is encouraged!
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Colorado Chamber Players

July 19, 7:30 p.m.
Museo de las Americas
The Colorado Chamber Players perform a free concert at Museo de las Americas featuring the chamber music of Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. Composers of the 20th century, including Ginastera, Revueltas, Piazzolla, will be featured, with musical styles ranging from tango to milonga to classical. Programs will be presented in English and Spanish. A reception follows the concert.
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Swallow Hill Woody Guthrie Fest

July 30-31
Swallow Hill Music
This two-day event honors the legacy of an American icon with art, films, workshops, presentations from the Woody Guthrie Foundation & Archives. Catch live performances from Jay Farrar (of Son Volt), Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Tao Seeger, and Master of Ceremonies Aaron Keim.
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GREEN Rocks with E-Town and Lyle Lovett

July 30, 7:30 p.m.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
eTown's GREEN Rocks at Red Rocks is back for another celebration of awesome music, environmental consciousness and spectacular skies. This year's event features Lyle Lovett and Taj Mahal (full sets from both artists) in one the world's most stunning natural arenas.
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Illuminating Exhibits

Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: Understanding the Threat of Terrorism

Throughout July
Center for Empowered Living & Learning (99 W. 12th Ave., Denver)
The fascinating, interactive Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: Understanding the Threat of Terrorism provides an intellectual framework designed to educate the public about various aspects of global terrorism, visitors to think about the moral, philosophical, legal, and practical questions terrorism raises in our society today.
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Energy Effects

Throughout July
MCA Denver
This eye-popping exhibit explores the relationship between energy and aesthetic power. From Washington DC-based artist Jim Sanborn's creation of a working model of the first atom-splitting particle accelerator to Buenos Aires-based Ciro Najle's experiments in irrational engineering, this exhibition explores the power and beauty of excess energy.
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Liberadores/Liberators

Throughout July
Museo de las Americas
Liberadores/Liberators showcases the visionaries who challenged Old World paradigms in pursuit of a new world and showcase interpretations of the liberation narrative as it relates to communities, countries and the future.
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Where Pink Dolphins Swim

Opening June 25
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
View the Brazilian Amazon and its people in this photo exhibit by fine art photographer Tory Read. More than 30 black-and-white images tell the documentary story of a journey down the river, and eight large-format color pinhole images convey a dreamlike impression of life along the river. Where Pink Dolphins Swim explores the natural environment, human society and culture on the Amazon, and the interaction between North Americans and the river's people.
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The Nature of Things

Throughout July
McNichols Building 
At the heart of the McNichols Main Stage programming is The Nature of Things, an exhibition-centered project presenting contemporary artistic practices from various countries throughout the American continent. A response to the four overarching themes of the Biennial – innovation, sustainability, community and the arts - this multi-disciplinary exhibit will illuminate the themes by exposing multiple perspectives and definitions related to each within a single space.
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Just Plain Cool

Our Nations Energies Skate Jam

July 10
Cuernavaca Park/Denver SkatePark
All skater, all races, all tribes! Our Nations Energies is an event focusing on reeducating and empowering Native American nations of today through individuality, family, community, health environment and spirituality. It will include an All Nations Skate Jam, an Eco Cultural Village, live music and other performers.
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The Great Debate: Boston or Chicago

July 20
Buntport Theater
The Great Debate pits teams of non-experts head to head in lively debates of the inconsequential. Mundane topics are brought to life by ordinary, but opinionated folks. You're bound to be a flip-flopper after listening to compelling arguments on things that never mattered!
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The Americas Roundtable Series

Throughout July
Various locations throughout Denver
To promote the exchange of ideas and inspire positive action, the Biennial will include a public dialogue series titled The Americas Roundtable, featuring 14-former heads of state from countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Centered on issues crossing all socioeconomic borders, the dialogue begins with roundtables focusing on education, philanthropy, poverty reduction, energy and climate change, the economy and women in leadership. Don't miss the Americas Roundtable Summit of Former Heads of State, featuring some of the Western Hemisphere's most respected leaders, Monday, July 12 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, starting at 10:30 a.m. 
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The Nature of Things Speaker Series

Throughout July
The McNichols Building
Lend your voice to a new era of ideas and possibilities for the future of the Americas at the Nature of Things Speaker Series, a month-long public forum at the McNichols Building. Topics ranging from ecology, art, technology and society, to culture, design, education and civic engagement will be discussed by an international group of established and emerging artists, leaders, innovators, and celebrated individuals. Audience participation is encouraged!
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The Secret Life of Trees

Throughout July 
Art District on Santa Fe
This dazzling sculpture and light street installation will illuminate the entire Art District, and highlight Denver's ongoing quest to plant 1,000,000 trees.
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