All over the city, houses are slowly filling with people.
Just like in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” distant relatives are beginning to invade Denver’s winter wonderland for holiday celebrations. Long-dormant sofa beds are emerging and sleeping bags are hitting the floor — the out-of-towners need beds.
Christmas is just around the corner, and for some, it can’t come soon enough. Once all the excuses for shopping are used up, it’s straight-up family time.
A day with the clan isn’t such a bad thing, but it’s not an occasion for blowing off steam. If escape becomes necessary, there are plenty of ways to shake off stress and regain holly- jolliness.
Uncle Frank might not realize it, but his undeniably festive, horrifically ugly reindeer sweater is in high demand. Especially at the Martini Ranch (1317 14th St.) when it hosts the third annual Hideous Holiday Sweater Party tonight.
All are invited to dig up the worst, lamest holiday sweater they can find and wear it proudly. The Ranch will provide specials on rum, dorky photo-ops and giveaways of free stuff. Just be brave and rock that sweater like a fashion-challenged Posh Spice. The horror begins at 10 p.m.
The Gothic Theatre (3263 S. Broadway, Englewood) is the place to go if holiday rage issues are simmering.
Tonight’s concert, “The Last Holiday,” is an antidote to all things twinkly and optimistic about December. It’s a night of Colorado metal and hardcore, featuring bands like Assisted Suicide Assembly, Ankor and Cevrance.
See the show, vent the anger and, come Saturday morning, it’ll be all smiles. The show starts at 7 tonight; tickets are $7.
If Christmas is turning out to be more melancholy than murderous, the Velvet Elvis understands.
The Elvis impersonator’s “Blue, Blue Christmas” show at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret (in the Daniels and Fisher clocktower at 16th and Arapahoe streets) is a smooth sleigh ride through the King’s “cool” phase.
That means “Sun Sessions” Elvis, not sparkly-jumpsuit Elvis. The Velvet Elvis does a dead-on survey of the catalog, with a little Johnny Cash and rockabilly thrown in for kicks. The show’s appropriate for all ages, too, so feel free to bring along a gloomy younger relative if necessary.
Tickets are already sold out for Saturday’s performance, so catch Elvis at 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 online at or $25 at the door.
Need a last-minute gift? For the tough girls and lonely boys in your life, it’s hard to do better than the Denver Roller Dolls 2009 calendar.
Pick one up at the official release party at Bender’s (314 E. 13th Ave.) on Saturday. The Dolls will be in attendance to sign calendars, too.
Because an element of danger is necessary, an ice luge — a little slide made out of ice that delivers chilled liquor straight to the mouth — will be provided for vodka shots. Designate a driver now — the party starts at 9 p.m.
Visit Mezcal (3230 E. Colfax Ave.) for a dose of tacos and tinsel.
Since this week marks the taqueria’s fifth anniversary, tonight and Saturday are both birthday celebrations.
Bring $20 and feast: Appetizers are $5, premium tequila shots are $5, coin-style margaritas are $5, get five tacos for $5 — it’s a theme.
Even after the birthday party’s over, Mezcal’s worth a stop. Festooned in holiday finery, Mezcal is a gaudy treat this time of year. And there’s always lots of tequila.
Superstar selling out.
The hottest ticket this weekend — maybe this season — is Tiesto at Beta (1909 Blake St.). The superstar DJ is on his way to a New Year’s Eve gig at the Roseland Ballroom in New York, and doing a quick swing through the States first.
Beta’s presale tickets are already gone, so purchase advance tickets at djtiestotour.tsd . They’re $60 each.
