Scores of plays, concerts, screenings and exhibitions regularly take place every week in the metropolitan area, but many residents don’t realize the full scope of what’s out there.
To highlight the cultural bounty, Denver’s convention and visitors bureau launched Denver Arts Week, a nine-day bonanza of everything artistic from modern dance to Modigliani.
This year’s showcase, which begins today and runs through Nov. 14, features more than 150 offerings, including open houses, tours and other special events organized just for this occasion.
Arts Week kicks off with First Friday, when more than 100 art galleries in neighborhoods ranging from the River North Art District to Cherry Creek North will remain open late with an array of exhibitions, lectures and demonstrations.
From 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, shuttles departing from the Denver Art Museum and Cherry Creek Shopping Center will take visitors to 11 area museums ranging from the Black American West Museum to the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. Admission is free all evening.
The Denver Performing Arts Complex will get its turn in the spotlight on Sunday with entertainment, prize drawings and tours running from 3 to 6 p.m. In addition, organizations such as Opera Colorado and Denver Center Attractions are offering deals on tickets.
For a complete list of everything happening, visit .
Don’t miss it
Our critics pick the places and performances they will be hitting during Denver Arts Week:
TAG-TEAM THEATER
Stories on Stage teams with the youthful Buntport Theater Company to perform Jacob Rubin’s “Little Stones, Little Pistols,” which follows a garage band through its quirky and unexpected 15 minutes of fame. $25. 5 and 8 p.m. Nov. 14 and 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at 717 Lipan St., 303-494-0523 or . Complimentary cookies and milk! John Moore
MODERN AFFAIR
The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, 1311 Pearl St. This wonderfully quirky showplace of Colorado art and international design will be among the 11 institutions taking part in Saturday’s Night at the Museums. In addition to the exhibition, “Streams of Modernism,” visitors can enjoy the Manuel Lopez Trio, a bossa nova band and a cash bar. Kyle MacMillan
CHRISTMAS ABSURD
The Denver Center Theatre Company gets a head start on the holiday season with “Absurd Person Singular,” your adult antidote to the simultaneously running “A Christmas Carol.” This outlandish comedy by Alan Ayckbourn is divided into three acts, each documenting the changing fortunes of three couples on successive Christmas Eves. During Denver Arts Week, the DCTC is offering two tickets for $52.80 (discount may be used for later performances). Go to and use promotional code ARTS. Or call 303-893-4100. John Moore
A DIFFERENT VOICE
The singer who goes simply by Mariza is an emerging world wonder. The Mozambique-born performer mixes contemporary singing sensibilities with traditional Portuguese “fado” sounds to create a genre all her own. But there’s more: She just happens to be beautiful and fashionable, another mix that has turned her into an international style icon. The Newman Center, which presents her Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. is offering good deals for this show. Ray Mark Rinaldi
FILMS — AND MORE FILMS
The 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival, which opens Thursday, is a timely addition to Arts Week events. The tagline to the region’s premier film happening is “Destination: Anywhere” and with more the 200 films hailing from 40 countries, it’s no joke. The festival opens with the heralded “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” and doesn’t see the light of day until Nov. 22. Other red-carpet happenings: the Big Night screening of “The Last Station,” starring Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer as Mrs. and Mr. Leo Tolstoy; and closing night’s “The Young Victoria.” Lisa Kennedy
A PAINTER’S RETURN
Plus Gallery, 2501 Larimer St. Plus, which recently upped its game with a swank new two-story space, first presented Jenny Morgan’s figurative paintings when she was still something of a novice. Now living in New York after gaining her master’s degree at the School of Visual Arts, she is back with a group of edgy portraits that show new-found depth and maturity. Kyle MacMillan
FILM WILD
Fifth Annual Adventure Film Festival (Nov. 12-14): Feeling intrepid? Then head West, young fan of true grit and environmental activism. You won’t be alone. Last year this Boulder festival had more than 5,000 attendees. Here is a painfully brief survey of the terrain covered: conservation, dogsledding, fly-fishing, skiing, social justice, surfing and sustainable building. . The festival runs Nov. 12-14 at various locations. Go to for more info. Lisa Kennedy
A SCARY, FUNNY HOLIDAY
Bovine Metropolis Theater is known for its quick wit and occasionally sick sense of humor, which makes its “Hark the Herald Zombies Sing” a perfect holiday show for the Denver company. Tickets for the offbeat sketch show/musical comedy are 2-for-1, or half-off a single ticket, for its Nov. 14 shows at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. $12-$16. 1527 Champa St. . John Wenzel
For more information, visit
