If you’re bored in Denver this weekend, you’re not trying hard enough. Or at all.
The Starz Denver Film Festival is the talk of the town for the next 10 days, with glitzy premieres and parties happening in and around the festival.
Take, for example, tonight’s Reel Social Club party at the Jet Hotel (1612 Wazee St.). This evening, “127 Hours,” one of the film festival’s biggest draws, makes its debut. It’s the tale of climber (and Colorado resident) Aron Ralston, who famously amputated his own arm after it became trapped under a boulder in a remote canyon.
After the movie premiere, the party moves to the Jet for a sweet late-night postparty, featuring beats by DJ Mada.
Of course, there will be a red carpet to strut on the way in — dress accordingly. Ketel One Vodka and Stella Artois are sponsoring an open bar, too, and Pizza Republica and Swing Thai will provide free snacks.
Not bad for a $25 ticket. Buy tickets in advance at , but move fast — the party starts at 10 tonight.
The film festival isn’t the only game in town this weekend, either. The Denver International Wine Festival is occupying Mile High Station (2027 W. Lower Colfax Ave.), displaying wine and food from all over the world for voracious oenophiles.
Today brings one of the festival’s highlights, “The Grand Tasting.” More than 400 wines from 18 countries will be available for sampling, with plenty of nibbles around to test out pairings.
Despite the name, the wine festival isn’t just about vino. Other varieties of booze are being celebrated, too: Import and craft beers and highfalutin liquor get their due, as well.
General admission tickets allow entrance to the festival from 5 to 9 p.m. today, with wine samples and food included; they’re $75. The $140 VIP tickets offer more tasting time (starting at 2 p.m.), a VIP lounge, a gift bag and private tastings and seminars. Buy tickets at .
It’s First Friday, too, by the way. Denver’s art galleries will be hopping as the city celebrates its arts scene with wide-open doors and lots of free drinks. Hit up Santa Fe Drive and environs, between about West Fifth and 11th avenues, to touch the main nerve. The Tennyson Street Art Walk, between about West 38th and 46th avenues, is a more sedate, less crowded alternative.
Did we mention this is all happening tonight? Choose wisely, and save room for Saturday.
A Saturday idea.
Wynkoop Brewing Co. celebrates, well, itself with its second annual Beers of the Year party.
The shindig is a retrospective of the beers they’ve created in 2010 — nearly 35 in all. They’ll open a specially reserved keg of each beer for partyers to sample, from old favorites like Rail Yard to long-past seasonal brews and such new releases as the Belgian- style Belgorado.
Advance tickets are $20 at and include samples of each of the beers. (Tickets are available at the door, too.) More casual Wynkoop fans can buy tasting tokens at the pub for $5 each.
Deep south.
In the words of Stan Marsh, this is going to be sweet, dude: Local quiz wizards Geeks Who Drink host “Screw Your Quiz, I’m Going Home,” an all-“South Park” quiz on Sunday.
Deep knowledge of Colorado’s favorite animated sons isn’t required to play, but prepare to be destroyed if you don’t remember the Underpants Gnomes or the name of the kids’ fourth- grade teacher before Mr. Garrison. This is the home of “South Park” and its creators, after all — the fans here are devoted and fierce.
The quiz starts at 7 p.m. at the Rackhouse Pub (203 S. Kalamath St.). Entry fee is $5 per person; teams can have up to six members.
