Making the most of requires a little planning. But if you take the time to sort through the hundreds of offerings that fly the event’s banner, and schedule wisely, there are rich cultural rewards to be had.
And — more important — some good deals. As in past years, the 2014 version of Arts Week is full of discounts and freebies. Visit Denver, which organizes the nine-day event, knows how to get our attention.
The biggest and best of the deals is, as usual, the Night at the Museums, set for Nov. 8. A considerable 23 museums will stay open late, offering no-charge admission from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. That’s right: Free admission for the season’s best two shows: at the Denver Art Museum and restrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
There are kid-friendly places on the list, like the and the Children’s Museum of Denver, and a few places that get overlooked in the museum mass, including the and the Byers-Evans House Museum.
To make it even easier, a shuttle will be taking folks from place to place.
A new event joins the Arts Week mix this year: Art Denver, a fresh offering from the folks who bring you the every July. This one, Nov. 14-16, is indoors at the Colorado Convention Center and includes a serious fashion component.
It’s not free, but tickets are priced at a low $10 if you get them in advance. Remember, planning helps here.
Also attractive for 2104 — and free — is “Chance to Dance” on Nov. 8. The event wraps together a full program of dance performances, workshops and classes, all at the McNichols Building in Civic Center.
Arts Week includes a lot of things that are already in the works, such as the Starz Denver Film Festival and local plays and concerts. It kicks off officially Nov. 7 with the First Friday event that happens in the various art districts every month, though the galleries tend to whomp it up big for the added crowds.
There’s plenty more on the website — simple address: denver.org — where you want to be sure to click on the “DEALS” tab. The opportunities to save come in all shapes and sizes, twofers, specially priced $52.80 packages, membership offers and gift shop discounts.
A little homework might save you a lot.
Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540, rrinaldi@denverpost.com or twitter.com/rayrinaldi
