The longest con in Denver
Friday-Sunday. Denver’s bustling cultural-convention scene, which next year adds the Colorado Festival of Horror, has been humming along in recent years. But organizers of old-school events such as StarFest and MileHiCon remember when communing with fellow obsessives was less about mass-market pop culture and more about carving identity out of obscure books, comics, films and (yes) costumes. This year’s 51st annual MileHiCon will once again bring the classic-con feel with 100 sci-fi, horror and fantasy authors and artists signing (and selling) their work alongside cosplay contests, nonstop gaming, robot face-offs, panels, kids’ programming and more. The nonprofit, family-friendly event runs Oct. 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 E.Tufts Ave. Tickets: $20-$22 per day or $50 for three days. Children under 12 are half-price.
History Colorado makes it personal
Opening Saturday. While we were impressed by the Empathy Museum’s recent, traveling exhibition we’re even more excited for History Colorado Center’s similar-minded “Whatap Your Story?” Opening Oct. 19 at the state’s main historical museum in downtown Denver, the exhibit offers engagement (a photo booth, Buzzfeed-style quizzes, “creation stations”) and history in the form of 100 Colorado-related artifacts and interactive stories from just as many state residents, relating diverse perspectives in an easy-to-digest, compelling format. The 2,000-square-foot, school-friendly exhibit also inaugurates the newly opened fourth-floor Owens Hickenlooper Leadership Gallery on Oct. 19. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at 1200 Broadway. Admission $8-$14; kids 4 and under free. 303-447-8679 or
Lighting up our Pumpkin Nights
Through Nov. 3. Since Halloween has become a second Christmas — a consumer-oriented holiday thatap practically celebrated year-round — we at least have events like Pumpkin Nights to remind us what itap all about (the changing of the seasons, that is). The spooky equivalent of a holiday-light display, the nationally syndicated event segments Adams County Fairgrounds into themed areas packed with thousands of elaborately carved and arranged gourds. Itap about leisurely strolls (date nights, family nights, etc.) as much as it is Instagram tags, but as noted: It genuinely helps it feel like Halloween season. Through Nov. 3 at 9755 Henderson Road. Tickets: $16-$20; kids under 3 are free.
Feeling “H-ٰܲԲ,” dancers?
Friday-Sunday. Itap always worth seeing what Denver-based contemporary ballet company Wonderbound is up to, given its track record of wild, cross-genre collaborations and experimentation. The latest is the slightly more traditional “H-ٰܲԲ,” its season-opening show with live music from Colorado Symphony string players featuring the choreography of artistic director Garrett Ammon and associate choreographer Sarah Tallman. Expect crisp, emotive movement and luxuriant sounds. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18-19 and 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at The Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave.; 7:30 p.m. 26 and 2 p.m. Oct. 27 at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave. in Parker. Tickets: $25-$50. . Also this weekend: Ballet Ariel’s family-friendly “Peter and the Wolf,” including selections from “Swan Lake,” with matinees Oct. 19, 20 and 27 at various locations in the metro area. Tickets: $15-$25.
