Mess Fest!
Friday-Sunday. At the risk of trivializing parenthood (and trust me, I’m not one to do that), it’s safe to say that, much like dogs, kids are happiest when they’re making a mess. That makes the debut Mess Fest at the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus a weekend draw with “a full-body, no-holds-barred celebration of sensory play,” as the museum put it.
A giant mound of mud, oodles of fluffy foam and daily, messy themes are scheduled, with Glorious Goo (Friday, July 10), Party with Paint (Saturday, July 11) and Squishy Shaving Cream (July 12). “And don’t worry — we’ve thought of everything,” the museum added. “Before you head out, swing by our Kid Wash for a quick rinse so your little ones leave clean(ish) and ready for the ride home” (i.e., bring fresh clothes and a towel).
Activities are included with museum admission, $19.75 for ages 2-60, and $17.75 for ages 1 and 60-and-over. Located at 2121 Children’s Museum Drive in Denver. Call 303-433-7444 or visit for tickets and more details.
Free Music at the Movies
Wednesday. As skilled as they are at performing a variety of classic film scores, the Colorado Symphony isn’t the only movies-and-music game in town. On Wednesday, July 15, Aurora’s Music at the Movies series continues with more free, family-friendly performances and outdoor screenings.
This go-round, it’s Little Moses Jones on stage, followed by a “Hamilton sing-along” at Settler’s Park, 14800 E. Walsh Drive in Aurora. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m., followed by the film at 6 p.m. Bring your own chairs, blankets and snacks, although there will be a couple of food trucks on site. Next up: July 9’s “SpongeBob” movie showing with the band Unindicted Co-conspirators. Visit for more details.
40 years of Colorado Black Arts Festival
Friday-Sunday. The Colorado Black Arts Festival is this weekend, celebrating 40 years of inviting diverse audiences into the state’s African American arts and culture. The Friday, July 10-Sunday, July 12, festival is free to attend and takes over City Park with more than 100 performances (such as R&B, jazz, Gospel, traditional African drumming), local vendors, community tables, visual artists, food and drink, a children’s pavilion, and other offerings for the expected 20,000 total attendees.
“Over the years, the festival has been a cornerstone of cultural preservation, resiliency, artistic expression, and community cohesion in the heart of Denver,” organizers wrote. “This year’s theme, Through Our Eyes, has left us in a reflective moment of the past, present and future.”
The event takes place on the western side of City Park, roughly at 2001 Steele St., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. The annual Boogaloo Celebration Parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and features dance, drum and drill teams, beginning at 22nd Avenue and Downing Street and heading west to York Street, before entering the festival grounds at City Park. Visit for more details.
Left Field books, after dark
Thursday. Denver’s social-lit revival continues with yet another gathering centered around the joys of books (see also Reading Den and various youthful bookstore events celebrating Black authors, the still-hot romantasy genre and more). The new Left Field Literary Salon: Where Books Meet After Dark, from Colorado’s Left Field Publishing, will double down on the printed word when it holds its first event at The Denver Press Club on Thursday, July 16, organized by Left Field’s Kristen Gilligan and Len Vlahos, authors and former owners of The Tattered Cover bookstores.
“The opening party embraces a dark academia atmosphere with curated book swaps, literary experiences, signature drinks, a literary trivia game with authors, tarot readings, interactive activities, close-up magic, literary curiosities, and spaces designed specifically for conversation and discovery,” organizers wrote. Expect future salons to expand to monthly events, with “literary games, book speed dating, censorship and free-speech conversations, interactive literary events, and community-building experiences,” they added.
Tickets for the 7-9 p.m. event are $20-$30, and more information are available at. Portions of proceeds will support both the Denver Press Club and the Colorado ACLU.
