Things to do in Denver this weekend, March 31-April 2 (Local Tips & Reviews)

By Cassidy Ritter, Special to Denverite

UPDATE: The Dabin show at Red Rocks Ampitheatre has been postponed due to a high winds and a small fire burning nearby. A new date has not been announced. 

Happy Weekend, Denverites!

This weekend, the City of Denver will celebrate the grand re-opening of Russell Square Park and several Denver Public Library branches are celebrating the start of National Arab American Heritage Month on Saturday with story time, geometric art and more. There are also a lot of games taking place at Ball Arena this weekend, from the Denver Nuggets to the Colorado Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche.

Notes: Events with an * are taking place virtually or outdoors. 

Friday, March 31

Just for fun

Glow ‘n Throw. Padium Karting & Events Denver, 7300 Broadway. 5-11 p.m. $28-$38.

Adult Only Night. Slick City Denver West, 14500 W. Colfax Dr., Suite 610, Lakewood. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Prices vary.

All ages

Generations. PlatteForum at Savory Building Gallery, 2700 Arapahoe St. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. (Read more about this exhibit by photographer Anthony Maes here.)

Watercolor Kawaii. Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library, 1498 N. Irving St. 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Ideal for ages 12 and up.

Comedy and theater

Dylan Sullivan. Denver Comedy Underground, 1400 N. Williams St. 8 p.m. $20 (includes free drink and pizza).

Dusty Slay. Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St. 9:45 p.m. $24.

Joe Dombrowski. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 9:45 p.m. $30.

Top Secret Stand Up Comedy. Denver Comedy Underground, 1400 N. Williams St. 10 p.m. $20 (includes free drink and pizza).

Arts, culture and media

Transient Presence. Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave, Suite A, and online. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (in-person), anytime (online). No cover.

Against Nature. Union Hall, 1750 Wewatta St. Noon-6 p.m. Free.

New Life, Rebirth, Resurrection Opening Reception. Pirate: Contemporary Art, 7130 W. 16th Ave., Lakewood. 6-10 p.m. Free.

Class: Canyon Falls. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 6:30 p.m. $45.

Eat and drink

Cider Tasting. Mr. B’s Wine & Spirits at Stanley, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora. 4-6 p.m. Free.

Music and nightlife

Arvada’s Got Talent – Karaoke Night. LUKI Brewery, 14715 W. 64th Ave., Units A&B, Arvada. 6-9 p.m. Free.

Immersive Jazz-Art Experience. Lumonics Light & Sound Gallery, 800 E. 73 Ave., Unit 11. 7-9:30 p.m. $20 (in advance), $25 (at the door).

Disney PRIDE in Concert. Denver Gay Men’s Chorus at Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $25-$90.

Fitness and sports

Colorado Mammoth vs. Las Vegas Desert Dogs. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Watch on ESPN+. 7 p.m. Prices vary.

*Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres. Watch on MLBN or ATT SportsNet-RM, or listen at 94.1 FM. 7:40 p.m.

*Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns. Watch on NBA TV or Altitude, or listen at 92.5 FM. 8:30 p.m. 

Saturday, April 1

Just for fun

Uptown Treasures Spring Craft Show. The Hidden Treasure 2, 2330 Main St., Longmont. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover.

*Denver Makers Market. In front of Casa Bonita, 6677 W. Colfax Ave. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. No cover.

*Free Virtual Do-It-Yourself With Help Tax Preparation. Denver Public Library, online. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Advanced registration required.

All ages

*Spring Festival: Hop & Shop. Belleview Park, 5001 S. Inca Dr., Englewood. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. All ages.

Penny Admission for Colorado Residents. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $0.01. All ages.

Arabic Storytime to Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month. Schlessman Family Branch Library, 100 Poplar St. 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Ages 8 and under.

Russell Square Park Grand Re-Opening. Russell Square Park, 3600 Vine St. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. All ages.

Class: Open Paint – You Be the Artist. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. Noon-1:30 p.m. $25. All ages.

Arab American Heritage Month – Islamic Geometric Art. Hampden Branch Library, 9755 E. Girard Ave. Noon-1:30 p.m. Free. All ages.

Class: Starry Colorado – Heart, Round or Rectangle Canvas. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 2 p.m. $35 (children 12 and under), $40 (adults).

Comedy and theater

Dylan Sullivan. Denver Comedy Underground, 1400 N. Williams St. 7:30 p.m. $20 (includes free drink and pizza).

Joe Dombrowski. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 9:45 p.m. $30.

Top Secret Stand Up Comedy. Denver Comedy Underground, 1400 N. Williams St. 10 p.m. $20 (includes free drink and pizza).

Art, culture and media

Transient Presence. Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave, Suite A, and online. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (in-person), anytime (online). No cover.

April DIY Arts & Craft Series: Zine-Making Workshop. Bob Ragland Branch Library, 1900 35th St., Suite A. Noon-1:30 p.m. Free.

Blackout Poetry. Smiley Branch Library, 4501 W. 46th Ave. Noon-2 p.m. Free.

Against Nature. Union Hall, 1750 Wewatta St. Noon-6 p.m. Free.

Woodbury Film Club Celebrates Arab American Heritage Month. Woodbury Branch Library, 3265 Federal Blvd. 1-4 p.m. Free.

Class: Hear Me Roar. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 6:30 p.m. $45.

Lumonics Immersed. Lumonics Light & Sound Gallery, 800 E. 73 Ave., Unit 11. 8 p.m. $15-$25.

Eat and drink

Chili Cook-Off 2023. Copper Kettle Brewing Co., 1338 S. Valentia St. 1-4 p.m. Free.

2023 Mile High Beer Festival. 5004 National Western Drive. 2-4:30 p.m. or 5:30-8 p.m. $59.99 (general admission), $79.99 (early entry).

The Gnar Bar on 17th’s Gaper Day Party. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Denver, 1717 Champa St. Starting at 3 p.m. No cover.

Mac & Brew. Denver Beer Co. Olde Town Arvada, 5768 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. 5-8 p.m. $10 donation (for tasting and judging). Advanced registration required.

Music and nightlife

Spring Jam – Battle of the Bands. The Hangar at Stanley, 2501 Dallas St., Suite 135, Aurora. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

Disney PRIDE in Concert. Denver Gay Men’s Chorus at Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. 3 p.m. $25-$90.

Artist on the Rise Concert: Justin Garber. Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee St. 5-7 p.m. Free.

Dom Dolla. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 6 p.m. $60-$500.

Steel Panther. The Fillmore, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 7:30 p.m. Starting at $41.

The Atomic Bitchwax with Love Gang and Eagle Wing. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $20.

Fitness and sports

*Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres. Watch on MLBN or ATT SportsNet-RM, or listen at 94.1 FM. 6:40 p.m.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Or watch on Altitude. 7 p.m. Prices vary.

Sunday, April 2

Just for fun

Hobby Board Gaming. LUKI Brewery, 14715 W. 64th Ave, Units A and B, Arvada. Noon-8 p.m. Free.

Foul Mouth Cross Stitch Sundays. Grandma’s House, 1710 S. Broadway. Noon-8 p.m. $5 (includes supplies).

A Celebration of API Heritage Through Food: Cultural Roots Night Market and Mix-tape. History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Advanced registration required.

All ages

Class: Open Paint – You Be the Artist. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $25. All ages.

Class: Bunny Dreams. Canvas and Cocktails, 8405 Park Meadows Center Dr., Lone Tree. 2 p.m. $35 (children 12 and under), $40 (adults).

Kids Create. Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 4-4:30 p.m. Free. Ages 5 and under.

Comedy and theater

Denver Noir. Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Dr. 2 p.m. $24.

Funny Final Four Round 3. Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village. 7 p.m. $14.

Art, culture and media

Poetry Slam. Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St. 6-11 p.m. No cover.

Eats and drinks

Holiday Breads: Easter. Cook Street School of Culinary Arts, 43 W. 9th Ave. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $125.

The Great British Bake Off. Stir Cooking School, 3215 Zuni St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $99.

Music and nightlife

Dom Dolla. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 5 p.m. $49.95-$55.

Sofar Sounds Secret Concert. Central Park, exact address shared 36 hours before the event. 7:30 p.m. $24. Advanced registration required.

Sports and fitness

*Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres. Watch on MLBN or ATT SportsNet-RM, or listen at 94.1 FM. 2:10 p.m.

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors. Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle. Watch on NBA TV or Altitude, or listen at 92.5 FM. 6:30 p.m. Prices vary.

All Weekend

All ages

Bugs. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $4 (members) $22.95-$27.95 (non-members). Advanced registration required for timed entry.

Speaking with Light. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members and children ages 18 and younger), $12-$19.

Unseen Oceans. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $4 (members) $22.95-$27.95 (non-members). Advanced registration required for timed entry.

Disney Animation Immersive Experience. Lighthouse Artspace, 3900 Elati St. 10:15 a.m.-8:15 p.m. Starting at $36. Advanced registration required for timed entry. All ages.

Spookadelia: The Wakening. Spectra Art Space, 1836 S. Broadway. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $12 (ages 10 and under), $20 (adults). Advanced registration required for timed entry.

BEYOND Laser Light Show. International Church of Cannabis, 400 S. Logan St. Noon. $10 (child day pass), $25 (adult day pass).

*Denver Public Art Self-Guided and Virtual Tours. Various locations and online. Anytime. Free.

*Pre-recorded Art Classes. Canvas and Cocktails, online. Anytime. $20 (materials sold separately).

Comedy and theater

Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown. Online. Anytime. Free.

Art, culture and media

Authentic Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members), $15 (non-members).

Breakthroughs: A Celebration of RedLine at 15. MCA Denver, 1485 Delgany St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (children 18 and under), $7 (college students, teachers, military, seniors), $10 (adults and members).

Near East to Far West: Fictions of French and American Colonialism. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members and children ages 18 and younger), $12-$19.

The Sand Creek Massacre: The Betrayal that Changed Cheyenne and Arapaho People Forever. History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members), $15 (non-members).

Indigenous Arts of North America Galleries. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (members and children ages 18 and younger), $12-$19.

*Until the Flood. Online. Anytime. Free.