There’s been talk all of a sudden about how summer is winding down, but say what? This is Colorado — we have lots of time left to spend outside, and there’s still that mid-October (November? December?), post-first-snow heat wave to look forward to. Meanwhile, though, a few summer-only and limited-engagement events that would definitely benefit from a few hits or a well-timed piece of Toasted Rooster are outta here after this weekend.
Hot August Friday Nights (Aug. 28)
Friday night isn’t the last hot night, of course, but it is the last night to gather outside with the others furtively inhaling their vape pens behind the vendor setups at 713 E. 26th Avenue in Five Points for an evening of live music, old movies, food and brews. ZoZo Outdoor sponsors this freebie; bring some cash for food trucks and beer from Five Points’ own Spangalang Brewery (a camp chair or blanket wouldn’t be a bad idea, either, as seating is at a premium).
The tunes this night are courtesy of bluesy jazz singer Jesse Garland, so expect something from Ella and Etta and Adele. There will be awkward dancing, but even better, a lip sync battle to crown the Lip Sync Star of Five Points at 7:30 p.m. Click here for details
“Now? NOW!” at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Aug. 28-30)
If you haven’t seen this thought-provoking exhibit yet, now does mean now — this is the last weekend to check out what The Denver Post’s Ray Rinaldi calls “The best art exhibit of summer 2015.” Some of the pieces, curated by Lauren A. Wright as part of the Biennial of the Americas effort, will freak you out, like Colombian artist Bernardo Ortiz’s depiction of one bitcoin trade through hand-drawn ones and zeros in pencil on sheets of paper.
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Some, like Robert Longo’s “Full-Scale Study for Five Rams,” a three-part print depicting five football players in the hands-up pose inspired by the Michael Brown shooting, might reignite inner fury, and others (Kim Allen’s series of Denver photos from the 1980s, maybe) could spur you to action — you know, another day. After a while, the “now” concept ceases to make any sense, but that’s part of the fun. Take someone you can argue with and still love when everyone comes down. Cost: $8, which is regular admission, so you can also go check out other stuff, and Aug. 28 the museum is open later, until 9 p.m. Click here for details
PalletFest (Aug. 29-30)
The right high — Blue Dream, we’re talking to you — can be so motivational, and that would be ideal at this free upcycle festival (the second annual) devoted to creating things out of pallets and anything else lying around. Throughout the weekend at Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex (right behind the 50-foot people dancing), you can check in on the progress of the live “build off,” where teams are creating ridiculous and amazing things out of pallets (like, structures you could live in), play lawn games and shop for jewelry made out of things lying around on your own sidewalk.
Music options include local funk band Rowdy Shadehouse (they of the three-foot dildo as stage prop, which does somehow make sense), Boulder’s Goonies and the multi-cultural Radio La Chusma, and parkour athletes will show off on an upcycled obstacle course. And if whatever you’re on is good enough, you’ll still have time to go home and jump on your own PalletFest-inspired project (assuming you make it out of the Pallet Maze). Or just go home and feel inadequate.
Either way, you don’t have to spend any money, although food from trucks and drink cost extra. You could pay $4 to park, but this is right by the light rail stop at the Convention Center. If you’re feeling flush, a VIP ticket for $35 nets bottomless beer from Oskar Blues and Broken Compass Brewing. Click here for details
