September Picks

Monday.8
[HISTORY] Maybe you’ve had your fill of anything related to the Democratic National Convention—or maybe you’re just getting your appetite whetted. Either way, this Denver Public Library exhibit, 1908: When the Democrats First Came to Denver, presents Denver through the eyes of a DNC delegate from 100 years ago… we’re betting they didn’t have to shut down I-25 back then. 10 W. 14th. Ave., Denver. 720.865.1111

Tuesday.9
[HISTORY] Longmont native Vance Brand logged more than 700 hours in space on no less than four NASA missions (Apollo-Soyuz, STS-5, STS-41.B and STS-35), although it was the first that had the farthest-reaching political ramifications, as it was the first joint American-Soviet space mission. Check out the Longmont Museum’s long-term Vance Brand exhibit. 400 Quail Road, Longmont, 303.651.8374

Wednesday.10
[FILM] No, it’s not a collection of documentaries about ’60s rock bands, although that would be awesome. Reel Rock Film Tour 2008 is for the rock climbing fans, featuring high-octane flicks featuring the Grand Canyon and mountains from Africa to Europe. 7 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th Street, Boulder, 303.786.7030

Thursday.11
[EDUCATION] Have you ever wanted to build and test a windmill or launch your very own flying saucer? Head over to the World of Wonder children’s museum, and try out their vertical wind tunnel tower—and teach your children all about aerodynamics at the same time! 10 a.m.-6 p.m., WOW!, 110 N. Harrison Ave, 303.604.2424, $7 for children, free for adults

Friday. 12
[SPORTS] Denver’s Mile High Club squares off against the Minnesota Allstars on the flat track. PBR, speed, chicks on roller skates beating the hell out of each other. Who could ask for anything more than a night with the Denver Roller Dolls? 8 p.m., Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St., Denver, 303.837.1024

Saturday. 13
[BENEFIT] The Women’s Bean Project has helped thousands of women climb their way out of poverty and unemployment since 1989. Help a worthy cause and get a great lunch out of the deal at the Bean Soup Social at the Orchard Town Center. Tickets include admission, soup selections from Mexico Cantina y Cocina, Woodlands Grill and Rock Bottom Brewery, live music, complimentary cookbook and more. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Orchard Town Center, 14750 Huron St., Westminster, 303.450.8600, $20

Sunday. 14
[FILM] Named for a redneck character dreamed up by the festival creators, the Toofy Film Fest is now in its 5th year of screening some of the finest short films and animation this side of Spike and Mike, along with plenty of beer, art and a fashion show. It’s worth the price of admission. 5 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th Street, Boulder, 303.786.7030, $5.50 a show, $26 two-day pass

Monday. 15
[LITERTURE] New York Times bestselling author Steven Pinker is an experimental psychologist whose books have covered topics like how language development in children is a factor of natural selection. If you’re into evolutionary psychology in any sense, you won’t want to miss him speak. 7:30 p.m., Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.447.2074

Tuesday. 16
[ARTS] Most artists share similar concerns about the environment, but often, the artistic process doesn’t necessarily lend itself to sustainability. Head over to the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder for this EcoArts workshop on sustainability for artists, hosted by Dr. Susan Buhr, director of the CU CIRES Education and Outreach Group. 6:30.9 p.m., Dairy Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, 303.443.2122

Wednesday. 17
[MUSIC] Though there’s no shortage of talent among the neo-soul singer crowd; Alicia Keys is definitely a contender. After breaking out in 2002 with no less than 5 Grammys, she went on to prove she wasn’t just a flash in the pan—her 2007 single, “No one” wasn’t just a breakaway hit, it’s one of the most beautiful tunes recorded this century. 7:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Theater, 700 14th St., Denver, 303.228.8000, $49.50+

Thursday. 18
[MUSIC] Leg Warmers, New Wave, Cyndi Lauper was cool, Madonna was relevant, Michael Jackson was still black… the 1980s offered some good times. Relive them aurally with That Eighties Band. 7:30 p.m., Nissi’s, 2675 North Park Drive, Lafayette, 303.665.8101

Friday. 19
[MUSIC] Born near Lubbock and his chops cut in Austin, Jeff Strahan is as authentic a bluesman you’ll find—at least as far as any who have also been lawyers for a decade. But really, can you think of any more blues-inducing a career than that of the Jeff Strahan Band? 9 p.m., Oskar Blues, 303 Main St., Lyons, 303.823.6685

Saturday. 20
[COMEDY] You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more well-traveled comedian than Dennis Blair. Most notable are his 18 years on the road with the late George Carlin. We’re betting he learned more than seven bad words through all that. 5:30, 8 & 10:30 p.m., Wits End Comedy Club, 8861 Harlen St., Westminster, 303.430.4242

Sunday. 21
[BEER] There’s a lot of reasons to head to Larimer Square for the 39th annual Oktoberfest in Denver—the German music, great food, dancing and lederhosen all bring ’em in droves. But the best part? Well Germans do beer better than just about anybody, and we’re looking forward to the best biergarten this side of Munich. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., on Larimer Street, between 20th and 22nd Avenues, www.oktoberfestdenver.com.

Monday. 22
[FILM] It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the IMAX theater opened its doors at the Denver Museum of Nature of Science. All summer long, it has been featuring a film festival of the most popular movies shown here—and it ends on the 25th. This is one of your last chances to celebrate its Silver Anniversary; Alaska, Spirit of the Wild, Beavers, Coral Reef Adventure, Greece, Secrets of the Past, and more showing now. Denver Museum of Nature of Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, 303.322.7009, $8

Tuesday. 23
[THEATER] The Tony Award-winning musical Les Miserables, based on the Victor Hugo novel, is one of the most successful musicals in history. The riveting story about a man imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family lends itself well to the stage; we’re sure the Arvada Center for the Arts production will be astounding. Directed by Rod Lansberry. Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., 7:30 p.m., 720.898.7200, $45+

Wednesday. 24
[ART] Claire McArdle’s marble sculptures adorn buildings in Maryland and she has shown in galleries across the world. Longmont, then, should consider itself lucky that such a talent maintains a presence here—check her out at the Old Firehouse Art Center as her exhibit, Myth and Mystery, showcases her sculpture and drawings. 667 4th Ave., Longmont, 303.651.2787

Thursday.25
[FILM] Did you know that the Newberry-award winning book Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson often finds itself on banned book lists? It’s a shame, but because the book deals with death and has a smidgen of profanity, there are plenty of people who think it should be shunned. Show your support for the 1978 masterpiece and watch the movie at Banned Book to Movie Night. 4 p.m., Erie Community Library, 400 Powers St., Erie, 720.685.5200

Friday. 26
[MUSIC] Established in 2006, Gary’s Fund was created to cover registration costs for all volunteers joining the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. Join a capella vocal group Face as they host the benefit for this worthy cause. 7 p.m., Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, 600 E. Mountain View Ave., Longmont, 303.651.0401

Saturday. 27
[MUSIC] There’s a timeless quality about chamber music that seems to almost completely transcend all musical shifts and fads—and it takes productions like Chamber Ensemble con Grazia that focus on intergenerational interactionthat help that happen. 7:30 p.m., Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield, 303.460.6800

Sunday. 28
[ART] Theodore Geisel was known for spinning infectious rhymes and layering them with whimsical art—under the name Dr. Seuss, he became one of the bestselling children’s authors in history. But he also had an extensive collection of political art in his portfolio that’s only now been released to the public. Definitely worth the drive to downtown Denver to check it out. Gallery One Writer’s Square, 1512 Larimer, St., Denver, 303.629.5005

Monday. 29
[MUSIC] Five-time Grammy Award-winner Robert Cray is one of a disappearing breed of blues guitarists, cut from the same cloth as guys like Albert Collins and Muddy Waters. Catch this bluesman and you’re only one degree away from legends like John Lee Hooker. 8 p.m., Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder, 303.786.7030, $38.50

Tuesday. 30
[ART] From four Christmas cards in 1949 sprang the impressive Leanin’ Tree enterprise. But aside from the collection of greeting cards, the Leanin’ Tree Museum of Western Art is an impressive display of Rocky Mountain-bred imagery. Check out its new Sculpture Garden before it’s buried under snow. Leanin’ Tree Museum, 6055 Longbow Drive, Boulder, 303.530.1442

Wednesday.1
[MUSIC] It doesn’t seem people talk about “French music” or “Danish Music” very often. Sure, there are artists of both nationalities, but neither culture seems to have developed as much of its own sense of musical culture the way the Celts have. Of course, that may have a direct relationship to how much the Celts love their taverns. Live Celtic music, 6 p.m., Colorado Coal Company, 578 Briggs St., Erie, 303.828.4005

Thursday.2
[COMEDY] It’s always tough to grow up in your younger brother’s shadow—especially when that brother is considered one of the greatest comedians to grace the stage, and you happen to be a comedian as well. Let Charlie Murphy tell that story. 8 p.m., Comedy Works, 1226 15th St., Denver, 303.595.3637, $36

Friday.3
[HISTORY] The history of Arvada dates back to the beginning of the Gold Rush and 1850—when Lewis Ralston stumbled onto his first find at the confluence of Ralston and Clear Creeks. Find out all about it and lots more at the McIlvoy House and take a tour of the Arvada Flour Mill. 7307 Grandview Ave., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 303.431.1261

Saturday.4
[SPORTS] Paul Hamm, Shannon Miller, Shawn Johnson—the gymnastics field has started to generate its own collection of superstars, and if you couldn’t get tickets to the summer games in Beijing, then The Tour of Gymnastics Superstars is the next best thing. 3 p.m., Broomfield Event Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane, Broomfield, 303.410.0700, $29+

Sunday.5
[THEATER] Mid-life. The aches and pains starting, the sagging parts, the invasive doctor’s visits, the sudden lack of anything even remotely resembling cool except your overpriced convertible—which is suddenly not cool, since you’re the one who bought it. Enjoy it all with Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical in musical format, and dinner to boot. Boulder Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, 303.449.6000