Announcements July 2023
A Jolt Of City Park Jazz
Hard to believe, but the free City Park Jazz concert series will already be halfway through its summer season by the time you read this. The cold and rainy June put a damper on many of the concerts, including at least one cancellation. Now that summer finally appears to be here, pack a picnic and ride or walk or otherwise get yourself over to the park on Sunday nights for the free concerts through Aug. 6 in City Park, just west of Park Hill.
The shows run from 6 to 8 p.m. All ages are welcome, and no RSVP is required. For more information or to volunteer, visit cityparkjazz.org.
Here’s the remaining lineup for this summer:
• July 2: Wellington Billings
• July 8: Chris Daniels and the Kings
• July 16: 4th Annual Brass Band Extravaganza feat. Guerrilla Fanfare and Bourbon Brass Band
• July 23: Otis Taylor
• July 30: The Burroughs
• Aug. 6 – La Pompe Jazz
Dang That Sounds Good
Dang Ice Cream, in the Oneida Park Center, is also sponsoring free live music shows on Saturday nights throughout the summer. The shows run every Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. in the open area between Dang and Esters, on Oneida Street between 22nd and 23rd avenues.
Here’s the remaining lineup for this summer:
• July 8: Dawn Hunter (rock, country, pop)
• July 15: JoyCakes (jazz, modern covers)
• July 22: Jazz Hands (jazz)
• July 29: Megan T. Smith (country)
• Aug. 5: Carly Johnson (jazz)
• Aug. 12: Richman Acoustic (classic rock, blues, country)
• Aug. 19: Banthom House (Irish, old-time, bluegrass)
• Aug. 26: Kober & Sitero (Americana, folk, bluegrass)
• Sept. 2: David Booker Band (blues, dance, swing)
Meditation In Motion
It’s time to move. Your body, that is. Head over to City Park’s Thatcher Fountain every fourth Saturday through October at 8 a.m. for some free Tai Chi and fitness walks. The events are also being held every Monday at 9 a.m. at Observatory Park near the University of Denver, if you are over in that neck of the woods.
Physical inactivity is a pervasive issue in the United States, with serious consequences for health and well being. Older adults in particular are vulnerable to the negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this problem, leaving many seniors isolated and lacking opportunities for physical activity. So come on over and get moving. All sessions will be led by degreed instructors and experienced presenters. For more information, contact Joseph.brady@du.edu.
The Mummy Is Coming For You This Summer
Denver Film and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science have joined forces on a Sci-Fi film series designed to entertain, scare, and inspire spirited discussion. Museum scientists will join with Vincent Piturro, English and Film professor at MSU Denver, to screen several classic science fiction films and lead discussions exploring where science and film meet. Here are a few of the featured showings this summer. Check out denverfilm.org/sci-fi-series/ for the full lineup and other details, including ticket prices.
Them! Wednesday, July 12 at the Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave.
While investigating a series of mysterious deaths, Sgt. Ben Peterson (James Whitmore) finds a young girl (Sandy Descher) who is unable to speak.
Everything, Everywhere All At Once, Wednesday, July 19 at the Infinity Theater at Denver Museum of Nature & Science in City Park
Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the film is a big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can’t seem to finish her taxes.
Nope, Wednesday, July 26 at the Infinity Theater at Denver Museum of Nature & Science in City Park
A man and his sister discover something sinister in the skies above their California horse ranch, while the owner of a nearby theme park tries to profit from the mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon.
The Mummy, Wednesday Aug. 2 at the Infinity Theater at Denver Museum of Nature & Science in City Park
The Mummy is a rousing, suspenseful and horrifying epic about an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in the Sahara Desert in 1925.
JAWS on the Rocks
If you haven’t been to a Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, maybe this is your summer. Film on the Rocks, sponsored by Denver Arts and Venues, has been around for 20 years. Below is the line-up for coming weeks. Check out the full lineup plus details and pricing at
denverfilm.org/programs/film-on-the-rocks/.
Jaws — Thursday, July 6
Steven Spielberg’s classic thriller. When a young woman is killed by a shark while skinny-dipping near the New England tourist town of Amity Island, police chief Martin Brody wants to close the beaches, but the mayor overrules him, fearing that the loss of tourist revenue will cripple the town. Mayhem ensues.
Top Gun Maverick — Monday, July 10
After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him.
Mamma Mia — Monday, July 24
ABBA fans unite and get ready to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the ultimate romantic-comedy musical. Donna (Meryl Streep), an independent hotelier in the Greek islands, is preparing for her daughter’s wedding with the help of two old friends.
SOS Pilot Project Underway
The Colorado Village Collaborative opened a Safe Outdoor Space in the parking lot of Park Hill United Methodist Church in 2021. Some neighbors pushed back, even filing a lawsuit to try to stop the temporary camping site for people experiencing homelessness. Others responded by embracing the program, welcoming the temporary residents to the neighborhood. A group of Colorado-based academics who have studied homelessness and have worked in the field for many years are conducting a pilot project to better understand the reasons some people were opposed. Organizers are looking for 15-20 people in Park Hill to interview, focusing on those who expressed initial opposition to the project. Interested? Email the group at listeningparkhill@gmail.com for additional info.
Jump On The Bus, Gus.
Free Fares Are Back
For the months of July and August, Regional Transportation District is lifting all rates for all transit — that means anyone can take the bus, rail, Access-a-Ride and FlexRide for free.
The program, called Zero Fare for Better Air, takes place during Colorado’s highest ozone months. RTD first offered a free fare month last August, and reported that overall ridership increased by 22 percent between July and August — marking a 36 percent increase over the month of August the year before. In a survey, 72 percent of respondents indicated that they were likely or very likely to continue using RTD.
The free RTD program is being funded by a legislative grant program created by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180 in partnership with the Colorado Energy Office.
With a 19 percent labor vacancy rate, RTD is currently experiencing a substantial shortage of bus drivers and train operators. Still, officials say current services will be in place for the free months, and adjustments (i.e. adding rail cars to trains and extra buses) will be made based on increased demands.
Riders can plan their trips or research routes by visiting RTDs app Next Ride at app.rtd-denver.com/nextride). There, check out the trip planner, access schedules and sign up for service alerts. Next Ride also provides real-time vehicle information. Call 303-299-6000 during regular business hours with questions. Hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.