Denver, CO
Unique Things To Do in Denver This Weekend 1/1 – 1/5 – 303 Magazine
It’s the first week of 2025! Cheers to a Happy New Year in Denver. Kick the year off with comedy, art shows, mocktails and make your goals for the year ahead.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Sundance Head
When: Jan. 2, 8 p.m.
Where: The Black Buzzard at Oskar Blues, 1624 Market St., Denver, CO
Cost: $20
The Lowdown: For an evening of soul and country, listen to Sundance Head at Oskar Blues this Thursday. Head was on American Idol in 2007, making the top 24 and then joined in Season 11 of The Voice in 2016 and won on Blake Shelton’s team.
Buy tickets here
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in Concert
When: Jan. 3, 7 p.m., various dates and times available
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St., Denver, CO
Cost: $19.20-$166.40
The Lowdown: While Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ is played in high-definition across four giant screens, the Colorado Symphony will perform John Williams’ score, conducted by Justin Freer.
Buy tickets here
Caspa B2B Rusko
When: Jan. 4, 9 p.m.
Where: Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO
Cost: $67.89+
The Lowdown: Mission Ballroom is starting 2025 out strong with a stacked lineup of DJs and producers this Saturday. The Widdler, Ternion Sound, Mythm, Chief Kaya, Torcha and Skinny Limbs will open, followed by a b2b set with Caspa and Rusko for a “Back to the Underground XL” performance.
Buy tickets here
Donny Most with MJO
When: Jan. 5, 4 p.m.
Where: Dazzle, 1080 14th St., Denver, CO
Cost: $20 – $30
The Lowdown: For 90 minutes enjoy the big band style of music from Donny Most, known as “Ralph Malph” on Happy Days. The band will play songs from Sinatra, Darin and Martin, in their own creative interpretation of the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.
Buy tickets here
New Year’s Day Recovery Brunch
When: Jan. 1, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Wonderyard Garden + Table, 2200 Larimer St., Denver, CO
Cost: Free to attend, prices vary
The Lowdown: After a night full of celebrating, you might need a pick-me-up to get the day going. Wonderyard Garden + Table is offering 25% off their Bloody Mar or Mimosa bar for the day beside a spread of their signature brunch favorites like fluffy pancakes, avocado toast and more.
Reserve here
Raise Your Glass to Dry January
When: Jan. 1 – Jan. 31
Where: FIRE at the ART Hotel, 1201 Broadway St., Denver, CO
Cost: Prices vary
The Lowdown: The start of a new year is full of emotions and expectations. If you’re looking to start 2025 on a fresh and sober foot but still want to be social with friends, consider trying FIRE Restaurant and Lounge’s two non-alcoholic cocktails for the month of January. There is “The Clean Slate,” an NA take on a smoked Manhattan and “The Designated Driver,” an NA margarita.
Book a table here
Paint and Sip – Lovely Winter Wonderland
When: Jan. 3, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Painting with a Twist – Lakewood, 7134 W. Alaska Dr., Denver, CO
Cost: $39/person
The Lowdown: Instructor Brian will guide the class through painting a “Lovely Winter Wonderland” that includes mountains and winding river through the snow with various mediums and brushstroke techniques. This class is for any skill level, from beginners to experienced painters. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase so that you can unwind while letting your creative juices flow.
Buy tickets here
Beer Pairing Dinner
When: Jan. 4, 6 p.m.
Where: Goldspot Brewing Company, 4970 Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO
Cost: $99/person
The Lowdown: Chef Jared has curated an intimate tasting menu for guests to appreciate, paired with brews from Goldspot Brewing Company. The menu will entail a five-course Colorado grown meal paired with five Colorado crafted beers, with details revealed only at dinner to compound the surprise.
Buy tickets here
Brew Year’s Eve #8
When: Jan. 5, 8 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Where: Bierstadt Lagerhaus, 2875 Blake St., Denver, CO
Cost: Free to attend
The Lowdown: At this “Industry Get Down,” attendees can indulge in $7 liters of lager, a free mac and cheese bar with toppings, free shots for the countdown at 10 p.m., karaoke, a beer pong tournament and other games. The event is “a little late and not as flashy, but wayyyyyy more fun.”
Buy tickets here
Language Without Words: Works by Ash Eliza Williams
When: Dec. 22 – May 4, 2025
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens – York St. Location: 1007 York St., Denver, CO
Cost: Admission free – $15.75
The Lowdown: Explore Ash Eliza Williams’ painting and sculptures at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Williams’ Language Without Words is “an invitation to notice alternate ways to interact with nature…and contemplate perspectives beyond human experience.” Her work focuses on interspecies communication and empathy, and it has been exhibited in the MCA Denver, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (CO) and the New York Hall of Science. On Jan. 23, Williams will be present for an Intersections Lecture: Artist Talk from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Register for that event here.
Get admission tickets here
Ladies Night

When: Jan. 2, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Shoot Indoors Central Park, 6280 E. 39th Ave., Denver, CO
Cost: $10 for ladies
The Lowdown: Every first Thursday night of the month, Shoot Indoors Central Park hosts a Ladies Night, for women to be empowered in a safe, liberating experience. Rentals and targets are free, with only a $10 charge for shooting. This event is for both seasoned pros and first-time shooters.
Friday Night Stand-Up Showcase
When: Jan. 3, 7 or 9 p.m.
Where: Denver Comedy Lounge, 3559 Larimer St., Denver, CO
Cost: $21 – $25
The Lowdown: See comedians that have been featured on Comedy Central, NBC, TBS, HBO, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in the intimate Denver Comedy Lounge for some laughs at the beginning of the new year.
Buy tickets here
2025 Reading Goal Kickoff
When: Jan. 4, 12:30 – 4 p.m.
Where: Western Sky Bar & Tap Room, 4361 S. Broadway, Englewood, CO
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Calling all book lovers: come over to Western Sky Book Coven to get started on your reading goals for the year. There will be an allotted amount of time for silent reading, book chatting, bookish vendors and flash tattoos. Guests can hang out with other book lovers, have some drinks and get inspired.
Reserve a spot here
Laura Shill: Working On Myself
When: Jan. 5, 12 – 4 p.m.
Where: MCA Denver – Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St., Denver, CO
Cost: Performances are free with museum admission
The Lowdown: Performers Laura Shill and John Lake will “Work on Themselves, exercising various forms of interaction between the objects in Shill’s ‘loneliness gym.’” The performers will move throughout the MCA Denver building for prolonged stretches and other movement.
Denver, CO
Police searching for information after fatal assault in Denver
Denver police are looking for information that could help them identify the suspect in a fatal assault overnight.
Officers were called to the scene in the 9700 block of E. Hampden Avenue around 2:08 a.m. They said an injured man at the scene was taken to a hospital for treatment, but he has been pronounced deceased.
DPD says they’re investigating the case as a homicide. They did not provide the identity of the man who was killed or further details on the case.
Police encouraged anyone with information about the attack or the possible suspect(s) involved to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
Denver, CO
Richard Jackson Obituary | The Denver Post
Richard Jackson
OBITUARY
Richard E. Jackson, affectionately called “Jackson”, was beloved by his family, friends and colleagues. He passed peacefully surrounded by his wife and children. He was receiving exceptional medical care at City Park Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at the time of his death. A devout Catholic, he received his Last Rights from Fr. John Ludanha of Blessed Sacrament Church and School.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Gannon University and a Master’s degree in Education from the George Washington University. For over 30 years, he was employed by the federal government, mostly as an analyst for the Social Security Administration (SSA). Other positions he held were: Beneficiary Services Specialist, Division of Medicare, Health Care Financing Administration; Public Affairs Specialist for SSA; and Management Analyst SSA Office of Management and Budget. After he retired, he was a consultant to the State of Colorado Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Jackson was a devoted father, step-father and foster father. He would take over the kitchen and cook spaghetti and meatballs, a family favorite, and then transport children to gymnastics practice and friends’ houses. He had a remarkable sense of humor, bringing joy and laughter to his home. He adored his wife and would leave her weekly love notes in drawers around the house. Exercising at the Denver Athletic Club, taking walks with his wife, and reading the New York Times were three of his favorite activities. He was born in Westfield, New York. His parents were Canadian immigrants. He was the youngest of eight children.
He is survived by his wife, Joycee Kennedy; his children – Kimberly Jackson (Mike Estes), Dawn Jennings (Ed Jennings) and Kevin Jackson; his stepchildren – Cary Kennedy (Saurabh Mangalik) and Jody Kennedy (Christopher Thompson); his grandchildren – Elizabeth, Chase and Drew; his step grandchildren – Kadin, Kyra, Bryce and Sena; and his first wife Madonna Smyth.
Services will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church – the time and day to be announced.
Denver, CO
Students push for statewide
Students from across the Denver metro are heading to the state Capitol to push for free after-school opportunities statewide.
The proposal would create a “My Colorado Card” program, giving students in sixth through 12th grades access to cultural, arts, recreational and extracurricular activities throughout the state.
For students like Itzael Garcia, Denver’s existing “My Denver Card” made a life-changing difference. He said having access to his local recreation center helped keep him safe.
“We had a couple stray bullets go through our living room window, we had people get shot in front of our house, different things like that,” Garcia said. “Over the summer, being able to go to the public pool, it provided a space for us to all come together. In a way, it acted as a protective factor.”
The My Denver Card provides youth ages 5 to 18 with free access to the zoo, museums and recreation centers. For some, like Garcia, it has served as a safe haven.
That impact is why students involved with the nonprofit FaithBridge helped craft legislation to expand a similar pilot program to communities outside Denver.
“We really just thought that inequity and really distinct opportunity deserts for students was really important for us to correct,” said Mai Travi a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School. Another student echoed that sentiment.
“We have a lot of students in the program that come from Aurora Public Schools, and they don’t have access to the same cultural facilities that we have living here; opportunities that really define our childhood experiences,” said Jack Baker, also a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Vernon Jones, director of the nonprofit FaithBridge, said organizers are still working out logistics but hope to partner with counties across Colorado.
“This is a strategy to work for all of Colorado,” he said.
Denver school board member Marlene De La Rosa said the My Denver Card program has been impactful since its launch in 2013.
“For students that are on free and reduced lunch, the ‘My Denver Card’ can help scholarship some of their fees to participate in the youth sports at the recreation centers,” De La Rosa said.
Last year, 45,000 Denver youth had a card, accounting for 450,000 visits to recreation centers, outdoor pools and cultural facilities, she said.
“I think it is very beneficial,” De La Rosa said.
The Denver program is funded by city tax dollars approved by voters in 2012. The proposed statewide pilot would instead rely on donations and grants.
The bill has cleared its first committee but still needs approval from the full House and Senate.
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