AURORA| With cold, cold weather coming, it’s time to get out — and get to see some inside attractions. Here’s a short list of what’s up this weekend in the region.
“She Kills Monsters,” in Aurora
Action-packed board-game theater production? Critics say yes to “She Kills Monsters” opening this weekend at the Vintage Theatre in Aurora.
Based on a episode of Dungeon’s and Dragons, “Qui Nguyen’s clever drama-comedy weaves together spectacular adventure with genuine emotional depth, using the framework of tabletop gaming to explore love, loss, and the parts of ourselves we hide from those closest to us,” Vintage officials said. “Through a blend of comedy, action, and heart, “She Kills Monsters” reminds us that sometimes the greatest quests are the ones that lead us home.”
“It will slash and shapeshift its way into your heart,” a New York Times critic said.
Vintage officials said tickets are limited but avaialable.
IF YOU GO
She Kills Monsters runs weekends through Feb. 23
Tickets: $20-$36
At the Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St, inside at the Bond-Trimble Theatre
Details and sales: www.vintagetheatre.org
“Icons for a New West at Gallery 1261
“Icons for the New West” looks at the Western art trope by exploring icons. Artists invited to show work were selected for their current and contemporary view of the Western United States.
Western art is a more expansive genre than most art patrons believe it to be. The gallery invited artists delving into contemporary themes and unusual media in this show. In some cases, the work for the show is experimental; these pieces signal a new direction for these artists with their work and vision. This work is always exciting because it signals that the artist is pushing boundaries in their work and for their audience. Making art that takes risks is vital to the artist’s growth.
Other artists’ work pushes boundaries in subjects, and so these artists present the West through a different lens. These works are wonderfully fun for patrons because they challenge them to see through the artist’s eyes and experience the world in a fresh, new way. In this respect, artists are looking at Western “icons” and reimagining them or simply shedding the nostalgia so many genre paintings embrace.
Artists in this exhibition include Don Stinson, Maeve Eichelberger, Daniel Sprick, Tim Cherry, Corey Pickett, Terry Gardner, Dan Young, Tony Hochstetler, William Matthews, David Carmack Lewis, Susie Hyer, Ulrich Gleiter, Stephanie Hartshorn, Linda Prokop, Billyo O’Donnell, Jen Starling, Reen Axtell, Kate Breakey, Andy Evansen, Michael Vacchiano and Johanna Mueller.
IF YOU GO
Show: Icons for a New West
When: Opening reception 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Jan. 9, the exhibition through Jan. 28
Where: Rose Fredrick Project Space at Gallery 1261, 1261 Delaware St., Suite 1, Denver
Art Inspired by Frida Kahlo: Visions of the Self
The artworks featured in this show draw inspiration from Kahlo’s distinctive style and subject matter, reinterpreted through a diverse range of mediums and artistic approaches. From surreal self-portraits to colorful celebrations of Mexican culture, the pieces pay homage to Kahlo’s enduring legacy while offering fresh, contemporary perspectives. In their exploration of the self, the body and the intersection of the personal and political, the artists in this exhibition capture the raw emotional power and unapologetic authenticity that defined Kahlo’s artistic voice. Their works invite viewers to peer into the artist’s inner world, confront their own experiences and find connection in the universal truths that Kahlo’s art poignantly reveals.
This Chicano Humanities and Arts Council exhibition is a testament to Frida Kahlo’s continued influence and the enduring relevance of her artistic vision. Through its diverse interpretations, viewers are reminded of art’s transformative potential to illuminate the human condition and celebrate the beauty in shared struggles.
IF YOU GO
Show: Art Inspired by Frida Kahlo: Visions of the Self
When: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., through Feb. 14
Where: Chicano Humanities and Arts Council at 40 West, 7060 W. 16th Ave.
Tickets: Free and open to the public
www.chacgallery.org