AURORA | The arts scene looks a lot like Aurora this weekend and beyond: diverse and eclectic. You think you’ve lived here a long time? Check out the residents of the high plains when neighborhoods of triceratops were hanging on what’s now East Colfax Avenue. Too wonky? The local theater scene is spotlight after spotlight with “Bella Bella,” a Harvey Fierstein take on the indefatigable Bella Abzug . It’s offering a Women’s History Month punch to the local cabaret stage. And there’s a flavorful turn on Hamlet at the Fox you can’t get a taste of anywhere else. Something for everyone in this week’s Sentinel Muse.
“Prehistoric Aurora” exhibition at Aurora History Museum
The Aurora History Museum explores the region’s ancient past in “Prehistoric Aurora,” an exhibit examining the landscapes and creatures that existed in the area millions of years before modern development. Visitors can learn how the land that is now Aurora once supported prehistoric animals including mammoths, giant ground sloths and dinosaurs such as Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus. The exhibition traces the region’s geologic history through fossils, scientific displays and educational materials developed in collaboration with organizations including the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History and Dinosaur Ridge. Through artifacts and interpretive exhibits, the show offers a look at how scientists study ancient ecosystems and how discoveries made in Colorado help tell the story of Earth’s distant past.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through April 5; Tuesdays through Thursdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Place: Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway
Tickets: $1-$5
Information: AuroraMuseum.org or 303-739-6660
“Bella Bella” at Vintage Theatre Cabaret Stage
Tony Award-winning playwright Harvey Fierstein brings the fiery personality of political icon Bella Abzug to life in this solo play set during the 1976 election season. As she waits for the results of a critical race, the outspoken congresswoman reflects on her career, her battles for women’s rights and the challenges of fighting for change in a male-dominated political world. The intimate cabaret-style staging places audiences close to the action as Abzug shares stories filled with humor, determination and blunt honesty. The play offers both a character study and a tribute to one of the most memorable voices of American progressive politics.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays through March 18. All curtains at 7:30 p.m.
Place: Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $25–$40
Information: vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830
“Fat Ham” at Aurora Fox Arts Center
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames reimagines Shakespeare’s *Hamlet* in this contemporary comedy-drama that unfolds during a family barbecue in the American South. The story follows Juicy, a thoughtful young man confronting family expectations and personal identity after the ghost of his father demands revenge. Instead of following the traditional tragic path, Juicy wrestles with whether breaking cycles of anger and violence might offer a different kind of resolution. The play mixes humor, music and emotional reflection while exploring themes of family, identity and self-determination.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Opens March 27; performances through April
Place: Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: $20–$42
Information: aurorafoxartscenter.org or 303-739-1970
Aurora Symphony Orchestra presents “Carnival of the Animals”
Families and classical music fans can experience Camille Saint-Saëns’ whimsical orchestral suite in a concert designed to introduce young audiences to symphonic music. Each movement portrays a different animal, from the majestic lion to the graceful swan, through playful melodies and colorful orchestration. Narration and storytelling accompany the music to help listeners imagine the animals and scenes depicted in the score, making the program both entertaining and educational.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 28–29
Place: Aurora Central High School Auditorium, 11700 E. 11th Ave.
Tickets: $10–$20
Information: aurorasymphony.org or 720-262-3850
Spring art walk at Stanley Marketplace
Artists and craft makers gather at Stanley Marketplace for an evening art walk showcasing paintings, ceramics, jewelry and other handmade work. Visitors can browse pop-up galleries, meet artists and learn about their creative process while exploring the historic aviation factory building that now houses restaurants, shops and studios. Live demonstrations and family activities add to the event’s community-focused atmosphere.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 14; 5–8 p.m.
Place: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St.
Tickets: Free
Information: stanleymarketplace.com or 303-800-9975
Youth theater workshop at The People’s Building
Young performers can explore acting and improvisation techniques during theater workshops hosted at The People’s Building, a historic community arts venue in Aurora’s cultural district. Teaching artists lead exercises designed to build confidence and encourage creativity while introducing students to stage movement, character development and scene work. The program is aimed at students interested in exploring performance in a supportive environment.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 15; 1p.m.–3 p.m.
Place: The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: $10–$20
Information: thepeoplesbuilding.com or 720-819-6680
9 to 5: The Musical — Vintage Theatre
Inspired by the beloved 1980 film, “9 to 5” returns to the Vintage Theatre stage with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick. The story centers on three female office workers fed up with workplace inequality who fantasize about overthrowing their sexist boss. Packed with infectious songs and dynamic choreography, this upbeat musical celebrates ambition, female empowerment and camaraderie in the workplace, with plenty of heart and hilarity along the way.
IF YOU GO:
Dates: Evening and matinee
curtains on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through March 29.
Place: Vintage Theatre,
1468 Dayton St., Aurora, CO
Tickets: $28–$45
Info: www.vintagetheatre.org or call 303-856-7830
Spring Into Action Music Showcase — Manos Sagrados
Celebrate live performance in this cross-genre showcase featuring influential local and regional artists blending jazz, hip-hop, blues and experimental sounds. While the venue is known for small gigs, this evening spotlights community expression and collaboration, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits supporting immigrant rights and cultural equity.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Sat., Mar. 14, 7 p.m.– midnight
Place: Manos Sagrados,
9975 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: Varies
Details: www.manossagrados.com
“Bella Bella” at the Vintage Theatre Cabaret Stage
In this raucous, poignant solo play by acclaimed writer and performer Harvey Fierstein, audiences meet Bella Abzug — a larger-than-life political icon awaiting election night results in a Manhattan hotel bathroom. Fierstein’s signature blend of humor and heart illuminates Abzug’s fierce wit and political courage as she navigates the chaos of life, ambition and identity in 1970s New York.
IF YOU GO:
Dates: Most weekdays with
curtain at 7:30 p.m. through
March 18
Place: Vintage Theatre,
1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $30–$45
Info: www.vintagetheatre.org or call 303-856-7830
Ecosystems: Opening Reception at Downtown Aurora Visual Arts
Celebrate the opening of “Ecosystems,” a printmaking exhibition at Downtown Aurora Visual Arts reflecting biodiversity and environmental dialogue through the medium of print. The show features work by local and guest artists, and the opening reception invites the public to engage with innovative techniques and thematic depth.
IF YOU GO:
Date: 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. weekdays thrugh May 15
Place: Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, 1405 Florence St.
Tickets: Free
Info: www.davarts.org or call 303-367-5886
Manos Sagrados Visual Art and Studio Open House
Manos Sagrados, a creative hub in the Aurora Cultural Arts District, periodically hosts open studio meet-ups where visitors can explore the artist co-op space, view ongoing projects, and meet local creatives who utilize its studios for painting, printmaking, and multimedia art development.
IF YOU GO:
Dates: Mar. 14 (times vary)
Place: Manos Sagrados, 9975 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: Free drop-in Details: www.manossagrados.com
“The Deluge” exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
Artist Bethany Collins examines American history, language and identity in this multimedia exhibition that combines sculpture, sound, text and installation. Collins is known for transforming historical documents and cultural symbols into artworks that explore how stories about the nation are constructed and remembered. The exhibition includes pieces created from materials connected to historic monuments as well as works that reinterpret literature and music through erasure, repetition and sound. By reshaping familiar texts and symbols, the exhibition invites visitors to consider how narratives about race, justice and national identity continue to evolve over time.
IF YOU GO:
Date: through July 5,
Place: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St.r
Tickets: $8–$14; free for members
Information: mcadenver.org or call 303-298-7554
“World’s Largest Dinosaurs” at Denver Museum of Nature and Science
This traveling exhibition explores how the largest land animals in Earth’s history lived and functioned. Rather than focusing solely on fossil bones, the exhibit examines the biology of giant sauropods, which are dinosaurs whose massive bodies required unique adaptations for breathing, circulation and movement. Through interactive displays, models and scientific research, visitors can learn how scientists study both fossils and modern animals to understand how these enormous creatures survived and thrived millions of years ago. The exhibition also explores the evolutionary advantages and challenges of extreme size, offering a deeper look at how the scale of these animals shaped their behavior and ecosystems.
IF YOU GO:
Date: March 20–Sept. 7
Place: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.
Tickets: $6-$9
Information: dmns.org or call 303-370-6000
“Ms. Destiny” exhibition at Center for Colorado Women’s History
This exhibition highlights the lives of seven Colorado women who challenged expectations and reshaped opportunities in their communities. Through artifacts, photographs and historical narratives, the exhibit examines how women navigated barriers related to work, finances, relationships and social expectations in order to build independent lives. Visitors can explore stories that span different eras and backgrounds, revealing the resilience and determination of women who shaped Colorado’s cultural and political history. By focusing on personal choices and turning points in these women’s lives, the exhibit illustrates how individual decisions can influence broader social change.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through March 29,
Place: Center for Colorado
Women’s History, 1310 Bannock St.
Tickets: $6–$10
Information: historycolorado.org or 303-832-4092