Photo by Philip B. Poston/Sentinel Colorado
AURORA | Sunny and warm should get you outside for the waning summer fun.
The big, big show is on the Great Lawn at Aurora city hall, the whole world in one place for Aurora Global Fest.
Here’s a short list of ways to spend the weekend and beyond in and near Aurora.
Global Fest: World in a City’
Aurora’s signature Global Fest serves up the flavors of the world in a single community
Aurora growing Global Fest is returning for its 11th year, promising an even more vibrant celebration of the city’s rich cultural diversity.
“Every year, Global Fest grows in size and attendance because it is unlike any event in Colorad,” Mayor Mike Coffman said in a statement. “Aurora truly is ‘The World in a City,’ and Global Fest is the best place to experience it on display.”
The free, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday, August 17, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center Great Lawn at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.
This year’s Global Fest is set to be the largest yet, featuring an expanded lineup of performances, vendors, and activities. The festival celebrates Aurora’s status as one of Colorado’s most diverse cities, bringing together a mosaic of cultures through food, music, dance, and art.
The event will showcase two stages with performances ranging from Taekwondo demonstrations and Afro-fusion music to Mexican ballet folklorico and Taiwanese tea-picking dances. Notably, popular musical acts Gino Rael and the Mighty Nice Band, along with Son de la Zona, will close out the day with energetic performances designed to get the crowd on its feet.
Global Fest attendees will also have the opportunity to explore an international marketplace, sample cuisine from nearly 20 food trucks representing Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, and beyond, and participate in a variety of creative activities for children. For the first time, the festival will host a Global Flavors competition, with winners to be announced during the event.
Ricardo Gambetta, manager of Aurora’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, previously highlighted the importance of Global Fest in fostering community ties.
“Aurora is one of the most diverse cities in Colorado, with one in five people identifying as foreign-born, and we are proud to support our community. Global Fest is an inclusive showcase of our international cultures, and it is meaningful when we can share our traditions with others.”
The festival will open with a Parade of Nations, inspired by the Olympic Games’ opening ceremonies, featuring representatives from around the world displaying their national flags. This year, countries such as the Marshall Islands, Ukraine, Morocco, and Belize will be represented in the parade for the first time. A fashion show will also take place, featuring handmade traditional outfits from various cultures.
Aurora has long been recognized as a hub of diversity in Colorado. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 20% of the city’s residents were born outside the United States, with significant populations hailing from Mexico, Ethiopia, and other nations. Additionally, more than 40% of students in Aurora Public Schools speak a language other than English at home. Over the past several decades, Aurora has also emerged as a center of Colorado’s Black community, drawn by affordable housing and strong educational opportunities.
The growing attendance at Global Fest reflects the city’s evolving demographics and its reputation as an inclusive and welcoming community. Gambetta-Alvarado noted that what started as a small gathering has now become a major event, drawing thousands of attendees each year.
“As our community continues to grow and diversify, Global Fest remains the most important activity of the year for us,” Gambetta-Alvarado said previously. “It’s an opportunity for members from different groups and communities to celebrate that diversity together as a city.”
Aurora’s Global Fest promises to be a lively and inclusive celebration of the city’s global heritage, offering something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
IF YOU GO:
Global Fest
Saturday Aug. 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Aurora City Hall Great Lawn , 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
Free admission
For the full schedule of shows and events, click here
Anthony Quinn: What am I? ¿Qué soy?
Museo de las Americas is set to debut “Anthony Quinn: What am I? ¿Qué soy?” This pop-up exhibition, curated by Yolanda Fauvet, explores the life and artistry of Anthony Quinn, the first Mexican-American to win an Academy Award and a prolific visual artist.
The exhibition’s title refers to a pivotal moment in Quinn’s childhood when he questioned his identity, sparking a lifelong dialogue about his dual heritage. Curator Fauvet noted, “Quinn had an ongoing dialogue with the labels being given to him as compared to his own relationship to his dual nationalities.” Fauvet finds this exploration relevant today, inspiring more inclusive conversations about identity.
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Quinn’s heritage is a recurring theme in his work. The exhibition features self-portraits and pieces from Quinn’s Tribal Series, reflecting influences from Plains Indian cultures. Museo’s Executive Director, Claudia Moran, highlighted Quinn’s ability to navigate both acting and visual arts, stating, “The artistic wealth of Anthony Quinn invites us to reflect on the adaptations we constantly undergo to fit into predetermined social models.”
“Anthony Quinn: What am I? ¿Qué soy?” showcases the artist’s skill in various mediums, from paint to sculpture, emphasizing his storytelling prowess and deep exploration of identity. The exhibition touts profound insights into Quinn’s dynamic relationship with his heritage and his art.
IF YOU GO:
Through Sept 22
Opening reception: 6:30 p.m.-9:00 pm, Aug. 2
Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive
Museum hours: Tuesday-Friday, Noon-6 pm; Weekends noon-5 pm
Movie music
Music and movie fans are in for a treat when the Symphony of the Rockies presents “Cinematic Symphony,” a captivating open-air concert at the Centennial Center Park Amphitheater.
The event promises an unforgettable evening featuring live performances of iconic movie scores.
Attendees can choose between two ticket options: VIP Reserved Grass Seating, priced at $25, which includes prime seating and a special VIP Movie-Themed Gift Bag, or free General Admission.
Guests are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets, and chairs to fully enjoy the experience.
Tickets are available now, with reservations recommended for both VIP and free admission. Don’t miss this opportunity to relive your favorite cinematic moments through the powerful music that defined them.
IF YOU GO
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24
Tickets: Free and up to $25
Centennial Center Park Amphitheater, 13050 E. Peakview Ave.
Details: www.simpletix.com/e/cinematic-symphony-tickets-170352
Della Doucet
Opening the Vintage Theatre 2024-2025 season, Della Doucet a romantic comedy opens Aug. 23.
Written by Kirsten Dahl and directed by Paul Jaquith in the Bond-Trimble Theatre, the world premier promises laughs about love.
On the run from a military marriage, Southern-born Della struggles to find her way in the gritty New York art world of 1981. The romantic comedyis winner of the Vintage 2023 New Play Festival.
IF YOU GO
Aug. 23 through Sept. 22, Fridays and Saturdays with some matinees. Curtain times vary.
Tickets: $20-$37
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
Details: VintageTheater.org
303-856-7830
Bright Nights at Four Mile Historic Park
Bright Nights is a collaboration with Tianyu Arts an Culture, Inc., the largest producer of Chinese lantern festivals in North America. This event transforms the Park into a captivating realm with larger-than-life sculptures illuminating the night across its 12 acres. Each year brings a fresh theme, new experiences, and captivating sculptures.
Bright Nights at Four Mile is the only opportunity to experience a Tianyu festival in the Mountain West. The event features art by day and magic by night, and with each new year will come a new theme, a new experience and new sculptures to the festival.
IF YOU GO
Tickets: $13 – $42
Through Sept. 29, begins at 7 p.m. and runs through 11 p.m. or midnight, schedule varies
Four Mile Historic Park
715 S Forest St.
Tickets and info: www.fourmilepark.org/