AROUND TOWN
Awkward Family Photo Exhibit at History Colorado Center Opening day festivities with website co-founders start at 10:30 a.m. and run to 12 p.m. June 18. History Colorado, 1200 Broadway, Denver. Adult admission is $12, children are $8 and children under the age of 5 are free. Visit HistoryColoradoCenter.org for more information.
Mike Bender, the co-creator of AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com, sums up the mission of his delightfully uncomfortable website best: “We acknowledge those special times when we wished we were a lot farther apart.” Amen, brother. There have been more than a few times (see: photos) when we all wish our kin kept their distance and the photographer kept their lens caps on. The new exhibit at the History Colorado Center honors that sentiment and Bender’s now-famous (infamous?) website with more than 200 family snapshots and goofy “behind the awkwardness” snippets from the featured family members. Attendees will also be able to take their own photos in an on-site, assuredly awkward photo booth. Don’t hesitate — that dusty mantle can always use a few more images of pained grins and hover hands.
House of Poetry Gemini Poetry Party 7:30 – 10 p.m., June 17, ACAD Gallery, 1400 Dallas St. Entry is $10 and includes one drink. For more information, visit the 5280 Artist Coop Facebook page.
The Aurora Cultural Arts District gallery is once again going to be on “fiyah” this weekend thanks to a local group of slam poets who have started making monthly visits to the ACAD gallery on Dallas Street. Sponsored by 5280 Artist Co-op, the event features rhymes from several budding poets, including several from Denver’s esteemed Slam Nuba outfit. According to the group’s Facebook page, the “notorious” Gemini Poetry Party is slated to be this month’s featured group of performers. They’ll also be hosting the hostess’ birthday. With complimentary sangria and top-notch prose, the event promises to be an at times fun, at times serious lesson in the power of spoken word.
Lone Tree Brewing Company’s Summer Solstice Celebration 11 a.m. June 18, Lone Tree Brewing Company Tap Room, 8200 Park Meadows Dr., Suit 8222, Lone Tree. Contact Emily at coop@radcraftbeer.com for more information.
It’s no secret that the Colorado craft brew scene is busting out of it’s mead-soaked chaps. There are approximately one bagillion breweries in the metro area these days and many, but certainly not all, continue to spurn out creative, sudsy products. Thankfully for us hillbillies living on the dark side of Yosemite Street (see: East), Lone Tree Brewing Company is one such dram slinger cranking out some stand-up varsity shirley temples. Celebrate the longest day of the year with the folks at Lone Tree on June 20 with the watering hole’s new cucumber wheat beer, live music and food trucks. We don’t know exactly how that will turn out, but we’re bravely and boldly willing to sacrifice our livers in order to find out.
Steampunk at the Station 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (concert 6:30 to 9 p.m.) June 18 at the Colorado Railroad Museum, 17155 W. 44th Ave., Golden. Adult tickets for daytime event at $15, kids $5 (free 2 and under). After-hours tickets are $20. Visit www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org for more information.
What’s hot and leathery and goes “chugga-chugga-choo-choo”? It’s not as dark as you think, probably. The Colorado Railroad Museum is inviting locomotive-philes to celebrate the marriage of steampunk and trains with train rides full of goggle-toting punks (half off for those dressed in their steamiest regalia).
ONSTAGE
Dance and Photography with Kim Robards Dance 6:30 p.m., June 18, KRD Venue, 9990 E. Colfax Ave. Entry to the gallery opening is free, but the dance performance is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12 years old.
It’s no secret that Kim Robards is among the metro area’s dance elite, but photography, too? She could be on her way. Robards will be debuting her first set of professional photographs of Great Blue Herons this Friday before the final performance of her company’s summer intensive company project. All of the photos will be signed by Robards and part of the proceeds will go toward educational programming at the KRD venue on East Colfax Avenue. The photo exhibit will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the dance performance will start one hour later. There will also be a post-performance reception at the venue.