AURORA | Aurora’s diverse dining scene is in the spotlight this weekend as Mile High Asian Food Week wraps up and as local restaurants and cafés join the regional celebration of Asian cuisine.
Through Sunday, the event features more than 70 participating shops and eateries across the metro area and beyond, with Aurora contributing a significant share. Known for its international food corridor, especially along Havana Street, Parker Road and East Colfax Avenue, the city highlights a range of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander flavors.
Participating restaurants are offering special deals and offerings focused on encouraging everyone to try something new or different.
Local restaurateurs say the strong turnout for the event, in its fourth year, underscores the city’s reputation as one of Colorado’s most diverse dining destinations, offering residents and visitors a chance to explore the rich culinary landscape.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through May 3
Place: Participating restaurants across Aurora
Information: milehighafw.com
“Aurora Quilt Showcase” at Aurora Center for Active Adults
This exhibition highlights the artistry and craftsmanship of regional quilters, featuring intricate designs that range from traditional patterns to modern interpretations. Visitors can learn about quilting techniques, meet creators and gain insight into the cultural significance of textile art. The showcase celebrates both creativity and community heritage, and the quilts are for sale.
IF YOU GO:
Date: May 2, 9 a.m.–noon
Place: 30 W. Del Mar Circle
Tickets: Free
Information: auroragov.org or 303-739-7950
“Cap’N Peak”
This imaginative puppet performance blends sci-fi parody with family-friendly storytelling, featuring Felt Nerdy Puppets in a playful homage to Star Trek. Designed for young audiences but entertaining for all ages, the show mixes humor, colorful characters and interactive elements that introduce children to live theater in an accessible way.
IF YOU GO:
Date: May 2 at 11:30 a.m.
Place: Aurora Fox Arts Center (Children’s Playhouse stage), 9900 E. Colfax Ave.,
Tickets: $7
Information: auroratheatre.com or 303-739-1970
“Angels in America, Part One” at Vintage Theatre
Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic unfolds against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in 1980s America, weaving together multiple storylines that explore love, illness, politics and spirituality. The play follows a diverse group of characters grappling with personal and societal upheaval, blending realism with dreamlike sequences and supernatural elements. This production brings emotional intensity and visual imagination to a work widely considered one of the most important pieces of modern American theater.
IF YOU GO:
Date: April 23–May 10, curtains vary
Place: Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $20–$40
Information: vintagetheatre.org or 303-856-7830
“First Friday Art Walk” at RiNo Art District
This popular monthly event transforms the RiNo neighborhood into a bustling hub of creativity, with galleries, studios and street artists opening their doors to the public. Visitors can explore cutting-edge contemporary art, enjoy live music and experience large-scale murals that define the district. The lively atmosphere makes it one of Denver’s most anticipated cultural gatherings.
IF YOU GO:
Date: May 1, in the evening
Place: RiNo Art District, Denver
Tickets: Free
Information: rinoartdistrict.org or 303-308-7100
“First Friday Art Walk” at Santa Fe Arts District
A cornerstone of Denver’s arts community, this long-running event features dozens of galleries and creative spaces showcasing new exhibitions each month. The walk offers opportunities to meet artists, discover emerging talent and experience a wide variety of artistic styles in a festive, pedestrian-friendly setting.
IF YOU GO:
Date: May 1, 5:30 p.m.–late
Place: Santa Fe Drive, Denver
Tickets: Free
Information: denversartdistrict.org or 720-773-2373
“Contemporary Photography Exhibition” at Center for Visual Art
This exhibition showcases the work of emerging and established photographers exploring themes such as identity, environment and storytelling. Through a range of styles and techniques, the featured artists offer compelling visual narratives that invite viewers to reflect on their own perspectives.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Through May
Place: Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Drive
Tickets: Free
Information: msudenver.edu/cva or 303-294-5207
“Indie Film Screening Series” at Sie FilmCenter
Denver Film’s flagship venue presents a rotating lineup of independent, international and documentary films. Many screenings include discussions or special programming, offering audiences deeper insight into the filmmaking process and themes explored on screen.
IF YOU GO:
Date: through May 6 (various screenings)
Place: Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: $10–$15
Information: denverfilm.org or 720-381-0813
“Modern Dance Showcase” at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre
This performance features contemporary choreography rooted in African American traditions, blending storytelling with movement and music. The program highlights both established and emerging dancers, offering a powerful and visually engaging experience.
IF YOU GO:
Date: May 2 and May 3
Place: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, 119 Park Avenue West
Tickets: $25–$45
Information: cleoparkerdance.org or 303-295-1759
“Chamber Music Concert Series” at Newman Center for the Performing Arts
This intimate concert series features small ensembles performing works from the classical repertoire, offering a close-up listening experience that emphasizes musical nuance and collaboration.
IF YOU GO:
Date: May 5 and May 6
Place: Newman Center, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.
Tickets: $10–$40
Information: newmancenterpresents.com or 303-871-7720
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 through May 15
Place: Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, 1405 Florence St.
Tickets: Free
Info: www.davarts.org or call 303-367-5886
“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.
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: Through Sept. 7
Place: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.
Tickets: $6-$9
Information: dmns.org or call 303-370-6000
“Bohemian Rhapsody: Arts for a Better Tomorrow” at Gateway High School Auditorium
The Aurora Symphony Orchestra’s season finale blends classical repertoire with a symphonic interpretation of Queen’s iconic anthem. Featuring works by Strauss and Puccini alongside contemporary compositions, the concert celebrates musical individuality and orchestral storytelling.
IF YOU GO:
Date: May 16 at 7:30 p.m. and May 17 at 4 p.m.
Place: Gateway High School Auditorium, 1300 S. Sable Blvd.
Tickets: $11–$22; free for students
Information: aurorasymphony.org or 720-262-3850