The Mix: Events around Aurora Aug. 6 – 12

ONSTAGE
Beets 6 p.m. Aug. 8, 4 p.m. Aug. 9, Gully Homestead House DeLaney Farm Historic Site, 170 S. Chambers Rd. Parking available across the street at the Aurora Municipal Center. Advance tickets are $5, or $8 at the door. Call 303-739-1970 or visit aurorafoxartscenter.org for more information.

More than seven months after this historical fiction production first premiered at The Aurora Fox’s Studio Theater Stage, Rick Padden’s “Beets” is wrapping up an impressive, metro-wide encore run back where it all began. Well, pretty close — it’s in Aurora, at least. The show will have its (likely) final show of 2015 at Aurora’s DeLaney Farm this weekend, marking the final chance to catch stellar performances from standout original cast members Andrew and Kelly Uhlenhopp, Drew Hirschboek and Jordyn Morgan. “Beets” is a gripping look at the state’s past wrapped tightly with a heady, emotional bow.

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival Showtimes vary throughout the weekend, Aug. 6 – 9. The Mary Rippon and University Theatres on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, near the intersection of 14th Street and Broadway in Boulder. Tickets ranges form $10 – $64. Call 303-492-8008 or visit coloradoshakes.org for more information.

It’s that time of year again: when back-to-school ads inundate airwaves and the uber-talented cast of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival takes its final bow. This weekend marks the year’s last to catch the likes of some of the Bard’s most famous penned personages, including Beatrice, Claudio, Iago and Othello. Four of the festival’s five productions will be onstage Thursday through Sunday at the nauseatingly beautiful Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre and the also fine University Theatre on the CU Boulder Campus. If for no other reason, brave the constant threat of August showers to catch CSF veteran Geoffrey Kent impress in several of the festival’s shows — he manages to effectively and forcefully pilfer the spotlight as a wonderfully deceitful Iago in Othello. Don’t miss out on this last, fleeting chance to check out Boulder before it’s overrun by approximately 3,000 18-year-olds with little more than total debauchery on the mind.

ART
ACTIVATE Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. DAVA 1405 Florence St. Free. Call 303-367-5886 or visit davarts.org for more information.

Anyone looking for a fresh glimmer of hope along Aurora’s long-notorious East Colfax corridor needn’t look further than 1405 Florence St. For over two decades, Downtown Aurora Visual Arts has used that location to act as a bastion of youth creativity in Aurora, and the gallery/studio/dream incubator’s latest exhibit is no exception. Dubbed “Activate,” DAVA’s summer exhibit is the product of dozens of  young, local artists focusing on social practices in their pieces, with a particular emphasis on recycling and up-cycling. Mediums range from batik and fiber art to wood block prints — a method homed by local ACAD artist and Red Delicious Press printmaker Michael Keyes. If you need any help getting through these muggy dog days, don’t pass over one of the city’s most precious artistic gems.

MUSIC
Rave On! The Buddy Holly Experience 8 p.m., Aug. 7, The Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree. Tickets rans from $22 – $30. Call 720-509-1000 or visit lonetreeartscenter.org for more information.

Grab your non-prescription coke bottle glasses and best three-piece suit because it’s time to celebrate one of the most-beloved pop rock poster boys. Billy McGuigan is embodying Buddy Holly in his Rave On! The Boddy Holly Experience at the Lone Tree Arts Center this weekend, in which he’ll be performing over 40 classics from the Holly catalogue, including “Peggy Sue,” and “It’s Too Easy To Fall In Love.” Sadly, there’s no mention on McGuigan’s website of Holly’s truest hit, “Everyday,” which just might be the sweetest song of all time. And here’s to hoping the impersonator has a sense of humor and sneaks in a particularly topical Weezer track.