AURORA | February brings no shortage of once-a-year cultural, entertainment and unique events, many focused on Black History Month. Family movie scenes, Black History Jeopardy and a special taste of Black Chef artistry are part of the mix.
Library Teen Roundup: Black History Jeopardy at Aurora Public Library
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to test their knowledge of Black history in a game-show style Jeopardy competition. Participants will play in teams or individually, answering questions drawn from Black history, culture and achievements, with snacks and prizes provided. This engaging activity builds knowledge and community among youth.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Thursday, Feb. 26, 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Place: Aurora Public Library – Central Activity Room, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway
Cost: Free
Info: 303-739-6600 and auroraco.libnet.info/events
Tween Family Movie and Cultural Conversation at the Aurora Public Library
Although not exclusively listed as a Black History program on the library calendar, this Tween Movie Club screening is scheduled during the Black History Month and specifically celebrates Black voices in film, making it a relevant cultural event for families and youth.
Black History Live 2026: African Americans in the West at the Aurora Public Library
This dramatic historical presentation brings to life the story of York, the only Black member of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, through performance and interpretation. The program is part of Colorado Humanities’ Black History Live tour and is designed to educate all ages about underrepresented figures in Western history. It includes context, Q&A and an exploration of African American contributions to U.S. expansion westward.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Feb. 21, 2 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Place: Aurora Public Library – Central Large Community Room, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway
Cost: Free
Info: 303-739-6600; auroraco.libnet.info/events
Homeschool Day: Black History – Aurora History Museum
Part of the museum’s monthly Homeschool Days series, this event introduces students ages 5–12 to the history of Dearfield, an early 20th Century Black agricultural settlement in Colorado. Participants use primary sources and hands-on exploration to understand the community’s founding, everyday life and legacy. Siblings and adults are welcomed. Unique activities are designed to complement homeschool curricula.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Monday, Feb. 2, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Place: Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway
Cost: $8 per student and includes one adult
Info: 303-739-7000; auroragov.org/museum
Black Chefs in the White House with Adrian Miller at the Aurora History Museum
Award-winning culinary author Adrian Miller, known for “The President’s Kitchen Cabinet,” discusses the influential role of African Americans in shaping U.S. presidential cuisine. Miller’s talk combines food history, cultural narratives and personal insights, exploring how Black chefs and culinary traditions have intersected with American political life.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Feb. 12, 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Place: Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway
Cost: Free, but registration is recommended
Info: 303-739-7000 and auroragov.org/museum
Live audio drama explores identity and bias in Aurora show
An audio drama examining identity, bias and shared humanity will be performed live Feb. 17 at the Aurora Fox Arts Center as part of the 2026 season of Destination Freedom Black Radio Days.
The event is timed with other local and regional events celebrating Black History Month in February.
“Intersectionality,” a play by Kenya Mahogany Fashaw, is set in a jail cell where five women are forced to confront their differences and the connections that bind them.
The live audio drama features Zarah Levy, Adrienne Martin Fullwood, Nadiya Jackson, Rachel Turner and Iliana Lucero Barron. Regina Richards, Ph.D., will appear as a guest scholar. The production is directed by local stage and documentary director donnie l. betts.
The series traces its origins to journalist and activist Richard Durham, who created the original “Destination Freedom” radio program from 1948 to 1950. Durham used the medium to challenge harmful stereotypes and highlight struggles for social and economic freedom. The program was ultimately shut down during the McCarthy era.
IF YOU GO: The live-audience performance begins at 7 p.m. at the Aurora Fox Arts Center Studio Theater, 9900 E. Colfax Ave. Tickets are $10 at the door, with information at aurorafoxartscenter.org.
Waiting for Godot at the Aurora Fox Arts Center
Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” arrives at the Aurora Fox in a thoughtfully staged production that leans into the play’s wit, melancholy, and enduring relevance. Often described as both absurdist comedy and existential meditation, the play follows two men, Vladimir and Estragon, as they wait endlessly for someone named Godot, filling the time with jokes, arguments, memories, and fleeting moments of hope. As the waiting stretches on, the play becomes a reflection on friendship, purpose, and the human need for meaning in an uncertain world. Whether encountering Beckett for the first time or revisiting a classic, theatergoers will find plenty to laugh at — and plenty to ponder — in this stripped-down yet emotionally rich production.
IF YOU GO: Through Feb. 22, at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax. Tickets are $17–$42. Details and reservations at 303-739-1970 or www.aurorafoxartscenter.org.
“The Shark Is Broken”
In a regional premiere full of wit and backstage antics, Vintage Theatre presents “The Shark Is Broken”, a fast-paced comedy chronicling the untold story of the making of “Jaws”. Running through Feb.15, 2026, this uproarious show dives into the turbulent production of one of cinema’s most iconic blockbusters — where the “shark” (the mechanical prop affectionately nicknamed “Bruce”) repeatedly malfunctions, tensions between stars mount, and absurdity bubbles over both on and off the constructed set. Written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon and directed by Luke Rahmsdorff-Terry, “The Shark Is Broken” artfully blends slapstick humor with sharp character interplay among actors portraying Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, and Richard Dreyfuss as they bond, bicker, and booze their way through endless technical setbacks. The Vintage’s Bond-Trimble Theatre space enhances the immediacy of the experience, placing audiences at the heart of the chaotic shoot — much like being “on set” with this hilariously beleaguered cast. Whether you’re a movie buff curious about Hollywood folklore or simply seeking a night of uproarious, character-driven comedy, this show offers both laughs and glimpses into the unpredictable theater of filmmaking.
IF YOU GO: Through Feb. 15, Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows. Curtains vary at the Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St. Tickets: $20–$36 at www.vintagetheatre.org or call 303-856-7830.
The Long View: Making Art a Part of Life
Downtown Aurora Visual Arts opens its newest exhibition with a public reception celebrating the career of artist Linda Graham. “The Long View” examines how creativity evolves over a lifetime, featuring ceramic and mixed-media works that reflect decades of experimentation and personal growth. The opening reception invites visitors to meet fellow art lovers, engage with the artist’s themes of persistence and curiosity, and explore how art-making can be woven into everyday life. Light refreshments and informal conversation make this a welcoming entry point for both seasoned collectors and first-time gallery visitors.
IF YOU GO: Weekdays 10 am to 5 pm. through Feb. 23 at the DAVA studios, 1405 Florence St. No charge for admission. For details, call 303-724-0550 or go to www.davarts.org.
Bodies of Culture BIPOC Open Mic — Manos Sagrados
A monthly open mic celebrating BIPOC voices in poetry, spoken word, music, and storytelling. Hosted by community artists, this event offers performance opportunities and audience engagement in an inclusive, supportive atmosphere.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Thu., Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.
Place: Manos Sagrados, Aurora Cultural Arts District
Tickets: Free/Donation
Info: https://www.manossagrados.com/calendar · 303-746-8200
Fox Flix Film Series: Hairspray — Aurora Fox Arts Center
The Aurora Fox presents Hairspray on the big screen, featuring its upbeat soundtrack and standing as a beloved tale of dance, inclusion, and 1960s pop culture. Enjoy this fun, nostalgia-packed film with theater concessions available.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Thu., Feb. 12, 7p.m.–9 p.m.
Place: The Aurora Fox Arts Center
Tickets: $5
Info: https://www.aurorafoxartscenter.org/fox-flix · 303-739-1970
Clavé Jam: Cumbia & Chicha Music Night — Manos Sagrados
Immerse yourself in rhythms of Cumbia, Chicha, and more with community musicians and dancers. This open jam welcomes all levels — bring an instrument or dance on the floor in this vibrant cultural exchange.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Fri., Feb. 13, 8 p.m.–11:59 p.m.
Place: Manos Sagrados, Aurora
Tickets: Free
Info: www.manossagrados.com/calendar· 303-746-8200
Winter Family Orchestral Experience — People’s Building
An interactive orchestral concert designed for children and families, blending music, movement, and bilingual narration so young audiences can physically engage with professional musicians encircling the listening space.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Thu., Feb. 19, 6p.m.–8 p.m.
Place: The People’s Building, Aurora
Tickets: $10–$15
Info: https://www.thepeoplesbuilding.com · 720-819-6680
Diasporic Film & Food Series: El Maestro Laba Sosseh
This multisensory evening includes a curated Senegalese meal followed by the screening of El Maestro Laba Sosseh and a post-film cultural discussion. Celebrating cross-cultural heritage, the event invites deep engagement through global cinema and cuisine.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Fri., Feb. 20, 7p.m.–9:45 p.m.
Place: The People’s Building, Aurora
Tickets: $35–$55 (includes food & film)
Info: https://www.thepeoplesbuilding.com · 720-819-6680
New Bluff Lake center opens
Bluff Lake Nature Center will celebrate the grand opening of a major campus improvements project with a free community event Feb. 14, marking a milestone in the nonprofit’s efforts to expand access to nature and year-round programming in northeast Denver.
Guided tours of new facilities and site improvements, and hands-on activities led by Bluff Lake staff. Snacks and treats will be provided, and all ages are welcome.
The $8.75 million Campus Improvements Project features a new net-zero energy building designed to serve as a community gathering space, house multi-use classrooms and provide headquarters for staff. Additional improvements include a new accessible ramp trail leading into the 123-acre site, aimed at increasing safety and access for visitors of all abilities.
The Feb. 14 event is free and open to the public, though the on-site parking lot will be closed. Organizers are encouraging attendees to bike, walk or roll to the site, or to park along the south side of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard or in nearby neighborhoods. The main entrance, including the parking lot and new accessible ramp, will open to the public Feb. 16.
IF YOU GO: The grand opening celebration is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the nature center, 11255 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m.