AURORA | School’s out. Summer’s on. There’s no shortage of cool and amazing things to pass idle time or squeeze into your already overburdened schedule.
It’s last call this week for a theatrical ride at the Vintage theater in Aurora and this once in an “afterlifetime” opportunity.
Roll with it: ‘Ride the Cyclone’
A thrilling blend of dark comedy and catchy tunes arrives in Aurora with the regional premiere of ‘Ride the Cyclone,’ a musical that promises to entertain and provoke. The production takes the stage at the Nickelson Auditorium at the Vintage, under the direction of Jennifer Schmitz.
Written by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, ‘Cyclone’ follows six Canadian teens whose lives are tragically cut short in a bizarre roller coaster accident. But death is only the beginning. In a surreal twist, the teens awaken in limbo, where a mechanical fortune teller offers each a once-in-a-lifetime — or afterlifetime — opportunity: Tell their story for a chance to come back to life.
With a script praised for its wit and emotional depth, and music that spans a variety of genres, the musical has become a cult favorite in the U.S. and Canada. NOTE: Ride the Cyclone contains mature themes and language. Even though these characters are in high school, this “mischievous musical” is intended for mature audiences.
IF YOU GO:
Where: Nickelson Auditorium at the Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
When: Through June 8. Curtains vary.
Tickets: $20-$39
Details and sales: www.vintagetheatre.org/ or 303 856-7830
Art in the Park kickoff concert series at the Aurora Highlands
A fusion of music, art, and community are slated for June 7 at Hogan Park at Highlands Creek as part of a free concert in the park series.
Headliner BYNX will open the evening, as well as Sak Noel. Also slated are Catalyst and SALMANNAQ offering something for every musical taste.
The concert will be held next to“Umi,” the towering sculpture by internationally renowned artist Daniel Popper. Participants are invited explore other pieces in the huge, open-air gallery of large-art installations across the park, including *Broken but Together* by Michael Benisty and *The Only Way Out is Through* by Snyder and Olivia Steele.
“Pack your blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers,” organizers say. “Everyone is welcome to bring their own food and drinks, or get treats from nearby food trucks.”
IF YOU GO:
Date: June 7, 5 p.m.
Place: Hogan Park at Highlands Creek, 24495 E 35th Drive in the Aurora Highlands
Tickets: Free
Details: theaurorahighlands.com
KidsFringe offers free, family-friendly shows June 7–8
The annual KidsFringe mini-festival returns June 7–8 with a weekend of free, family-friendly performances at The Savoy in Denver and The People’s Building in Aurora.
Part of the larger Denver Fringe Festival, KidsFringe features interactive and imaginative shows designed especially for young audiences. This year’s performances include:
• Sickly Victorian Rat Circus*, a circus arts and shadow puppet tale of two rats seeking a new home;
• PreTend Friend Show*, a puppet-led celebration of classic stories, audience etiquette and the power of pretend;
• The Big Bug Adventure*, a colorful, musical journey with Stripes the Caterpillar focusing on teamwork and big feelings;
• The Swashbuckling Adventures of Pirate Zeb*, a wild, squirrel-pirate treasure hunt through the Savoy;
• La Gran Aventura del Gusano Stripes*, a Spanish-language version of Stripes’ big adventure to the “Firefly Dance Party.”
All shows are free and open to the public.
IF YOU GO:
Where: Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe St. and at The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave
When: June 7 and June 8, show times vary.
Tickets: Tickets are free and available at denverfringe.org/join-us/kidsfringe
City Park Jazz returns 10 free concerts on Sundays through August
City Park Jazz will launch its 39th annual summer concert series June 1, bringing 10 weeks of free Sunday evening performances to the City Park Pavilion through Aug. 3.
The 2025 lineup celebrates the diversity of jazz and features an all-local roster, including returning favorites Chris Daniels and The Kings with Freddy Gowdy, ATOMGA, Dzirae Gold, and Buckner Funken Jazz. The series will also showcase internationally recognized Zimbabwean percussionist Blessing Bled Chimanga and a tribute to late Denver jazz pianist Neil Bridge featuring The Bridge 12 and his wife, Karen.
This year’s season finale on Aug. 3 will start at 5:30 p.m. and feature a three-hour “Brass Band Extravaganza” with performances by Colorado Youth Bands Brass Band, Rowdy Brass Band, Tivoli Club Brass Band and Guerilla Fanfare.
Concerts run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays and attract crowds of up to 12,000 people. The family-friendly events include a curated selection of vendors and food trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and refillable containers for filtered water, while adhering to Denver park rules prohibiting glass.
IF YOU GO:
Show Dates: June 8, Tribute to Neil Bridge Featuring The Bridge 12; June 15, ATOMGA, June 22, Colorado Mambo Orchestra: June 29, Buckner Funken Jazz: July 6, Chris Daniels & The Kings w/Freddy Gowdy; July 13, Better Sensory Perception; July 20, Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra; July 27, Dzirae Gold; Aug. 3: Brass Band Extravaganza Featuring:
Colorado Youth Bands Brass Band, Rowdy Brass Band Tivoli Club Brass Band and. Guerilla Fanfare
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Denver City Park Pavillion: 2001 Steele St,
Details:: CityParkJazz.org
Aurora library summer of reading kicks off this month
Aurora Public Library’s Summer of Imagination returns this year with the theme “Color Our World.”
Participants in the summer reading program can register to receive a free book, while supplies last, a statement from the city said.
“Summer reading is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent the ‘summer slide’—the learning loss many students experience when school is out,” Joanna McNeal, deputy director of Library Services, said in the statement.
Summer reading takes place every year to encourage reading as a life-long habit, increase engagement with the library and encourage school-age children to continue reading over the summer, according to the statement.
“Through our Summer of Imagination program, we aim to keep reading fun, accessible and inspiring for all ages, while supporting lifelong learning and sparking creativity across our diverse community, ” McNeal said in the statement.
After registering, participants pick up an activity log filled with reading challenges and colorful activities, the release said. After completing the log, they can turn it in at any library branch for a chance to win the grand prize.
A grand prize winner will be chosen Aug. 1.
A library card is not needed to register, but it can still be requested. Participation in all Summer of Imagination activities is free.
There will be additional events and activities for all ages that will take place throughout Summer of Imagination, including Poetry Breakfast, Aurora Water and Aquatic Critters and more, according to the statement.
IF YOU GO
A day of fun, color and characters with different programs happening all day. Registration will be open for our Summer of Imagination.
• June 7, 2 p.m., Mission Viejo Library, 15324 E. Hampden Circle
A Balloon Performance by Kidz Balloonz followed by cupcakes, crafts and more.
• June 11, 6 p.m., Hoffman Heights Library, 1298 Peoria St.
A farmer’s market will be held at the local library while people register for Summer of Imagination.
Prairie Pup Adventures offers Preschool Fun at Plains Conservation Center
Preschoolers can explore nature, science and history through hands-on activities at Prairie Pup Adventures, held at the Plains Conservation Center in southeast Aurora. Programs run from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and are designed for children ages 3–6 with a caregiver.
Upcoming topics include:
•• Campfire Safety on June 10: Learn about the science of fire, how to build a safe campfire and how to cook on one. We will work together to assemble the layers of a successful campfire and make edible campfire snacks to munch on while we watch the fire burn, then we’ll roast smores and learn how to prevent wild fires.
•Flower Power on June 24: Flowers are beautiful and serve an important role for the plants they grow on. Join us on the prairie to learn all about flowers from their parts to their pollinators through science and art.
Activities at all events include crafts, games, story time, and outdoor exploration.
IF YOU GO:
Tickets: The fee is $8 per child; one adult per child is free. Additional adults and non-participating siblings over age 6 are $5. Infants under 18 months attend free.
Details: botanicgardens.org
Venue: Plains Conservation Center 21901 E. Hampden Ave.
Check it out — Aurora library books farmer’s markets for the summer
Residents near the Hoffman Heights Library are getting a farmer’s market all summer.
“Libraries are more than just books—they’re hubs for healthy, thriving neighborhoods and this collaboration is a perfect example of how we’re re-imagining library grounds into a space for connection while serving our community,” said Ginger White Brunetti, director of Library and Cultural Services, in a statement.
Aurora Public Library is partnering with the mission-driven organization Rebel Marketplace to bring a monthly farmers market to Hoffman Heights Library through September, according to a statement from the city.
“The farmers market at Hoffman Library was created to be an authentic neighborhood marketplace run and operated by surrounding community businesses, with the library as the hub,” the statement said.
Rebel Marketplace is a local group of urban farmers in Aurora who started growing produce in their backyards and aim to build a “food sovereign neighborhood.” The Johnson family’s story of starting the Rebel Market was reported on last year by the Sentinel.
“The Rebel Marketplace believes that there is enough talent and businesses in a six-mile radius to fully supply and stand up a neighborhood marketplace,” the Rebel Marketplace website said. “By creating a singular, locally run access point for goods and services, we envision a vibrant, cooperative and healthy community.”
Each farmers market will host multiple programming events as well.
“We’re thrilled to launch this unique partnership with Rebel Marketplace to bring fresh, local food and community connections right to the doorstep of Hoffman Heights Library,” Brunetti said in the statement.
IF YOU GO:
Where: Hoffman Heights Library, 1298 Peoria St.
When: Dates vary below. The library will also stay open late on those nights for its programs and additional services. The Hoffman Heights Library will also host storytimes at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., a kids’ play area at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., and a teen game space from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The lineup:
• Learn to make fermented hot sauce with Horrifying Hotsauce, 5 p.m., June 11
• Makes seed bombs, 6 p.m., June 11
• Succulent pot painting with plants and pots provided, 6 p.m., July 9
• Rainbow Scavenger Hunt for children eight and older, with prizes, 6 p.m., July 9
• Block-printed totes, customize your own tote, 6 p.m., Aug. 6
• Intro to pickling, by learning to make pickle brine with ingredients provided, 6 p.m., Sept. 10