AURORA | Faux spring has sprung, and whether you see out the “Rite” of spring or the drags of Purim bingo, the weekend and beyond offers no shortage of possibilities. Check out below what the Sentinel Muse has in store.
“Rite and Rach” with Symphony of the Rockies
Two towering masterpieces anchor an evening of music and legacy as Symphony of the Rockies partners with the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame for a special concert Saturday, Feb. 28, at Gates Concert Hall. Billed as “Rite and Rach”, the program pairs Sergei Rachmaninoff’s virtuosic “Piano Concerto No. 3” with Igor Stravinsky’s groundbreaking “The Rite of Spring”, offering audiences a night of sweeping emotion and rhythmic intensity.
The concerto will be performed by pianist Jiarui Cheng, the 2024 Gold Medalist of the International Keyboard Odyssiad and Festival and a rising international star. Widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding works in the piano repertoire, Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto blends lyricism with dazzling athleticism, giving soloist and orchestra alike a chance to shine.
The second half of the program features Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”, the primal, pulse-driven masterpiece that forever altered the course of 20th-century music. Known for its driving rhythms and bold orchestration, the work remains one of the most thrilling experiences in the symphonic canon.
In honor of the start of Women’s History Month, concertgoers are invited to arrive early and explore a special exhibit curated by the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in the Gates Concert Hall lobby. The display highlights a diverse selection of inductees — including teachers, scientists, social activists, philanthropists, authors, artists, aviation pioneers, a Cheyenne princess and a symphony conductor — whose achievements helped shape Colorado and beyond. The exhibit will be available before the performance and during intermission.
IF YOU GO
Date: Feb. 28 7:30 p.m.
Place: Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Gates Concert Hall, 2344 E. Iliff Ave.
Tickets and details: $14 online at www.symphonyrockies.org
Sequins, satire and a touch of biblical mischief take center stage when the Mizel Arts and Culture Center hosts its annual Purim Drag Queen Bingo on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center Social Hall. This year’s playful theme, The Garden of Eden, promises to take the beloved tradition “back to the beginning of humankind” with an evening that is joyful, silly and just a little naughty.
Purim Drag Queen Bingo: Garden of Eden at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center
A rousing cast of local drag queens will lead the festivities, calling bingo numbers with flair and delivering plenty of jokes about Adam and (St)Eve along the way. The adults-only celebration blends the festive spirit of Purim with over-the-top performances, cheeky humor and a lively atmosphere designed for laughter and community connection.
In addition to multiple rounds of bingo, guests can take part in a costume contest inspired by the Garden of Eden theme. Heavy appetizers are included with admission, and a cash bar will be available throughout the evening.
Organizers describe the annual event as a spirited celebration that embraces both tradition and camp, offering a high-energy night of entertainment in a welcoming community setting.
IF YOU GO: 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Phillips Social Hall, 350 S. Dahlia St. For 21 and older only. Tickets at tickets.jccdenver.org/
”The Langston Hughes Project: Ask Your Mama (12 Moods for Jazz)”
Langston Hughes’ kaleidoscopic jazz poem suite takes center stage when the Lakewood Cultural Center hosts “The Langston Hughes Project: Ask Your Mama (12 Moods for Jazz).” The event features the award-winning Ron McCurdy Quartet, the dynamic multimedia production blends spoken word, live jazz, history, poetry and visual art in a sweeping tribute presented in conjunction with Black History Month.
Named “Live Experience of the Year” at the 2016 JazzFM Awards in London, the production brings Hughes’ masterwork to vivid life. Written in the early 1960s, “Ask Your Mama” is a homage in verse and music to the struggle for artistic and social freedom at home and abroad. Through words, sound and imagery, the piece captures a pivotal cultural moment bridging the Harlem Renaissance, the Beat Writers’ coffeehouse movement and the Black Arts performance explosion — a vibrant and tumultuous era whose influence continues to resonate. Kabin Thomas, classical music host for Colorado Public Radio, lends his voice to Hughes’ powerful text as part of the performance.
Trumpeter and scholar Ron McCurdy, Ph.D., followed Hughes’ original musical cues — rooted in blues, gospel and Latin rhythms — to compose an original score for the poem. Joined by piano, bass and drums, McCurdy and his quartet create a richly textured accompaniment that makes heads bob, fingers snap and feet tap as audiences are immersed in this multifaceted work.
The concert is accompanied by a broader community celebration of words and art. The Cultural Center’s North Gallery will present “Words Matter: Works Inspired by How the Written and Spoken Language Shapes Our Lives”, a group exhibition running from late January through March.
IF YOU GO:
Date: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28. A free public gallery reception at 6 p.m. will feature additional youth performances and opportunities to meet the exhibiting visual artists.
Place: Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway
Tickets: $33–$50 at Lakewood.org/LCCPresents or call 303-987-7845.
“The Runner Stumbles” at The People’s Building
A gripping dramatic thriller unfolds at The People’s Building as “The Runner Stumbles” explores forbidden love, human frailty and moral ambiguity in a remote Michigan parish. Written by Milan Stitt, this intimate production alternates courtroom testimony with flashbacks that reveal the complexity of relationships between a priest and a nun, leading to emotional revelations and narrative twists that keep audiences questioning justice, faith and human desire.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.–9 p.m.
Place: The People’s Building, 9995 E Colfax Ave.
Tickets: $10–$18
Info: www.thepeoplesbuilding.com or 720-819-6680
9 to 5: The Musical — Vintage Theatre
Inspired by the beloved 1980 film, *9 to 5* returns to the Vintage Theatre stage with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick. The story centers on three female office workers fed up with workplace inequality who fantasize about overthrowing their sexist boss. Packed with infectious songs and dynamic choreography, this upbeat musical celebrates ambition, female empowerment and camaraderie in the workplace, with plenty of heart and hilarity along the way.
IF YOU GO:
Dates: Fri., Feb. 27 & Sat., Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Mar. 1 at 2:30 p.m.
Place: Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora, CO
Tickets: $28–$45
Info: www.vintagetheatre.org or call 303-856-7830
Fox Flix: “Vertigo” film screening — Aurora Fox Arts Center
Classic cinema fans can catch Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 suspense thriller *Vertigo* as part of the Fox Flix series at the historic Aurora Fox Arts Center. The screening is a chance to appreciate one of the most psychologically complex and beautifully shot films in cinematic history on the big screen, complete with original score and chilling performances that have influenced decades of storytelling.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Thu., Mar. 5, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Place: Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: $5
Info: www.aurorafoxartscenter.org or call 303-739-1970
“Bella Bella” at the Vintage Theatre Cabaret Stage
In this raucous, poignant solo play by acclaimed writer and performer Harvey Fierstein, audiences meet Bella Abzug — a larger-than-life political icon awaiting election night results in a Manhattan hotel bathroom. Fierstein’s signature blend of humor and heart illuminates Abzug’s fierce wit and political courage as she navigates the chaos of life, ambition and identity in 1970s New York.
IF YOU GO:
Dates: Mar. 3 and Mar. 4, 7:30 pm.–9 p.m.
Place: Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St.
Tickets: $30–$45
Info: www.vintagetheatre.org or call 303-856-7830
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: Mar. 6, 4 p.m.–9 p.m.
Place: Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, 1405 Florence St.
Tickets: Free
Info: www.davarts.org or call 303-367-5886
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
9 to 5: The Musical — Vintage Theatre Opening Night
Based on the iconic film, this musical comedy features songs by Dolly Parton and celebrates female empowerment with high-spirited choreography and humor. Its February launch makes it a perfect Valentine’s weekend outing.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Fri., various curtains through March 29.
Place: Vintage Theatre, Aurora
Tickets: $28–$45
Info: www.vintagetheatre.org or call 303-856-7830
Lunar New Year Celebration at Stanley Marketplace
Stanley Marketplace invites the community to celebrate the Year of the Horse with lion dancers, festive music, cultural performances, family activities, and more. This annual event showcases tradition, community spirit, and a lively multicultural program suitable for all ages.
IF YOU GO:
Date: Feb. 28, 4 p.m.–6 p.m.
Place: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St.
Tickets: Free
Details: www.stanleymarketplace.com or call 303-800-9975