Denver Restaurant Week 5280 is a Denver Bucket List to do in 2012

If you like Visit Denver on Facebook you were treated to the sneak peek of the first restaurants to be part of Denver’s Foodie Favorite Holiday!

The following 5280 restaurants are sorted by neighborhoods in Denver.

DRW is February 25 to March 9, 2012.  A spectacular 14 days of eating food at some of the Denver Metro area’s best restaurants at the ridiculously low price of $52.80 per couple.

Metro Denver 5280 Denver Restaurant Week Participating Restaurants

Source: www.Denver.Org

The Southlands Mall Ice Skating Rink “The Pond” is open!

The only outdoor rink in South Denver “The Pond” is all decked out for the Holidays this year.

The spectacular bright blue tree with white chasing lights is one of those must photograph Christmas decorations in the area and of course you can make it an entire day by visiting the movie theater before or after your skate. There’s even a cozy fireplace inside to warm up by before you movie.

Special New Years Eve Event at the Pond at Southlands Mall

Saturday, December 31st

• Radio Disney from 10:00am – 12:00pm.
• Prizes! Entertainment! Big Disney Fun!
• And join us as the clock strikes High Noon!

Admission to The Pond At Southlands

• $8 – No Skate Rental
• $10 – Includes Skate Rental
• Military Discount (w. Active Military ID) – $7/Session (Includes Skate Rental)

Skating Lessons – For more information, call (303) 928-7536

Great Holiday Gift Idea Purchase The Pond 3 Pack – $25

(3 Pack may not be shared. Must be used by single individual)

Regular Hours:

• Monday – Friday: 4:00pm-9:00pm
• Saturday : 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
• Sunday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Special Hours:

• Saturday, December 24: Close at 7:00pm
• Sunday, December 25: 1:00pm – 10:00pm
• Sunday, January 1: 12:00pm – 7:00pm

Southlands Mall - MAP

6155 South Main Street,
Aurora, CO
(303) 627-5000‎

The Pond is sponsored by: Parker Adventist Hospital

Denver is such a wonderful city to live in with a rich heritage and culture, amazing views, fantastic weather and some of the warmest people you will ever meet.

We asked several Facebook groups to let us know what was on their Denver Bucket List and here were some of the answers we got.

If you’ve done all of these or have your own to offer up, please let us know in the comments!

1. A summer concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater
2. Climb a 14er
3. Watch Cliff Diving at Casa Bonita
4. Paddle Boats at Washington Park
5. Eat a Rocky Mountain Oyster
6. Sled down Ruby Hill
7. Go to the Botanic gardens when the lilacs are in bloom
8. Go to a Rockies Game on a perfect summer evening
9. Kayak the Platte River in the Summer
10. Run the Furry Scurry with your best 4 legged friend
11. Attend a Broncos home game against the Raiders
12. Have a Burger at the Cherry Cricket in Cherry Creek
13. Visit Buffalo Bills grave at the top of Lookout Mountain
14. Climb Devils Head Canyon with a picnic
15. Go on a Brewery Tour
16. Go on a Winery Tour
17. Go to the Coors plant in Golden
18. Mile High Music Festival
19. Taste of Colorado
20. Ride the Pedicab on the 16th Street Mall
21. Go to the Denver Aquarium
22. Elitches
23. Visit the Mercury Cafe
24. Carriage Ride on the 16th Street Mall
25. Oktoberfest at Larimer Square
26. Make sandwiches to give to the homeless in Capital Hill
27. Go to a CU Buffs football game
28. Bungee Jump off the Royal Gorge Bridge
29. The Elizabeth Stampede
30. Gamble at Blackhawk
31. Go to Beau Joe’s in Idaho Springs (The real Beau Joe’s!)
32. Hot Air Balloon Ride
33. Go to DIA
34. Denver BrewFest
35. Pearl Street Mall when the street performers are out
36. ?? Whats on your list??

Photo Courtesy Steve Crecelius at VISIT DENVER

Make our day and share your comments right here!

The Parker Arts, Culture and Events (PACE) Center is proud to announce its inaugural season for 2011-12.

Luma - The Human Light Show PACE Center 2011

The season includes over 60 performances of 28 different shows from a wide range of categories including musical and original theater, comedy, dance, classical and orchestral music, family offerings and more. Patrons can expect a thrilling season of live “entertainment at your own PACE.” Opening in Parker this October, the PACE Center is a new regional arts center offering a variety of local, regional and national programming.

“The 2011-2012 season is exciting not only because it is our first season, but the variety is astounding,” said Jeannene Bragg, Cultural Director. “The PACE Center’s theater lineup is incredible, featuring a partnership with the Aurora Fox to present A Christmas Story and Annie, along with the American premiere of an original musical created for the PACE Center, COUNTRY IS, The Music of Mainstreet by Rick Seeber, a national theater producer based in Denver.”

Luma lights the way for the PACE Center’s first season as the grand opening act on Oct. 28 and two performances on Oct. 29. Luma is creating a special custom light show for the PACE Center’s opening to incorporate local talent, themes and interests.

“There is so much to enjoy in the season and we are happy to bring some of the world’s best artists to Colorado,” Bragg said. Coming to the PACE Center in November all the way from Austria is theVienna Boys Choir. “It is a wonderful opportunity, especially for the local choir students, to see and hear the renowned Vienna Boys Choir in person.”

Another international act, Direct from Ireland – Celtic Nights – Journey of Hope, tells the story of a rich Celtic heritage through traditional ballads and expert dancing and musicianship. The mix of traditional and contemporary Irish pieces is a glittering celebration of the Celtic experience.

The 2011-12 inaugural season also features family-friendly programming. Audiences of all ages will enjoy seeing Stunt Dog Experience take over the stage with pet tricks and stunts, and Sign Stage’s Stuart Little tells the beloved story of the spirited mouse through hearing and deaf actors who speak and perform sign language simultaneously.

Bragg worked collaboratively with the entire PACE staff on creating a well-rounded season that would be appealing to all audiences, as well as including local arts organizations. Each Artistic Partner will have at least two performances during the inaugural season. The Partners for the season are Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre, Colorado Wind Ensemble, Parker Chorale and Parker Symphony Orchestra.

Other highlights of the PACE Center’s first season include a classical music series with several well-known musicians, the hilarious adult comedy show Defending the Caveman, a combination of arts and science in Garry Krinsky: Toying with Science, the Cashore Marionettes demonstrating life in motion through complex puppets suspended from strings, an Italian Sojourn by theBaroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, Cinderella by Ballet Ariel and Nutcracker of Parker produced by Colorado School of Dance, a holiday favorite and Parker tradition.

Tickets will be available in August at www.PACEcenteronline.org.

The  PACE Center 2011-12 season by category follows.

FEATURED PERFORMERS: Luma (season opener), Oct. 28-29 (3 performances); Cashore Marionettes, Nov. 5; Vienna Boys Choir, Nov. 11; Direct from Ireland – Celtic Nights – Journey of Hope, Feb. 17; Defending the Caveman, June 1-2 (2 performances)

THEATER: “A Christmas Story” presented in partnership with Aurora Fox, Dec. 2-4 and 9-11 (8 performances); original musical “COUNTRY IS, The Music of Mainstreet,” Jan. 27-29, Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12 (9 performances); “Annie” presented in partnership with Aurora Fox, April 12-15 and 19-22 (8 performances)

FAMILY: Garry Krinsky: Toying with Science, Feb. 25; Stunt Dog Experience, March 25 (2 performances); Sign Stage’s “Stuart Little,” April 28

MUSIC: Denver Municipal Band “Tribute to Veterans,” Nov. 10; Parker Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 7; Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado “Italian Sojourn,” Jan. 6; Colorado Wind Ensemble “It’s a Small World,” Feb. 18; Parker Symphony Orchestra, Feb. 24; Parker Symphony Orchestra, April 27; Parker Chorale, April 28; Colorado Wind Ensemble “Carmina Burana,” May 18

CLASSICAL SERIES: Lefthand Trio – Classical Guitar, Flute and Viola, Jan. 19; Musicians of the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado playing Music of the 17th and 18th Centuries on period instruments, Feb. 16; Fuchs Trio – Piano, Violin, Cello – Music of Mendelssohn, Dvorak, and Piazzolla, March 22;  The Confluence Quartet – Violin, Violin, Viola and Cello, May 31

DANCE: Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre’s “A Children’s Show,” Nov. 18-19 (2 performances); “Nutcracker of Parker” produced by Colorado School of Dance, Dec. 15-18 (5 performances); Ballet Ariel’s “Cinderella,” March 23-24 (2 performances); Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre’s “Imagine – Dancing Beyond the Edge of Technology,” April 4-5 (2 performances)

Titles and dates are subject to change as the PACE Center is continuously booking more shows and performances including a culinary series, workshops and classes, local music series, art exhibitions, film and author and speakers’ series.

Located in historic downtown Parker, the PACE Center will open in October 2011. PACE has a 536-seat theater, 250-seat amphitheater, art gallery, event room, dance studio, culinary kitchen and several classrooms. PACE is also available as a rental venue for community, business and social events. For more information about the PACE Center, visit www.PACEcenteronline.org.

PACE Center News and Information

This is the final weekend for Elitch Gardens Fright Fest in Downtown Denver

During the day the Fright Fest is family friendly with kid friendly haunted house, Gross Out for kids, Ghouls Match, Trick or Treat Trail, Monster-less Matinee, Scream it Out and a Kids Costume Contest.

By Night, well that’s another story. This is NOT a kid friendly atmosphere it might not even be soccer Mom friendly, but you be the judge. As my kids say “No wimps allowed… MOM!” 

Fright Fest is OPEN Halloween Night October 31 from 5-10

There are costume restrictions for the safety of the scared and the scary.

Teens and adults may not wear face masks or face paint. Wigs are permitted but long hair may be restricted on certain rides for safety purposes. No weapons, fake or real, are permitted in the park and  items such as capes may be restricted on certain rides for safety purposes.

Fright Fest Fright by Night at Elitch Gardens (more info)

Fright Fest is included with any ticket to the park or a season pass. 2 of the Haunted Houses, Brutal Planet and Blood Lust, are an additional charge of $8 each or $12 for both.

Have fun! You can save time and purchase tickets to Elitch Gardens Fright Fest online here

Denver’s Curtis hotel is celebrating Halloween this year by paying special homage to the classic Horror Film with  A Nightmare on Curtis Street.

Pop Culture is alive and well on Curtis Street in Downtown denver with this special hotel offer from The Curtis – A Doubletree by Hilton. 

The Curtis is going all out to scare the socks off its guests this Halloween with a spooky special date night offer.

Only the truly brave should book a room on the Curtis Hotel’s 13^th floor – the DUN, DUN, DUNNN floor – on Saturday, Oct 29, 2011.  Who knows, Freddy Krueger may even tuck you in for the night.  You might just be too scared to sleep.

A special spooky A Nightmare on Curtis Street package starts at $259/ night and includes:

• Accommodations on the hotel’s DUN, DUN, DUNNNNN 13th floor
• Haunted Welcome Amenity of a bottle of red wine and frightful food treats
• A terrifying turndown amenity with chocolates
• Disco Brunch for two on Sunday morning at The Corner Office, including bottomless Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas
• Valet or self-parking

To book, please visit www.thecurtis.com  or call 800.525.6651. The package is available only on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 and is subject to availability; does not include taxes or gratuities. 

Bedroom King Room Curtis Hotel Downtown Denver CO

The Curtis Exterior Downtown Denver

Funky, cool and playful, the Curtis – a Doubletree by Hilton is a unique boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Denver. A member of Hilton Hotels Worldwide and part of the award-winning Hilton HHonors^® guest reward program, the 336-room hotel is as pop culture as they come, with interactive video art and themed floors. Owned and managed by Sage Hospitality Resources, the Curtis has everything that a veteran traveler would expect of an upscale hotel and more, with the luxurious Sweet Dreams^® by Doubletree sleep experience and flat screen TVs in all guest rooms, high-speed Internet access available throughout the hotel, extensive meeting space and in-room board games to keep travelers inspired.

Curtis Lobby Downtown Denver CO

Also within the hotel are Sage Restaurant Group’s The Corner Office Restaurant + Martini Bar and Oceanaire’s steak and seafood restaurant. For more information, call (800) 525-6651 or visit www.thecurtis.com.

The Halloween Night on the Town is too goo to pass up, book your “A Night on Curtis Street” Reservations today!

Avanti Winery is hosting a wine tasting and cigar sampling

Saturday November 5th, 2011 From 1 pm – 5 pm

Join the event which offers free wine, cigars, food, and prizes.

Free 10 minute chair massage with the purchase of any bottle of wine.

Avanti Winery
9046 West Bowles Ave
Littleton, 80123

A variety of wines from Garfield Estates and Avanti Winery will be sampled.

Tony Marino ( cigar representative) will be attending the event. and providing samples of  777 and San Lotano cigars.

Wine Tasting Event Pricing Specials

Buy any 3 777 cigars and get the fourth free.
Purchase any (2) San Lotano cigars and get the third free.

Mix or match cases of  wine 15% off
(regularly 10%).

1/2 Cases of  wine 10% off.

10% of proceeds of Avanti Wines are donated to the Italian Greyhound Rescue in Centennial, CO.   What a great way to give to a great cause!’

Join hundreds of Denver’s fun and wacky singles at this Zombie Wedding Halloween Bash.

Zombie Singles Halloween Bash Friday, October 28, 9:00 p.m. – Midnight 

Zombie Wedding fun

Tickets $25 which includes admission for both you AND your wingman/woman!

This fun trick or treatin’ zombie event includes:

• *$3 drinks all night
• *Free munchies
• *Silent Auction
• *Costume Contests
• *Play the “Lock & Key” game for a chance to win $5,000!

*Silent Auction features a date with Melody Mendez of Fox 31 news!

-Limo, 2 hour microbrew tour, and dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse!

Proceeds benefit Blessings Inc.

Purchase tickets online at www.SendMeAnAngel.net

The Chateaux at Fox Meadows
13600 Xavier Lane
Broomfield, Colorado

Questions? Check out the Facebook Event page here.

Need some zombie wedding costume ideas? Check out the photos on the Zombie Wedding website.

Jess D’Arbonne also posted her slide show from the Zombie Apocolypse Saturday. All sorts of costuming ideas for you there.

Vines Wine Bar in Downtown Parker Colorado

If you are looking for a spectacular date night for a special occasion or just because you need a night out, Vines has it all. 

Red Wine by the Glass at Vines

Driving to the South of Denver and entering the quaint historic area of Parker is a treat all in itself. You’ll note the iconic white gazebo just to the West of the Tapas Bar with local art and the happy families with ice cream cones and dogs in tow meandering along the pathways of O’Brien Park. Once you enter the iron archway of Vines you’ll immediately be transported to old world elegance combined with the casual atmosphere of Parker.

The owner’s Lee and Shari Riggs are almost always nearby (unless they are leading a group of local foodies on the annual pilgrimage to a European vineyard vacation) and will happily talk to you about their concept, the food their serve and the wine’s they provide for their customers.

Each table in the restaurant was hand made by the Riggs and is one of a kind creation as are the wonderful tapas that you’ll be treated to.

If you are looking for a romantic spot to treat your special someone you have come to the right place. 

Excellent Staff

Every night is happy hour from 4-6 with 1/2 off Wine by the Glass, so this is a wonderful time to try some of the more elite options and discover a new favorite. There were so many requests for purchasing wines that Vines carried that last year Shari remodeled the back dining room into a wine shop offering not only fine wine for very reasonable prices but a wide variety of wine gifts as well.

Even if you are not a “wine snob” you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of beer and spirits including their own infused vodkas for one of a kind martini’s.

There are hundreds of bottles of wine to choose from and the selection changes continually as new wines are discovered by the highly trained staff.

Crème brûlée

The food is Tapas Style designed to pair nicely with a glass of wine. What is tapas? Tapa means lid or cover in Spanish and it’s said the tapas as we know it to day came about when bar owners in Spain would serve a piece of bread or meat to cover their customers glass of sherry so the fruit flies wouldn’t attack the sweet liquid. The spicy meat made everyone thirsty and thus the bar owners sold more spirits.

Usually two tapas per person constitutes a full meal perhaps leaving you room to share one of their mouth watering desserts. (Pictured is the Creme’ Brulee) the Tiramisu is also a highly recommended favorite along with Chocolate Trilogy for the chocoholics in your party.

Below you’ll find a photo gallery of some of the favorite tapas available.

Vines Wine Bar & Tapas

vines@vineswinebar.com

One block East of Parker Road on Mainstreet – MAP & Directions

“Our goal is simply to give our patrons a comfortable, unpretentious, & fun environment to enjoy wine, beer & food they would normally find only in the city.” Lee & Shari Riggs

Parker Insiders Tip: There are two fireplaces which make a wonderfully cozy romantic spot when there’s a chill in the air but you must call to reserve them in advance.

Colorado Micro Brews, 16th Street Mall, Free Music on the Patio

Rock Bottom Brewery 16th Street Mall Denver Colorado

Rock Bottom Brewery has just one more fun summer music concert on the 16th Street Mall left this year so grab you date and head to Downtown Denver.

Eldren featuring Petals of Spain - Friday, August 26, from 4 pm to 10 pm

• The Low Flying Knobs Marimba Band at 5 pm and Eldren featuring Petals of Spain at 7 pm

Rock Bottom treats it’s favorite customers with free tastings each time they tap a new specialty microbrew.

Free Beer at the Bottom – 16th Street Mall

Thursday, August 25, from 6 pm to 6:30 pm - Red Rocks Irish Style Red Tapping

One of our favorite Red Ales visits Denver

Tappings are at 6 pm, serving a complimentary pint (to those 21 and over) until 6:30 pm.

Join the Mug Club here  What do you get? Just show your mug club card and you get your hand crafted beer in a large mug instead of the smaller glass for the same price, which makes you look important.  You also get prizes, (For my birthday month I got two 16 ounce beer glasses) and an email inviting you to their special free tastings whenever they brew a new creation.

Rock Bottom Brewery Facebook Fan Page

Join the Fan Club here. You’ll receive email updates for your favorite location with barrel tappings, special events and coupons.

Rocky Bottom Breweries 7 Colorado Locations

Denver International Airport 9100 N Pena Blvd Denver, CO 80249 (303) 342-6667

Westminster Promenade 10633 Westminster Blvd Westminster, CO 80020 (720) 566-0198