After a winter that refused to end, it’s finally warm and Denver is alive! This summer is filled to the brim with live music, festivals, and other compelling community events — so read on to learn the top five things happening in June that have me the most excited:
Live Music at the Levitt Pavilion
June 1, 2, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 21, 23, and 28
Ruby Hill Park - 1380 West Florida Ave, Denver CO 80223
Free Admission
The Levitt Pavilion puts on free shows all summer, with ten concerts scheduled during the month of June alone. With a beautiful green space, beer on tap, live music, and no entrance charge, you’ll find few better ways to spend a warm evening than grooving out in Ruby Hill Park. Shows include *deep breath*: Esme Patterson with Carsie Blanton, Jenny and the Mexicats with Bang Data, the Phamaly 30th Anniversary Concert, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra with The Dendrites and Denver Vintage Reggae Society, Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers with A-Mac and The Height, The Slackers with the Alcapones, Queen City Country & Western Showcase, Who’s Bad, School of Rock Showcase, and Greyhounds with Patrick Dethlefs. After seeing The Jive Tribe and Tea Leaf Green tear up the stage in May, I am eager to frequent the Levitt Pavilion all summer long.
Film on the Rocks
June 3 (Ghostbusters), June 17 (Mean Girls)
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
$16
Film on the Rocks is celebrating its 20th season this summer! The Denver Film Society will screen iconic comedies Ghostbusters and Mean Girls in June, each preceded by live music and stand-up comedy. Cure your case of the Mondays every other week by enjoying music, comedy, and movies with 9,000 of your closest friends at one of the most beautiful venues in the world. A solution to seating stress? Schlepp up a cushion or blanket and savor some cinema in this scenic setting all season long!
City Park Jazz
June 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 - 6-8pm
City Park
Free Admission
Five Sundays in June means five free jazz concerts thrown by City Park Jazz! A gorgeous celebration of music, community, food, and nature held at the pavilion since 1986, this summer’s acts include Emma Mayes & The Hip, Joe Smith & the Spicy Pickles, Hazel Miller, Dotsero, and Buckner FunkenJazz. And don’t worry! It’s a family event regardless of all of the sax and violins.
Cats on Mats
June 5, 12, 19, and 26 - 5:30-6:30pm
Denver Animal Shelter - 1241 W Bayaud Ave Denver, CO 80223
$15 donation encouraged
All summer long, Denver Animal Shelter is hosting Cats on Mats — a professionally-taught yoga class enhanced by free-roaming kittens. On Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm, enjoy an hour of yoga surrounded by cuddly and adoptable kittens while simultaneously supporting the Denver Animal Shelter. Leave feline loose, relaxed, and purrhaps even with a new furry friend!
Denver Deluxe
June 22, 1:30-9:30pm
Walnut St. between 25th and 27th Street, and 26th St. between Larimer and Blake Street
$20 General Admission,
$30 Deluxe Package,
Kids under 12: Free
(Photo credit: Nikki Rae Photography)
For the fourth consecutive year, Park Burger is hosting Denver Deluxe, a community block party that celebrates local music and art. Along with an all-afternoon-long music fest, Denver Deluxe features live art from local graffiti and street artists, and of course their famous burgers. Have a beer and a burger while enjoying music from G. Love & Special Sauce, Magic City Hippies, Wild Rivers, Ballyhoo!, Brad Corrigan, Dog City Disco, Listo, Legato, Whitacre, Kellen Claymore, Vintage Reggae Society, and our personal friends at Mile High Soul Club.
June-ever know what amazing experiences you might stumble upon in Denver. So grab a water bottle, put on your sunglasses, and explore the magic of what summer in the awesome city has to offer.
