Rodrigo’s rise, and a masterful Morissette
Tuesday. Ascendant pop-rock artist Olivia Rodrigo, a product of Disney shows such as “High School Musical,” is opting to build a career that lasts over one that flames out. Part of that includes the 21-year-old paying tribute to peers and forebears with her choice of supporting acts on her Guts Tour (see The Breeders and Chappell Roan, in particular). She’s upgrading to Ball Arena for the first time on Tuesday, July 30, after last playing a pair of shows at Mission Ballroom. The concert with PinkPantheress is sold out, but as intrepid fans have learned, after-market tickets (often deeply discounted, if you can wait until the last minute) will not be hard to find.
The next night at Ball, ’90s alt-rock queen Alanis Morissette returns for a show spanning her masterful catalog of hits as part of the Triple Moon Tour. Tickets for the Wednesday, July 31, concert are $49-$149 via ticketmaster.com.
Wynkoop Brewing’s hot wings challenge
Monday. Feeling spicy? Wynkoop Brewing Company is getting in on the hot-wings trend by holding its own hot-wing competition featuring five increasingly painful sauces. Dubbed the Wynkoop Hot Wing Games, the self-inflicted mayhem is a contest to see who can go the longest without drinking water — with gift cards, beer and Wynkoop swag for winners. The sauces include a trio of styles chosen from the “Hot Ones” YouTube show, plus a pair of fiery entries from Wynkoop’s own chefs.
The Monday, July 29, event runs 6-8:30 p.m. at 1634 18th St. in Lower Downtown Denver. Entry is free, but Wynkoop encourages RSVPs via evenbrite.com. 18-and-up. Visit wynkoop.com for more.
The 24th Underground Music Showcase
Friday-Sunday. Denver’s biggest, most dynamic music-discovery festival is back for its 24th year, with more than 200 artists along a 1-mile stretch of South Broadway. Denver’s Underground Music Showcase this year is also focused on wellness, organizers said, with all-ages and sober support amid other options, thanks to nonprofit co-owner Youth on Record.
The mix of local and national acts spans rock, pop, punk, hip hop, country and R&B, with Beach Fossils, Tkay Maidza, Amyl and the Sniffers, The Mañanas, Neoma, Rubio, Vacations, Priya Ragu, Godly the Ruler, Mareux and dozens more. Shows at the walkable event take place at 4 outdoor and 10 indoor stages, between 6th and Alameda avenues.
The fest runs Friday, July 26-Sunday, July 28. Tickets: $60-$75 per day, or $125 for a full weekend pass (prices do not include service fees). Get tickets, lineup details, transportation options and an accessibility guide at undergroundmusicshowcase.com, where you can also download the free UMS app.
Other worthy fests: Su Teatro’s 28th Chicano Music Fest (through July 28; suteatro.org) and the 21st Global Dance Festival at Stockyards Event Center (July 26-27; globaldancefestival.com)
Family fun at Arapahoe County Fair
Through Sunday. Bring the whole family to the 118th Arapahoe County Fair, which kicks off Thursday, July 25, and continues through Sunday, July 27, at 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora. Tickets include access to on-site parking, unlimited carnival rides, CPRA rodeos, fireworks (weather and fire restrictions permitting), NSPA truck and tractor pulls, Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, mutton bustin’, Top Hogs pig racing, line dancing lessons, petting farm, 4-H livestock shows, Kids Corral and numerous other activities, organizers said.
Food, beverages and other vendors will be available for purchase. General admission is $25; kids under 36 inches tall get in free. Pours on the Plains, a craft brew festival for 21-and-up attendees, requires a separate ticket for the 6:30-9:30 p.m. event on July 26 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday. arapahoecountyfair.com
Originally Published: July 25, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.
