Pop up to Aspen
Thursday-Friday: Craving a quick day trip from Denver? Head to Aspen to enjoy the mountains and stop by a pop-up bar that will transport you to the beach. Chicago’s acclaimed haunt, Three Dots and a Dash, will take over the rooftop at the W Aspen hotel, 550 S. Spring St., bringing with it the tiki-inspired drinks that landed the watering hole on the list of the World’s Best Bars in 2014.
Three Dots and a Dash’s beverage director Kevin Beary will be onsite showcasing creations like the Strawberry Jungle Bird, made with Overproof Jamaican rum, Select Apertivo, lime, pineapple and clarified strawberry. The W Aspen’s rooftop pool will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. both days. Entry is free; the coastal vibes are priceless. — Tiney Ricciardi
Put it all together
Friday: Asian and Latino communities come together from 6 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 18 for a special event that blends cultures. The inaugural Saigon Azteca Night Market allows attendees to shop for cultural goods from local vendors, and check out performances like Asian Lion Dancing and Danza Azteca. There also will be music from local DJs, a collaborative art show highlighting Latinx and Asian artists, youth activities, and a special food and drink menu “that fuses flavors and ingredients used in traditional Latin and Asian cuisine,” according to organizers.
“Historically, most of Westwood’s population has been made up of a majority of Latinx and Asian residents. In fact, a greater part of the local businesses in this neighborhood are owned by refugees and immigrants,” according to Hecho in Westwood, which is hosting the event at 3738 Morrison Road. Looking ahead, the second market will take place at the Far East Center in west Denver in the spring of 2024. More info at hechoenwestwood.com. — Jonathan Shikes
Peach perfect
Friday-Saturday: You know them. You love them. Now, find them at their source when the 55th annual Palisade Peach Festival takes over Palisade’s Riverbend Park on Aug. 18-19. The fest begins at noon on Friday with vendors, food trucks, activities, peach cuisine demos, a barbecue showdown, peach-eating contests and live music all afternoon and evening.
The festival continues on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. with the same event and activities. There is also a 5K on Saturday, followed by the Palisade Peach Fest Parade. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids. They are available, along with information, at palisadecoc.com. — Jonathan Shikes
Sip, shop and support
Saturday: If you’re like us, you don’t need a good reason to indulge in the local culinary scene, but here is a good one anyway. The ElevAsian Night Market is a fundraiser for Asian Girls Ignite, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander girls and women through school-based programs and mentorship. All you have to do to support it is sample food from local, women-led AAPI restaurants like Yuan Wonton, MAKfam and No Ke Aloha, and enjoy musical and dance performances.
The event, coming to Tivoli Turnhalle at 900 Auraria Parkway, from 4 to 10 p.m., also includes a market featuring local vendors selling desserts and drinks (some proceeds will be donated to support victims of the Maui wildfire). Tickets are $64.99 for general admission, and $129.99 for VIP amenities like private lounge access and free swag. Find more information at asiangirlsignite.org/elevasian. — Tiney Ricciardi
Hey DJ! Play that song
Saturday-Sunday: Put the needle on the record and dance, dance. The Rocky Mountain Record Show returns on Aug. 19-20 with more vendors (70) and the largest selection (150,000 records) of vinyl ever. But to make the show more than just a buying and selling event, organizers have included local DJs spinning vinyl, food trucks, a poster show and a bar.
“As collectors ourselves, we felt like the event we wanted to attend simply didn’t exist, so we decided to produce it. It turns out a lot of other people wanted to attend as well,” said show co-founder Kobi Waldfogel in a statement. The show, taking place at The Brighton, 3403 Brighton Blvd. in Denver, runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $12 on Saturday and free on Sunday (RSVP required). rockymountainrecordshow.com
