Wild Child at The Bluebird Theater
Through Friday. Austin, Texas, band Wild Child is beloved for its infectious melodies and sincere lyrics that tackle love and heartbreak. But the inspiration for the title track on its fifth studio album, “End of the World,” came from a more sinister experience: A 2021 ice storm that ravaged Texas and collapsed the state’s power grid. Many residents died of hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning from heating apparatuses.
Concerts Thursday, May 11, and Friday, May 12, at the Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. 8 p.m. with opener Próxima Parada. Tickets (nearly sold out): $30 via axs.com — Tiney Ricciardi
Happy hour with alpacas
Friday and Saturday. If you’ve never heard of the spirit Chawar, Boulder resident Eliot Logan-Hines is hoping to change that by bringing his herd of alpacas to bars in Denver where drinkers can pose with the animals for a selfie and try this unique liquor made from Ecuadorian agave.
Women in the Andes Mountains harvest the agave sap – Charwar derives its name from the Quechua word chawarmishki, meaning “raw” or “sweet,” according to Logan-Hines – which is then left to naturally ferment before it’s distilled. Some varieties Charwar sells are also barrel-aged.
The brand is hosting two events this weekend, including a pop-up tasting at North Boulder Liquor Store (3990 Broadway A, Boulder) on Friday, May 12, from 4 to 6 p.m., and a bar crawl on Saturday that starts at Somebody People (1165 S Broadway, #104 in Denver) at 4 p.m. facebook.com/andeanagave — Tiney Ricciardi
Railfans rejoice at Colorado Railroad Museum
Saturday and Sunday. Terms for the mechanically-obsessed, such as avgeeks (aviation nerds) are almost as endearing as the pursuits themselves. This weekend, railfans (you guessed — railroad fans) will gather at Colorado Railroad Museum for Denver’s biggest train-centric event.
“Colorado Crossings” is aimed at narrow-gauge railway and history enthusiasts, which can range from Thomas the Tank Engine-loving kids to retirees. A pair of coal-fired locomotives and three Galloping Geese trains will be in operation — the latter being self-propelled rail cars that once carried mail in southwest Colorado.
Grab tickets before they sell out, as they have the last two years: $10 (adults), $8 (seniors) or $2 (ages 2-17; kids under 2 are free). Train rides are an additional $4 adults and seniors and $5 ages 2-17. Located at 17155 W. 44th Ave. in Golden. 303-279-4591 or coloradorailroadmuseum.org — John Wenzel
A “Prismatic” view of queer art
Friday-July 6. Boulder’s Dairy Center for the Arts is launching its first queer showcase in advance of Pride Month in June with the multi-hued show “Prismatic.” On view through early July, it’s both a curated, invitational exhibition (theme: Black and White) and a community-sourced open call “curated along the color spectrum,” wrote Drew Austin, curator of visual arts at The Dairy.
An opening reception will take place 5-8 p.m. on Friday, May 12. Regular hours: 2-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation. 2590 Walnut St. in Boulder. thedairy.org — John Wenzel
