Fort Collins can always count on a big crowd at the town’s annual art week, but this year they’re going bigger, with an expanded lineup and a broader geographical reach.
We’ve also got First Friday art walks all over the state, Cinco de Mayo celebrations and a social gathering in Denver for those looking for platonic connections.
April 30-May 6
Fort Collins Art Week. The Downtown Development Authority, which has produced Fort Collins Art Week for the past four years, handed the event over to FC Mural Project, opening the doors to new people, places and partnerships.
For organizers, that means pushing programs outside of the downtown area — like a pop-up exhibit at Foothills Mall — and pulling outside organizations into the city’s core, like walk-up aerial silk workshops from Live Beyond Limit. “Anyone can participate,” said Jess Bean, executive director of the FC Mural Project. “As long as they’re willing to sign a waiver,” she added.
Besides expanding geographically, this year’s organizers also wanted to add more evening activities around town, like the Petrichor Collective’s “Art Storm” takeover of Old Town Square Friday night and a free, outdoor screening of the 1960 cult classic, “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Other highlights include the free “Super Tour!”, a walking tour led by the FC Mural Project, Arts in Public Places, and the Historic Preservation commission, as well as panel discussions, artist-led workshops and multi-genre open mics.
The full lineup of more than 50 events can be found at this link, with age recommendations listed next to each event.
Free; May 1-9; Fort Collins
Other events to consider
- First Friday. First Fridays are for the arts. Drop by a block party in Carbondale, a free festival at the RiNo Art Park in Denver or a locals appreciation party — featuring live music and free booze — in Silverthorne. Free; May 1; Various locations
- Cinco de Mayo.Tuesday is Cinco de Mayo, which means the celebrations start Saturday. You’ll find food, dance, car shows in Greeley, Johnstown, Pueblo and Longmont; Chihuahua races in Denver; live music in Westwood; and ajalapeño-eating contest in Grand Junction. Free; May 2-5; Various locations
- Fabric gathering. A comfy night to make new social connections facilitated by Bridge, a Denver-based initiative tackling “the loneliness epidemic” through workshops, games and gatherings. $9-17; 2-4:30 p.m., May 2; Silver City Denver, 2121 Larimer St., Denver
Note: This is a curated list by the reporter to give readers a sense of arts and culture events happening across Colorado that they may not have otherwise known about. This is not meant to be an exhaustive account of things to do.