More than 100 art galleries are participating along with dozens of theatres and museums and countless artisans, performers, volunteers and gallery owners/staff have prepared to showcase something for everyone.  Whether you are hankering for our historical heritage, have a thirst for a modern masterpiece or simply want to explore, this week is for you.

Visit Denver has coordinated a wide range of exciting events and they are counting on us to join in all the fun.  For our purposes, I’m going to highlight 3 events, one event for each day of the weekend, that represent Denver’s Arts Week; Know Your Arts First Friday, Night Out at the Museums and Sunday on Stage.  However, I encourage you to investigate the countless activities happening through out the week. 

Kicking off Denver Arts Week is Know Your Arts First Friday, taking place on Friday, November 6, 2009.  Know Your Arts First Friday is the perfect event for an introduction into Denver’s local art scene and provides access to amazing art galleries and talented artists.  Did you know Denver has 7 art districts; ArtDistrict on Santa Fe, Cherry Creek North, Golden Triangle Museum District, Downtown Denver, RiNo (River North Art District), Tennyson Street and Belmar Block 7.  Each of these locations feature one-of-a kind galleries, hip artists and swank eateries.  If you’ve never participated in an art walk, you may want to pick a district that is nearest to you or start out with the ArtDistrict on Santa Fe.  If you didn’t already know, First Friday Art Walks take place every month and the galleries are open late, the atmosphere is festive and you may end up making this a monthly tradition.  For more information on Know Your Arts First Friday and for all the special events surrounding this special evening, visit www.denver.org/DenverArtsWeek/FirstFriday.aspx.    

If Dinner and a Movie sound routine you can’t miss Denver’s Night Out at the Museums.  On Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 5-10 PM, eleven museums will be open with FREE admission including the Denver Art Museum, Molly Brown House, Museum of Contemporary Art and Denver’s Museum of Nature and Science.  AND, FREE transportation is provided.  Shuttles start at 5:00 and leave from the Denver Art Museum and Cherry Creek Shopping Center.  Shuttle service ends at 10:00 PM.  For more information on Denver’s Night Out at the Museums, a fantastic surprise and transportation schedules, check out www.denver.org/DenverArtsWeek/NightAtTheMuseum.aspx#schedule. 

The third and last event I’m going to spotlight takes place on Sunday, November 8^th.  Sunday on Stage is the showcase for performance art.  There will be opportunities to go behind the scenes and learn about the actors and dancers and how productions come together.  Several theatres and performing arts studios are offering free or discounted tickets for shows.  For example, The Denver Center Theatre Company is offering 2 for 1 tickets to “A Christmas Carol” for only $52.80.  Or, you can look into other discount tickets offered by the Ballet, Symphony or performances at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.  The Denver Performing Arts Complex open house is just one of the many events being held on Sunday.  Please visit the following link for more information regarding Sunday on Stage, www.denver.org/DenverArtsWeek/SundayOnStage.aspx.

Enjoy and explore our plentiful art scene this week, indulge your inner virtuoso and stretch your imagination.  These events and our focus on the arts is one of the many reasons we love Denver.

Written by Perry & Co. Real Estate Agent Kim Hutchins