AROUND TOWN
Cherry Arts Stanley Ticketed 6-9 p.m., Sept. 16; free 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sept. 17; free 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sept. 18. Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St. Visit Cherryartsstanley.org or call 303-355-2787 for more information.
The wait for Aurora’s biggest, baddest retail establishment continues this month, but backers of the Stanley Marketplace are providing a proverbial appetizer for their cultural bazaar this weekend with the second annual incarnation of Cherry Arts Stanley. The Aurora version of the fabled Cherry Creek Arts Festival, the gathering on Dallas Street will feature a slew of local artworks, food vendors and tunes — a taste of what will soon be daily fodder at the former aviation manufacturing facility. While cash registers aren’t expected to go “ka-ching” at Stanley until next month, get a taste — with a dash of Cherry Creek — Sept. 16-18. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the city’s recently completed street mural, compliments of Lakewood-based artist Yulia Avgustinovich, just south of Stanley on Clinton Street.
ONSTAGE
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka — The Musical Performances at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 & 17, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 18. The Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St. Tickets start at $28. Call 303-856-7830 or visit vintagetheatre.com for more information. The show runs through Oct. 30.
Pumpkin-spice won’t be the only autumnal flavor floating through the air in Aurora this season. There will be a few snozzberries (that taste, and presumably smell, like snozzberies, of course) sprinkled along Dayton Street as well. Vintage Theatre Productions is pumping some life into the story of Roald Dahl’s zany chocolatier with the musical adaptation by Leslie Briccuse and Anthony Newly. The show follows Charlie Bucket as he meanders through Mr. Wonka’s (R.I.P.) kooky candy factory, one riddled with chocolate rivers, bratty children and more than a few orange-faced, green-haired Oompa Loompas. Deb Flomberg directs this eternal children’s classic.
Water by the Spoonful Performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. on Sundays. Sept. 3 – Oct. 15. 1080 Acoma St., Denver. Tickets start at $24. Call 303-623-0524 or visit curioustheatre.org for more information.
If ghouls and other seedy personalities are off your theatrical radar this season, Denver’s Curious Theatre Company is here to satiate your dramatic druthers. Curious is staging “Water by the Spoonful,” a 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama that centers on the struggles, and galvanization, of a 21st century family. Penned by Quiara Alegria Hudes and directed in Denver by Chip Walton, the production is a devastating and powerful analysis of what gels, and destroys, a struggling clan. Gabriella Cavellero stars as Odessa.
The Oldest Boy Performances at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 & 17, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 18. The Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St. Tickets start at $27. Call 303-856-7830 or visit vintagetheatre.com for more information. The show runs through Oct. 23.
The Vintage Theatre is hosting more than just chocolatiers next month. In a novel collaboration with fellow Aurora production company Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA), The Vintage is staging “The Oldest Boy,” a spiritual tale of enlightenment and parental sacrifice. After learning that their son may be the reincarnation of a Buddhist teacher, an American mother and Tibetan father are faced with a difficult decision when a pair of monks ask to train the boy in India. Vintage Executive Director Craig Bond directs.
House of Poetry 7:30 p.m., Sept. 16, Aurora Cultural Arts District Gallery, 1400 Dallas St. Entry is $10; $5 if you’re on the open mic list. Visit the 5280 Artist Co-op Facebook page for more information.
The Aurora Cultural Arts District gallery is once again going to be on “fiyah” this weekend thanks to a local group of slam poets who have quickly become monthly staples at the ACAD gallery on Dallas Street. Sponsored by 5280 Artist Co-op, the event features rhymes from several budding poets, including several from Denver’s esteemed Slam Nuba outfit. Local rhymester Jozer is slated to be this month’s featured artist. With complimentary sangria and top-notch prose, the event promises to be an at times fun, at times serious lesson in the power of spoken word. Just don’t forget to bring your fire extinguisher.
The post THE MIX: Top Entertainment & Events in Aurora-Denver, Sept. 15- 21 appeared first on Aurora Sentinel.