Wednesday, June 19, 6-10 p.m.
McNichols Building at Civic Center Park
144 W. Colfax Avenue, Denver 80202
Registration Required

Hey, we know how to throw a craftacular shindig and this year’s Etsy craft party will be no exception. Like a bunch of meatballs, we’re going to roll into summer with a craft camp party. There’ll be crafting stations, a couple great summer camp movies, a hot dog commissary, bug juice bar and camp-y dessert.

Sign up to make a ceramic incense burner, old school lanyards, cycle-chic friendship bracelets and even send a personalized postcard to someone “back home.” Crafters are also welcome to bring their favorite portable handwork; a busy camper is a happy camper!

You’ll have a chance to earn your camp badges by participating in various artsy activities. Enjoy the best of summer camp without having to use a rock as a pillow! And it is all free with your registration.

Registration is required. Register online by clicking on the event you wish to register for below (you'll have the option to select your time on the registration page):

• *Ceramics Workshop at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. (6 p.m. session is full)
• *Lanyard Workshop at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.
• *Friendship Bracelet Workshop at 6 p.m. or 8 p.m.
• *Postcards from Camp Workshop at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m.,
  7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. or 9:30 p.m.

You may also register by calling 720-865-1206.

This program is supported by Arts & Venues Cultural Partner Program at the McNichols Civic Center Building.

Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Central City Opera House
124 Eureka Street, Central City 80247
Meet at the Central City Opera House Garden
at 11 a.m.
Registration Required

Grab some picnic food, your sunglasses and get out on the open road for a scenic jaunt ‘up the hill’ to Central City. Fresh City Life hosts this unique opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Central City Opera House. Take a special tour of the opera, get a backstage point of view and hear about the upcoming productions. You’ll see a rehearsal in progress and actors perfecting their scenes from either The Barber of Seville or Our Town. Pack a lunch and enjoy the sights and history of Central City. After the tour, you're on your own to have some fun on the town. Registration required. Please register online or call 720-865-1206.

Photo by Mark Kiryluk.

Don your corset and grab your goggles! Steampunk movies are coming to DPL. Join us every Tuesday in June for a collection of movies that embody the steampunk aesthetic and philosophy. Costumes are encouraged! 

Hellboy (2004)
Tuesday, June 4, 6:30-9 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Mike Mignola's acclaimed comic book series about a creature from Hades who joins the battle against evil arrives on the screen in vivid form in this adaptation directed by distinctive horror filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. Hellboy finds himself facing his greatest challenge when the powerful villian Rasputin determines to unleash the forces of darkness to reign over the world. 132 minutes.

The Prestige (2006)
Tuesday, June 11, 6:30-9 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Obsession, jealousy, and deceit define the tense relationship shared between two turn-of-the-century magicians in director Christopher Nolan's dizzying tale of sleight of hand. Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are London-based magicians of the highest order, both blessed with spectacular powers of deception and both cursed with unrelenting envy for one another's skills. Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie co-star in a feature that finds director/screenwriter Nolan reuniting with brother and Memento story author Jonathan Nolan to adapt author Christopher Priest's original novel. 128 minutes. Rated PG-13.

Serenity (2005)
Tuesday, June 18, 6:30-9 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

A band of renegades on the run in outer space get in more hot water than they anticipated in this sci-fi action-adventure adapted from the television series ‘Firefly.’ In the 26th century, the crew of Serenity wander the galaxy, taking on whatever work they can get, from criminal activities like smuggling and stealing to legitimately offering transport to travelers. Serenity was written and directed by Joss Whedon (in his directorial debut), creator of ‘Firefly,’ which only lasted 11 weeks on the air but gained a powerful cult following. 119 minutes. Rated PG-13.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Tuesday, June 25, 6:30-9 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous super-sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, gets an update with this adaptation of Lionel Wigram's comic book series by writer/director Guy Ritchie (RocknRolla) starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular detective, with Jude Law stepping into the shoes of his sidekick, Dr. Watson. Heading up the rest of the cast are RocknRolla's Mark Strong as the film's villain, Blackwood, and Rachel McAdams portraying the love interest, Irene Adler. 128 minutes. Rated PG-13.

Be sure to check out DPL @ Denver Comic Con May 31 - June 2!

Events and social occasions that encourage all of us to get out amongst’em. Come and enjoy great people, opportunities to be involved, and the seriousness of frivolity.

Untitled: Darn at DAM
Friday, May 31, 6-10 p.m.
Denver Art Museum, 13th Avenue at Acoma Plaza

Express yourself without exerting yourself. Fresh City Life takes the word ‘darn’ for its other meaning – a G-rated verbalization of repressed emotion. Come play with us and experiment with a Lichtenstein-esque exercise in the banality of words where ‘WOW!’ becomes ‘meh,’  ‘POW!’ becomes ‘ow,’ ‘Argh!’ turns into ‘oh’ and ‘Cowabunga!’ translates to ‘ok.’ You’ll create a cool fridge magnet that lets everyone know that you’re teetering on the brink of absolute ennui. General admission for Untitled events is $10 and the Fresh City Life station is free with admission. For more details, please visit collective.denverartmuseum.org.

Nature in Paperclay®
Saturday, June 8, 1-4 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center
Registration Required

Create lasting, sculptural pieces using this lightweight and versatile art medium. Explore paper clay manipulation with our expert instructor and turn Paperclay® into an organic, expressive bouquet. Students will learn tips for creating different abstracted floral shapes and growth patterns! Finished work will be bas relief and, once it is dry, will be ready to hang on the wall. $10 materials fee, all supplies included. Registration required. Please register online or call 720-865-1206.

Freestyle Knitting
Every Monday, 5-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge
No Registration Required

Every Monday evening the Fresh City Lounge is open for freestyle stitchers to come in and enjoy the company of other knitters. Bring any portable handwork. Please note, the Library will be closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day.

Get Hooked: Beginning Crochet
Mondays, May 6, 13, and 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge
Registration Closed

The ultra portable, easy-to-learn cousin of knitting; our beginning crochet class is a great way to take up this retro hobby. Instructor Christa Rogers will share tips, techniques and her love of this fiber craft in this three-part workshop. And once you have the basics down, Christa will share a handful of great patterns for you to choose from for your first project. After completing this workshop, you’ll be ready to make accessories for yourself or for gifts. There is a $15 fee for this workshop; all materials (except crochet hooks) provided for this workshop. Registration is closed.

In the Clutch: Zippered Handbag Workshop
Mondays, June 3, 10, 17 and 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Fresh City Lounge
Registration Opens May 20

We resisted the urge to call this class the Dapper Dan workshop after the 1970s plush doll that kids used to learn how to dress themselves. You’ll be knitting a clutch purse that will help you explore techniques that will multiply your fibers skills immensely. In this sweet little bag pattern (created for us by our teacher Ann Myhre), you’ll discover opportunities to put in a pocket, add buttonholes, create slip stitch colorwork, install a zipper by hand and add a flourish with crochet edgings. Complete this four-week workshop, and you’ll feel like a big kid in the world of technical knitting. All materials included ($25 materials fee). You’ll also need size 7 knitting needles, which you may bring from home or purchase on the first night of class. Registration is required and will open on Monday, May 20.

Spirit of the Celts: Jerry Barlow
Saturday, May 18, 2-3 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Schlessman Hall

Acclaimed Celtic guitarist Jerry Barlow is a virtuoso musician, a warm and accessible performer, and a world-class storyteller. His repertoire is composed of a synthesis of traditional music from the British Isles and his own original Celtic-inspired compositions. Barlow’s music transports the listener across time and space on an imaginary journey to a  rustic Irish fishing village, the misty Scottish Highlands or an enchanted English forest. Enjoy the arrangements that have been described as “music to soothe the soul, warm the heart, and lift the spirit.” Fresh City Life is pleased to host Jerry Barlow in concert.

Castle Rock Community Ringers: Bell Choir Concert
Saturday, May 18, 1-2 p.m.
McNichols Building at Civic Center Park
144 W. Colfax Avenue, Denver 80202
Parking Information (PDF)

Fresh City Life and Denver Arts and Venues present a spring concert with the Castle Rock Community Ringers. CRCR has dazzled audiences at The Denver Public Library for two seasons. Bringing a fresh perspective and expert touch to the centuries-old art of ringing handbells, CRCR is one of the most sought-after bell choirs in the metro Denver area. Tuned sets of bells were first introduced in 1696 in Europe and migrated to the United States in 1902. Listening to these odd instruments is a fun and unique aural experience – and the Castle Rock Community Ringers mix classic and modern compositions for an extraordinary concert.

This program is supported by Arts & Venues Cultural Partner Program at the McNichols Civic Center Building.

Please note that the stretch of Bannock St. along Civic Center Park will be closed May 13-18 due to a film shoot. Please allow extra time for parking and possible detours.

Uilleann Pipes with Eric Olson
Saturday, June 1, 2-3 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Schlessman Hall

A haunting instrument with an Irish pedigree, Uilleann pipes have never sounded better than when played by expert Eric Olson. He presents this fascinating concert on the bagpipes that are akin to the Scottish pipes that we all know so well. Uilleann pipes have a greater tonal and octave range, are subtle and poetic enough to play indoors, and are usually played sitting down. Because of the bellows attached to these pipes, the musician can speak and sing while the instrument is played. Don’t miss this rare chance to hear the wistful music of the Uilleann pipes floating through our great hall.

Daniel Ondaro
Saturday, June 15, 2-3 p.m.
Central Library, Level 1 Schlessman Hall

Guitarist, singer and composer Daniel Ondaro has broad and diverse musical experience. Performing in acts ranging from Opera to Blues, Brazilian to Bluegrass, Daniel’s eclectic tastes and superb musicality have won him praise in the United States, South America and Europe. Whether it's performing a hot mix of north and south American music with his band NuMundo, or a quiet evening of beautiful Bossa Nova songs, Daniel’s playing, singing and writing have the ability to inspire and connect people from around the world. He will be performing Brazilian, Jazz and original music for guitar and voice with works by Jobim, Gilberto, Pixinguinha and more.

Need more information about a Fresh City Life event? Call 720-865-1206.