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Starting Fri., May 6, 6p.m.-2a.m. at the Mercury Café, 2199 California St., with Poets in Performance and several storytellers. The “Podeo” restarts at 10a.m., Sat., May 7 with non-poets invited to read their favorite verse to the breakfast and lunch crowds, followed by readings and presentations by Lighthouse Writers, Columbine Poets and Art from Ashes. Denver’s top slam poets will warm up the crowd for evening festivities. Free, open to all. Info: 303-294-9281, mercurycafe.com.

Help Washington Street Community Center grow and continue to serve at the Share Our Future silent auction and celebration, Sat., May 7, 5-9p.m., 809 S. Washington St.
            Also at the Center: stop in for home-cooked meals for all, every week: Breakfasts served 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fridays, from 8:30-10a.m., for $5 ($4 members). Lunches at very reasonable prices served each Tues. & Wed. at noon.
            Take a break and let WSCC serve you homemade pizza – both vegetarian and meaty – on Cook’s Night Off, Thur., May 19, 4:30-6:30p.m., for $5/person ($3/kids 5-12). Beverages, salad, dessert included. Eat in or take out. 
            Info: wscc-denver.org, 303-733-4643.

Sift through treasures from others’ garages, attics & basements at Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue Garage Sale Day, Sat., May 7, 7a.m.-2p.m., at 1001 E. Louisiana Ave. (at S. Ogden St.). Proceeds from sale of household items, kitchen utensils, tools, antiques, home furnishings, collectibles (including original “Barbie” products and musician memorabilia) and brand new pet-related craft items benefit Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue’s homeless cat and kitten rescue and adoption efforts.  Info: 303-744-6076 or arascolorado.org

Take in the wealth of over 1,200 pieces of original art in all price ranges by more than 100 local artists at the Park Hill Art Club Spring Show and Sale, May 7 & 8, at Park Hill United Methodist Church, 5209 Montview Blvd. Hours: Sat., 10a.m.-6p.m., & Sun., 9:30a.m.-4p.m. Info: Tavia Campbell at 303-808-4506.

Denver Potters Association brings together over 30 of the area’s finest artists for its Spring Show and Sale, Sat. & Sun., May 7 & 8, at Sixth Avenue United Church, 3250 E. 6th Ave. Features one-of-a-kind functional and sculptural ceramics and jewelry, glass, wood and other fine crafts. Free admission. Info: 303-377-5535, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Peruse antiques and vintage collectibles at the DU Antique Study Group’s Annual Garage Sale at the Masonic Temple, 350 S. Broadway, Sat., May 7, 9a.m.-4p.m. The Study Group has promoted antique education since 1967, and was originally a part of the DU Faculty Wives Club. Info: Jean, 303-773-9970, or Susan, 303-690-5705.

Drive up and load up on free mulch at the Mulch Giveaway & Compost Sale – while supplies last – Sat., May 7, 8a.m.-3p.m. Get free mulch and buy compost at Havana Nursery, 10450 Smith Rd., where front-end loader service for trucks and trailers is available. Mulch-only, dig-your-own site at Veterans Park, E. Iowa Ave. & S. Vine St. (see website for other locations). Bring your own shovel and containers, plus a tarp to cover your load. Residents only, no commercial vehicles. Limit of 3 cubic yards of compost per vehicle. Compost is $3 per 10 gallon bag or $30 per cubic yard (plus tax). Info: call 311 or visit DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles.

A four-day Create Denver Week returns to frame the 6th annual Create Denver Expo, Sat., May 14, at the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave., 10a.m.-4p.m. The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs’ Expo offers Denver’s creative community workshops and a one-stop opportunity to learn about resources to help grow and stabilize their businesses. $5 allows access to unlimited workshops, but limited space requires pre-registration. Exhibit hall admission is free. Advance registration (bit.ly/CDWeekExpoRSVP) closes May 10; first-come, first-served at-door registration is cash only.
            Create Denver Week activities include: Thur., May 12, LAUNCH: Opening Night Celebration of New Ideas at the Spire Building, 14th & Champa St., 7-10p.m.; Fri., 13, LOCAL NETWORK: Gathering of New Pioneers panel discussion and outdoor video presentations, 6-9:30p.m.; Sat., 14, Mix & Assemble local music showcase, fashion show and poster art auction at Behind City O’ City, 13th & Sherman, held from 6-10p.m.; and Sun., 15, Your Sunday Best market, brunch and entertainment at Grant-Humphreys Mansion, 770 Pennsylvania St., 11a.m.-6p.m.

Ride light rail to the Friends of the Englewood Public Library’s Spring Book Sale, Fri. & Sat., May 13 & 14, 10:30a.m.-2:30p.m., at Englewood Public Library, 1000 Englewood Pkwy. in the Civic Center – walking distance from RTD’s Englewood Station, Info: 303-762-2560.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment, laughter and fun designed with women in mind at Girls Night Out!, Fri. & Sat., May 13 & 14, 6-10p.m., at the Grant Avenue Community Center, 216 S. Grant St. Shop, eat, drink and watch Washington Park resident Coleen Hubbard’s award-winning documentary The Purse Chronicles, followed by a short, interactive skit.
            Bid on unique, artsy and craftsy purses each night, and enjoy snacks, wine, pampering, and trying on & buying “girly” items. The non-profit Merchants of West Washington Park, comprised of West Wash Park neighborhood merchants, is proud to sponsor this event. Tickets/info: 720-232-3390, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Shop for more than 50 varieties of tomatoes (mostly heirloom), 45+ herbs, other veggies, annuals, perennials and ground covers at the Front Range Organic Gardeners & the Herb Society of America Rocky Mountain Unit’s Sale of Organic Veggie & Herb Plants, Sat., May 14, 9a.m.-1p.m., at Denver Presbytery Center, 1710 S. Grant St. New this year are vendors of gardening and gift items. Free presentations on organic gardening and herbs at 9:30 and 10:15a.m. Cash only; bring carrying trays or containers. Info: 303-744-7871, GardenFrog.org.

Pick through plants a-plenty at the Plant-A-Palooza fundraising plant sale, Sat., May 14, 8a.m.-3p.m., at 888 E. Iliff Ave., in Harvard Gulch Park. Shop for heirloom and modern tomatoes, peppers, basil, annuals and perennials. Colorado Master Gardener volunteers will be onsite to assist. Benefits Colorado State University Extension. Info: 720-913-5270.

Stargazers young and old are invited to an Open House, Sat., May 14, at DU’s historic Chamberlin Observatory, starting at 8p.m. Take a peek through the university’s 20-inch telescope for $1 per person, or look through telescopes of Denver Astronomical Society members. The monthly gathering is hosted by DU and the Society, at Observatory Park, 2930 E. Warren Ave., at S. Fillmore St. Public Nights held each Tues. & Thur., starting at 7p.m., in the Observatory, with lecture and viewing. Reservations required; $3, $2 kids. Info/reservations: denverastro.org.

Bring up to five boxes of documents to be safely sliced and diced at a free Shred-a-thon, Sat., May 14, 7a.m.-noon, at 9News, Speer Blvd. & Logan St., sponsored by the Denver District Attorney’s office in conjunction with 9News, Denver Metro Crime Stoppers and Shred-it.

Runners may tackle a race alone, but the Colfax Marathon won’t run itself: 1,000 volunteers are needed before, during and after the Sun., May 15, footrace in City Park, for a wide variety of tasks, from helping with the initial race planning, assisting with the Sports and Fitness Expo, to staffing the start/finish line. All volunteers receive t-shirt, food and beverages.
            Online volunteer registration at runcolfax.org; contact Carol Hiller, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 303-282-5073, with questions.

Celebrate National Jewish Heritage Month with free admission to the Mizel Museum, Sun., May 15, and view 4,000 Year Road Trip: Gathering Sparks, a dynamic journey through art, artifacts and digital media that narrates and celebrates Jewish culture and history, including Jewish Colorado. Mizel Museum, 400 S. Kearney St. is open that Sunday 11a.m.-4:30p.m. Info: mizelmuseum.org, 303-394-9993.

See how Habitat Metro Denver is transforming the community one home, one family at a time at its annual Breakfast for Humanity, a free, one-hour presentation Tues., May 17, at Infinity Park Events Center, 4400 E. Kentucky Ave., starting at 7:30a.m. Keynote speaker is Roxane White, chief of staff to Gov. John Hickenlooper, with personal testimony presented by Ann Padilla, daughter of a Habitat homeowner, and emcee’d by 9News anchor Cheryl Preheim. RSVP by May 10 to Kimberly Urish, 720-496-2716 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Watch 12 of the top 50 U.S. croquet players compete in the 4th annual Rocky Mountain International Open, Thur.-Sun., May 19-22, at the Denver Croquet Club’s home court on “The Lawn” in Washington Park (west of Franklin St. & Mississippi Ave.) The play’s free to watch each day, and open to all.
            Special events include Artist Day, Thur., 19, and Photographer Day, Fri., 20, when artists are invited to display their works in designated areas surrounding the Lawn, 8a.m.-5p.m., plus a Friday evening auction; contact Amy Dixon Fine Art, 720-524-6919, if interested in participating. Closing ceremony and open brunch (fee) is Sun., May 22, 11a.m.
            The playing field was built in 1924 for the Washington Park Lawn Bowling Club, which still bowls as a club and has open leagues at this historic site. Learn how to play and participate by joining the club, which meets every Mon., 6p.m., April through October and provides free lessons, tournaments and social activities for all players. Contact Ron Eccles, 720-937-2056 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , for more information.

            Other activites on the Lawn: Lawn Bowling is played every Tuesday, 6p.m. Croquet in the Park – for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers – Tues. & Thur., 10a.m.-noon, through September; call James Creasey, 303-520-9023 for info.

Saint John’s Episcopal Cathedral hosts Historic Hook Organ Weekend, Fri.-Sat., May 20-22, with a workshop and two concerts at the 1350 Washington St. church. The events center around the cathedral’s historic organ, built by E. & G. G. Hook of Boston, Mass., in 1869. The organ was restored and temporarily placed in Saint John’s in 2009. Saturday’s workshop, 9a.m.-1p.m., features The History of the Hook Firm and Its Place in 19th-Century American Organ Culture by historian Barbara Owen and The Restoration of the Hook Organ by Susan Tattershall, followed by “open console” time with Owen and Tattershall as commentators. Lunch is included. See Classical, pg. 27, for concert details. Visit sjcathedral.org or call 303-831-7115 for registration fees.

Peddling green wares & wisdom? The Old South Pearl Street Association is seeking vendors for its Green Festival  during the Sun., June 5, farmers market, along the 1500 block of the S. Pearl St., between Florida and Iowa avenues.
            For booth-booking and other info, email Charlotte at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Native Student Alliance invites the Denver community to the DU Spring Powwow, Sat., May 21, noon-6p.m., an afternoon of Native American social dancing and singing bringing awareness to the strong heritage and traditions of the powwow, held on Driscoll Lawn, 2055 E. Evans Ave. (look for the “bridge” building just west of University Blvd.) Native American food and artwork available for purchase. Free and open to the public. Info: Lance Tsosie, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Citywide Neighborhood Cleanups are back! Keep Denver Beautiful’s contribution to the Great American Cleanup provides free cleanup supplies and giveaways (while they last) for block and alley cleanups, and runs collection sites for household discards and yard waste on Sat., May 21, 9a.m.-2p.m. (Cherry Creek Transfer Station, 7301 E. Jewell Ave., is the nearest drop-off for south Denver residents.) Numerous community cleanups & beautification projects are scheduled between now and May 31. Register and review lists of what junk will and will not be accepted at denvergov.org/kdb; or call 311 for more info.

Grab your passport to tour Renaissance Italy, get schooled in the art of the tourist photo and journey your way through the Denver Art Museum’s collections, hitting all of the highlights and hidden gems off the beaten path in Untitled #37 (Tourist), Fri., May 27, 6-10p.m., in DAM’s Hamilton Building, 13th Ave. between Broadway and Bannock streets. The final Friday offbeat art encounter is less like a field trip and more like a night out with unusual tours, live bands, munchies and cash bar. Free with admission.
            Info:collective.denverartmuseum.org.

Watch six madonnari – professional chalk painters – turn the sidewalks of Larimer Square into vivid artworks alongside 200 other artists during the free Denver Chalk Art Festival, Sat. & Sun., June 5 & 6, in Larimer Square (Larimer St. between Speer Blvd. and 15th St., and 14th St. from Market St. to Larimer St.) Youth Challenge, Bellco Kids Corner, live music, wine pavilion and food augment the weekend. Info: larimerarts.org.

The CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair is a traditional celebration of the diverse Denver urban community and its residents. Attend Colorado’s 40th annual premier arts and crafts festival, Sat. & Sun., June 4 & 5, 10a.m.-8p.m. (7p.m. Sun.), in Civic Center Park; free admission. The uniqueness and magic of the People’s Fair is created by the careful blending of family fun, handmade arts & crafts, culinary delights and entertainment while raising funds for and promoting local nonprofits. Info: peoplesfair.com.

Sixty bucks buys a four-course dinner, open bar and a few dead bodies in Death at the Slug N’ Plug Saloon, a murder mystery dinner at Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Sat., June 4, 6p.m., Advance purchase ($60) only; no tickets at door. Call 720-865-0815 by Fri., June 3, 4p.m. Info: fourmilepark.org.

Denver Public Library’s gigantic 36th Used Book Sale is bigger than ever, offering 70,000+ books, DVDs and CDs for sale, Thur.-Sun., June 9-12, under the tents on the north lawn of the Central Library, 14th Ave. Pkwy. & Broadway. Public sale hours: Thur.-Sat., 10a.m.-4p.m., and Sun., 10a.m.-1p.m. Join the Friends Foundation and get first pick at the exclusive Members-Only Pre-Sale Party, Wed., June 8, 6-8p.m.; memberships sold online and at the door, $50 ($35 seniors and students). Questions? Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 720-865-2051.

Sign up soon for the second annual Coldwell Banker Denver Century Ride, expanded to two days – Sat. & Sun., June 11 & 12 – starting from INVESCO Field at Mile High, site of the concurrent Rocky Mountain Bicycle Festival. For event details and registration, visit DenverCenturyRide.com or RMBFestival.com.

Help refugee youth create community through organic gardening and nutritional cooking by volunteering with Growing Colorado Kids, a nonprofit program of Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. Volunteers are needed Saturdays, 10a.m.-1p.m., May through September, to work with small groups of youth tending gardens located in hosts’ yards; the harvest is shared with the hosts and the youth, as well as used for cooking lessons. For details, visit growingcolorado.org, or contact Denise Lines, 303-399-1878 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Youth For Understanding is seeking homes for 15 Finnish high-school students for five weeks this summer, (June 10-July 17). The students are participating in the Young Ambassadors’ Program, educating Finnish youth about environmental matters in the U.S., and giving them a chance to experience American life at its best. Families interested in sharing their home and community should contact Julia Kintsch at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 866-493-8872, ext. 7208.

Denver Parks & Rec has launched a public-private partnership to restore the Sundial Plaza at Cranmer Park, 2nd Ave. & Cherry St. $1.3 million is needed to reconstruct the terrazzo panorama, repair the sundial, and rebuild the plaza and foundation; DPR and the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs have committed more than $400,000, and individuals, corporations and foundations are being asked for the remainder. Send tax-deductible donations to The Park People – Sundial Fund, DPR, 201 W. Colfax Ave., Dept. 601, Denver, CO 80202. Info: denvergov.org/parksandrec or Eleni, 720-913-0656.