Introducing . . .Denver Arts Week

Mary Voelz Chandler, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 1, 2007 at midnight

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The Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has a simple goal for the debut of Denver Arts Week: have locals pretend they're tourists.

Much like Denver Restaurant Week, the bureau asked galleries, theaters and musical groups not already staging events to organize something special for the week starting Friday and running through Oct. 12.

The result ranges from the predictable, such as exhibition openings, to the unusual, such as plans by Denver Art Infestation to put art on coasters, magnets and, yes, T-shirts for homeless people.

And though it's hard to equal the cut-rate prices of Denver Restaurant Week deals, one gallery is offering special pricing for works, at $52.80, $528 and $5,280.

Here's a sampling of events.

Opening early

• What: "Artisans & Kings: Selected Treasures from the Louvre," with 150 objects from the famed museum in Paris

• Where: The Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave.

• When: The exhibition was to open Saturday, but to tie in with Denver Art Week the show opens its doors from 5-10 p.m. Friday.

• The hook: French-themed performances on the museum plaza Friday and Oct. 6

• Information: 720-865-5000

Theater in the park

• What: A Play in A Day

• Where: Greek Amphitheatre, Civic Center

• When: Free performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday

• The hook: The Colorado Theatre Guild and the area's theater community have asked actors to meet in the morning and create a play each day to honor the visual arts, music and dance.

• Information: 303-778-7724

Opera for a song

• What: Opera Colorado performs La Traviata

• Where: Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex

• When: Performances don't start until Nov. 9, but during Denver Arts Week, premium seats are on sale for $52.80, rather than the usual $85 to $157 tab. The special is based on availability and does not include tax or service charge.

• The hook: Opera Colorado also is offering other specials to mark its 25th anniversary.

• Information: 303-468-2030

Party in poverty

• What: Third Class Bash

• Where: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.

• When: 6-10 p.m. Oct. 11

• The hook: The museum's Titanic exhibition prompts a party in collaboration with the Molly Brown House Museum. The fee ($50) includes two admissions to the exhibition, two beers, food and live music (21 and older).

• Information: 303-322-7009

On the wall

• What: Spray Paint Portraits With Gamma Acosta

• Where: The former 7-Eleven building at the corner of East 13th Avenue and Pearl Street

• When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday

• The hook: The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art and the Molly Brown House Museum have retained the artist to paint likenesses of Molly Brown and Vance Kirkland on the wall of the abandoned building. Watch the process and get discounts to the two museums, which are nearby.

• Information: 303-832-8576

Get out and explore art and culture in the metro area

• What: Events showcasing the city's offerings in the visual arts, theater and music

• When and where: Friday through Oct. 12, across the metro area

• Cost: Mostly free, but some events carry charges.

• Information: 303-892-1505; denverartsweek.com

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