CHEAP CHECKLIST: Dress like Elvis, get a deal
SUNDAY CINEMA
It doesn’t get much better than spending a quiet Sunday afternoon at the movies on the cheap. On the first Sunday of every month, local film critic Howie Movshovitz hosts the screening of a classic movie as part of the Tattered Cover Film Series. Films show at 1 p.m. in the Sie Film-Center (2510 E. Colfax Ave.), next door to the iconic local bookstore. Here’s the schedule so far: Jan. 7, “Lola” (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1981); Feb. 4, “Rome Open City” (Roberto Rossellini, 1945); March 4, “Major Barbara” (Gabriel Pascal, 1941); April 1, “The Golden Couch” (Jean Renoir, 1953); May 6, “Viridiana” (Luis Bunuel, 1961); and June 3, “Last Spring” (Yasujiro Ozu, 1949). Tickets are $1 and will be available one hour before showtime at the box office. Titles for the remainder of the year will be announced this summer. denverfilm.org/filmcenter
KING-SIZE APPETITE
Get treated like a king at Chuy’s. Actually, get treated like The King. The Tex-Mex restaurant (6595 W. 104th Ave.) in the Westminster Promenade is hosting its annual Elvis Birthday Bash on Jan. 8. To celebrate the legendary musician’s 83rd birthday, anyone dressed as Elvis (or his better half, Priscilla Presley) will get a free entree. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sequin jumpsuits are welcome and impressive, but sideburns and sunglasses will qualify, too. If you choose not to wear blue suede shoes, you still nab $1 off the Elvis Green Chile Fried Chicken or Elvis Presley Memorial Combo. Chuy’s fans will be happy to know two more locations will open in 2018 — in Lakewood and Greenwood Village. chuys.com
MANE EVENTS
Monkey around with the family at the Denver Zoo in 2018 without breaking your entertainment budget. The wildly popular attraction welcomes you to talk to the animals for free on seven days this year: Jan. 11, 19 and 20; Feb. 4 and 5; and Nov. 9 and 12. The zoo is on winter hours during all of the SCFD-sponsored free days -- meaning they’re open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Denver’s City Park. The grounds officially shut down at 5 p.m., so be sure you’re through the gates by 4 p.m. Parking can be a stampede, so consider using public transportation or carpooling. denverzoo.org
SHAKY SAVINGS
Sonic Drive-In is shaking up its deals again. For a limited time, the fast-food chain is giving customers a free small Classic Shake with the purchase of a single-patty Sonic Cheeseburger or Footlong Quarter Pound Coney at regular menu price. Classic shakes are hand-mixed with real ice cream — available in banana, caramel, chocolate, hot fudge, peanut butter, strawberry and vanilla. Add small fries or tater tots to top off the freebie for your very own sweet meal deal. sonicdrivein.com