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Things to do around Denver this weekend
jwenzel@denverpost.com Colorado Cowboy Gathering
Thursday-jan. 14: Despite the name, you needn’t be a cowboy or cowgirl to swing by the 33rd Colorado Cowboy Gathering. The “contemporary expression of cowboy life and culture” arrives alongside MCA Denver’s excellent “Cowboy” exhibition (through Feb. 18), offering diverse perspectives on one of the American West’s enduring icons.
While the gathering begins for members on Thursday, Jan. 11, the musical performances from Dave Stamey, Mike Blakely and Miss Devon and the Outlaw at the Buffalo Rose Event Center in Golden begin Jan. 12-14. The Jan.12, programming kicks off in the afternoon with traditional stories, music and poetry. Tickets are sold per-show, $25-$50, or as a superpass that covers all five shows from Jan. 12-14 for $155. Shows are at 1119 Washington Ave. in Golden. buffalorosegolden.com
“Blaxplaining” Colorado culture
Thursday: The new Blaxplanation series from History Colorado — the name of which is inspired by the 1970s Blaxploitation film genre — explores the stories of Colorado’s Black diaspora, outside the context of slavery, with national or international impact, organizers wrote. The best news? Events are generally free and open to the public, ranging from screenings to interactive talks.
The next installment comes Thursday, Jan. 11, as the Askkanwii: Diasporic Community of Colorado Series #1 presents the coming- ofage film “Evalo,” followed by a panel discussion with the producer and directors of the documentary, according to History Colorado.
See historycolorado.org/ blaxplanation for the full schedule, including upcoming events about the Buffalo Soliders exhibit “revision” (Feb. 7) and “Redlining the Outdoors,” an exploration of environmental racism and outdoor access. The Jan. 11 event takes place 6-8 p.m. at History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway in Denver. historycolorado.org
Colter Wall’s Mission run
Thursday-jan. 13: Babyfaced, grizzle-voiced Canadian troubadour Colter Wall sits comfortably between country, roots-rock and Americana, particularly on new album “Little Songs,” which brings his crack band to the fore. Wall’s sound also fits well in Denver, where acoustic tales of hard times find a receptive audience.
That explains Wall’s trio of shows at Mission Ballroom, the AEG Presents-owned hall that has quickly become one of the region’s best music venues. The River North Art District room will host Wall from Thursday, Jan. 11 through Saturday, Jan. 13, to be followed by a run from musically copacetic soul Charley Crockett (Jan. 18-19). Standard tickets for Wall’s 8 p.m., 16-and-over concerts at 4242 Wynkoop St. appear to be sold out, but resales and premium seats are still available for $64-$180 per night via axs.com.
Globetrotting to the Mile High City
Tuesday: Denver’s annual visit by the Harlem Globetrotters happens Tuesday, Jan. 9, when the dribblers visit Ball Arena for another gravity-defying performance of basketball skills. The cheeky exhibition team, always full of new tricks, is celebrating a whopping 97 years as they prepare to tour the U.S. and beyond this year.
Tickets for the all-ages, 7
Colter Wall arrives at a Grammy week event in Los Angeles in February 2016 p.m. show at 1000 Chopper Circle are $25-$75 via ticketmaster.com. (Hint: the closer you sit, the more likely you are to be part of the show, so be prepared.)