COLORADO’S VELVETEERS GO GOTHIC
FRIDAY» Boulder hard-rock trio The Velveteers created a lot of hype for a band without a full-length album.
That changed Oct. 8 when the group, led by Demi Demitro, released the searing “Nightmare Daydream,” a mascara-soaked grip of baritone riffs and melodic, howling vocals propelled by a pair of drummers. It doesn’t hurt that Dan Auerbach of
The Black Keys, who has produced for Denver indie band Tennis in the past, lent his sonic sensibilities to the album.
The Velveteers will headline the Gothic Theatre on Friday, Nov. 26, with Dreadnaught and Dry Ice. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8, for ages 16 and up. 3262 S. Broadway in Englewood. Catch the group while it’s still playing venues of this size. Tickets: $18 via axs.com. — John Wenzel
Christmas at Gaylord Rockies.
THROUGH JAN. 2» Like a hotel-castle rising from the plains south of Denver International Airport, the Gaylord Rockies entertainment complex in Aurora aims to be a destination of its own with its annual Christmas programming.
That includes a new “multi-sensory marquee experience” known as Mission: Save Christmas featuring “Elf,” joining the Cirque Dreams Holidaze show among the hotel’s family-friendly entertainment options. The latter offers 62 performances of a Broadway-style musical mixed with contemporary circus offerings, the hotel said. The outdoor Glacier Point also features ice bumper cars, a snow-tubing hill, ice skating, a Snow Merry-goround and Snowdrift Mini Golf — among other Christmas options (pics with Santa, workshops, etc.).
Through Jan. 2, at 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora. Tickets: $19 for Cirque Dreams; $20-$32 for Mission: Save Christmas. tickets.gaylordrockies.com — John Wenzel
A bit of (literal) magic this weekend.
SUNDAY» Denver-based, nationally touring mentalist and magician Professor Phelyx makes his work look easy, having won awards and fans with his honed stagecraft over the years. But the crisp, bespectacled and gentlemanly professor also elicits wild, unself-conscious laughs with his ever-changing set, which returns on Sunday, Nov. 28, online as part of Artists Sunday. The free, virtual shows encourage donations to local arts nonprofits and will take place at phelyx.com/artistssunday.
Also magical, but not part of Artists Sunday: Colorado Stars of Magic, Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Holiday Theatre, 2644 W. 32nd Ave., Denver ($32 for tickets; coloradostarsofmagic.com).
Note: Shopping for local and handcrafted holiday goods from the dozens of Colorado artists at artistssunday.com also gives you access to more than 550 communities and 4,200 individual artisans and craftspeople nationwide. If you can’t find something you love, you’re not looking very hard. Now in its second year, Artists Sunday also features special promotions and events at artistssunday.com/ eventshowcase2021. — John Wenzel