THE FUNNY THING ABOUT VAIL
FRIDAY- SUNDAY » Colorado’s growing comedy-fest scene — see recent additions such as the Chief Bicycle & Comedy Fest in Trinidad, or Boulder Comedy Festival (returning June 2326) — is expanding again this weekend with the inaugural Vail Comedy Festival.
Situated in that tony ski village, it’s set to feature more than 30 local and national comics across 20 events, with a trio of free family-friendly shows featuring magic, comedy and animals in Lionshead at Sunbird Park. Everything else, from podcast recordings to oneperson shows and stand-up, take place at various venues within a two-minute walk of Bridge Street Bar in Vail Village, organizers said.
Two-day passes, for either FridaySaturday or Saturday-sunday, are $119-$125, while a full-fest pass is $169. Takes place Friday, May 27-Sunday, May 29. Tickets and more at vailcomedyfestival.com or eventbrite.com.
All aboard Dinosaur Train Express.
SATURDAY- SUNDAY » While the Saturday, May 28, train rides are already sold out, tickets are still available for the Sunday, May 29, Dinosaur Train Express rides and events at Colorado Railroad Museum. Based on the popular PBS kids show “Dinosaur Train,” kids can hop on themed cars pulled by a coal-fired steam locomotive, follow “dinosaur tracks,” and take part in activities from Dinosaur Ridge and Morrison Natural History Museum.
There’s also a dinosaur-themed Lego display — and chances to build your own. 17155 W. 44th Ave. in Golden. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 ages 2-17. Members and kids under 2 are free. Train rides are $4 for adults and seniors, $2 ages 2-17. Call 800-365-6263 or visit coloradorailroadmuseum.org for more.
Memorial Day matters. SATURDAY » If you’re looking to mark Memorial Day a little early, consider a traditional tribute to veterans on Saturday, May 28, at the Colorado Freedom Memorial with Colorado Remembers. Starting at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, the day features static military displays (think military vehicles), concerts and tours of the memorial along with the centerpiece, 10-11 a.m. medal ceremony.
The latter will see the ceremonial laying of wreaths, presentation of steel from the World Trade Center Towers, firing of a Howitzer by the Colorado Army National Guard, tolling of the Honor Bell and more, according to organizers. Free and open to the public at 756 Telluride St. in Aurora. coloradofreedommemorial.com
Phamaly’s Big Night. THURSDAY » The newly cleaned-up Greek Theater at
Civic Center park is the site of the Thursday, June 2, fundraiser for Phamaly Theatre Company, Denver’s nationally acclaimed, disability-affirmative theater company.
Its annual, all-ages fundraiser packs a lot of entertainment into one ticket, with a concert from hip-hop luminaries
Wheelchair Sports Camp (WSC), local musician Jeffrey Marshall, and standup crusher Christie Buchele. The WSC show marks the act’s first return to the stage since before the pandemic, having written the score to Phamaly’s “Alice in Wonderland” (the music for which will be performed).
Events are at 150 W. 14th St., with food, drink and more. Tickets: $30 general admission or $125 for VIP via phamaly.org/phamalys-big-night-2022.
Also downtown: The free-breaking competition known as Red Bull BC1 at
Sculpture Park, just west of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, is going on this weekend. Check out some of the world’s best breakdancers starting at noon, with the penultimate event at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 28. It’s family friendly, too. 1736 Speer Blvd. redbull.com/us-en/events/ bc-one-america