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Things to do this weekend in Denver
Colorado Dragon Boat Film Fest
Through Sunday: The program for the 8th Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival looks as robust as ever, with narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and special events that, as organizers say, “celebrate the stories of Asian and Asian Pacific American communities.” Following the Thursday, March 9, opening night feature (“Arnold Is a Model Student”), the fest will offer a daily schedule of screenings and community conversations, with a mix of titles both mainstream (“RRR”) and under-theradar (“Ajooman,” “My Best Friend’s Breakfast”). Various daily screenings and events at the Sie Filmcenter, 2510 E. Colfax. Ave. in Denver. Tickets: $15 per screening via coloradodragonboatfilmfestival.eventive. org/welcome
Denver Jewish Film Festival
Saturday-march 19: Not to be outdone is Denver’s 27th Jewish Film Festival, which opens Saturday, March 11 with a VIP reception followed by the French film “Farewell Mr. Haffmann” at 8 p.m.
Films cover a broad array of topics and content for people of all faiths and backgrounds, organizer said, with an obvious emphasis on Jewish culture and political issues. The in-person event, which runs through March 19, features nearly nearly 40 films, including nine shorts and one TV mini-series, that showcase cinema from 14 countries. All films will be available for online viewing after the in-person festival from March 20-29, organizers added. New this year: films will be shown in two venues at the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center, the Elaine Wolf Theatre, which is the main theater, and The Pluss Theatre, which offers a lounge-like atmosphere. 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver. djff.eventive. org/welcome.
Jurassic Quest roars back
Friday-saturday: The perpetual appeal of dinosaurs is easy to see as a parent: Giant, scary (but actually not scary) animals that exist somewhere between science and imagination. And Jurassic Quest is back for a simulated dino experience kids crave.
The traveling, interactive “exhibit” is a selfie paradise with life-sized dinosaur replicas that nod and growl, “walking” dinosaur rides, a life-sized T. rex skull replica, real fossils of T. rex teeth and a Triceratops horn, and interactive shows and activities. Highlights include a 60-foot-long Spinosaurus, an 80-foot-long Apatosaurus and a gigantic life-size T. rex, organizers said. (As a veteran of the event, let’s just say your kids will love the bounce house and slides.)
Friday, March 10-Sunday, March 12, at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St. in Denver. Tickets: $27.51 via axs.com; free for kids 2 and under. Some activities require an additional ticket. jurassicquest.com
Colorado Ballet’s lavish “Cinderella”
Friday-march 19: A dreamlike atmosphere pervades Colorado Ballet’s production of choreographer Ben Stevenson’s “Cinderella,” with fairy tale themes and exemplary classical dance for the state’s biggest and best ballet company.
Sergei Prokofiev’s score will be performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra as the rags-to-riches tale comes to life for our protagonist — whether her dance partner is a broom of a fairytale prince. Fridays-sunday through March 19, with 7:30 p.m. evening performances and 2 p.m. matinees.
Tickets: $40-$160. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385
Curtis St. in Denver. Call 303-837-8888 ext. 2 or visit coloradoballet.org for more.