A totally bonkers Bananasfest
Through Saturday. This weekend’s well-named Bananasfest brings trickster stand-up Kurt Braunohler (“The Big Sick”) and screenwriter Scotty Landes — both hosts of the “Bananas” podcast — to Denver for some extra-weird laughs. After Braunohler plays Comedy Works downtown Sept. 5-6, he’ll mount the Saturday, Sept. 7, Bananasfest in LoDo’s Larimer Square.
The free, public event promises “strange and stupid events throughout the day,” such as a dog parades, friendship speed dating, an inflatable obstacle course, dunk tank, Drag King Bingo, and “setting weird world records.” There also will be local craft vendors, food trucks, a live DJ and stand-up. Start early with the 10 a.m. Splitty in the City downhill 1K at Denver Beer Company on Platte Street, which ends at Larimer Square just in time for the festival start at noon.
That night at Comedy Works, there’s also a live taping of podcast; the 7:30 p.m. show is sold out. 1225 16th St. in Denver. Tickets for Braunohler’s other stand-up shows are $20-$32 at 303-595-3637 or comedyworks.com. RSVP for free Bananasfest tickets at gumpoppresents.com/bananasfest.
Nature Play opening at City Park
Tuesday. After two years of construction and stolen glances behind temporary fencing, the public can finally enjoy City Park’s new Nature Play playground and educational area. The elaborate, artful ecological display on the park’s southeast side recreates Colorado climates and geographies as it follows the path of a historic waterway, showing native plants, pollinators, rocks and more. It also, of course, features a slide, climbing structures, swings and other kid-friendly features, as well as work from Colorado artists.
The public can attend the free, opening-day party at Denver Museum of Nature & Science from 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10. General admission will be free starting at 3 p.m. and “there will be nature-themed games and activities as the fencing that has surrounded the 4-acre area for almost two years finally comes down,” organizers wrote. The official dedication starts at 10:30 a.m. that day near the Bighorn Sheep sculpture. Visit dmns.org for more.
A free, international folk-arts party
Saturday. Music, crafts, food, dance and more are on tap for the 48-year-old International Heritage Festival, which presents folk dances “developed in the immigrant communities of the U.S. during the first half of the 20th century as a way for immigrant communities to maintain a cultural tie to their native communities.”
So what does that look like? From polkas to African dances, with cultures represented from Mexico, India, Germany, Lithuania, Scandinavia, Africa and Indigenous America. Put on by the long-running Colorado Folk Arts Council, the event is free for all ages, and open to the public. It takes place in Lakewood’s 40 West Arts District, 6501 W. Colfax Ave., from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7. Visit internationalheritagefestival.org for more.
35th Friendship Powwow at DAM
Saturday. The reliably great Friendship Powwow returns to the Denver Art Museum for its 35th year on Saturday, Sept. 7. The free, kid-friendly event features Native American dance competitions, “hands-on activities for the whole family” and prize drawings, as well as artists, food, clothing and vendor booths, according to a statement. There’s also a jewelry-making activity with Tara Gover in the museum’s Creative Hub 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Grand Entry, when all the dancers perform together, will begin at 11 a.m. inside the Martin Building’s Sie Welcome Center and Sturm Grand Pavilion, organizers said. Admission for all is free at the museum that day, at 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway in downtown Denver. denverartmuseum.org