A tasty smoke-out
Friday-Saturday. If the mere thought (or sight and smell) of 30,000 pounds of smoked brisket, chicken, pulled pork and ribs revs you up, be sure to stop by the Q BBQ Fest, which runs Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24, at Civic Center park. Pitmasters from around the country will join “some of the biggest names in BBQ” at the Weber-sponsored event, producers said.
Visitors can get a free grounds pass, and all-you-can-eat-and-drink VIP upgrades are available. “The family-friendly Q BBQ Fest – which also hosts events in Kansas City, St. Louis and Dallas – is a weekend-long celebration of diverse experiences, award-winning cuisine and local music, BBQ tutorials and demonstrations on the Weber Cooking Stage, as well as games and activities for the whole family,” producers wrote. It takes place at 101 W. 14th Ave. in Denver. qbbqdenver.com/tickets — John Wenzel
In the bag
Friday-Sunday. Cornhole will get going on a grand scale this weekend during the inaugural Colorado Cornhole Classic, taking place next to Coors Field. The all-ages community event includes live music, vendors, entertainers, food and drinks, and the chance to watch cornhole professionals as well as various local celebrities (Dinger), politicians and athletes compete. The general public can also register to play the the team tournament.
The festival is a fundraiser for the Ballpark Collective Registered Neighborhood Organization, which is trying to form a General Improvement District that would tax businesses and residents in the neighborhood in order to provide extra services, including security. Events take place on 21st Street between Blake and Market. For times, events, registration and other details, go to coloradocornholeclassic.com. — Jonathan Shikes
Bikini Kill and Ghost Canyon
Friday-Tuesday. Two of the best music events on Denver’s 2024 music calendar arrive this week: revolutionary riot grrrl act Bikini Kill is on a sprawling reunion tour that finds Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail and Kathi Wilcox (along with guitarist Sara Landeau) positively owning venues across Europe and North and South America. The band headlines Mission Ballroom, 4242 Wynkoop St., on Tuesday, Aug. 27, in an all-ages concert, with tickets running $60 (including service fees, per Colorado’s new transparency law), via axs.com. With opener Sweeping Promises.
Also this week: the return of the Ghost Canyon Festival, which celebrates the best of alt and indie rock, metal and experimental with a mix of local and national music. With all three days selling out last year, you’d be wise to pick up tickets now for sets from Wolf Eyes, Young Widows, Nina Nastasia, Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females), Matt Talbott (Hum), Lake Mary and more. Friday, Aug. 23, at the Skylark Lounge; Saturday, Aug. 24, at Mutiny Information Cafe and the Hi-Dive; and Aug. 24-25 at the Hi-Dive. Passes: full weekend for $72.31, or $10 per show, at the door. ghostcanyonfest.com — John Wenzel
Japanese food and spirit
Friday-Sunday. A new festival called Spirit of Japan takes over Denver’s historic Sakura Square, 1950 Larimer St., this weekend, offering samples of both traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine, along with sake, from restaurants and food suppliers from outside of Colorado. Dishes will include karaage (Japanese breaded chicken; yakitori (skewered and grilled chicken pieces; yakisoba (stir-fried noodles); amami-ya (mini sponge cakes); kakigori (shaved ice); nikuman (steamed buns) and more.
Spirit of Japan will feature four tasting sessions: Aug. 23 from 5 to 10 p.m.; Aug. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; and Aug. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $55 for 10 food credits and $80 for 10 credits and unlimited sake and spirit tasting. For tickets and information, go to spirit-jpn.com/denver. Some proceeds will support the Sakura Foundation, a nonprofit that shares Japanese and Japanese American heritage and culture “in order to promote a more resilient, compassionate, and equitable society.” — Jonathan Shikes
