August 28, 2025

5K, 10K, 21K and Art-in-the-Park!

Living in Parker means lots of weekend things to do from performances by comedian Ms. Pat, and flamenco guitarist Benise, to the legendary Mavis Staples! There’s also an art-in-the-park expo and half-marathon (plus 10K and 5K races) right here in Parker!

Friday, August 29

BENISE: 25 YEARS OF PASSION

Benise (pronounced Buh-nes-say) shattered the mold of Spanish guitar by combining world music and dance – the only show of its kind! Accompanied by a stage full of musicians and elaborately choreographed dancers, Benise takes the audience on a musical journey through Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Parisian Waltz, exotic drumming, and more!

The 25th Anniversary tour establishes Benise’s Emmy Award-winning show as one of the longest running global Latin-themed theatrical productions. Benise says “the live show will incorporate some fan favorites from my street performing days and rock classics like Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir’ and AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck,” plus classics such as “Ave Maria,” “Moonlight Sonata,” and Vivaldi’s “Summer” from The Four Seasons.

Friday-Saturday, August 29-30

MS. PAT PERFORMS LIVE!

Patricia Williams (aka Ms. Pat) is a comedian, author, podcaster, and actress who brings a raw, in-your-face, and hilarious perspective to her work. Pat’s multi-cam sitcom The Ms. Pat Show premiered on BET+. Based on her own life, the show tells the story of a former convicted felon turned suburban mom (Ms. Pat), whose hustle and resilient spirit were forged on the streets of Atlanta.

In September 2021, Pat returned to her hometown of Atlanta to tape her first hour standup special, which will premiere on Netflix this year. In 2017, she published her memoir Rabbit with Harper Collins. The book chronicles her incredible and moving story: by the age of 15, and known by her street name “Rabbit,” Pat was a single mother of two selling crack in the inner city of Atlanta. At 19, with two toddlers and a new husband, she was handed 4 more young children from her sister who was struggling with drug addiction. With her husband’s help and encouragement, she finally decided to get on the straight and narrow, and on the encouragement of her case-worker, she went to her first open-mic.

Saturday, August 30 

PARKER FARMER’S MARKET

It’s the hottest place in Parker on a Sunday morning with over 100 vendors selling local produce, meats/dairy, food trucks, artwork, home/body products, and much more! Hosted by The Local Colorado, the Farmers Market in downtown Parker opens on Mother’s Day and runs every Sunday through October.

INDIGENOUS HISTORY MUSIC

Parker History presents an afternoon of history and stories encompassing Pioneer and Native American cultures with Leon Joseph Littlebird. With multi-generation ancestral roots in both Pioneer and Native American cultures, Littlebird inherited a passion for local history, storytelling and music. He delights his audiences with stories that weave the lives and talents of the earliest inhabitants of Colorado into a fascinating series of “how music was discovered.” Using many types of ancient instruments, he performs examples of how music came to be an integral part of life in the tribes from mountains to plains and the Southwest.

Saturday/Sunday, August 30-31

ART IN THE PARK

The Parker Artists Guild is pleased to announce the return of Art in the Park after a one-year hiatus! A much-loved event held at O’Brien Park in the heart of downtown Parker, Art in the Park will feature a diversity of artwork from more than 60 local artists. Original works on exhibit and for sale include paintings, photographs, glass, wood, metal jewelry, ceramics and more. With food trucks, face painting, artist demos and live entertainment, there’s something for everyone. And an adjacent bonus on Sunday is the popular farmer’s market along Mainstreet.

Sunday August 31

LINKIN PARK

Tickets are selling fast, too, for Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Since its formation in 1996, the band has sold more than 100 million albums and has been awarded by The Recording Academy in two occasions. It achieved mainstream success with its debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005. Linkin Park’s musical style usually features a combination of elements from genres as metal, industrial, punk, pop, electronic, hip hop. 

NEXT WEEK: Monday, September 1

LABOR DAY HALF-MARATHON, 10K, 5K

Don your running shoes and grab your water bottle and head to Salisbury Equestrian Park for the Labor Day races! Registration includes a logo t-shirt, finisher medal, food tables and expo at the finish line, professional chip timing and fully-stocked aid stations. Stick around after the race for the food, fun and a book signing of, “Running for the Average Joe.”

VEHICLE VAULT IN PARKER

Vehicle Vault in Parker is dedicated to rare, exotic, and vintage cars from around the world. Situated on over 20 acres with 35,000 square feet of indoor space, a walk through here is like a stroll through time. Different cultures and eras come alive as you view automobiles that can’t be seen on your average city street. The museum keeps a permanent display of classic cars from different eras. Explore the history of these antique automobiles and learn something about the time in which they came from. 

This family-friendly museum is a great stop for car enthusiasts, but even those without any automobile knowledge will have fun seeing these cars firsthand.

Thursday, September 4

JOHN DENVER CELEBRATION

The musical legend John Denver is honored in a special concert celebration with your Colorado Symphony this fall. See and hear the two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter (Country Roads Take Me Home; Thank God I’m a Country Boy;Rocky Mountain High; Leaving, On a Jet Plane) and Poet Laureate of Colorado through archival video footage of classic songs backed by live performances from former members of his band and full symphony orchestra. This concert is an innovative musical treat and unforgettable tribute. Hear John Denver’s voice, see vintage John Denver video performances, and hear stories of John Denver told by old friends.

Thursday-Saturday, September 4-6

GABRIEL RUTLEDGE

A past winner of both the Seattle International Comedy Competition and The Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta, Gabriel has made numerous television appearances including Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, Nickelodeon’s Nickmom Night Out, Laughs on FOX, and Inside Joke streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

His Dry Bar Comedy special A Third of the Room, as well as his YouTube special Nectarine have garnered millions of views online.

Thursday-Sunday, September 4-7

LAST CHANCE: JURASSIC OCEANS

This is the last weekend to take in Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep, where you can travel back in time to experience a prehistoric underwater world when dinosaurs ruled the earth. The oceans teemed with equally fascinating and fearsome creatures, from the mighty Jurassic plesiosaur to the megalodon. The story of their evolution and ecosystems is told through with fossil specimens, fully articulated 3D models and life-size casts, which show these ferocious predators and their unusual prey in their natural habitats.

Saturday, September 6

WAG N’ ROMP 2025

Act now to join the Wag ‘n’ Romp 2025 as tickets are going FAST!  Then head over to Cook Creek Pool, where dogs can take a splash, wag for a treat, or test their skills at the agility course. Owners can check out the latest and greatest in the pet world from local pet vendors. Enter to win a pup prize pack filled with goodies for you and your fur friend when you visit vendors and fill up your vendor passport. 

Don’t forget to take a trip to the doggie spa on your way out! Have your pup looking their best with professional grooming products and free nail trims provided by Barky Mountain Grooming. All dogs must have a ticket to enter the event. Pet parents DO NOT need a ticket.  There will be a check in table prior to entry.

MAVIS STAPLES

Mavis Staples is the kind of once-in-a-generation artist whose impact on music and culture would be difficult to overstate. She’s both a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; a civil rights icon; a GRAMMY Award-winner; a chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer; a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient; and a Kennedy Center honoree. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, and sang in Barack Obama’s White House.

She’s collaborated with everyone from Prince and Bob Dylan to Arcade Fire and Hozier, blown away countless festivalgoers from Newport Folk and Glastonbury to Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, performed with The Band at The Last Waltz, and graced the airwaves on Fallon, Colbert, Ellen, Austin City Limits, Jools Holland, the GRAMMYs, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the legendary Mavis Staples, live!

BEETHOVEN AND BREWS

Beethoven and Brews at the ‘Plex returns for a season opening kickoff offering a unique fusion of classical music and craft beer with an expansive beer festival in Denver’s Sculpture Park followed by two spellbinding performances in Boettcher Concert Hall. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and refreshing lagers, attendees will have the chance to explore an exciting selection of flavors while mingling with fellow music and beer fans. Food will be available for purchase on site from a number of local food trucks.

Sunday, September 7

IT’S A BAND’S LIFE FOR ME

Set sail on a bold and breezy musical adventure across the seven seas! Join the Denver Concert Band for a seafaring themed program that captures the excitement, mystique, and romance of life on the open ocean.

From the sweeping drama of “Victory at Sea” to the patriotic spirit of “Anchors Aweigh” and the Naval Hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”, this concert charts a course through history, heroism, and high-seas adventure. Audiences will feel the wind in their sails with a thrilling arrangement of “Pirates of the Caribbean”, stirring fantasies of daring rescues and narrow escapes.

This family-friendly performance blends cinematic flair, stirring marches, and rich tradition into a delightful musical voyage. So, grab your compass, hoist the mainsail, and come aboard—because for one afternoon performance, Yo Ho, It’s a Band’s Life for Me!

Wednesday, September 10

ARTS IN THE AFTERNOON: BOCELLI

Join Denver favorite Leonard Barrett Jr. as he dives into the music that renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has made famous. Bocelli rose to fame in 1994 after winning the newcomers’ section of the 44th Sanremo Music Festival. Since then, Bocelli has recorded 15 solo studio albums of both pop and classical music, three greatest hits albums, and nine complete operas, selling over 80 million records worldwide. This afternoon of divine music will feature songs like “Time to Say Goodbye,” “Because We Believe,” and “Besame Mucho.”

LIVING IT UP IN LOOKING GLASS

If you’re considering a new home in Parker, explore the beautiful model homes from Dream Finders, D.R. Horton, Taylor Morrison (and this fall, Richmond American Homes) in Looking Glass! With so many things to do nearby, Looking Glass is a great location for young and old, families and empty nesters. The master-planned community and its neighborhoods give you access to paths and parks, community connections and nearby recreation, entertainment and shopping…From the $600s.