Let’s eat
Friday-March 16. Denver Restaurant Week (which is actually 10 days long) begins Friday, March 7, with more than 300 participating restaurants, all of which will be offering special set menus priced at either $25, $35, $45 or $55. The goal of the program, now in its 21st year, is to “showcase the creative and exciting menus” in a multi-course format, according to sponsor Visit Denver. Diners will be able to try new places (or old faves), from James Beard Award-winning chefs, new hot spots, holes in the wall and everything in between March 7-16.
The series takes place against the backdrop of a contentious battle in the state legislature over how much less restaurants should be allowed to pay minimum wage employees who also get tips. The issue has pitted small restaurant owners against employees — and it will continue to be a problem for the foreseeable future due to Denver’s high minimum wage. Read The Denver Post’s coverage of the issue online. Find menus for Denver Restaurant Week at denverrestaurantweek.com. — Jonathan Shikes
Going green
Saturday. Celebrate the luck of the Irish before the masses this year at Blarney on Belmar, a free, family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day festival in the Belmar shopping plaza in Lakewood. This year’s event features a variety of music and entertainment from The Elders, a six-piece American Celtic folk-rock group; The Mile Highlanders Pipe Band featuring bagpipes and other instruments; the Reed School of Irish Dance; and the All-Star Irish Session Players.
There will also be food trucks on hand, and food for purchase from restaurants in Belmar Plaza, 439 S. Upham St., just off Alameda Ave. and Wadsworth Blvd. Blarney on Belmar runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 8. Go to alamedaconnects.org for more information. — Jonathan Shikes
A serene Soccer Mommy
Monday. The latest Soccer Mommy album, “Evergreen,” has been out since October, but it’s only now that fans of singer-guitarist Sophie Allison can catch the new stuff live. The Nashville-reared indie artist’s latest finds the bittersweet melodies and aching guitar work intact, but with an uncommon earnestness and a more acoustic bent in Allison’s ’90s-inspired songs.
Perfectly of the moment yet sprinkled with classic production and arrangements, “Evergreen” arrives at the Ogden Theatre for a 16-and-up concert on Monday, March 10, with opener Hana Vu. 8 p.m. at 935 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Tickets: $35-$38. Call 303-832-1874 or visit axs.com. — John Wenzel
Nocturne marks a decade
Through March 30. On Sunday, March 9, jazz and supper club Nocturne will celebrate 10 years in Denver, kicking off a weeks-long celebration that includes shows, elaborate drink specials and more. The RiNo space — formerly a warehouse with only “a forklift, a sketchy staircase and mezzanine, and tall, acoustically magic wood ceilings,” according to owners Nicole and Scott Mattson — has transformed into one of the state’s best jazz clubs offering consistently praiseworthy music, food and drinks.
On Thursday, March 13, Denver’s acclaimed Annie Booth Trio (the venue’s very first artist-in-residence) returns for a performance, and all month long guests can enjoy “Diamond Edition” cocktail flights that commemorate the venue and jazz history (available only to four guests per night, the owners said). There’s also the March 30 “Renditions Dinner (Volume 33),” featuring the songs of Grant Green performed by Dave Devine and his quartet, and three eras of its executive chefs crafting a six-course dinner, with co-owner Scott curating “musical” wine pairings.
Various prices. 1330 27th St. in Denver. Call 303-295-3333 or visit nocturnejazz.com for more. — John Wenzel