Butterfly Pavilion’s spiders are back
Saturday-Oct. 31. Most visitors to Westminster’s Butterfly Pavilion know of the lovable (er, mostly) mascot Rosie the Tarantula. But if she’s not enough for you, check out the Sept. 21-Oct. 31 return of “Spiders Around the World.” The limited-time programming leads up to Halloween with a stunning diversity of spiders sprinkled throughout the facility.
No, they’re not all in captivity. The exhibition features not just 20-plus tarantula species, but an 80-foot Spider Zone of free-roaming Orb Weaving spiders — some the size of a human hand — baby tarantulas, and more. Like any zoo, it dovetails nicely with Butterfly Pavilion’s ecological research and conservation efforts. (And for anyone who loves creepy-crawlies.)
Included with general admission, $11-$16. Kids 2 and under are free. 6252 W. 104th Ave. in Westminster. 303-469-5441 or butterflies.org.
Far East Center’s free Mid-Autumn Fest
Saturday. Westwood’s historic, multicultural mini-mall known as the Far East Center is this weekend hosting its 4th Mid-Autumn Festival. The sleepy name belies a variety of delights at the event, which takes place 2-8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 333 S. Federal Blvd. in the Little Saigon Business District in Denver.
Visitors to the Far East Center join in a Lantern Festival and Dragon Dance closing ceremony performed by the Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu Association, to mark the closing of the Lunar New Year on Feb. 25, 2024, in Denver. (Photo By Kathryn Scott/Special to The Denver Post)
Expect live music and dance from diverse Southeast Asian cultures, contests (pho eating, K-Pop Dance Battles, karaoke), a kid’s fashion show focused on traditional cultural wear, lantern-making for kids, international street food, a night market, and more. It’s free and family-friendly, but reserve your tickets now at bit.ly/fecmidautumnfestival24.
Cécile McLorin Salvant will kick off the latest season of the Newman Center Presents series on Sunday, Sept. 22, at Gates Concert Hall. (Provided by Newman Center)
Newman Center Presents’ new season
Sunday. The latest season of the Newman Center Presents series kicks off this week with the dazzling Cécile McLorin Salvant, a triple Grammy winner who brings a narrative flair to her vast musical interpretations. The Miami, Fla., native is known best for her vocal and jazz recordings, but tackles 12th-century music with the same skill and subtlety as one of her original compositions.
Her 7:30 p.m. show on Sunday, Sept. 22, show takes place at Gates Concert Hall, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Tickets are $42-$86, fees included. Call 303-871-7720 or visit newmancenterpresents.com.
Dayton, Ohio, alt-rock quartet The Breeders will play the “Last Splash” and “Pod” albums in their entirety at Mission Ballroom on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Provided by AXS)
A really big “Last Splash”
Thursday. Alt-rock band The Breeders, which hit fame in the ’90s with its album “Last Splash” and sugar-shocked single “Cannonball,” has lately been championed by massive pop stars like Olivia Rodrigo, helping set the quartet’s legacy for younger generations.
The Dayton, Ohio, act, led by sisters Kim and Kelley Deal, will make good on that on Thursday, Sept. 26, as it plays the “Last Splash” and “Pod” albums in their entirety for Mission Ballroom. 8 p.m. at 4242 Wynkoop St. in Denver. Tickets for the 16-and-up concert, with opener Man on Man, are $67-$112 at axs.com.