Fun Things to Do in Denver, June 2 to June 8

Denver Fringe Festival

If the offerings on Netflix are looking a little stale to you, this is your lucky week. Denver Fringe Festival brings avant-garde performance art to venues all across the Mile High City. See solo performances (Lord of the Rings fans won’t want to miss Gollum Girl LIVE!), family-friendly shows (like the interactive Adventures of Beastie), and burlesque musicals (The Britney in Me). If you can’t choose which shows to nab tickets to, start with Speed Previews on opening night, which will include snippets from every performance on the lineup. June 3–7; times vary; passes are $95, individual tickets $20

Denver Chalk Art Festival

While you might not think your driveway chalk etchings deserve to be categorized as art, the talent at this fest will give you a newfound appreciation for the medium when they fill Golden Triangle’s sidewalks with colorful drawings. Stop by to see artists such as Dawn Wagner, Chris Carlson, and Steve DeOrio complete hyperrealistic portraits and vexing trompe l’oeils. June 6–7; 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; free

Edgewater Pride Party

Don’t wait until June 26 to celebrate Denver Pride. Kick off the most fabulous month of the year with this Edgewater bash. Following the Pride Parade, which travels from Edgewater Elementary School to Edgewater Public Market, the food hall will be filled with drag queen guests, Pride flash tattoo stations, a photo booth, special food offerings (rainbow cupcakes, anyone?), and live music from brass band Guerilla Fanfare. June 6; 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; free attendance

Central City Opera Presents: Drag Me to the Opera

Central City Opera’s season starts later this month, but you can get a preview of the performances during this special Pride month show featuring local drag artists. The free event at Levitt Pavilion will include selections from opera, musical theatre, and an aria lip sync contest, plus food truck fare. June 7; 5 p.m.; free with RSVP, VIP $42

Plates & Purpose: Culinary Challenge

Forget Food Network. You can catch a live cooking showdown (and support Great Deeds Foundation) at Stranahan’s Distillery on Sunday. Michelin- and James Beard–recognized chef Daniel Castillo will prepare the main barbecue entrée while five student pitmasters compete to see who can make the most mouthwatering side dish. Throughout the event, sip on cocktails made with Stranahan’s spirits, listen to live music, and nosh on gourmet meats such as brisket, beef and pork ribs, and chicken. June 7; noon; $50

Sunday Sundae

There’s no guilt associated with the sweet treats at this event. That’s because every scoop of Sweet Action ice cream you indulge in will benefit the Art Student’s League of Denver (ASLD). Your scoops will come served in a ceramic bowl, made by ASLD artists, which you get to take home as a keepsake. June 7; 1–4 p.m.; $35–$40, $5 for kids five and younger