ART: PostSecret

Six-and-a-half years ago, Frank Warren began handing out postcards to strangers, asking them to write down a secret and anonymously mail it back to him. It was meant to be a small community art project. Today, that venture has exploded into five best-selling books, a blog, and an internationally traveling art exhibit, which has made its way to Golden. See thousands of postcards, from the humorous (“I give decaf to customers who are RUDE to me!”) to the tragic (“He’s been in prison for two years because of what I did. 9 more to go.”). It’s a peek into the lives of people you don’t know—and maybe some you do: Foothills provided postcards to the local community, which are displayed as part of the show. Through June 26, Foothills Art Center, Golden

Family: 3, 2, 1 … Blast Off!

Lots of youngsters dream of flying spaceships—and now they’ll get the chance. Sort of. For three months, the Children’s Museum of Denver is hosting an interactive science exhibit at which kids of all ages can build and launch hovercrafts and rockets. The scientists-to-be can practice aiming at targets in the indoor Engineering Lab and learn about rocket science by floating their paper creations in fan-powered wind streams. Then, they can head outside to the Lunar Outpost and Launch Pad to build larger paper rockets and send them soaring into a field lined with distance markers. Your little ones will be too engrossed to realize they’re learning a thing or two about science. Mission accomplished. June 11–September 6, the Children’s Museum of Denver

5280 June 2011
More From The Issue

Music: Under a Blood Red Sky: U2 Tribute

Still mourning the fact that you missed seeing U2 live last month? We’ve got the next best thing: Under a Blood Red Sky (UABRS), a dynamic, Denver-based U2 cover band is part of this summer’s Hudson Gardens concert series. Known for impeccable recreations of U2 shows, from wardrobe and choreography right down to the replica instruments, UABRS captures the sound, energy, and magnetism of the genuine act. In 2007, the tribute band performed a note-for-note imitation of U2’s 1983 Red Rocks performance to more than 9,000 people at the Morrison amphitheatre. Bonus: This concert costs just $15. Compare that to U2’s asking price of $396 for the good seats. Even better than the real thing? Nah. But it’s close. June 26, the Hudson Gardens and Event Center, Littleton

Sports: Journeys Backyard BBQ Tour

Much to the joy of preteens everywhere, skateboarding is seeing yet another resurgence. So round up your ollie-throwing boarders for this free outdoor celebration of alternative sports. Besides demonstrations from skateboarding pros such as Rob Dyrdek, the 60,000-square-foot area will also play host to BMX and freestyle motocross athletes performing gravity-defying stunts off ramps and jumps. While spectators scour booths for free giveaways, they can also catch a Battle of the Bands competition and headliners The Dirty Heads, a Southern California reggae-rock group sure to amp up the crowd. June 4, FlatIron Crossing, Broomfield

This article was originally published in 5280 June 2011.
Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer is an award-winning writer and editor based in Denver. You can find more of her work at daliahsinger.com.