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Volunteer at Platte Forum: Platte Forum needs your help with its facility renovation. This nonprofit—which supports underserved youth in Denver by allowing them to work with contemporary artists—is hoping to do away with its white walls to foster a more creative environment. The organization has lots of volunteer slots open, so smock up, grab your brush, and get your creative energy flowing. Monday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Platte Forum, 2400 Curtis St., Ste. 100
Vagina Monologues: Head over to Mercury Café this week for multiple performances of the award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues, supporting the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The famous work, created by Eve Ensler, introduces six female voices—“a six-year-old girl, a septuagenarian New Yorker, a vagina workshop participant, a woman who witnesses the birth of her granddaughter, a Bosnian survivor of rape, and a feminist”—each of which examines an aspect of the feminine experience. Admission for each of the performances is $10. Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 p.m.; Mercury Café, 2199 California St.
Cooking Demonstration for First Descents: What’s better than cooking for a cause? Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is hosting a demonstration to raise money and awareness for First Descents—an organization that hosts adventure camps for young adult cancer fighters and survivors. A Garbanzo chef will explain how to cook three appetizing and healthy recipes from the organization’s cookbook, First Descents Out Cooking It. The suggested donation for this tasty event is $10, so RSVP here. If you can’t make it, Garbanzo will also be putting up donation boxes at various locations. Thursday, 6 p.m.; Metropolitan State University Culinary Demonstration Center, 1190 Auraria Pkwy.
Goodwill en Vogue: Project Runway’s Tim Gunn and designer Mondo Guerra join forces with Goodwill for “an evening of fashion with a purpose” at Union Station. Goodwill en Vogue will present two fashion shows, one featuring styles designed by students in Goodwill’s Youth Career Development Program, and the other showcasing items from the organization’s Déjà Blue boutique, modeled by local celebrities. Proceeds from the event help fund Goodwill’s career development programs, which support at-risk students, adults, and people with disabilities through mock interviews, scholarship, college application preparation, and resume building. General Admission seated tickets are $150, and standing-room tickets are $85. If fashion isn’t your thing, Goodwill is always looking for volunteers to speak or mentor in the youth development program. Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. ?
Special Olympics Colorado Polar Plunge: This weekend, Denver’s City Park will be the coolest place in Colorado. After a run/walk 5K, participants can take the plunge in a pool of ice-cold water to raise money for Special Olympics Colorado, which benefits nearly 52,000 people in our state alone. Gather friends, family, and co-workers to dress up and participate, then stick around for the beer garden, live music, and food trucks. Registration for the 5k is $35. Those participating in the plunge are asked to raise $75 for the cause. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Denver’s City Park
To submit your event or organization for inclusion in 5280’s weekly “Get Involved” column, email getinvolved@5280.com.