Pride weekend is here! 🏳️‍🌈

Good morning, Denver. It’s nice to see you again, Scoop readers! Summer has officially begun which means Summer Sessions are back at Riverfront Park 🎉

In today’s scoop:

• Summer Sessions

• West Nile Virus prevention

• Pride weekend 🏳️‍🌈

Let’s jump into it.

— Angelica & Tatiana

WEATHER WATCH

We have one more round of rain today before multiple hot days this weekend!

QUICK HEADLINES

☀️ Summer Sessions at Riverfront Park is back!

Riverfront Park Summer Sessions return for their fourth year, filling downtown Denver with free live music, food trucks, and good vibes on select Thursdays. With jazz, local bands, and national headliners, plus a delicious lineup of vendors, Commons Park is the place to be this summer!

July 18

• Launder with local openers Slow Caves and Silver and Gold

• Preceded by Jazz Hour with Schooley Hrdlicka Duo

Aug. 15

• The Shivas with local openers Barbara and Circling Girl

• Preceded by Jazz Hour with Daruma

🏊🏻‍♂️ Denver's oldest pool closed

Denver’s oldest outdoor pool, Mestizo-Curtis, is closed for a rebuild funded by a $6 million bond, but not a single brick has been laid yet. While the city promises an inclusive design process, we’re left high and dry, wondering when construction will actually begin.

🦟 Colorado led the nation in West Nile Virus last year

After leading the nation in West Nile virus deaths last year, Colorado is seeing a hopeful downturn this year with no reported cases… yet. Let’s stay vigilant to avoid a repeat of last year’s mosquito mayhem. Here’s how you can protect yourself:

• Avoiding mosquito bites with common sense prevention

• Wear long sleeves and pants

• Using insect repellent - more information available here

• Staying indoors during peak mosquito times (dawn and dusk)

• Eliminating standing water in yards to prevent breeding

• Check your window screens

• Consulting a doctor if feeling sick after a bite

CIVIL SNAPSHOT

💰 Denver Council shocked by homelessness plan overrun

Council members were stunned to learn the city's homelessness response will cost $155 million, far exceeding Mayor Johnston's estimates. This comes after frustrations over a $5 million contract and concerns that skyrocketing costs might impact other city services.

⚖️ City Council Meeting

On the agenda for Monday’s City Council meeting:

• A proclamation Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Washington Park Lawn Bowling Green

• See full agenda

The meeting is at 3:30PM in the City Council Chambers at Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber 1437 Bannock Street, Room 450. The public is welcome to attend or watch live on Zoom here.

LOCAL BUSINESSES

🎭 Elitch Theater revival?

For 37 years, the Historic Elitch Theatre in northwest Denver has lingered in a state of unfulfilled promises. Greg Rowley, the latest hopeful board president, believes restoration is closer than ever. This 133-year-old venue, once graced by stars like Grace Kelly, will host its first live productions since 1991: “The Bonfils Girl” and “The Secret Garden.” Despite a $3 million restoration hurdle, Rowley asks supporters for one more shot at reviving this cultural gem.

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WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Pride Month

Pride weekend is here — have fun, stay safe, and wear a lot of sunscreen! 🏳️‍🌈

What To Do This Weekend

Friday

🍒 Free Friday at the Mile High Flea Market
Enjoy a four-season farmers market, covered shops, food and beer stands, live music and more. Today from 7AM to 5PM.

🍻 Vino & Vinyl at the MCA Denver
An enchanting evening to celebrate the arrival of the summer solstice. Today at 6PM for $36-$40.

🎶 Immersive Jazz-Art Experience at Lumonics
An evening of art, film, and live improvisational jazz accompanied by the Lumonics light sculptures and projection. Today at 7PM for $20.

🎤 Killer Klowns from Outer Space at the Esquire
In this wacky horror comedy, a gang of homicidal alien clowns have arrived in the town of Crescent Grove, and they’re out to turn the population into candy floss! Today at 10PM for $10.

👧🏻 Go Skate Day at D-Park
It’s the 2nd annual Go Skate Day! This free, family-friendly skateboard event at the downtown Denver Skatepark will offer loaner skateboards, helmets and basic instruction. Free today at 11AM to 6PM.

🎤⚾️ Rockies vs. Nationals at Coors Field
Toady at 6:40PM for $12+.

Saturday

🍒 Denver Cherry Blossom Festival
Fans of taiko drumming, teriyaki chicken, sake and Japanese artwork and wares won’t want to miss the Cherry Blossom Festival. Free Saturday at 11AM. 

🌮🍻 Tequila, Taco, and Cerveza Festival
The Tequila, Taco, & Cerveza Fest finally returns to Denver for a one day fiesta featuring local Taco Trucks, Mariachi, Live Lucha Libre Wrestling, A Mercado, Musica, & over 40 Tequila’s to sample from! Saturday from 2-8PM for $18-$31.50+.

🏳️‍🌈🎤🌮 The Ultimate Drag Revue at Dairy Block
The Ultimate Drag Revue featuring favorite Denver drag queens, with bottle service available. Free on Saturday at 7PM.

🍒🌮 Highlands Street Fair
A community-wide celebration along 32nd Street with over 100 local artisans, businesses and vendors at this farmers-market-style festival. Free on Saturday at 10AM.

🍒 Popup Denver Maker Market at Union Station
Explore an eclectic showcase of artisanal wonders that brings together talented makers from near and far, offering a diverse array of handcrafted goods, unique designs, and one-of-a-kind creations. Free Saturday at 11AM.

🍒 Cherry Creek Fresh Market
Shop Colorado products IN SEASON. Free Saturday at 9AM.

🍒 City Park Farmers Market
Over one hundred of the best food-focused vendors in Colorado. Free Saturday at 8AM

🍒 University Hills Farmers Market
Farm fresh produce with good eats, drinks, crafts and live music every Saturday from 9am-1pm right outside University Hills Plaza. Free Saturday at 9AM.

🍒 Denver Street Fair
Over 70 artisans, crafters, and food experts from the Colorado area showcasing their talents! Saturday at 11AM.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Weekend at Wonderyard + Drag Brunch
Drag Brunch hosted by Samara Kash. Free Saturday at 10AM.

🏳️‍🌈 Blockwide Pride at Dairy Block
Celebrate Denver Pride Weekend and head to the alley for a special Dairy Block drag show, VW Bus photo booth, Pride themed cocktails and more! Free Saturday at 11AM.

🏳️‍🌈 Larimer St. Project Celebrates Pride
Local vendors, flash tattoos, vintage clothing, food trucks, cocktails, local brews, live Djs, & more! Free Saturday at 12PM.

🏳️‍🌈 Pridefest 🎉 
Commemorate our 50th anniversary through the ultimate celebration of love, diversity, and equality. Saturday at 11AM.

Sunday

🎤 Pauly Shore at ComedyWorks Downtown
Sunday at 7PM for $25.

🏳️‍🌈 Pridefest 🎉 
Commemorate our 50th anniversary through the ultimate celebration of love, diversity, and equality. Sunday at 10AM.

🍒 Denver Cherry Blossom Festival
Fans of taiko drumming, teriyaki chicken, sake and Japanese artwork and wares won’t want to miss the Cherry Blossom Festival. Free Sunday at 11AM.

🍒 Denver Street Fair
Over 70 artisans, crafters, and food experts from the Colorado area showcasing their talents! Sunday at 11AM.

LIVE MUSIC LINEUP

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY

Thanks for hanging out with The Denver Scoop. We’re so happy you’re here with us. If you enjoyed this one, send it to someone going to Pridefest! 🎉