The Big Eat, Mexican mole heaven, Cheesman Park calling, and more things to do in Denver this week

All aboard for The Big Eat

Thursday. Foodies from across metro Denver will convene on Thursday, July 20, for The Big Eat, an annual party that raises awareness and funding for independent restaurants and bars. Guests can sample “signature bites and sips” from more than 60 establishments,” according to organizers at the nonprofit EatDenver, including Acreage Restaurant, Blackbelly Market, Coperta, Little Man Ice Cream, Pho King Rapidos, Restaurant Olivia, Sunday Vinyl and many more.

There will also be live performances from David Lawrence & The Spoonful and Izbo. The Big Eat takes place in the open-air Galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, at 1400 Curtis St. in Denver. Tickets, $85, can be found at eatdenver.com. — Jonathan Shikes

Mole is on the way

Saturday. Mole isn’t an easy dish to make, which is why it can be hard to find in Denver. But the rich Mexican specialty will be there in abundance on Saturday, July 22, at the third annual Festival del Mole, which runs from 2 to 8 p.m., at the RISE Westwood community hub, at 3738 Morrison Road, in Denver. Hungry attendees will find “over 30 tantalizing moles created by local community and professional chefs,” RISE said.

In addition to the “diverse array of mole flavors,” the fest will feature artisans and vendors, a Frida Kahlo art show, cultural dance performances, youth activities, and more. Each sample ticket is $3, or a bundle of 10 can be pre-purchased for $25 at hechoenwestwood.com/mole.html. — Jonathan Shikes

Art, food at Cheesman Park

Saturday-Sunday. The Cheesman Park Art Festival is back for a landmark 10th year, featuring 150 artists exhibiting some of their finest pots, paintings, glass art, leather work and more. Visit the south side of Cheesman to witness live artist demonstrations, graze from 12 local food trucks, and hear live music against the backdrop of one of Denver’s prettiest historic parks.

The event, which runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23, is free, ADA accessible and all-ages, with plenty of activities for kids. Organizers encourage attendees to walk, bike or take public transit to the park, although there is some street parking available on the north lane of 8th Avenue. dashevents.com/productions/cheesman — Lauren Hill

Punks, paint and you

Saturday-Sunday. There is no shortage of quality local festivals afoot this week, from the Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo (July 21-30, chaffeecountyfair.com) to the first Tennyson Street Fair (July 22, tennysonstreetfair.com). In Denver, there’s also Cleo Parker Robinson Dance’s sold-out Mile High Dance Festival and the July 20-29 Rise Comedy Festival, which sold out last year (get tickets now at risecomedy.com/rise-comedy-festival).

Amid it all, we’re particularly enamored with musician and producer Rich Sater’s Punks & Paint! Music & Artisan Festival, which runs 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, and features live music from five bands, 15 artisans and merchants (crafts are family friendly), tarot readings, painters, jewelers, and comics artists. It’s at The Rickhouse underground venue, 6100 E. 39th Ave. in Denver. Cover: $18 at the door. facebook.com/therickhousedenver — John Wenzel

A can’t-miss dance event

Friday. The solo residency of Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet leader Robert Sher-Machherndl started this week at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, which will culminate on Friday, July 21. The gifted, internationally acclaimed, Viennese-born choreographer and dancer Sher-Machherndl presents his latest solo show — and anything could happen.

You won’t see much else like his choreography — lithe and precise, challenging and surprising, wistful and complex — and he doesn’t often perform such exploratory solo programs. See him at 6 p.m. Friday at the Newman’s Byron Theatre, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Tickets are $25 via lemon.newmantix.com. Call 303-871-7720 for more. — John Wenzel

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