Denver Day of Rock 

denverdayofrock.com  |  303-605-2885  |  Saturday, May 28  |  2:30p.m.-9:30p.m.  |  16th Street Mall, 16th Street

Denver Day of Rock is a music festival benefiting the work of Amp the Cause. The Denver-based nonprofit organization improves the lives of families through entertainment, annual events and community service projects. Founded originally as Concerts for Kids by Christie and Walter Isenberg in 2004, Amp the Cause has distributed more than $5 million in monetary and in-kind donations to numerous beneficiaries. According to their web site, “Denver Day of Rock unites the community through music and entertainment while also raising funds to help Amp the Cause continue to support nonprofits in our community.” Presented on five stages, this event features bands from all over the Front Range. Entrance is free, but audiences are encouraged to donate to worthy non-profit organizations serving kids throughout Denver. Vendor booths and food trucks round out the day’s events.

Columbine Chorale “From Words to Music” 

columbinechorale.org | Saturday, May 21 | 7:30p.m.-9:30p.m. | Unity Spiritual Center, 3021 S. University Blvd.

Some of the most beautiful poetry is set to music and choral interpretation by Columbine Chorale. This performance features poetry by W.B. Yeats, Mary Coleridge, Rudyard Kipling, Emily Dickinson, Lewis Carroll, Sara Teasdale, Ogden Nash and more. Denver-based Columbine Chorale was founded in 1987 and has been wowing audiences with their voices ever since. Enjoy this evening of harmony, verse and recitation. Tickets: $5 students, $12 seniors (60+), $15 adults and available for purchase in advance online at columbinechorale.org. 

Steel Pan Collective 

steelpancollective.org | 2016 Pan People Music Festival | Saturday, June 11 | 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m. | Auraria Campus, 900 Auraria Pkwy. (visit ahec.edu/about-auraria-campus/maps for campus map.)

Looking for an instrument capable of embodying cheerfulness? Enter the steel pan. A concave bowl pounded out from a 55-gallon drum or sheet metal, the steel pan originated in Trinidad and Tobago. When played, the tones are both resonate and tinkling—kind of like xylophone and bells playing at the same time. Although far from the Caribbean, Denver boasts one of the most popular steel pan gatherings in the country. Steel pan players (“pannists”) can bring instruments for attending educational workshops and performances. Take advantage of vendor exhibits and be sure to bring a blanket. Performances are free or participate in both workshops for an affordable $20.