SPOTLIGHT

Las Madrinas 8th Annual Tribute will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sunday, May 20 at Centro San Juan Diego, 2830 Lawrence St. Join Centro San Juan Diego in honoring distinguished individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and community services to support the Bienestar Family Services programs. For more information, visit events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=irud4beab&oeidk=a07e5qilunb9ccbe3ec.

Las Madrinas 8th Annual Tribute se llevará a cabo de 11:30 am-1:30 pm, el domingo, 20 de mayo en el Centro San Juan Diego, 2830 Lawrence St. Únete a Centro San Juan Diego en honor a distinguidas personalidades que han demostrado excelentes liderazgo y servicio a la comunidad para apoyar los programas de Bienestar Family. Para obtener más información, visite events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=irud4beab&oeidk=a07e5qilunb9ccbe3ec.

COMMUNITY

The 10th annual Community Cleanup Day is from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19. Day-of-event registration will be held from 8 to 8:30 a.m. at Scott Carpenter Park, located at 30th Street and Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder. Online registration closes on Wednesday, May 16. After the cleanup, participants are invited to attend an ice cream social from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Scott Carpenter Park, Harlow Platts Park (1360 Gillaspie Drive) or Valmont Bike Park (northeast corner of Valmont and Airport roads). Registration is available online at www.BoulderParks-Rec.org (click on “Community Cleanup Day May 19”) or 303-413-7245.

Girls Recognizing Outstanding Women will be held from 9:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Girls Athletic Leadership School, 200 S. University Blvd. It is a free conference targeted at girls between the ages of 10 to 15 and will focus on connecting girls with powerful women in the community. The keynote speaker will be Congresswomen Diana DeGette and guests include prominent women in: Arts and Media Business Community Service Health and Wellness Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GROWwithGals.

The Boulder Police Department’s 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Colorado will be held on Friday, May 18. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the event will consist of a 4-mile run/bike portion, as well as a 1-mile walk and parade. Members of the public are also invited to join officers for the Torch Run. To register online, go to www.firstgiving.com/soco/soco2012torchrun.

EXHIBITS

There will be a Silent Art Auction at the American GI Forum-Mile High Chapter, 1717 Federal Blvd., from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, May 20. Donations by Denver’s art community.

Artist Brandon Maldonado invites members of his new Denver community to an inaugural show entitled “Overcoming Inertia,” which runs from Saturday, May 19-Saturday, June 30 at Intersecting Parallels Gallery, 3252 Pecos Street. Opening reception from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. The show can also be viewed Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., by appointment, or by chance. For more information visit www.brandonmaldonado.com or call 505-508-6962.

PERFORMANCES

Lechuga’s Italian Restaurant and Lounge, 3609 Tejon Street, presents Denver’s finest Latin/Funk group the Mighty Nice Band on Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19 and an encore presentation on Friday and Saturday, May 25 and 26. For more information, contact Rachel at 303-455-1502.

The Aurora Symphony Orchestra will conclude its season with the Arts for a Better Tomorrow concert, which will feature the first place winners of the orchestra’s 10th annual Youth Concerto Competition. The performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Gateway High School Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 S. Sable Blvd. in Aurora. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available on the ASO’s website or at the door. For more information, visit www.aurorasymphony.org.

Celebrate the music, culture and roots of Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, at the free 9th Annual Five Points Jazz Festival noon – 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. The main stage is at 29th and Welton. For Five Points Jazz Festival information, visit www.denvergov.org/5pointsjazz.

The 2nd Annual Rocky Mountain Music Festival will be held from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 12 at Clement Park Amphitheatre, 7306 W. Bowles Ave. in Littleton. The festival will feature rock, blues and country music, with national legendary headliners: The Charlie Daniels Band and Eric Burdon & the Animals. Ten local bands will play throughout the day, including Denver’s funk sensation Funkiphino. The festival will also have food, art and retail vendors, along with family activities. For more information, visit www.therockymountainmusicfestival.com.

DanceAfrica is a multi-day celebration of the culture of African and its Diaspora. Dance Africa 2012 will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 18, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 20 at the Denver School of the Arts, 7111 Montview Blvd in Denver. DanceAfrica 2012 will showcase performances by host Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and other local performers, as well as by special guest companies Afriky Lolo, Giwayen Mata and Capoeira Luanda from Bahia Brazil. For more information, visit www.cleoparkerdance.org.

Jazz del Barrio is returning to Jazz at Jack’s, 500 16th St. #320, for Friday Happy Hour from 5:30-8 p.m. on Friday, May 18. Jazz del Barrio will be featuring their original guitar player and co-founder, Manuel Roybal, as well as vocalist Magally Rizo-Luna. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/jazzdelbarrio.

Latinos of the Caribbean invite you to Baile Blanco with special guests Bill Vidal and Arturo Gomez from 5:30-10 p.m. on Friday, May 18 at Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive. Wear white. Live music by Elvis Luna and Quinteto Puerto Plata. Call 303-571-4401 or visit www.museo.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Local stamp clubs of Denver will be hosting the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society International from Friday to Sunday, May 18-20 at the Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport Hotel, 15500 E 40th Ave, Denver. Now in its 65th year in the Denver area, the show brings Hispanic related stamp exhibits from the Mexico Elmhurst Philatelic Society, over 120 frames of exhibits. The show is also hoste a “Stamp Camp” for beginning stamp collectors ages 8 to 14, Boy Scout Merit Badge mentoring will also be held; the “What`s in your Attic” program and experts to evaluate stamps. For more information, visit www.rockymountainstampshow.com.

Whittier family event! The Whittier PTA, with support from The Denver Foundation’s Strengthening Neighborhoods Program & Wiegand Attorneys & Counselors, presents a family event entitled Walk for Whittier to be held on Friday, May 18 at Whittier K-8 School, 25th and Downing. A community walk will be held from 5-5:30 p.m. followed by an affordable family celebration with a non-profit fair, carnival games, food and entertainment from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the event. Proceeds from the event will help to bring music to the school. For more information, go to whittier.dpsk12.org/walk, 303-986-5929 or ptawhittier@gmail.com.

The Denver Metro Arthritis Walk will take place on Sunday, May 20 at Washington Park. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the Walk starts at 11:10 a.m. There are one-and three-mile walk course options. Get involved and join a team by visiting www.denverarthritiswalk.org or call 303-756-8622 x230.

The Colorado Railroad Museum, in collaboration with the Morrison Natural History Museum, Dinosaur Ridge and Triebold Paleontology brings the Dinosaur Express Train “Fresh Tracks through Prehistory” from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the Colorado Railroad Museum. For more information, visit www.ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org or call 303-279-4591.

The Denver Green Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the National Western Complex. Get show only specials and coupons, meet with Vendors who can help you build a greener lifestyle or visit informative stage presentations. For more information, visit www.theexpopros.com/greenattend.

Thorntonfest, a signature event of the City of Thornton, takes place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 on the Multipurpose Fields, at 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Due to new park construction, all parking will be accessed off of 108th & Colorado Boulevard. For a complete list of Thorntonfest activities go to www.cityofthornton.net/festivals.

The Denver Rugged Maniac 5K Obstacle Course Race will take place at Thunder Valley Motocross Park, 701 South Rooney Road in Lakewood, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 19. For more information, visit www.ruggedmaniac.com.

The Memorial Day Remembrance Parade, Wreath Remembrance Ceremony and Tribute Ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 26. For more information, visit www.denvergov.org/humanservices/DenverHumanServices/AssistancePrograms/VeteranServices/tabid/438411/Default.aspx.

The Rocky Mountain Pet Expo will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at the National Western Comlex. Adult tickets are $8 at the door, children 12 and under are free. The Expo will feature a Pet Fashion Show at 1 and 4 p.m. by the Dumb Friends League, featuring adoptable pets. For more information, visit www.theexpopros.com/rmpeattend.html.

Entering a new phase in life and wondering what’s next? Attend the panel discussion “Navigating Life Transitions” at 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30. Experts from the fields of real estate, law, lending and financial planning will offer tips and be available to answer your questions. RSVP by Monday, May 28 to Amy and Scott Grossman at info@grossmandreamhomes.com or 303-743-9336*.