Denver Arts Events January 5-11, 2026

Artists and venues are starting to come out of their holiday hibernations, and they’re stronger than ever. If I could enjoy five performances, events, or exhibitions this week, this is what I’d do. Enjoy.

✺ January 8 Watch three Denver-based bands at Battle of the Bands at Two Moons Music Hall. You’ll see sets from Paper Moon Conspiracy, The Aughts and Dakota Gray & Gracie G. 7 p.m. More info and tickets.

✺ January 8 Attend the opening reception for Grounded, an exhibition of work by artists from the Colorado South Asian Artists Group at Center for the Arts Evergreen. 4-7 p.m. More info.

✺ January 10 Watch The Curious Theatre Company and Local Theater Company’s co-production of Bad Books. This play, written by Sharon Rothstein, a former writer/producer on SUITS, is part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. More info and tickets.

✺ January 11 Bring your poems to the stage (or just come to listen) at Snap Crackle Poetry! Open Mic with South Broadway Press at Mutiny Comics & Coffee. 10 a.m. More info and registration.

✺ Ongoing Explore the dark side of humanity in Gary K. Thomas’s exhibition Dolls, Demons, Dicks and Roller Skates at Next Gallery. Through January 18. More info.

Are you an artist? Check out these local calls for art.