The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals.
FIFA World Cup: Live in the Square
At long last, soccer fans can rejoice: The FIFA World Cup is back. Starting June 11, watch matches on McGregor Square’s jumbotron and enjoy food and drinks from the venue’s many offerings. Psst: Team USA’s first match, a Group Stage tilt against Paraguay, is Friday at 7 p.m., which we think is a pretty darn good way to—ahem—kick off the weekend. June 11–July 19; times vary; free entry
Lit Fest
Whether you’re waiting to get your novel off your hard drive and into the hands of an agent or you still need help crafting the outline, this annual literary festival is a must-stop. Authors such as Melissa Broder and Brandon Taylor and poets like Eileen Myles will lead small workshops, agents will be on-site to offer advice, and Colorado Public Radio’s Ryan Warner will record a live interview with Rachel Weaver about her memoir, Dizzy. June 12–19; times vary; passes start at $330, individual session tickets $75–$85
Madam Hair
Celebrate Pride Month with the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus, which will be performing this intersectional show throughout June. The narrative centers around the Walker family: hair entrepreneur and queer advocate A’Lelia Walker and her mother, Denver legend Madam C.J. Walker, who became the first female self-made millionaire in America by creating and selling hair products for Black women. June 12–14; Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m.; $24–$50
Atomic Ranch on the Road: Denver—Mile High Modern
You’ll feel like you stepped right into the frames of Mad Men during this multi-house tour. Hosted by midcentury-modern magazine Atomic Ranch and midcentury-modern expert Adrian Kinney of MidMod Colorado, the tour will include stops by six Arapaho Hills and Arapaho Acres homes, including the residence of the designer of the communities, Edward Hawkins. Come back on Sunday for an in-depth discussion of Denver modernism. June 12–14; times vary; $30–$160
Downtown Littleton Block Party
This annual fete is just like your neighborhood block party—if your HOA president had a blank-check budget and access to flamethrowers and firecrackers. Littleton’s Main Street will be packed with food trucks, live music acts, and even magicians, contortionists, and flamethrowers. Stick around after dark for fireworks. June 13; 5–10 p.m.; free attendance
Denver Bike Fest
Bikes, beer, and live music is many a Coloradan’s idea of an ideal Saturday. And, luckily, all three can be found at York Street Yards this weekend. Mingle with more than two dozen cycling-related organizations (Bike and Brew Denver, Bicycle Colorado), hear live music (DJ Willy Sunshine, Yugs), and quench your thirst with Cohesion Brewing Co. suds. June 13; 3–9 p.m.; free
