Denver Arts Week Celebrates 10th Anniversary

For 10 straight years, the eight-day citywide festival has celebrated Denver’s creative community with hundreds of events bringing thousands of people each year

Denver Arts Week, an annual celebration of The Mile High City‘s vibrant arts scene, will mark its 10th anniversary this year from November 4-12. Presented by VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau, the event will feature annual favorites like Know Your Arts First Friday and FREE Night at the Museums, as well as new experiences throughout the more than 300 events at galleries, museums and arts districts throughout the city.

“Denver is home to a phenomenal year-round arts scene – with world-renowned museums, cutting edge street art, exceptional performing arts and more,” says Richard Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. “For 10 years, Denver Arts Week has encouraged people to celebrate the city’s cultural scene, and we are thrilled that the event has continued to evolve and grow as much as the arts scene has. The tenth anniversary is the perfect opportunity to attend some classic events or experience new ones and really immerse yourself in the city’s creative community.“

With more than 300 cultural events – some of which are free or heavily discounted – throughout the city over nine days, there are plenty of reasons to make a night – or a few nights – of it; and there are plenty of great hotel deals to facilitate a stay in Denver. For a complete calendar and a full listing of all the deals and discounts on art, experiences and hotels, visit the Denver Arts Week website.

10 Ways to Make the Most of Denver Arts Week

It can be difficult to choose from the myriad of events taking place around town; here’s how to get the most out of Denver Arts Week 2016:

1. Explore vibrant art districts and diverse neighborhoods on First Friday Art Walks, Nov. 4

Art District on Santa Fe

The annual event kicks off with citywide First Friday Art Walks in Denver’s art districts, where more than 100 galleries and display spaces stay open late and feature art shows, demonstrations and more. Go on a VIP Art Tour in the River North Art District (RiNo), take advantage of Tennyson Street Cultural District‘s $52.80 art sale, submit your own art in the Art District on Santa Fe‘s “To Denver With Love” art contest, and venture to the Golden Triangle neighborhood to see some of the city’s finest galleries.

2. Experience FREE Night at the Museums on Nov. 5

Venues around town are open late, from 5 to 10 p.m., during FREE Night at the Museums. The museums offer special programming, family-friendly activities and live entertainment, and there are complimentary shuttles to make “museum hopping” easy and convenient. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center, The Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL), Forney Museum of Transportation and Denver Firefighters Museum are just some of this year’s many not-to-miss participants.

3. Check out blockbuster exhibitions, from mummies to Japanese fashion

This fall, several of Denver’s major museums are hosting international traveling exhibitions and original curations. See Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea at Denver Zoo; Shock Wave: Japanese Fashion Design, 1980s-90s at the Denver Art Museum; and Extreme Mammals and Mummies: New Secrets from the Tombs, both of which are at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea, features 15 giant sculptures depicting sea life, made almost entirely of debris collected from beaches.

This unusual traveling exhibit, Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea, features 15 giant sculptures depicting sea life, made almost entirely of debris collected from beaches. Hosted by Denver Zoo, it’s the first time the exhibit has appeared at an inland, noncoastal location. The exhibit will be open from Sept. 24, 2016, to Jan. 16, 2017. The Washed Ashore Project aims to educate the public and raise awareness about pollution through the arts. As a community-based organization, lead artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi draws on people of all ages to help her remove thousands of pounds of debris from beaches then turn it into large works of art.

The organization says 90 percent of the debris they collect come from petroleum-based products such as plastics, nylon ropes and fishing nets. Almost all of the trash then gets turned into sculptures such as a walk-through replica of ocean currents and a coral reef made of Styrofoam.

Gigi Hadid Collaborates with Stuart Weitzman to Create the Gigi Boot

A Short Film Directed by James Franco Unveils the Global Retail Debut of the Gigi Boot

Gigi gives us the boot! This fall, Stuart Weitzman has collaborated with Gigi Hadid, the face of the Fall 2016 ad campaign, on an exclusive design for the brand — The Gigi Boot. The hiker-inspired high heel combat bootie was co-designed by the social media supermodel and reflects her sleek street style and fashion-forward flair.

Gigi Hadid Collaborates with Stuart Weitzman to Create the Gigi Boot

Hadid was inspired by the brand’s stellar boot reputation, but used her creative vision to put a unique, personal spin on the lace-up bootie silhouette. The Gigi Boot is set on a stacked heel, boasts bold metallic eyelets accented by duo-toned laces designed to wrap around the ankle and is finished with a detailed collar. The bootie is available in three materials, so there are multiple options for her style squad: a classic-yet-modern nero soft croco-calf leather and two shiny chic metallics, including iron specchio and copper glass. The bootie comes in a signature Gigi Hadid box and is available exclusively at Stuart Weitzman retail locations and global websites. The retail price is $565 for the metallic styles and $598 for the nero soft croco-calf version.

Shot at Brooklyn’s iconic Gleason’s Gym, the film features Hadid as “the champ,” as she jabs and moves around the boxing ring, dominating every opponent – all while wearing the Gigi Boot.

Bond No. 9’s Best-Kept Secret Is Out: Free Full-Size Perfume Refills

“Bring us any and all of your empty perfume containers, and we’ll give you a new bottle—on us.”

At Bond No. 9, they know how to keep secrets. Some of them, they’ll never divulge—like the formulas for their celebrated, award-winning eaux de parfum, and customer secrets that are, ahem, “totally safe with us.” But then they’ve got other secrets that are too irresistible not to be shared.

For example, their inimitable free refill program. Quietly in operation since 2007, it’s whispered about among the most passionately committed of the loyal cognoscenti and connoisseurs. This semi-annual event is so popular that many Bond No. 9 aficionados use the opportunity to stock up on as-yet untried scents.

But 9 years is too long to keep this delectable transaction a secret. So for Fall 2016, Bond No. 9 is telling everyone about their free refill program. Here are the details:

From Thursday, October 27 through Wednesday, November 9, you bring your empty scent containers, regardless of brand, to any Bond No. 9 counter.

By way of thanks, you will be rewarded with a large-size (100ml) bottle of your choice from among a curated range of 16 of the brand’s most stellar, most coveted Bond No. 9 eaux de parfum.

Just one caveat: You must purchase any two Bond No. 9 items, (including a full-size, 3.3oz fragrance).

The upshot? You’ll be in possession of three new bottles of perfume. And here’s a suggestion: Keep one for yourself—you deserve it. But give the other two to a family member, your significant other or cherished friend, your favorite neighbor or office colleague, your lawyer, doctor, broker, dry cleaner, computer guru, etc. And remember: sharing and generosity of heart are very much in style. That’s no secret.

Festive Entertainment, Themed Activities and Seasonal Delights Make Sailing with MSC Cruises the Best Place to Celebrate the 2016 Holidays

Sometimes too much family togetherness during the already too stressful period between Thanksgiving and the New Year can be just too much and you really need your space to really enjoy your holiday season. Help is on the way. For holiday 2016, from Thanksgiving through the New Year, MSC Cruises is creating extraordinary onboard experiences, with a host of seasonal touches ensuring guests have an unforgettable holiday season.

MSC Cruises, part of the MSC Group, is the Swiss-based, world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and brand market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa, sailing year-round in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Seasonal itineraries cover northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, Cuba and the French Antilles, South America, southern Africa, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman.

In particular, on the ultra-modern MSC Divina, sailing from Miami to the Caribbean, MSC Cruises has designed the perfect holiday escape for guests looking to enjoy a relaxing, stress-free vacation. Highlights of MSC Divina holiday celebrations include:

Thanksgiving – Nov. 19th departure To Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico And The Bahamas
Guests will spend Thanksgiving Day at sea enjoying festive entertainment, a traditional Turkey dinner and all-day Thanksgiving football displayed on multiple large screens in the sports bar. Kids ages 3-11 can participate in a special Turkey Day cooking class and a Thanksgiving Day costume parade and show. A Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, flash mob and party will take place for children ages 12-17. Prices start at $699.50 per person*.

Christmas & Hanukkah – Dec. 23rd departure to Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico and the Bahamas
During Christmas, MSC Divina will be decked out in the best traditional trimmings, with sparkling lights, shimmering decorations, festive Christmas trees, and a spectacular gingerbread village created by MSC’s pastry chefs. Adding to the festivities, guests will enjoy traditional Christmas carols; a Broadway-style festive show; a special Christmas market place, selling a range of Christmas gifts and traditional decorations; Christmas-themed cooking classes, arts & crafts, and parades; a visit by Santa Claus who will present a gift to every child on board; and seasonal Christmas movies played on an outdoor jumbo screen throughout the week. A Christmas Mass will also be available onboard.

MSC Cruises knows that the holidays are also about enjoying seasonal delights. Thus, guests will enjoy a Christmas Eve Gala dinner and a Special Christmas Lunch consisting of traditional holiday specialties as well as festive cocktails served throughout the cruise such as the Christmas Star (made using a mixture of limoncello and Prosecco), and the Snowflake (made with dark rum and fresh banana.)

For those celebrating Hanukkah, MSC Divina will host a nightly Menorah Lighting as well as serve traditional Hanukkah foods in the buffet and main dining rooms. A large menorah will also be on display in the main atrium. Special kosher meals can be ordered in advance. Prices for the Christmas and Hanukkah cruise start at $999.50 per person*.

New Year’s – Dec. 30th departure to Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas

Guests sailing on this 7-night cruise will celebrate the New Year in style. The festivities will start with a special New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner before guests head up to the pool deck for the ship’s annual New Year’s Eve Dance Party, complete with themed decorations, a countdown to midnight, and champagne. Guests will also enjoy a special New Year’s Lunch as well as special seasonal cocktails. For those traveling with kids, MSC Cruises is extending the kids club hours and offering babysitting in the kids club for free so that parents can enjoy New Year’s celebrations. Prices start at $799.50 per person*.

Disney Cruise Line Unveils Ports and Itineraries for Early 2018

New Caribbean Destination, Limited-Time Engagements From Home Ports On Both Coasts Take Center Stage

Disney Cruise Line introduces a popular Caribbean destination — Bonaire — into the lineup of favorite itineraries for early 2018. Limited-time engagements in Puerto Rico and California, plus a variety of cruises from Florida, offer Disney Cruise Line guests the opportunity to visit exciting ports of call in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexican Riviera from January through May.

The beauty of St. Lucia awaits Disney Cruise Line guests when the Disney Wonder sails seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2018. Distinguished by twin mountain peaks, the Pitons, the island of St. Lucia is covered in lush rainforest, cascading waterfalls and white sand beaches (Kent Phillips, photographer)

San Juan to Southern Caribbean, including Bonaire

Bonaire is a new port of call for Disney Cruise Line and part of a seven-night sailing that departs San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 28. Located just north of the South American coast, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire is favored for arid climate and sunny weather. Beautiful waters and a reef-lined coast lure water-sport enthusiasts for scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing and kiteboarding.

From San Juan, Puerto Rico in early 2018, the Disney Wonder sets sail on three seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean, including a new port of call — Bonaire. Each voyage offers a unique itinerary with a combination of calls on Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua and St. Kitts. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

From San Juan, the Disney Wonder sets sail on three seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean. Departing Jan. 14, 21 and 28, each voyage offers a unique itinerary with four destinations and two days at sea. This limited-time engagement includes a combination of calls on Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua and St. Kitts.

In early 2018, Disney Cruise Line sets sail from San Diego, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Galveston, Texas, and Port Canaveral, Florida, offering Disney Cruise Line guests the opportunity to visit exciting ports of call in the Mexican Riviera, Caribbean and Bahamas. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

San Diego

Disney Cruise Line will return to San Diego with seven Disney Wonder cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera, where guests can enjoy world-famous beaches and snorkeling. Five-night sailings visit Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, while two- and three-night cruises call on Ensenada. Friday departures for the two-night cruises offer the ultimate weekend getaway from San Diego.