RTD: Rad Things (to) Do - March 2023

Introduction

March is the month when humans start to emerge from the warmth of their homes like a grizzly bear who just woke up from hibernation. Hints of warm weather permeate the air. Trees start budding. The Canadian geese are finally heading back home. The snow is… well, the snow is still around. However, the best part of March (aside from how much snow the ski resorts get) is the fantastic variety of events that happen around the city.

From Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche games to the Rockies’ opening day parades to concerts and everything between, there is something for everyone in the month of March. Take a look at some of the fun things to do that are within walking distance of a RTD bus stop or station in this month’s edition of RTD: Rad Things (to) Do!

Sports

March Madness has a double meaning this month, because alongside the NCAA’s March Madness college basketball tournament being hosted in Denver, the Colorado Rockies kick off their 2023 campaign and the best superstars in wrestling make a stop at the Ball Arena, not to mention the plethora of other sporting events happening around the metro.

Ball Arena will be one of the battlegrounds for the NCAA March Madness men’s college basketball tournament, as it hosts the first and second rounds of the West Region part of the tournament bracket. Sixteen universities will enter the arena prepared for war, but only four will emerge victorious and move onto the Sweet 16. There will be cheers, tears and fears shared by many over the course of three days. The first and second rounds of the tournament take place March 17-19.

Speaking of athletes ready for war, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)’s Road to WrestleMania runs through Ball Arena March 26. The WWE’s biggest and brightest superstars leave it all in the ring as they continue to prepare for the biggest event in sports entertainment – WrestleMania.

In addition to March Madness and WWE’s Road to WrestleMania, the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets and Colorado Mammoth all play this month at Ball Arena. All Ball Arena events are accessible via the E and W lines at Elitch Gardens●Ball Arena Station.

Wait… do you smell it? That smell. That smelly smell. That smelly smell that smells smelly. No, it’s not anchovies like Mr. Krabs from the show SpongeBob SquarePants once said, but instead it is the smell of fresh cut green grass and grilled hot dogs emitting from Coors Field as the Colorado Rockies kick off their 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season on March 30 for MLB Opening Day 2023. Coors Field is accessible via a short walk from Union Station.

Concerts

Music lovers are about to feast this month! From huge concerts at Ball Arena to intimate shows at Cervantes’ Masterpiece, there is something for everyone this month around Denver.

Kicking off an incredibly stacked month at the Mission Ballroom is Denver’s very own iconic electronic rock duo 3OH!3, who are headlining Channel 93.3’s 303 Day concert with The Maine (alternative), Joey Valence (rap), brae (rap) and Wildermiss (alternative). Other notable acts performing at the ballroom this month include Ott. (alternative), who is headlining Left Hand Brewing Company’s Nitro Fest, PUP (pop punk) and Joyce Manor (pop punk), Steve Aoki (electronic), Skillet (hard rock) and Theory of a Deadman (hard rock), Alter Bridge (hard rock), Sullivan King (electronic/metal), Sabrina Carpenter (pop) and The Disco Biscuits (alternative). Mission Ballroom is accessible via a short walk from 38th●Blake Station along the A Line.

Heading over to Colfax, both the Fillmore Auditorium and Ogden Theatre are absolutely packed with great shows, all within walking distance from the Colfax Avenue and Emerson Street, and Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street stops along the Route 15. Starting off with the Ogden, catch performances by Elderbrook (electronic), Bryce Vine (rap), Badflower (rock), Trivecta (electronic), Powerwolf (metal), Betty Who (pop) and Ivy Lab (electronic). At the Fillmore, catch performances all month by Hardy (hard rock), NAV (rap), August Burns Red (metal) and The Devil Wears Prada (metal), Dreamcatcher (k-pop) and Wizkid (rap).

Nestled up in RiNo just a block away from the L Line’s 27th●Welton Station is the legendary Cervantes’ Masterpiece, where concertgoers can watch performances all month by Young Nudy (rap), Witt Lowry (rap), Cris Jacobs (bluegrass), Louis Cole (jazz) and keshi (rap).

Smack dab in the heart of the 16th Street Mall is the Paramount Theatre. This month, the Paramount will feature performances by Jack Whitehall (comedian), Eric Johnson (guitarist), Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson (scientist/entertainer), Colin Mochrie (comedian) and Brad Sherwood (comedian), Heather McMahan (comedian), Air Supply (pop), Sara Millican (comedian) and Black Violin (hip-hop/orchestra).

Over in LoDo, both the Summit Music Hall, accessible via the Route 52 at 20th Street and Blake Street, and the Maquis Theatre, accessible via the Route 52 and RX at 20th Street and Larimer Street, are the places to be for those who like to get rowdy to the best metal, punk and hip-hop acts around the world. Summit Music Hall is loaded up with great concerts by Mod Sun (pop punk), DVSN (R&B), Elle King (rock), The Wonder Years (pop punk) and Hot Mulligan (pop punk), Our Last Night (metal), Cradle of Filth (metal) and DevilDriver (metal), The Home Team (pop) and Inhaler (rock). Across 20th Street at the Marquis Theatre, get rowdy with The Flatliners (punk), Maddie Zahm (pop), Winston Surfshirt (R&B), N8NOFACE (rap), The Spill Canvas (emo), Meet Me @ The Altar (pop punk), Heart of Gold (alternative), Lady Wray (R&B), and Grayscale (alternative).

Lastly, the legendary Bruce Springsteen (rock) packs out the Ball Arena on March 2, with comedian Jo Koy performing March 4 to round out the packed slate of events at Ball Arena.

Theatre

For all the thespians and thespians-at-heart out there, the Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC) has plenty of theatrical performances going on this month, which is accessible via the D and H lines at Theatre District●Convention Center Station. The calendar for March kicks off with Bluey’s Big Play, a play designed for the kiddos, March 4-5. Next up from March 14-19 is Fiddler on the Roof by Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher. Rounding out the production calendar for March is a reimagining of the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 by Roundabout Theatre Company in collaboration with Harvard University March 21-April 2. Visit DPAC’s website for the full schedule and ticket information.

Up in Northglenn at Northglenn Arts, just a short walk under I-25 from Wagon Road Park-n-Ride, accessible by Routes 8, 104L, 120W and 120X, the Phamaly Theatre Company will present their production of Spring Awakening March 23-April 8. Visit the Phamaly Theatre Company’s website for ticket information.

Other Events

Of course, March can’t be mentioned without Denver’s world-famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade kicks off March 11 and snakes through downtown Denver. Join 300,000 fellow Denverites in a celebration of all things Irish. Catch any downtown-bound bus or train and join in on the celebration. Learn more on the parade’s website.

For all the foodies out there, Denver Restaurant Week kicks off March 3 and goes through March 12. Over 250 of the best restaurants in Denver come together to offer their best culinary concoctions, celebrating Denver’s ridiculously diverse dining scene. Learn more about all the restaurants participating this year on Visit Denver’s website.