Grand Junction has one of those weeks where staying home starts to feel like poor planning.
There is a nationally touring rock band on Wednesday, downtown spilling into the street Thursday, electronic music on a rooftop Friday, a free orchestra under the night sky Saturday and, because the Western Slope occasionally rewards people for paying attention, an art exhibit about cowboys and outer space running quietly in the background.
Wednesday, August 19
Portugal. The Man brings The Denali Tour to the Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park at 7:30 p.m., with The Moss also on the bill.
This is the week's obvious large-concert pick.
Tickets and current availabilityA nationally touring band at a riverside amphitheater on an August night is a fairly persuasive reason not to spend Wednesday watching television.
Thursday, August 20
Thursday belongs downtown.
Market on Main runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., filling Main Street with Western Slope farm products, vendors and the sort of loose summer-evening energy that makes downtown feel briefly like everybody agreed to come outside at once.
Market informationDowntown Grand Junction's broader event calendar also includes live entertainment and art-oriented programming around the district.
CalendarThis is a good night to wander rather than schedule.
Buy something from a farmer.
Look at the sculptures.
Eat downtown.
Follow whatever music sounds interesting.
Friday, August 21
Friday night gets dressed up.
The Avalon Theatre hosts Iridescence on its rooftop terrace.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and music starts at 6 p.m.
The electronic lineup includes Koko Love, KAIROTIC and BLESS!T, with cocktails and light snacks available.
Avalon event calendarThe Avalon is encouraging people to dress up a little, which is a polite way of saying you have finally been given permission to wear the thing in your closet that normally feels excessive for Grand Junction.
ALL WEEK: SPACE COWBOY COLORADO
For something considerably stranger during the daytime, head to Colorado Mesa University's Art Gallery.
Space Cowboy Colorado remains on display through August 30.
The free traveling exhibit combines Colorado's Western history with the state's connections to space exploration and includes an immersive fiber-art interpretation of mission control.
Cowboys.
Space.
Fiber art.
No further sales pitch should be necessary.
Saturday, August 22
Saturday offers the week's best free event.
The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra brings Evening Under the Stars back to Las Colonias.
The venue opens at 5 p.m.
The Centennial Band begins at 6:30 p.m.
The Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra performs beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is free, but a ticket is required.
Bring chairs or a blanket.
Reserve through the Grand Junction Symphony