BEST BETS >> THINGS TO DO AROUND DENVER THIS WEEKEND

An aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, brightens up the night sky off Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph Lighthouse, Oct. 10, in St. Joseph, Mich. DON CAMPBELL — THE HERALD-PALLADIUM VIA AP

The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center’s 40th Ceramics Sale and Exhibition runs Nov. 7-10. PROVIDED BY JCC

The Denver Women’s Choir performs “We Are: A Celebration of Self-Acceptance” at Wellshire Presbyterian Church on Nov. 4, 2023, in Denver. PHOTO BY SETH MCCONNELL, PROVIDED BY RMAA

Denver’s iZCALLi plays Longmont’s Dia de Muertos celebration on Saturday. PROVIDED BY LONGMONT MUSEUM

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By John Wenzel

jwenzel@denverpost.com

Aurora Borealis Festival debuts

Friday-Sunday: While there won’t be any actual Northern Lights at the Aurora Borealis Festival, you can still expect a “stunning re-creation of the Northern Lights, interactive lighting installations, a Global Gift Bazaar, and Flavors of Aurora Food Court,” according to producers. Think LED projections, interactive installations, and live performances, alongside food trucks, vendors, yoga and other programming.

The event at The Aurora Highlands’ Winged Melody Park is free and open to the public, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 1; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 2; and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 3. No pets allowed. 23578 E. 38th Place in Aurora. auroraborealisfestival.com

40 years of local, handmade ceramics

Thursday-Nov. 10: Get a jump on holiday shopping at one of Denver’s longest-running art markets when JCC’s 40th Annual Ceramics Sale and Exhibition returns Thursday, Nov. 7-Nov 10. The gathering, which takes over the lobby of the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center, features handmade pieces by local artists, molded and fired in the JCC ceramics studio.

It takes place at 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver. Call 303-399-2660 or visit jcccdenver.org/portfolio-items/ceramicssale for more information.

Pre-election music — and civics

Saturday-Sunday: Election anxiety, anyone? The Denver Women’s Chorus will kick off its 41st season Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3, with the timely “Do You Hear the People Sing.” The show carries themes of civic engagement and collective protest through music from Broadway’s “Suffs” and classics such as “Les Misérables,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” and “Cinderella.”

The LGBTQ chorus, part of the Rocky Mountain Arts Association, will perform at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St. in Denver, and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Broomfield Auditorium, 3 Community Park Road in Broomfield. Tickets are $13-$28, including fees. denverchoruses.org/doyouhearthepeoplesing

Día de Muertos in Longmont

Saturday: Longmont lays claim to the state’s oldest Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, which this month marks 24 years of street festivals and cultural programming. The traditional Mexican holiday will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 2, with live performances that will “span the ages, from ancient Aztecan dance to the genre-bending rock and roll of iZCALLi.”

The “Noche de Museo: Celebrating Day of the Dead” event starts at 7 p.m. at the Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road in Longmont. All ages. Tickets are $18. longmontcolorado.org