Steel City art shows, Cinco De Mayo, 'Swan Lake' and more upcoming things to do in Pueblo

Friday, May 3

'Our Town, Down by the River' art show launch at Steel City Art Works

216 S. Union Ave. | 5-8 p.m. | The "Our Town and Down by the River" art shows kick off with an artists reception in honor of First Friday featuring photographs, glass fusion art and more. The event includes a book signing by David Hayden, whose tourism guide photo book is titled "Lake Pueblo State Park." The exhibits will run throughout the month of May.

First Friday May Day Celebration at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Make traditional May Day paper baskets and paper flowers to put inside them. Art and gifts from select artists with spring and Mother's Day themes will be available for purchase. This is a free, all-ages event .

First Friday at Blo Back Gallery

131 Spring St. | 6-9 p.m. | Opening reception for "44/80" by John and Meghan Wilbar, as well as "Dancing on a Tightrope" by Tom Latka and "80 years" by Bob Marsh. All exhibits run through May 26.

Swan Lake ballet at Pueblo Memorial Hall

1 City Hall Place | Doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. | Experience the legendary Swan Lake presented as part of the World Ballet Series with a live score by the Boulder Symphony . See the iconic Dance of the Little Swans, count the 32 fouettés performed by the Odile, and immerse yourself in Tchaikovsky’s music. The production will feature hand-painted sets as well as more than 150 costumes that bring fresh representation to this timeless classic. Tickets range from $35-$95 and are on sale at pueblomemorialhall.com.

Saturday, May 4

Women's Mountain Bike Clinic at Lake Pueblo State Park

640 Pueblo Reservoir Road | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 4, and again from 9 a.m.-noon May 5 | Lindsey Ritcher, a nationally recognized mountain bike coach, will be leading the coaching team on the South Shore trails. The Southern Colorado Trail Builders event offers a variety of terrain and a survey at registration that will help divide students among beginners, intermediates and experts for appropriate training. Cost is $350. Go to socotrails.org/womens-mtb-clinic-2024 to register.

Metal (May)hem at Blo Back Gallery

131 Spring St. | Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 6:30 p.m. | Innocent Sinners presents Metal (May)hem featuring Trip from Trinidad, Ice Troll and Graveyard People from Denver, plus local band Velociriffer and more. Cost is $10 and the event is open to all ages.

Sunday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo potluck at First Unitarian Society

110 Calla Ave. | 10:30 a.m. | The program will include facts and myths about Cinco de Mayo. The festivities will include a piñata, face painting, and Mexican decorations, as well as a shared potluck meal. Donations are appreciated . The facility is handicap-accessible.

Cinco de Mayo at Civic Center Park in Pueblo West

61 E. Civic Center Plaza | 1-6 p.m. | The Pueblo West Parks & Recreation event features the Colorado State University Pueblo Ballet Folklorico, Mariachi Diamante Pueblo, a taco eating competition, and a beer garden. Cost is $5 for children 6 to 12 or $10 for adults and tickets are on sale at pueblowestmetro.us .

Stitch -n- Bitch at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 6-8 p.m. | Come stitch with fellow fiber artists and gripe about anything that springs to mind during the free monthly social event .

Monday, May 6

Contra Dance at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 6-8 p.m. | Take part in partner dancing with free lessons , no experience required. Wear comfortable shoes. Partners are provided and donations are encouraged.

Wednesday, May 8

Noche de Mariachi at El Pueblo History Museum

301 N. Union Ave. | 5-7 p.m. | The event will feature an opening concert by Chavez Huerta Preparatory Academy Mariachi Aguila under the direction of Jorge Melo, a panel discussion with local and state Mariachi experts, and a closing concert by Mariachi Diamante of Pueblo under the direction of David Beavidez. The event is free and open to the public.

Repair Night at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 6-8 p.m. | Bring your repair projects, tools, and know-how to this unique community event. There will be a few capable crafters around for support, but all knowledge and expertise is welcome .

Thursday, May 9

Art Gallery Tour on Van Gogh Van in downtown Pueblo

Union Avenue | 5-8 p.m. | The tour is part of the Colorado Creative Industries Summit May 9-10 in Pueblo. Most galleries will stay open late. Photographers David Hayden and Linda Cates, painter Bob Zetnick, and others will showcase what the Arkansas River means to Pueblo and southern Colorado at Steel City Art Works, 216 S. Union Ave. Complimentary refreshments and artist demonstrations will be included.

"Mirasol" Film Screening at Rawlings Public Library

100 E. Abriendo Ave., fourth floor Ryals Grand Event Space | 5:30-7 p.m. | Join Pueblo County Commissioner Daneya Esgar, the Palmer Land Conservancy, and the Pueblo City-County Library District for a free screening of the documentary "Mirasol, Looking at the Sun," featuring St. Charles Mesa farming and agriculture experts.

Life Drawing at Blo Back Gallery

131 Spring St. | 6-9 p.m. | Life drawing with model provided. Bring supplies. Cost is $15 and artists must be 18 or older.

The id open mic event at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 6:30-9 p.m. | Literary open mic evening for writers of poetry, short stories and folk tales. No music, no hate speech. All ages are invited, so keep offerings PG.

Reservation deadline for May 18 Choral Society dinner concert

Pueblo Community College, 900 W. Orman Ave. | 6 p.m. May 18 | The Joyful Journey Pueblo Choral Society event will feature dinner and tunes from "The Music Man," "Carousel," and "The Sound of Music." Cost is $60 and tickets must be purchased before May 10. Tickets are available online at pueblochoralsociety.org .

Friday, May 10

Faux First Friday Community Festival on Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo

125 E. Riverwalk | 4-8 p.m. | The Colorado Creative Industries consortium, involving more than 300 stakeholders from more than 60 towns across Colorado, will culminate with the Faux First Friday event featuring local artists and businesses, a variety of musical performances and entertainment, plus restaurants and food trucks serving Pueblo culinary favorites. Find out more at sdc-arts.org/creative-consortium-pueblo .

Comedy Show by Underground Improv at Fuel & Iron Food Hall

400 S. Union Ave. | Doors 5:30 p.m., show 6-8 p.m. | Enjoy the "Come What May" comedy show featuring local talent while enjoying dinner and drinks in the food hall's loading dock. The show has a PG-13 rating. Advance tickets cost $10 online or $15 at the door.

1970s Retro Dance or Writer's Workshop at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 7-9 p.m. for the workshop, 7-11 p.m. the dance | The writers workshop is designed and facilitated by the host of "the id." All writers are welcome. Cost is $30 per person . The 70's Dance Night offers a chance to get down and get funky while movin' and groovin' to your favorite 70s tunes. Cost is a $5 cover . All ages are welcome before 9 p.m., but adult supervision is required for ages 15 and younger after 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 11

World War II history talk at Pueblo West Library

298 S. Joe Martinez Blvd. | 10:30 a.m.-noon | Join retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nathan Watanabe for "Go for Broke, the 100/442nd Regimental Combat Team of WWII," featuring tales of action by Asian-Pacific Americans. The presentation will include artifacts, photos, uniforms, and a WWII-era Jeep.

Comedy Night at the Blue Cactus Room

1435 E. Evans Ave. | El Nopal dinner 5-7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. | The event stars comedians Ricky Ramos, Dylan Kantor and special guest Darron Finesilver. Cost is $13 and tickets are on sale at eventbrite.com/e/comedy-night-at-the-blue-cactus-room-may-2024-tickets .

Second Saturday Karaoke at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 7-11 p.m. | Karaoke with KJs Treble and Harmony during the free event .

Sunday, May 12

Mother's Day Brunch at the Pueblo Convention Center

320 Central Main St. | Sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. | The event will feature a breakfast buffet, prime rib carving station, baked potato bar, salad bar and dessert station. Cost is $40 for adults, $34 for seniors ages 62 and older, or $27 for children ages 6 to 11, or free for children 5 and younger . Advance reservations are required by calling 719-583-4961.

Wednesday, May 15

Role Playing Game Night at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 5:30-10 p.m. | Four different tabletop role playing games are offered for those who want to play a full adventure in one night. Free to play , but advance sign up is recommended. Call 719-281-6215 or email info@ethospueblo.com.

Ladies of Many Hats presentation at Rawlings Public Library

100 E. Abriendo Ave. in the Ryals Grande Event Space, fourth floor | 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday | Hear stories of women who contributed to Pueblo’s history from 1870 to 1960. The event includes modeling of vintage and replica hats. Learn how hat styles mirrored the social and political changes of the times. Refreshments provided . The event is co-sponsored by the Pueblo Heritage Museum.

Thursday, May 16

Third Thursday Karaoke at The Ethos

615 E. Mesa Ave. | 7-11 p.m. | Karaoke with KJs Treble and Harmony during the free event .

Third Thursday Open Mic at Blo Back Gallery

131 Spring St. | Sign up at 6 p.m., performances from 6:30-9 p.m. | The event is free and open to all ages.

All About Herbs program at Lucero Library

1315 E. Seventh St. | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Learn all about growing, enjoying and preserving herbs with the Cooking Matters and CSU Extension Master Gardener programs. To register for the free event visit pueblolibrary.org or call 719-562-5600.

Things to Do listings run in print each Friday and are due by noon each Wednesday via email at tharmon@chieftain.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com .

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Steel City art shows, Cinco De Mayo, 'Swan Lake' and more upcoming things to do in Pueblo