THE DEN10: NOVEMBER 25TH

With the last week of November afoot, the Den10 brings you the ten most elite events for you to enjoy over the next couple of days. If you work in retail, we are sorry. However, Small Business Saturday is coming up this week, and we are all fairly strong advocates of buying local (and of shopping on Saturday) over waiting outside a huge corporate store for hours just to get an exclusive tote bag on the one evening of the year that is actually supposed to be about giving thanks, you know? Totally just our personal opinions, though.

If you want to share your personal opinions, or events and stuff, Sara will be bored all week so send them to her.

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Wednesday, November 25th

UVER Thanksgiving Show  | Dan’s Silverleaf | 8 a.m. | $5
This will be the 11th annual Thanksgiving Eve show at trust Dan’s Silverleaf. Local band Swan Diver, who just released their new album, will be among the bands delighting locals ears. The Hokamp Phelps Project and UVER will perform, as well.

Thursday, November 26th

Friday, November 27th

Velo Republic Work Off That Turkey Ride | Velo Republic | 1:00 p.m.
One of the only events we think getting out of the house is worth of on the Friday after Thanksfooding Day. Join the staff at Velo for a community ride to, you know, ride off some of those Holiday Calories. Godspeed, y’all.

Black Market Comedy Showcase | Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios | 9 p.m | $5
Maybe comedy is more your post-Thanksfoodeating style. This show will mix the stand-up, theatre, and performance art elements, as well. Says it’s fun for the whole family. We’ll let you choose those types of life choices, though.

Ararat , Cleanup, Biscuit Head, & Sagacious Zoo | Andy’s Bar | 8:30 p.m. | $7
According to the Facebook event, you’ll be in store for an evening of diverse music including that of math rock, jam bands, and an Armenian-inspired jazz- metal band. Don’t worry, we are just as confused. We hear it’s worth the time & money though, so why not?

Saturday, November 28th

Denton Rock Lottery 14 | Dan’s Silverleaf | 10 a.m. | $20/15
Rise and shine, Denton! The 14th annual Rock Lottery is taking place this Saturday at Dan’s Silverleaf. For twenty bucks you not only get to see the band name draw, but you also get PAMFOOD!! Dan’s wife is quite the cook, by the way. You’d be missing out if you chose to just come to the show later that night.

Local Comic Shop Day 2015 | More Fun Comics & Games | 10 a.m.
Along with supporting local businesses on Small Business Saturday, check out our local comic shop on the square at More Fun Comics & Games. Express your inner nerd, if you will, and pick up a couple of issues that strike your fancy.

Small Business Saturday at DIME! | DIME Store | 10 a.m.
Head over to the DIME Store before 6 p.m. on Saturday to check out some fantastic product made by our town's very own independent vendors and makers! For in-store purchases of $30 or more, you’ll get a free vintage-style keychain and for purchases of $75 or more, you’ll get a tee! They are also hosting a backyard market (weather permitting).

Holiday Market | Denton Community Market | 9 a.m.
This will be the last market day of the season, folks! Be sure the get a lot of your local holiday shopping done during their extended hours of 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. There will be unique local vendors filled with special gift items as well as local produce, honeys, jams, and more.

Sunday, November 29th

Thanksgiving BRUNCH with Ginny Mac | Wine Squared  | 11 a.m.
Don’t feel like cooking? Wine Squared may have you covered, and then some. There is only seating for 35 available, and they do encourage you to make your reservations in advance. More than your gourmet brunch (check their menu linked in the Facebook event above), you’ll get to hear the lovely sounds of Ginny Mac.

Monday, November 30th

Help-Portrait: Denton Fundraiser | Oak Street Draft House | 6 p.m.
If you haven’t heard about Help-Portrait: Denton, you should. We know you know where Oak Street Draft House is.. so, come out on Monday night and enjoy a beer or two knowing that proceeds will be going toward helping fund the 3rd annual Help-Portrait: Denton event.

HEED ADVICE

With all of the new Denton transplants that a new school year brings, we thought it may be a good idea to ask folks who have lived here for a few years on advice for how to best live in Denton. You didn't ask for this advice, but you're getting it anyway. That's a life lesson right there. It's pretty wide-ranging in both the advice given and the people from whom you are receiving it - there's something for everyone in here. Even you. 

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Find your place -- your coffee shop, your bar, your front porch -- and go there. Go there a bunch. Invest in those people, talk to them. Denton is full of crazies worth getting to know. 

- Thomas Paessler, Bartender at Paschall Bar and musician

Get involved on campus. Like music? Form a band with your dorm mates. You'll be friends forever. Like BBQ? Old House BBQ has $2 brisket sandwiches on Mondays. Go to every live venue, house and impromptu show you can. Music is what fuels this town, fuel yourself with it's creative juices. Don't forget about your family. Without them you would be broke and lonely. Most of all, love Denton and learn to love UNT, each will give you the best memories you'll ever experience. 

- Danielle Longueville

In order to truly enjoy Denton, you kinda have to buy into it 100%. That means, going to city-sponsored events, getting involved with a few programs/organizations, listening to local music, and even doing literal research to find out what is happening. Denton is not the type of town in which you can just walk on down to the square and always find something going on that will enjoy. In fact, often times you may feel like there's not much to do, but if you get involved in a specific scene and do a little research, you'll find that there's often tons of stuff going on you just have to know where. And it's that research/work that you performed that will make it all the better. You will have taken ownership of your involvement and you'll feel much more of a connection to the town. In fact, you may even end up starting something, yourself!

- Will Milne, Teacher, Photographer, Co-owner of We Denton Do It

What makes Denton fantastically unique is its people and the community they've created, so jump on in there! If you're a musician, hit up the multiple open mic nights that happen weekly -- you're bound to find at least person that thinks you're rad and wants to jam. Like arts and crafts? Volunteer at SCRAP (a not-for-profit thrift store for arts and crafts supplies--- yes, it's awesome), or sell your handmade wares at the Denton Community Market on Saturdays. Still aren't sure where you fit? Ask your waiter about their favorite downtown store, or ask a shop owner about their favorite watering hole - Dentonites love Denton and want to help you get the most out of your time here. But of course, you're already off to a great start because you found We Denton Do It! Welcome to Denton, y'all!

- Rachel Aughtry, co-owner of The Dime Store

Behind one of the walls in city council chambers is a bathroom that used to belong to the mayor. The only people who have access to it are those who sit up on the dais. Unfortunately, the seat is usually up because there isn't enough female leadership at City Hall. You can help change that by volunteering on a council-appointed committee like the Parks or Library Boards. Sign up here. 

- Amber Briggle, Owner of Soma Massage

Ride a bike or walk whenever possible. While this has good merits for being environmentally conscious, that is not why. When you become a cyclist or a pedestrian you have the time to look around and take a little more notice of the small details that make this wacky little place so dang awesome. All of a sudden you aren't just speeding down Carroll, you're taking walk through a beautiful historic neighborhood towards a town center and peeking into the newest coffee joint. You may not have even noticed that those things existed if you were in your car focused on finding parking and talking to Siri. I spent my first two years in Denton without a car which totally instilled a love to slowing down and exploring this crazy city I've now called home for a decade. 

- Alyssa Stevenson, Teacher, Co-owner of We Denton Do It

To anyone wanting to get a “feel” for Denton in a short amount of time, here’s what I suggest: Our town is most famous for its beautiful courthouse and surrounding square. Highlights of this walking tour would be allowing at least an hour perusing the huge collection at Recycled Books and Records on the corner of Locust and Oak Street. For a lunch or afternoon treat, I suggest Beth Marie’s Ice Cream Parlor or The Chestnut Tree. The courthouse is home to a museum highlighting events and artifacts from Denton County dating from the early 1800’s. The museum hours are Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Continuing around the Square are numerous other interesting shops including an antiques shop, jewelry store, two mini malls that are indoor flea markets, and several other restaurants. All these activities would occupy at least a day. If further exploration were possible, that would be another list for another day. 

- Judy Smith, owner of Rose Costumes

I once photographed a graduating senior at the historic courthouse once who'd never actually been downtown during the four years he attended UNT! I couldn't believe it. The best advice I could give someone new to Denton would be to check out the downtown square, enjoy the great shops like Atomic Candy, More Fun Comics & Games, and grab a cup of something delicious at Jupiter House. While you're there take a look at the flyers posted in the windows of the shops on the square - most venues and bands will have posters up advertising their upcoming shows & festivals, and this is a great way to get exposed to Denton music and culture.

- Ed Steele, local photographer

On especially hot days, in the middle of the afternoon when the heat is most oppressive, I drive 20 minutes north to Lake Ray Roberts State Park, Isle DuBois Unit, park somewhere in the Deer Ridge camping section, walk down to the loneliest stretch of beach I can find, carrying with me, of course, my cold beverage of choice for that particular day. I wade out to about two feet of water and sit down and stare at the woods and the water. You’d be surprised by how many really cool things you see.

- Dan Mojica of Dan's Silver Leaf