WEEKEND IN DENVER: Party like it’s 1933

Remember the prohibition?

Me neither. Alleluia!

On Dec. 5, 1933, thirsty Americans clanked their growlers high to the sky in celebration of repealing the Eighteenth Amendment.

This was after a 13-year ban on all things alcohol led by Protestants, which began in 1920, for moral and health reasons. People were getting all crocked and randy, I guess.

Luckily, we were all just a twinkle in our great-grandparents’ genes. Now, 80 years after the prohibition, Denver’s celebrating with a Prohibition Party and Beer Fest at the Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave., on Sunday starting at noon.

Denver’s historic theater was originally built as a movie house in 1927, but then morphed into vaudeville acts and concerts. Fitting for a Roaring ’20s-themed party celebrating the demise of a booze ban. There will be live swing and big band era tunes, so snag a flapper dress, cut a bob and decorate your arm with a dapper lad dressed in a suit and fedora.

The event consists of two tasting sessions: one from noon-3 p.m. and one from 4-7 p.m. There will be more than 150 beers from 25 Colorado craft breweries — admission gets a mug and unlimited beer tastings. There will be local food trucks around to help pad your foamy, hop-filled belly.

Info: Presented by Denver Gourmet Eats and The Oriental Theater; Sunday noon-3 p.m., 4-7 p.m.; theorientaltheater.com, $40

Let the neon survive

Driving down Colfax Avenue in Denver offers visitors a vintage sight of old neon signs adorning various establishments, like The Bluebird, the Satire Lounge, Pete’s Kitchen and the Aristocrat Motel.

Then there’s the classy Paramount Theater downtown, the ghetto Big Bunny Motel on West Colfax and the Oriental in north Denver.

A Save the Signs campaign has been spearheaded by Denver photojournalist Corky Scholl, who is committed to preserving the mid-century neon signs throughout Denver, which are in danger of being overhauled by development.

The Save the Signs Spectacular is raising funds to help re-lighting Sid King’s Crazy Horse Bar — Denver’s notorious strip club that closed in 1983 — after 30 years in the dark. (It’s old spot is now The Irish Snug, 1201 E. Colfax Ave., Denver.)

The party will be hosted at Park House Tavern, 1515 Madison St., Denver (one block east of The Bluebird), and will feature live rockabilly and bluegrass tunes from the likes of Tommy Price and the Stilettos, Dixie Leadfoot and the Chrome Struts and Broke Bridge; photo prints of Denver-area neon signs for sale; and a live painting by Eric Matelski.

There is a $5 donation and funds will be used to restore these iconic neon signs — with plans that include fixing the Oriental Theater, which you’ll see on Sunday at the prohibition party (right?).

Info: Saturday at 5 p.m.; facebook.com/SaveTheSignsOnColfax; $5

His Dudeness

If you’re a “Big Lebowski”-crazed enthusiast like our pal and columnist for the Daily, Jeanine Fritz, then you may not mind making a trek to Littleton for The Big Lebowski Quote-Along.

Alamo Drafthouse, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton (in Aspen Grove Shopping Center) is hosting the party Friday at 7, in a venue where films play on the big screen and dinner and drinks flow under the same roof.

Lines will be subtitled for amateurs to quote along and before the show, there will be a giant-sized bowling game on stage.

“The Dude minds. This will not stand, you know, this aggression will not stand, man.”

Info: Friday at 7; drafthouse.com/denver/littleton; $12.50