Things to Do in Aurora

After wowing audiences with her dance moves for more than 25 years, Rachelle Nemec—a former captain of the Denver Nuggets Dancers who has twirled across Las Vegas stages and several TV commercials—decided to ignite a passion for the arts in her community's children. At X-treme Dance Force, she helms an experienced crew of dance instructors who hail from such prestigious arts organizations as the Houston Grand Opera, Hawaii's Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, and the Kim Robards Dance company. They teach kids of all abilities to perform a variety of dance styles that range from contemporary pointe and tap to hip-hop in classes divided by age. Their comprehensive instruction helps students master fundamental moves and confidently conquer turns, leaps, and shuffles for memorable touchdown celebrations.

The instructors further prepare kids for a career in the arts with drama and musical-theater training, and they host auditions for the studio's three dance companies, which whip advanced students into performance form. In addition to the studio's yearly dance competitions, these students show off their moves at instructional dance conventions, Denver Nuggets games, Colorado Christian University basketball games, and local fairs.

The screams reach out for the brave souls who venture into The Asylum Haunted House before they can see anything. Descending two levels into the darkness of Gordon Cottingham's Hospital for the Mentally Insane, they hear the tortured cries of patients who have been abused and drugged and held captive within decrepit walls and the dungeons of their own minds. Demented doctors with questionable motives and ultra-low OSHA ratings lurk throughout 15,000 square feet of damp, musty space infested with spiders, rats, and snakes. The graphic makeup and Hollywood-style effects couple with the realistic-looking environs to make the site one of the scariest haunted houses in America, according to the Discovery Channel and HauntWorld magazine. Even the seemingly fearless Bam Margera recommends it.

Those who survive The Asylum's insanity emerge into the postapocalyptic landscape of the adjacent Zombieland Haunted House. There, the living dead wander through the quarantined streets of a crumbling city, in and out of dilapidated buildings, searching for human flesh or half-eaten candy bars.

Gleeful shouts reverberate across Jumpin' Jordy's indoor playground, drifting from a stock of springy play palaces that safely bounce children up to 9 years old. With each jump, glide, and tumble, colorful slides and bouncy obstacle courses help tykes explore their imaginations and hone their motor skills. A pintsize playground invites children aged 3 and younger to burn off energy, and a snack bar refuels go stores with kid-friendly fare such as healthy snacks and juice. Grown-ups can jump-start their own senses with gourmet coffee, complimentary WiFi, and a high-def TV. On Wednesday nights, the facility morphs into an all-out party with reduced-price admission, $1 pizza slices, and an artist who crafts animals from balloons or spare unicycle tires. Jumpin' Jordy's also hosts birthday parties and other events; visit its FAQ page for details.

Relive elementary school artistic accomplishments with today's Groupon, offering $50 worth of personalized pottery pieces for $25 at Color Me Mine in Aurora. Celebrate V-Day painting pottery with your special friend, or surprise your valentine with pottery that you painted to look like two hearts absorbing each other, forming one monster heart.