“April showers bring May flowers.” We’ve all heard the rhyme at some point. It’s the popular thing we say this month. It can be traced back to the mid-1500s. In 1557 Thomas Tusser compiled “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry” (art of horticulture). In the document’s April section he wrote: “Sweet April showers do spring May flowers.”
This is the month when guys and gals start stylin’ and profilin’ by pulling out those bright and patterned outfits they have been waiting to wear for months.
Here are our bright bouquet choices for shopping, dining and entertainment so the weather won’t make you gloomy, whatever the weather or whether we like it or not:
3 Just as days of uncertain weather capture a frame, Robert Anderson Gallery’s show titled Unexpected Developments casts a montage of dreams you’ll want to see, April 1-May 14. Information: 303-257-0684.
3 You’ll be singing in the shower after seeing Sondheim’s musical Sweeney Todd at the Stage Theatre, April 8-May 15. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Follow the footsteps of the fading dustbowl during Denver Symphonic tribute at Boettcher Hall April 9, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
3 Warm rainy mornings or cool sweaty days by enjoying the food, drinks and solitude at Platform T. Information: 303-756-1464 or 303-777-5687.
3 Begin the dog days of summer at Denver Dumb Friends League’s Estate Planning Seminar April 12, 11:30 a.m. Information: 720-241-7151.
3 You’ll be stylin’ and profilin’ once you’ve repaired, revived, restored and refreshed your wardrobe of spring things that are hiding in the closet at Bonnie Brae Cleaners on University Blvd. Information: 303-733-6529.
3 Pop the cork on spring at the annual wine tasting event Lowry Uncorked in Eisenhower Chapel April 22, 6-8:30 p.m. Information: 303-344-0481.
3 Enjoy a splash of laughter as comic Lily Tomlin showers the Paramount Theater with hilarity April 23, 8 p.m. Information: 303-893-8497.
3 Discover the Valley’s shiny spots by exploring Denver’s unique and stylish indoor and outdoor spaces. Doors Open Denver gives you the opportunity to explore the City’s historic and artistic feats of architecture and design, April 23-24. Free self-guided and fee-based guided tours are offered to 69 sights. Twelve new buildings are showcased plus there will be arts and culture activities at 10 sites. Information: 720-898-5900.
“April showers bring May flowers” is a reminder that even the most unpleasant of things including April’s heavy rain can bring about enjoyable things such as a wealth of May flowers. Sara Teasdale said it best: “Yet the back yards are bare and brown with only one unchanging tree — I could not be so sure of Spring, save that it sings to me.”
On those days when you’re trapped inside by rain take time to drench in showers of solitude. It’s time to take a moment and dream of the endless colors of a rainbows.
It is commonly assumed that the first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. Nevertheless, this is the month when we all catch spring fever. As Mark Twain explained the malady, “When you’ve got it you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so.”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.