Every month, but especially during the summer, flowers add enjoyment and meaning to our lives and community. Across cultures and time they speak a universal language of enjoyment, respect, appreciation and love. They articulate our underlying need to reach out, to bond, and to express compassion, concern and understanding.
This is the 50th anniversary of San Francisco’s Summer of Love. That era’s Flower Power theme is still relevant and, in fact, is as significant and timely today.
Here is our bouquet of choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to add beauty, vitality and enjoyment to inspire a smile and feeling of joy to each day:
3 Wednesdays blossom with music at the Shady Grove Picnic Series with the Rocky Mountain Jewgrass, The Deltaz, La Pompe Jazz & Atomga at Four Mile Park Aug. 2-23, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 Fashion flowers with an adult and kids Serenity Project fashion show at Wings Over The Rockies Aug. 5-6, 7 p.m. Information: 719-640-7469.
3 Love blooms on stage each weekend as On Golden Pond plays the John Hand Theater in Lowry Aug. 7-28. Information: 720-530-4596.
3 Chill out tasting food and enjoying wine at Cherry Creek North’s Food & Wine along Fillmore Plaza Aug. 12, 6 p.m. Information: 303-394-2904.
3 For a love affair between wine, food and music make Brik on York this summer’s hangout. You’ll enjoy global wines, Neapolitan pizza and Italian-influenced fare in exposed-brick digs. Information: 303-284-6754.
3 Wilting in the heat? Locally owned Cherry Creek Shade & Drapery can keep you cool, offering consultations on sun-blocking shades, screens, shutters plus custom draperies and blinds. Information: 303-355-4223.
3 Enjoy ice cream and the Six Foot Joe & The Red Hot Rhinos concert at The Gardens on Havana Aug. 22, 6 p.m. Information: 303-360-7505.
3 Become a budding collector buying at Artists In August Show at Wings Over The Rockies Aug. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 303-344-0481.
3 Enjoy a bouquet of beer from 20 breweries showcasing their top brews at Glendale’s Bruises+Brews Beerfest at Infinity Park Aug. 27, 12-4 p.m. As the City says, “beer and rugby are better together.” Admission includes a ticket to the RugbyTown 7s tournament (The “bruises” part!). There will also be a few distilleries and a couple of hard ciders available. Join rugby fans and beer aficionados. Information: glendalebeerfest.com.
Each summer flowers beautify nature and the scenic view around us. Flowers have been radiating, exuding and symbolizing peace throughout the millennia. Rooted in opposition to the Vietnam War, the Flower Power movement was centered in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district. Hippies living there were dubbed “flower children.”
The area became the focal point of psychedelic rock music. In the summer of 1965, the Beatles’ hit single All You Need Is Love served as the movement’s anthem.
As you enjoy flowers this summer, consider their ongoing potential to express the best of human character and action. Flowers offer much more than just beauty. They embody our hopes and wishes that transcend place and time. As the First Lady of Flowers Lady Bird Johnson often suggested: “When flowers bloom so does hope.”
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.