September is a turning point month. It’s a time to reflect on the summer that was. The harvest is afoot. Football is back and the elections are approaching. The kids are back in school as part of their mission to become smarter than us in record time. Take a breath of that brisk fresh air and inhale as you enjoy top songs of autumnal wistfulness.
September has a natural rhythm and tilt to it and like most three-syllable months sings very well. Oct., Nov. and Dec. sing all right too, but September has it all.
Here are our singsong choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to fill the melancholic season as leaves of brown come tumbling down on our lawns this fall:
3 Capture that old September feeling Dancing in the Streets to celebrate ARC Thrift Stores 50th Anniversary Sept. 8. Dinner fundraiser is at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center, 5:30 p.m. Information: 303-229-1438.
3 Get in a fun and frightful fall mood watching the action-horror film Mandy at the Colfax Sie FilmCenter Sept. 14. Information: 720-381-0813.
3 Enjoy Colorado Cuisine & Cocktails at Distinctly Colorado’s Sept. 15 breast cancer benefit at Infinity Park, 5 p.m. Information: 303-669-3113.
3 Hop, Skip & Jump into autumn with your kids at the Children’s Museum annual stroller friendly 5k Sept. 16, 7:30 a.m. Information: 303-561-0101.
3 Make it an artful autumn by viewing new work by trio of Art All Stars opening at the Robert Anderson Gallery Sept. 14, 5-8 p.m. Gallery’s new space is adjacent to Bluebird on E. Colfax. Information: 303-257-0684.
3 Blast into fall at Bar Car’s 8th Birthday Bash on Colorado Blvd. Sept. 23 from 2-7 p.m. Denver Dumb Friends League fundraiser features live music, free hot dogs and happy hour prices. Information: 720-524-8099.
3 Take in free family science, tech, engineering and math (STEM) festival at East High School Sept. 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 720-982-8933.
3 Join St. Martin’s Festival Singers as they sing the rich and beloved vespers at St. John’s Cathedral Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-298-1970.
3 Take steps to end cancer this month by participating in the Light The Night Walk at Washington Park Sept. 28, 5:30 p.m. The Light the Night Ceremony begins at 7 p.m. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsored event funds treatments that are saving lives of patients every day. Walk itself is just less than two miles long around the inner loop of the park. Dogs on leash are welcome. Information: 720-440-8620.
Is September the perfect month in the Cherry Creek Valley? Quite possibly! While known for its warm sunny days and cool crisp nights, September can feature just about every type of weather ranging from severe storms, to heavy snow and extreme flooding. September 1 marks the start of meteorological fall and the season of change.
We see the average high drop 12° from the first day to the last day of the month. The Valley ends the month at — do we dare say — a near-perfect 72° F average high.
There is also clarity about September. On a clear day the sun seems brighter, the sky bluer as white clouds take on groovy shapes. The moon is a wonderful apparition, rising gold and cooling to silver. And what September starts, October is always ready to grab the torch and carry on. Hey, hey, hey, it’s the colorful season: “Awwtumm!”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.