“What is so rare as a day in June?” asked Russell Lowell. “Then if ever come perfect days,” he proclaimed. To be sure we still have the coronavirus or June Bug jitters. But this is the perfect month to start living, to start reaching into the soul of every single moment and find the magic contained in it. Vulnerable yet invincible!
June is opening to jitterbug’s downbeat, but the upbeat second step is set to swing: Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do, corona, corona stay-away-from me and you!
Here are our bold choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to help you begin the devilishly divine dance steps to take you back to the Distancing future.
3 Register and participate in the country’s second largest ovarian cancer run-walk gone virtual. Race through the neighborhood, a park or on your treadmill to raise funds for Jodi’s Race Virtual Dash, June 1-30. Information: 720-971-9436.
3 Enjoy a cornucopia of arts and crafts plus food at the Denver Urban Market at Skyline Park June 6, 13-14 and 18, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Information: 720-272-7467.
3 Listen to the virtual talk by eating disorder expert Dr. Susan McClanahan hosted by the Lowry Speaker Series June 16, 7 p.m. Information: lowryfoundation.org.
3 Grab a cup of coffee and join the Habitat for Humanity Breakfast that’s changed to a virtual 30-minute program on June 24, 8 a.m. Information: 303-996-5468.
3 Make your move now to see the collection of 90 luxury condominiums opening at The Met at Boulevard One in Lowry. You’ll discover one-level living, dual master suites plus two acres of scenic open space. Information: 720-840-0484.
3 With a variety of restaurant choices for takeout, curbside pickup, drive-thru and delivery options, head to Aurora’s Havana Street. Dozens of top eateries are located between Dartmouth and 6th Ave. Information:onhavanastreet.com.
3 Let the piano keyboard repertoire of New Orleans pianist Jon Cleary help you forget the pandemic at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall June 26, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 See artists Anna Charney, Koko Bayer overhaul alleyway at 11th Ave. Hostel with live music for Colorcon June 28, 6-9 p.m. Information:coloradocolorcon.com.
3 Take the family on a recess from being shut-ins as Monday Movie Madness opens at Glendale’s Infinity Park June 29, 7:30 p.m. (gates open 6:30 p.m.). You’ll see the animated superhero film Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It’s a raucous adventure with comics-inspired visuals. Park is following reopening procedures and there’s ample room for social distancing on the rugby-ready lawn. Free movies continue through Aug. 10. Information: infinityparkglendale.com.
It was the kooky Chicken Little that first warned us as kids, “The sky might fall.” Young Chicken Little threw his town into panic just as the coronavirus did for us. But despite the virus dance and the crowd of doubtin’ Thomases, we still need to gather, celebrate and brainstorm to help us unwind, even when it has to be at a distance.
The Chicken Little story is to have courage, even when it feels like the sky is falling. Today, we need courage to fit into a culture with a shifting, newfangled dance.
Jive, bop, boogie woogie and doo wop: Rather than the jitters, it’s time to get rhythm and dance, even when it’s hotter than noon in June with the flutes, trumpets and tubas out of tune. We can’t let life’s performance be cancelled by the corona June Bug. For those that tell you “it’s too hot to Handel,” merely reply: Don’t July to me!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.