The year 2020 has been a year to remember, but between the pandemic and politics one most of us would probably prefer to forget. With Covid-19 turning everyday life on its head and ending the lives of so many, a lot of aspects of the last 12 months are easily lost from memory. One element of 2020, however, was in fact a “golden year.”
Though most of us don’t consider the rat as an adorable rodent, based on last year’s Chinese lunar calendar, pandemic plagued 2020 was the year of the Golden Rat!
Here are our glam, twinkly light choices for shopping, dining and entertaining to give champagne glasses and glittery tiaras extra sparkle to lighten up the New Year:
3 For a colorful, stunning start to the New Year view the final days of Begin Again on view through Jan. 9 at Walker Fine Art in the Prado Bldg. Work was created to inspire healing and hope. Information: 303-355-8955.
3 Learn history of the Great Sioux War at the Jan. 10 Jerome Greene lecture in History Colorado Center, 2 p.m. Information: 303-557-8679.
3 View work by 18 artists who created art exploring challenges facing the New Year at D’art Gallery, Jan. 14-Feb. 7. Information: 720-486-7735.
3 If you missed it during the holiday, the Blossoms of Light display lingers at the Botanic Gardens through Jan. 16. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Celebrate the New Year at Bull & Bush Brewery that finished its first batch on New Year’s Day 1997. Seating in heated tent, patio. Last call for alcohol 8 p.m., kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Information: 303-759-0333.
3 Bank on a brighter New Year at Denver headquartered Sunflower Bank. Build long-term relationships at a bank remaining true to its community roots. Not too big and not too small. Information: 313-297-0333.
3 Catch music of DJ Ravenscoon as he plays hip-hop and punk rock at the Black Box Jan. 22-23, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. Information: blackboxdenver.co.
3 See Dreams In Bloom, exhibition of photos by Fares Micue on display in the Freyer-Newman Center, Jan. 23-May 16. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Begin the New Year in a universe beyond earthly troubles by attending Celestial Chaos at the Exdo Event Center, Feb. 4-28. The circus production features aerial dance, acrobatics, juggling and live music. The four ring circus of otherworldly delight will boost spectators into the clouds. The production offers audiences connection, inspiration and hope for the New Year. Information: Rainbowmilitiaariel.com.
China’s 2020 Year of the Rat festivities began in mid-Jan. and lasted for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival. As the New York Times reported, China’s Health Commission voiced concerns about the emergence of a little-understood coronavirus. China’s Li Bin warned on Jan. 22 that the number infected had risen tenfold in a week.
By the lunar calendar, 2021 is the Year of the Ox: “This year no explosive or catastrophic events will occur, and it is a year favorable for economic recovery.”
Here’s to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old as the clock strikes 12. No one will miss 2020 when it’s gone, and hopefully this year will bring brighter days ahead. Here’s to the things that are yet to come and the good memories that we hold. Raising a bottle of bubbly to Chinese good fortune, we wish you “Ox of Luck!”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.