Through autumn’s golden gown we are again kicking our way into October. ’Tis the season of falling leaves, football games, nostalgia, acoustic-guitar picking, and melancholy.
A chill is in the air as long shadows cross dying lawns and we switch to comfy sweaters. We sip mugs of Earl Grey by the fire with friends as we hunker down to our favorite fall tunes.
Here are our harvest-time choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment, as “Falling leaves drift by the window; The autumn leaves of red and gold,” as the year grows old:
3 Immerse yourself in the magic of Tchaikovsky’s music as 50 professional ballet dancers perform the famous love story Swan Lake at the Newman Center, Oct. 2, 6 p.m. Hand-painted sets with 150 radiant costumes. Information: 303-871-7746.
3 Pick the perfect pumpkin as you enjoy sights and sounds of fall at Four Mile Park’s Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 8-9, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
3 Catch the cool collaboration uniting East and South High School’s bands as they entertain at Dazzle@Baur’s, Oct. 10, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-1500.
3 Gallop to the Western Fantasy in the National Western complex for dinner and hear country singer Justin Moore, Oct. 15, 5:45 p.m. Information: 303-297-0408.
3 Indulge in dinner & dessert — including Key Lime Pie and New York Cheese Cake — at Inga’s Alpine Tavern on National Dessert Day, Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rock band Mikey G & Friends play 7 to 10 p.m. Information: 720-389-6203.
3 Dress up your home for the holidays with furniture re-upholstery, custom banquette, and decorative pillows at Boris’s Upholstery. They custom make drapery, Roman shades, cornice boards, and valances. Information: 303-751-2921.
3 Meander Denver Botanic Gardens amid glowing pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns with gleaming grins and grimaces, Oct. 18-23, 6 to 9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Take the family to hear the Colorado Symphony play Halloween Spooktacular film-TV music at Boettcher Hall, Oct. 30, 2:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
3 Help Hope House Colorado provide a safe, stable home for teen moms and their children by attending the 20th annual Hope House Gala in the newly renovated Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, Oct. 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The group’s biggest fundraiser of the year starts with a cocktail hour and silent auction in the lobby. A teen mom speaks, followed by a three-course dinner, live auction, and dance party in the Grand Ballroom. Information: 303-429-1012.
This month gives us time to gather our thoughts, find inner peace, and appreciate the beauty of nature and life. A time to stroll outside to view the picturesque fall panorama.
Relish autumn’s riches: Ripening grapes and apples, swelling gourds and blooming flowers. Go leaf peeping, bob for apples, carve a pumpkin, and drink warm apple cider.
BOO: Don’t be spooked as October ends, but do anticipate that people will start wearing masks again! If you have a covid shot slated for Oct. 31, it’ll be a Boo-ster!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.