Valley Gadfly
As February begins, there is everything to hope for — including love — and nothing to regret. “Without Valentine’s Day, February would be…. well, January,” someone supposed.
It was during 1967’s “Summer of Love” that the Beatles first released the song, “All You Need Is Love.” To this day — 57 years later — it’s a message that really can’t be denied.
Here are our shortest month of the year choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment as we say goodbye to winter and warm up to brighter, sunnier days with V-Day love in the air:
Enjoy a double-header of entertainment as Michael Kirkpatrick and Elise Wunder do sets at Swallow Hill’s Tuft Theater Feb. 2, 8 p.m. He sings a folk-fingerstyle blend, she adds rhapsody, emotion. Information: 303-623-7876.
Hear “Black Violin” duo Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste play violin-viola music at the Paramount Theatre Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-0106.
Don’t miss a rare opportunity to hear Welsh pop-punk band Neck Deep playing in person at the Mission Ballroom Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
Denver Brass combines creole jazz of New Orleans with hip-shaking rhythms of Brazil at the Newman Center, Feb. 10-11, 2:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7715.
Don’t let rug specials — up to 60% off — slip away from you at Kian Rug Co. store demolition, closing sale. Choose from over 4,000 fine hand-knotted rugs on sale. Modern, contemporary, traditional, vintage, more. Information: 303-355-7400.
You’ll be “head over heels” for the Valentine Specials offered at the Monaco Inn Restaurant on V-Day, 5-9 p.m. Choices: NY Steak & Deep-Fried Shrimp; Lamb Chops with Grilled Shrimp; or Grilled Salmon. Information: 303-320-1104.
The Tierney Sutton instrumental-vocal band entertains with jazz pianist Tamir Henderlman at Dazzle Denver Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
Cellist Nicholas Canellakis and pianist Michael Brown play classics and original works at the Lakewood Center Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-987-7845.
See the 80s synth-pop band retelling of The Sleeping Beauty at Wonderbound, playing Feb. 22-March 3, 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Information: 303-292-4700.
The Colorado Symphony & Chorus perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Boettcher Hall Feb. 23-25, 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. Information: 720-865-4200.
Attend the fun, funky, fabulous art auction and fundraising extravaganza Artma at the Denver Design Center Feb. 24, 6-10 p.m. The Morgan Adams Foundation that funds kids’ cancer research created the event for a little girl who believed in the healing power of art. View and bid on the colorful wonderment work by Australian Artist Janine Daddo and the pop culture oil-on-canvas paintings and watercolors of Colorado artist Zoa Ace, others. Information: 303-758-2130.
February is not just special because it’s love month. It’s also the only month with fewer than 30 days. Though it’s usually 28 days, 2024 is leap year, which means leap day is Feb. 29th.
Love, like the weather, is unpredictable: rainy, wet, dry, frigid, foggy, windy, stormy. As Shakespeare asked in Macbeth: “When shall we meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?”
Wishing you a month filled with love and happiness. Remember, February is the month when love blooms and chocolate cravings take over, even when you get butterfingers.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.