Ah, June. It’s a special month for many reasons! It’s the start of summer, which falls on June 20! Plus, it’s not too hot yet, but warm enough to enjoy outdoor barbecues and pool parties.
Plus, there are actually more daylight hours in June, so every day feels a light brighter. But in all, June has a fresh vibe to it. Like the feeling you had as a kid when school was closing.
As June begins “Bustin’ Out All Over,” here are our choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment, to keep the birds chirping, sun shining, flowers blooming, and a breeze blowing:
Take the family to view the Chalk Art Festival, as 150 artists paint on the streets of the Golden Triangle — Colfax on the north, Speer Blvd. West & South; and Broadway on the East — June 1-2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information: 720-244-3393.
Don’t miss the free Five Points Jazz Festival, as it returns to the historic district with food, shopping, and music all day on June 8. Click Here for Information
The Renwick Brothers — Koki (trumpet) and Shota (Sax) — bring new energy to Dazzle, as they return to entertain June 13, 9:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
You’ll laugh, roar at the “Dukes of Funnytown” — Steve Martin and Martin Short— when they play at Red Rocks on June 14, 8 p.m. Information: 720-865-2494.
Sign up for Wednesday Night Adult Coed Soccer League starting June 5 at the Glendale Sports Center. Played 11 on 11 in two 25-minute halves, June through August at Infinity Park’s Sports Field. Information: 303-639-4711.
Shop Glendale Farmers Market, the newest and finest on Saturdays May 25 to Aug. 31, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pick fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. Plus, enjoy food cooked by local talent at the chef’s table. Information: 303-351-1598.
See singer, actress, and dancer Janet Jackson when she entertains at the Ball Arena with rapper guest Nelly, June 16, 8 p.m. Information: 303-405-1100.
With six studio albums, plus EPs. and singles, Samuel Beam — aka Iron & Wine — entertains at the Mission Ballroom June 17, 7 p.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
Don’t miss world-class musician Hauser — a magician on the cello — when he brings his band to the Paramount June 20, 8 p.m. Information: 303-623-0106.
Enjoy food, sake, and artwork as the Cherry Blossom Festival returns to Sakura Square June 22-23, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun., 4 p.m. Information: 303-951-4486.
Learn about aging at Kavod On The Road, offering workshops, breakout sessions, breakfast-lunch June 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Information: 303-659-1146.
For an unforgettable evening of entertainment, auctions, cocktails, and dinner attend the St. Jude Gala coming to the Denver Botanic Gardens June 15, 5 p.m. Founder Danny Thomas built St. Jude as a place of healing for kids fighting cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is in Memphis, but treats children from Denver, and statewide. Families never pay for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Information: 720-215-2004.
It’s June, and not a minute too soon! Watch June’s Strawberry Moon rise large and golden-hued over Denver on Friday, June 21, reaching peak illumination at 9:08 p.m. local time.
For most of us, June marks one of the finer tuning points of the year. The days are longer and the nights warmer. Summer has arrived to feed the soul, so everything’s coming up roses.
This is the month to enjoy the outdoors, cookouts, family reunions, and love Dads on Father’s Day. Does June ever feel blue? Only if Julyed to her about summer vacation.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
