Valley Gadfly
December is the official start of winter, colder weather, holidays, family gatherings, and the last month of the year. Shorter days, the nights are colder, and most of the trees are bare.
Ho, ho, ho: ‘Tis the season of snowy peaks, mistletoe, wrapped gifts, hot chocolate, and holiday music. Households in the Mile High City begin putting up holiday decorations.
The peace and serenity of Denver’s mild weather helps us enjoy holiday festivities. Here are our Christmas time’s a-coming choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment:
The Nutcracker returns to the stage at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for Colorado Ballet’s 65th season Dec. 1-28. There’s dancing mice, sugar plums, swirling snowflakes, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. Information: 720-865-4220.
Charlie, Snoopy, Linus, & Lucy do A Charlie Brown Christmas at Boettcher Dec. 6-7, 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Join Christy Wessler’s 21st annual Holiday Sing Along at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
Hungry for crepes before Christmas? Wash Park West’s Bon Ami Bistro & Creperie on the corner of Alameda Ave. & Pennsylvania St. has nearly 20 to choose from. Open for brunch all week long. Information: 303-862-4959.
See the newest — and perhaps the most unique — addition at Wings Over The Rockies, the AV-8B Harrier. It was the first vertical-short take-off and landing aircraft to enter service with the U.S. military. Information: 303-360-5360.
The Rock & Roll Playhouse plays the Music of Taylor Swift at the Bluebird Theatre Dec. 13, 11 a.m. Information: 303-777-1666.
Catch the musical tribute A John Denver Christmas playing in the Paramount Theatre Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
End this year at A Night In Vienna listening to polkas, waltzes, and marches at Boettcher Concert Hall Dec. 31, 7 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Party with a purpose this month by attending the 5th Annual Denver Winter Ball at The University Club December 13, 7 p.m. The Fire & Ice themed night of elegance, and dancing, raises money to help Denver children and families facing hunger. All profits go to the Food Bank of the Rockies. Information: 303-349-9262.
The final month of the year brings a unique blend of holiday cheer, winter wonder, and reflective moments. It’s the perfect backdrop as you anticipate opening all of those gifts.
Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to be jolly with the holiday spirit in the air and the atmosphere being a celebratory one. What’s the snow man’s favorite relative? Aunt Arctica.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
