by Mark Smiley | Mar 28, 2025 | Editorials
by Mark Smiley
Boots are no longer just for cowboys and cowgirls. They are a shoe that every person should have at least one pair of in their closet. If you had to have one affordable pair in your arsenal, consider the Booker Chelsea Round Toe Western Boot made by Ariat. This boot retails for approximately $149.95 at time of press.
Ariat is a popular brand known for making high-quality footwear, apparel, and accessories, particularly designed for outdoor activities like horseback riding, work, and general outdoor sports. The Booker boot which features a round toe and 1.5” heel is also ideal for dressing up a pair of jeans or even slacks for men.
This boot which has been worn for a couple of months, is durable, comfortable, and a dressy option. The Ariat Booker Chelsea Round Toe Western Boot combines elements of Western style with the convenience of a Chelsea boot.
The Booker is designed with a round toe, making it a versatile option for both work and casual wear. Its Chelsea boot design features elastic side panels, allowing for easy on and off without laces or zippers.
This boot is made from premium leather and provides durability and a sleek appearance. The leather construction also allows it to mold to your foot over time, enhancing comfort. The ankle height is perfect for wearing under jeans.
This boot incorporates Ariat’s signature ATS technology for all-day comfort and support. The technology includes a gel-cushioned footbed, a moisture-wicking lining, and a lightweight composite shank for stability and support.
The outsole is made of rubber, which offers traction and durability, making it suitable for a variety of environments, from ranch work to everyday wear. The boot blends the practical design of a Chelsea boot with Western-style elements, such as a sleek silhouette and sometimes subtle stitching or decorative details, making it perfect for both modern and traditional Western aesthetics.
“I almost sent these back before I had even tried them on,” said Robert Fichera, Amazon customer. “I am so glad that I didn’t; they are like wearing my house slippers. I love the fact that the sides have the stretchy material where your ankles are so much more comfortable.” There are many 4 and 5 star reviews across the board with most reviewers complimenting the comfort and durability.
If you are in the market for a stylish and comfortable boot that won’t break the bank, consider the Ariat Booker Chelsea Round Toe Western Boot.
For more information, visit www.ariat.com. You can find a nice selection of Ariat boots at the Boot Barn located at 8500 East Orchard Road in Englewood or 12 other Colorado locations.
by Mark Smiley | Mar 28, 2025 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL — a one-of-a-kind production that brings the circus arts to the ice for the very first time, returns to two Colorado markets in 2025: Loveland, April 18-20, 2025, at Blue Arena, and Colorado Springs, April 24-27, 2025, at Broadmoor World Arena. With 11 circus acts all adapted for Cirque du Soleil’s first foray into a brand-new creative territory — the ice —CRYSTAL takes audiences on an unforgettable journey into the vivid and whimsical world of imagination.
Since 2017, CRYSTAL has performed in front of more than 2 million people in over 145 cities worldwide, blending the art of skating with adrenaline-inducing acrobatics and aerial feats. CRYSTAL pushes the boundaries of possibility within the circus arts. The show highlights Cirque du Soleil’s creativity in a new way and encourages audiences to find the magic of the everyday. Every time you watch, there’s something new to see and experience.
Tickets for CRYSTAL are now available exclusively to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and includes access to advance tickets and special offers. To join, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/crystal.
CRYSTAL – Performance Schedule:
Loveland, CO – BLUE ARENA
- Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 19 at 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 20 at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Colorado Springs, CO –
BROADMOOR WORLD ARENA
- Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 26 at 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO — the first original Cirque du Soleil Big Top show after the pandemic — will also make its way through Denver in 2025 with 46 performances under the tent in Ball Arena’s 4Runner West Parking Lot July 12-August 17, 2025. Tickets for ECHO are also now available exclusively to Cirque Club members and general tickets can be purchased at www.cirquedusoleil.com/echo.
Photos by Matt Baker & Olivier Brajon
by Mark Smiley | Mar 28, 2025 | Main Articles
Tickets For The Wednesday Evening Concert Series Are On Sale Now
by Mark Smiley
July 16: A Tribute to Joni Mitchell, featuring vocals by Front Range mainstays, Liz Barnez, Rebecca Folsom, and Celeste Krenz. This concert sold out Swallow Hill’s 300 seat room in the fall, and the band is excited to bring it outdoors this summer.
Music and memories go hand in hand. Hearing a beloved song from our youth can transport us back in a way few other things can, while creating new memories in the process.
Swallow Hill Music is proud to announce the return of tribute concerts at Four Mile Historic Park on Wednesday evenings this June and July. The concerts will start on June 4 and run every Wednesday until July 16. The Denver-based music nonprofit introduced its lineup of tribute shows last summer and music lovers responded in record-breaking numbers, creating a multigenerational experience — and memories — in the process.
Picking up on last summer’s momentum, this year’s lineup welcomes U2 tribute band Bullet The Blue Sky, Fleetwood Mac tribute Rumours, Santana tribute Santa Rios, and Rolling Harvest, a Bob Dylan-Neil Young tribute.
Returning to the concert series are Denver’s venerable Grateful Dead tribute band Shakedown Street, and Sugar Britches with their John Prine tribute show.
Rounding out the lineup is A Tribute to Joni Mitchell, featuring vocals by Front Range mainstays, Liz Barnez, Rebecca Folsom, and Celeste Krenz. This concert easily sold out Swallow Hill’s 300 seat room in the fall, and the band is excited to bring it outdoors this summer.
Pack a picnic dinner and spread out on the lawn at Four Mile Historic Park to take in a night of unforgettable music in a family-friendly setting. Outside food & non-alcoholic drinks and coolers are allowed, but outside alcohol is not permitted. An onsite bar will be available.
The Wednesday night concerts begin at 6:30 p.m., with Four Mile Historic Park opening at 5:30 p.m.
See the full lineup and get complete details on the website mentioned below. As a nonprofit, ticket purchases to all Swallow Hill productions help support bringing more music to the Denver metro community through concerts, as well as our music classes and music in preschool programs. Thank you for supporting summer concerts with Swallow Hill Music.
Visit swallowhillmusic.org//four-mile for a complete schedule and for tickets. Tickets are $20 and $15 for Swallow Hill and Four Mile Members. Kids ages 4-12 are $10, children 3 and under are free. Four Mile Historic Park is located at 715 S. Forest Street in Denver.
