by Mark Smiley | May 19, 2026 | Editorials
by Mark Smiley
The Denver Center Theatre Company (DCTC) has unveiled an expansive lineup for its 2026/27 season, featuring a mix of classic works, world premieres, and audience favorites that promise to deliver a dynamic year of live theatre.
Artistic Director Chris Coleman described the upcoming season as “a vibrant celebration of theatrical imagination,” highlighting a slate that blends reimagined classics with bold new storytelling.
The season opens September 11, 2026, and includes eight mainstage productions staged across the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
A Season Of Variety And Innovation
The lineup kicks off with Destiny of Desire, a lively telenovela-inspired play with music, running September 11 through October 4 at the Wolf Theatre. The comedic story follows two girls switched at birth, weaving melodrama, humor, and live music into a high-energy theatrical experience.
Shortly after, Shakespeare’s The Tempest takes the stage from October 2 to November 1. Directed by Coleman, the production explores themes of revenge, forgiveness, and identity through one of the Bard’s most magical works.
The new year brings fresh voices to the forefront with two world premieres. Bogfriends (January 15-February 21, 2027) delves into connections across time and memory, while How to Conquer America: A Mostly True History of Yogurt (February 5-28, 2027) offers a humorous yet heartfelt look at culture and identity through the lens of a 1970s marketing campaign.
Music, Memory, And Mystery
Spring programming includes the Tony Award-winning musical Once (April 2-May 2), known for its emotionally resonant folk-rock score and intimate storytelling.
Also featured is And So We Walked (April 16-May 23), a powerful solo performance by Cherokee artist DeLanna Studi chronicling a personal journey along the Trail of Tears.
Closing out the mainstage season is Dial M for Murder (April 30-May 30), a suspenseful adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, promising intrigue and unexpected twists.
Holiday Tradition And New Works
In addition to the subscription series, DCTC will present its annual holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol, running November 25 through December 27. The production remains a staple of Denver’s seasonal celebrations.
The 21st annual Colorado New Play Summit, scheduled for February 20-21, 2027, will once again offer audiences a behind-the-scenes look at new theatrical works in development.
Tickets And Subscriptions
Season subscriptions are now available through the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, offering benefits such as discounted pricing, priority seating, and flexible exchanges. Single tickets will be released at a later date.
With its blend of beloved classics, innovative premieres, and culturally resonant stories, the Denver Center Theatre Company’s 2026/27 season is poised to be one of its most compelling yet, inviting audiences across the region, including Glendale Cherry Creek residents, to experience the transformative power of live theatre.
by Mark Smiley | May 19, 2026 | Glendale City News
by Mark Smiley
Denver families will have a chance to step into the worlds of Frozen, Encanto, Moana, and other Disney favorites later this year as Disney On Ice brings its newest production, Find Your Hero, to Ball Arena for a three-day run in November.
The traveling ice show will perform six shows from Nov. 13–15, offering a mix of classic Disney storytelling, figure skating, music, and large-scale stage production designed for family audiences.
The production features appearances from Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy, who guide audiences through scenes inspired by some of Disney’s most recognizable films. This year’s show includes characters from newer hits such as Encanto and Moana, alongside longtime favorites including Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Frozen, and Lilo & Stitch.
Organizers say the show focuses on themes of courage, family, perseverance, and self-discovery. Audiences will follow Mirabel’s efforts to save her family’s magical home in Encanto, Moana’s ocean voyage with Maui, and Anna and Elsa’s journey to protect Arendelle in Frozen.
Disney On Ice productions have remained a longtime family attraction in Denver, regularly drawing large crowds to Ball Arena during holiday and winter entertainment seasons. The performances combine professional skating with theatrical lighting, digital effects, oversized set pieces, and elaborate costumes.
Showtimes are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13; 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14; and 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Tickets go on sale to the general public May 19 through Ticketmaster, with presale opportunities already available for Disney On Ice subscribers and preferred customers.
In addition to standard admission, attendees can purchase a VIP Magical Pass package that includes premium seating, early venue access, a character meet-and-greet before the performance, and commemorative merchandise.
Ball Arena is located at 1000 Chopper Circle in downtown Denver.
For additional information and ticket availability, families can visit DisneyOnIce.com/find-your-hero/denver-co-ball-arena.
Feld Entertainment photos
by Laura Lieff | May 19, 2026 | Main Articles
by Laura Lieff
Infinity Park is the place to be this summer as a variety of rugby matches and camps will be going on in the heart of Glendale. In addition to the high school state finals, which happened in May, the Denver Onyx home games, high school rugby camps, and the RugbyTown 7s tournament are all on the docket throughout the next few months.
“Whether you’re a longtime rugby fan or new to the sport, this summer is packed with all types of action for everyone to enjoy,” says Director of Infinity Park Operations Kieran Nelson. “Our stadium is a great place to spend the afternoon with friends, family, or coworkers. Also, high school kids can sign up for opportunities to experience rugby at our state-of-the-art facility throughout June and July.”
Last month, the 2026 Rugby Colorado High School State Finals yielded exciting results as the third place matches took place on the Infinity Park Turf Pitch and the State Championship matches were played inside the Infinity Park Stadium.
Third Place Matches
- Valor 2 defeated Glendale/Brighton/Denver North 53-10 in the Tier 3 Boys match.
- Hammers edged out Palmer Terrors 29-27 in the Tier 2 Boys match.
- Glendale/Regis/Valor won against Denver East 22-17 in the Tier 1 Girls match.
- East 1 shut out Monarch 1 53-0 in the Tier 1 Boys match.
State Championships
- East 2 defeated Monarch 2 28-14 in the Tier 3 Boys championship.
- PAC won against Arvada 18-10 in the Tier 2 Boys championship.
- Monarch/Lumberjackies defeated Summit 28-10 in the Tier 1 Girls championship.
- Valor 1 won against Regis Jesuit 29-15 in the Tier 1 Boys championship.
Denver Onyx
For the second consecutive year, the Denver Onyx will call Infinity Park home as the team trains regularly on the turf pitch and will play their five regular-season home matches inside the stadium. The Onyx compete in Women’s Elite Rugby, the first-ever professional women’s rugby league in the United States. Last season, the Onyx finished the regular season with a 9-1 record on their way to winning the inaugural Legacy Cup where they defeated the New York Exiles 53-13 in the 2025 Grand Final.
“We’re excited for year t
Home Turf: The Denver Onyx, who compete in the Women’s Elite Rugby league, will play the Chicago Tempest at Infinity Park on June 7. Colton Strickler photo
wo,” says Denver Onyx Head Coach Sarah Chobot. “Infinity Park is the best venue and facility in this entire women’s professional league and the class of the staff is bar none the best.” She continues, “Everyone from the City of Glendale has shown the desire to have rugby in this community — the energy and vibes are thrilling. It was a packed crowd on Mother’s Day and we couldn’t be more excited.”
At press time, the Onyx were two matches into their 2026 campaign with a 1-1 record after dropping their season opener on the road to the Bay Breakers 36-19. However, they bounced back with a 54-29 win over the Twin Cities Gemini on Mother’s Day in front of a lively crowd at Infinity Park. Coach Chobot was delighted with the team’s comeback victory over the Gemini. “I was very proud of how the team responded after a disappointing loss in the Bay Area in Round 1,” adds Chobot. “The desire the team played with in Sunday’s win, even when the game was well in hand, was pretty exciting.”
The Onyx are scheduled to play four more matches at Infinity Park in 2026 – see schedule below. If they finish the season in first or second place, they will host a home playoff match at Infinity Park in August.
- Sunday, June 7 vs. Chicago Tempest
– Gates open at 6 p.m. | Kickoff at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13 vs. Boston Banshees
– Gates open at 4 p.m. | Kickoff at 5 p.m.
- Sunday, June 21 vs. New York Exiles
– Gates open at 2 p.m. | Kickoff at 3 p.m.
- Sunday, July 12 vs. Bay Breakers
– Gates open at 4 p.m. | Kickoff at 5 p.m.
High School Rugby Camps
Elite Experience: Glendale Youth Rugby will host a four-day skills camp for high school girls June 21-24. Colton Strickler photo
Skills Camp: Hosted by Glendale Youth Rugby, the boys high school camp is slated for July 14-17 at Infinity Park. Colton Strickler photo
Offering one of the best high school camp experiences for both boys and girls in the southwestern United States, Glendale Youth Rugby is hosting two, four-day camps during which the attendees will be treated like professional athletes. With access to a full-time athletic trainer, Infinity Park’s state-of-the-art weight room, and recovery room, campers will receive instruction from coaches and players with international rugby experience.
“Our summer rugby performance camps are excellent for any high school rugby athlete,” says Glendale Youth Rugby Director Andie Hammon. “We’ve put on a quality program for high school girls for over a decade and have recently built out a high-performance boys camp over the last two years.” She continues, “We always have a top-tier staff from around the country to provide these athletes with some of the best coaching they’ll ever receive in their high school rugby careers. We hear from the athletes who attended in the past that it’s a week of fun and learning that they don’t find anywhere else in the region.”
In addition to the low player-to-coach ratio — which will ensure the best coaching possible — attendees will get the full professional experience as it is a four-day sleep-away camp. By spending three nights in a hotel near the facility, athletes have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in rugby. The high school girls camp is planned for June 21-24 and the high school boys camp is scheduled for July 14-17.
RugbyTown 7s
Tough Competition: In the 2025 Cup Final, Heat Ruby won their first RugbyTown 7s Cup and the $10,000 prize when they defeated NAV 7s. Susi Baxter-Seitz Photo
Returning to Infinity Park for its 14th year, the RugbyTown 7s tournament will host 21 teams from all over the world who will compete to win the title of RugbyTown 7s Cup Champion and the $10,000 grand prize. Taking place August 21-23, the tournament attracts top teams for a weekend of fast-paced, high-scoring matches. Additionally, this tournament is where the branches of the United States Armed Forces vie for their rugby championship.
In 2025, All-Army defeated the Department of the Air Force in the U.S. Armed Forces Final to secure their 10th United States Armed Forces Championship. All- Navy Rugby won their first title in 2021 and the All-Marine Rugby 7s won the inaugural United States Armed Forces Championship in 2012. Both the Department of the Air Force and Coast Guard Rugby are still searching for their first Armed Forces Championship.
Also in 2025, the Heat Rugby secured their first RugbyTown 7s Cup when they defeated NAV 7s 33-7 in the Cup Final. This summer, they will attempt to make history by being the second team ever to win back-to-back RugbyTown 7s Cup titles. Denver 7s Selects is the only team to accomplish this feat with wins in both 2015 and 2016 before securing their third title in 2024 making them the only team that has won the tournament three times. Additionally, the only two teams that have won the RugbyTown 7s Cup twice are the Ramblin’ Jesters (2019 and 2022) and the USA Falcons (2012 and 2014).
Fans attending the tournament can expect to see 57 matches played over the course of three days in August. The Early Bird Special for 20 percent off weekend passes and single day tickets will be available July 13-3 and regular tickets will go on sale August 1. More information on the Denver Onyx can be found at DenverOnyx.us. For additional information about RugbyTown 7s, visit RugbyTownUSA.com. Those interested in learning about the Glendale Youth Rugby high school camps can visit GlendaleYouth Rugby.com/high-school-camps.
by Mark Smiley | May 19, 2026 | Uncategorized
by Mark Smiley
In Denver, where backyard grilling, patio cooking, and hands-on craftsmanship are part of everyday life, having the right tools can make all the difference. Two standout thermometers, the MEATER Pro Duo and the ThermoWorks Industrial IR Gun, offer distinct approaches to temperature tracking, each designed to meet the needs of serious users. These serve as perfect Father’s Day gifts which is coming up on Sunday, June 21.
For home chefs and grill enthusiasts, the MEATER Pro Duo delivers a high-tech, wire-free cooking experience. The system includes two fully wireless probes that monitor both internal meat temperature and ambient heat, allowing users to track multiple dishes at once, whether it’s a steak and chicken on the grill or different sections of a large roast.
The probes connect to a charging block that doubles as a WiFi gateway, enabling cloud-based monitoring through the MEATER app. That means cooks can step away from the grill, whether to prep side dishes or relax with guests, and still keep tabs on their food in real time. The app also includes guided cooking programs, alerts when target temperatures are reached, and estimated cook and rest times, making it useful for both experienced grillers and those still refining their technique.
In practical terms, the dual-probe setup is especially valuable in a typical Colorado setting, where multiple cooking methods might be in play at once. A user could monitor a tri-tip on the grill while keeping an eye on chicken wings in a smoker, all from a smartphone. The probes are built with durable materials designed to handle high-heat environments, an advantage when grilling at altitude or searing at higher temperatures.
Still, the MEATER Pro Duo does come with considerations. It relies on a strong WiFi connection at the cooking site, and its advanced features may be more than occasional grillers need. At around $199.95, it’s an investment best suited for those who regularly cook multiple items and want a more connected, hands-off experience.
On the other end of the spectrum, the ThermoWorks Industrial IR Gun is built for speed, durability, and precision in measuring surface temperatures. Ra
ther than monitoring internal cooking, this infrared thermometer provides instant readings of surfaces, from a hot griddle to industrial equipment, without direct contact.
Known for its rugged construction, the IR Gun features a comfortable grip, a bright backlit display, and a dual-laser targeting system that clearly defines the measurement area. Its adjustable emissivity allows users to fine-tune readings across different materials, whether shiny metal or matte surfaces.
Performance is where the tool shines. It delivers near-instant readings with high accuracy and offers a wide temperature range suitable for food safety, automotive work, brewing, and HVAC applications. The 50:1 distance-to-spot ratio allows users to measure from a safe distance without sacrificing precision, particularly useful when working with hot or moving equipment. Additional features like high and low alarms and MAX, MIN, and AVG modes provide further data insight for professional use.
While priced around $79, higher than basic consumer models, the IR Gun is positioned as a long-term investment for those who value reliability and performance in demanding environments.
Ultimately, the two devices serve different but complementary purposes. The MEATER Pro Duo is ideal for connected cooking and multitasking in the kitchen or backyard, while the ThermoWorks Industrial IR Gun excels in delivering fast, accurate surface readings across a range of professional and practical applications.
For Cherry Creek Valley residents, whether hosting a weekend barbecue or working in the field, these tools reflect a growing trend toward smarter, more precise technology that helps users work more efficiently and with greater confidence.
