Meow Wolf Has Found A Home Here In Denver

by Jessica Hughes | Oct 28, 2019 | Feature Story Bottom Left

by Jessica Hughes

Meow Wolf, an immersive art experience, will soon make its debut in Denver come 2021. But in the meantime, the popular art destination wants to get the Mile-High City pumped up with the anticipation of its arrival with its latest event, the Meow Wolf Dark Palace Dance Party.

Meant to engage all your senses, the Meow Wolf Dark Palace: A Dance Obscura is a three-night dance party coming to the National Western Complex this Nov. 22-24. The party is headlined with some popular electronic names that are sure to set the stage for one heck of a dance celebration. In addition to the musical line-up, there are set to be and soon to be announced, local artists creating captivating art installations, all meant to enhance the entire experience.

Meow Wolf got its start in 2008 in Santa Fe, as an art collective with the original concept designed to be a unique and immersive art experience using installations with multimedia elements. Through these interactive experiences, audiences of all ages can explore the world of art beyond their imagination within a fantastic realm of story and explanation.

Its heightened popularity came in 2015 when the art collective decided to renovate a vacant bowling alley to make a permanent venue for visitors, which would soon become Meow Wolf: The House of Eternal Return. With help from the city of Santa Fe and a Kickstarter campaign, plus a few million dollars from Game of Thrones author, George R.R. Martin, they opened the Meow Wolf Complex in 2016. Here visitors will encounter teleportative fridges, psychedelic painted walls, fairyland villages, a simulated underwater black-light experience, and plenty more to keep your mind wondering for hours.

The new 90,000-square-foot location will be at I-25 and Colfax. The new complex is set to rise 70 feet high, making it visible from multiple vantage points. Compared to the original location in Santa Fe the Denver complex will be three times the size of the Santa Fe location, with plans for artists’ installations, of which further information will remain a mystery until opening week.

While exact details of what the space will offer and what artists will be contributing, one thing is for sure, Denver and Santa Fe are certain to collaborate to make another outrageous and unique experience for people to admire art, play with art, be dumbfounded, be inspired by, or to simply step back and appreciate.

The announcement of Dark Palace follows Meow Wolf’s latest Kaleidoscape installation at Elitch Gardens. This “other-worldly” dark ride is based around the concept of immersing yourself in pieces of contemporary art. The installation at Elitch Gardens and the Dark Palace dance party are meant to give Denver a taste of what’s to come when Meow Wolf finally opens in the Mile-High City.

With its growing popularity, the art collective announced plans to not only expand to Denver but Las Vegas as well (in 2020).

Tickets for Dark Palace and the grand opening of Meow Wolf are now on sale at Meow Wolf’s website at www.meowwolf.com.

Monet Is Coming To Denver

by Jessica Hughes | Sep 23, 2019 | Feature Story Bottom Left

by Jessica Hughes

Big things are happening at the Denver Art Museum (DAM). With recent announcements regarding its phased re-openings of their latest renovations plus the highly anticipated Claude Monet exhibit, all eyes are on the DAM.

Opening October 21, 2019, the DAM will be the host to the most comprehensive collection of Claude Monet paintings that the United States has seen in more than two decades. Claude Monet: The Truth of Nature will feature about 120 works spanning the famed artist’s entire career, focusing on his extensive travels and intimate relationship with nature. The exhibit will examine Monet’s interest of changing environments, the reflective qualities of water, and the effects of light. Plus, the exhibit will explore his journeys to various places including the Normandy coast, London, Norway, and the Netherlands.

“Throughout his career, Monet was indefatigable in his exploration of the different moods of nature, seeking to capture the spirit of a certain place and translating its truth onto the canvas,” said Angelica Daneo, Chief Curator and Curator of European Art before 1900 at the DAM.

The exhibition will fill three distinct galleries totaling about 20,000 square feet. Featured works will include artworks from the beginning of his career with View from Rouelles, the first painting Monet exhibited in 1858 when he was 18 years old, up to his later work of The House Seen through the Roses, completed just a few months before his death. Other highlights will include Under the Poplars from a private collection and Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge from the Princeton University Art Museum.

In coordination with Museum Barberini in Postdam, Germany, the DAM will be the single U.S. venue for this exhibition from October 21, 2019 through February 2, 2020, moving to the Museum Barberini in the spring of 2020.

Beyond the DAM’s latest exhibit, other exciting announcements were recently made regarding the museum’s renovations. In June 2020 the DAM will begin its phased reopening with the reveal of the three levels of the Martin Building (formerly known as the North Building), the new Sie Welcome Center, and the Bartlit Learning and Engagement Center. To commemorate the building’s 50th anniversary, the completed renovation will be revealed at the end of 2021.

Coinciding with the first reopening phase of the DAM’s Martin Building will be the unveiling of two new dining establishments (located inside the Sie Welcome Center) set to open in June 2020, The Ponti and Café Gio. Named after the original Martin Building designer and Italian architect, Gio Ponti, both restaurants will offer two distinct spaces for museum visitors and the surrounding areas.

The Ponti brings a big name to the table with Jennifer Jasinski as the consulting chef. As a James Beard Award winner and popular Denver chef of Euclid Hall, Bistro Vendome, and others, Jasinski will develop menu concepts and have a strong influence in the selection of the restaurant’s culinary staff. Combining art and dining, The Ponti will offer a seasonal menu with locally sourced ingredients with an emphasis on vegetables, handmade pastas, plus meat and fish. The artfully designed and well-crafted restaurant will boast both indoor and outdoor dining, with its expansive outdoor terrace.

“Creativity at the Denver Art Museum won’t stop at the galleries when we begin our phased reopening. We’re delighted to present artful dining experiences to the museum visit, alongside an incredible staff with the expertise to bring our vision into reality,” said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the museum.

The other restaurant set to open, Café Gio, will be a fast-casual dining option open seven days a week during the museum business hours. Visitors will be able to enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating, as well, at the café.

For more information visit www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720-865-5000.

Eight Places To Leaf Peep In And Around Denver

by Jessica Hughes | Aug 23, 2019 | Feature Story Bottom Left

by Jessica Hughes

With the first day of fall coming up on September 23, 2019, it will be about that time again when the state of Colorado transforms into a vivid array of color, from the dense aspen groves in the high country to the fiery red sugar maples in the city of Denver.

While most think of aspens providing the front-row seat to the color show that happens every fall in Colorado, there are plenty of other trees in the Denver metro area that provide the complementary shades of red, orange, and a sprinkling of purple. As the color starts to fade in the mountains, continue the fall season with these places to leaf peep in and around Denver.

Washington Park

Washington Park’s 155 acres of manicured gardens, two lakes, shade trees, and a 2.5-mile gravel path make a classic choice for leaf peeping this fall. With over 70 varieties of trees within the park’s boundaries, a diverse color display shades visitors and offers a beautiful complement to any walk in the park.

Sloan’s Lake

Sloan’s Lake is a great place to people watch, enjoy outdoor activities, and leaf peep in the fall. Rumored to have been created by accident when a local homesteader hit an aquifer when digging a well, the lake today lures in SUPers, water-skiers, and fishers, while the 2.6-mile path brings in runners, walkers, and even roller-bladders. In the fall, colorful trees fill the park offering a picture-perfect scene with views of the Denver downtown providing the backdrop.

Drive Down University Blvd.

A simple drive or walk down University Blvd., starting just north of the 1-25 exchange up to Cherry Creek shopping district, will make you want to stop and say, “awe.” The canopy of trees that seems to encircle the street provides much-needed shade in the summer and a beautiful color display in the fall.

Highline Canal Trail

Reconnect with nature right in the middle of the city and explore the 71 miles of gravel trail that make up the Highline Canal Trail. Towering Cottonwood trees, low-lying brush and a wide variety of plants make the perfect pallet for a spectacular fall color explosion. The stretch between Orchard Road and East Belleview Avenue creates a classic fall scene with distant mountain views to complete.

City Park

What’s more iconic than a walk around Denver’s City Park on a crisp fall day? With an ideal blend of wooded areas and open lawns, City Park is home to a variety of color-changing trees, including a beautiful ash varietal, creating the perfect playground for fall. So, pack a picnic, take a stroll, and take in the fall color.

Cherry Creek Trail

From downtown Denver to Cherry Creek State Park, the 40 miles of the Cherry Creek bike trail offer plenty of colorful hues every fall. The tree-lined (mostly) paved path offers bursts of different colors at almost every turn, but the most notable sections are up near the Cherry Creek Mall and near downtown.

Platte River Trail

Extending from downtown Denver and south to Chatfield State Park, for more than 40 miles, the Platte River Trail meanders through much of Colorado’s front range. Following the Platte River, the trail provides mountain and lake views, coupled with an exceptional presentation of reds, yellows, and oranges along the way. Extend your time and continue into Waterton Canyon where the fall show continues and almost always promises a bighorn sheep sighting, or two.

University Of Denver Campus

Get your fall fix and maybe learn a thing or two with a walk through the University of Denver campus. With the bustling sidewalks back in full swing with students walking to and from class, the feel of fall is all around, from the campus’ large oak trees and maples. Set against the beautiful architecture of this prestigious campus, you can’t help but feel excited about fall in Denver.

For optimal viewing, Denver’s color show typically begins early October and can last through mid-November.

Gaylord Rockies: A Family Getaway Right Around The Corner

by Mark Smiley | Jul 26, 2019 | Feature Story Bottom Left

by Mark Smiley

With the rising costs of airline tickets and all of the expenses associated with traveling out of town, families are turning to more economical trips to get away from the mountain of laundry and the yard work. But what if you don’t want to spend seven hours in the car to take pictures of the largest ball of twine in the U.S.? Consider the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center which is less than 30 minutes away from central Denver.

The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is near Denver International Airport and is a Marriott property that opened in December 2018. The 486,000 square feet of convention space makes it the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado. It is the fifth Gaylord property to open with the others located in Washington D.C, Nashville, Orlando, and Dallas.

Even though this rustic resort focuses on the business traveler during the week, families are welcome as this hotel boasts 1,501 rooms including 114 suites. The rooms start at $249 per night which is a bargain considering you eliminate airfare and car rental expenses.

When you first walk into the resort, you will notice the Grand Lodges’ centerpiece, a 75-foot-tall (eight stories high) atrium window offering spectacular views of the Denver skyline framed by the Rocky Mountains.

Consider upgrading to VIP status as the check-in process is smooth and the “Celebrity Services” staff are able to make reservations at one of the eight restaurants with priority seating. The on-site restaurants serve steak and American, Asian and Italian fares.

This resort’s main attractions are the indoor and outdoor pools (which includes an infinity pool), an outdoor lazy river, and three water slides. This water park is spread out over 22,000 square-feet. The entire resort is situated on 85 acres of land so it never feels crowded. Guests can reserve a cabana if they want their own dedicated space. Or, they may snag a chair by the lazy river and relax.

Inside the Mountain Pass Sports Bar is a 75-foot viewing screen, the largest in the state. This screen plays cartoons on Saturday morning during the Character Breakfast. The breakfast features a buffet of breakfast foods and characters from the book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland walking around to greet guests and pose for photographs. It is definitely worth it for the little ones.

Sticking with the Wonderland theme, there is an escape room which is fun for the entire family to experience. The “Hatter” gives clues while people work as a team to solve the clues and escape the room. It runs $14.99 per guest. The resort also features an arcade, miniature golf, bike rentals, pickleball, a market and more.

When you check in, be sure to ask about the free root beer floats that are served daily. The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is located at 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard. For more information about the resort or to make a reservation, visit www.gaylordhotels.com.

Greenhouse Site On Garfield To Grow Into Oasis Of Luxury

by Mark Smiley | Jun 21, 2019 | Feature Story Bottom Left

Sleek, Modern Townhomes Coming To Creek’s Newberry Brothers Greenhouse Plot At 2nd & Garfield

by Glen Richardson

Development activity is finally getting underway at the last of the large assemblages of land in Cherry Creek North — a rare corner with six contiguous lots at 2nd Ave and Garfield. It was January 2016 when Newberry Brothers Greenhouse & Florist relocated to Leetsdale Drive from the six large greenhouses they had operated on the site since just after World War II. More than three years later not only has work started at the site but high-end townhomes are being pre-sold along the street as “the ultimate oasis of luxury living.”

Property owner Paula Newberry-Arnold and her son Kien Arnold had initially planned to develop the site into “garden court” row homes titled Garfield Row. However density of the proposed development raised objections from Cherry Creek residents. Approximately 500 signed a petition against the proposal — primarily because they felt the proposed 36 parking spaces would not be sufficient and would clog the surrounding neighborhood with parked cars. Those concerns ultimately scuttled the Arnold plan.

 Not long thereafter the Arnolds had the property under contract to a potential buyer but the deal eventually fell through. Then at the beginning of last year Garfield Development LLC formed by Michael Fancher of Denver-based Iconic Investments purchased the 0.86-acre site. Greenhouses on the site had already been demolished months earlier. He paid $7.65 million for the property located on the northwest corner of Garfield and 2nd Ave.

Fabled Site

Just after World War II Weldon Newberry and two of his brothers purchased a greenhouse located on Garfield St. at the time. They initially devoted the business to the wholesale of “Colorado Carnations,” the first trademarked flower in the United States. A few years later Weldon and his wife Elizabeth purchased full ownership from the brothers.

However, as fuel prices skyrocketed, carnations were being shipped into the U.S. for less than they could grow them in Denver. The greenhouses were then used to grow a variety of plants and flowers and Elizabeth Newberry focused on developing the floral and wedding party side of the business. She continued to work in the business on Garfield until her death in 2011, at the age of 89.

Weldon and Elizabeth’s daughter, Paula Newberry-Arnold then became owner of the business along with her son. She developed the business into one of Denver’s top floral and décor shops specializing in a variety of large themed events and daily custom floral designs. The business remained on Garfield St. until relocating to Leetsdale three years ago.

Slow Stride

Once Garfield Development LLC purchased the site — it went under contract in April 2018 — the pulse of Cherry Creek North residents quickened. They were thrilled that the former Newberry Nursery site “would soon have high-end residential homes.” However the pace has been slow as Michael Fancher, President of Iconic Investments, didn’t reveal details of the plan to the Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Assn. until November 27 of last year.

It has been approximately another five months before the property was fenced off and work seemingly was getting underway. Furthermore, some observers are suggesting it could be as long as two more years before homes in this planned oasis of luxury living will actually be occupied.

To address parking concerns during construction, the developer will reportedly encourage workers to park onsite for the first phase of construction. Phase two however is likely to require some neighborhood parking. Fancher is aware of the resident concerns and hopes to minimize the impact. It felt sincere. A phone and email hotline for area residents to call in and log concerns is being planned.

Popular & Pricey

The luxury real estate market in Cherry Creek North is awash with million and multimillion-dollar homes. Luxury, of course, is a relative term when it comes to Cherry Creek, where the median sales price is $895,000. Homes in the district have been priced above $13 million. There’ve been a few incidents of townhomes priced in the $1-3 million range prompting a bidding war.

Being launched as North Pointe Ten, the project will consist of 10 attached homes, each measuring about 4,600-sq.-ft., standing three stories tall with a rooftop deck of approximately 700-750-sq.-ft. Expected to be priced at $3 million or more, they are currently being pre-sold by LIV Sotheby’s International Realty at $2,695,000.

The Denver Business Journal reported that Ryan Tedder — the lead vocalist in Colorado pop-rock band OneRepublic — is a main investor in the townhouse project.

Super-Sized

Designed by Alvarez Morris Architectural Studio on S. Broadway, each home includes a basement level with abundant storage, a media room, plus a bedroom and a bathroom. Take the elevator to the first-floor level, which includes an open layout living area, kitchen and dining, plus a powder room, mudroom and patio.

Continuing through the home, the second floor features a master suite, another bedroom suite and laundry. The third level includes a flex space, another bedroom-bathroom, plus a rooftop patio with a fire pit.

“Never before has a project been introduced to Cherry Creek that will combine this level of finish, size and aesthetic,” claims Josh Behr of LIV Sotheby’s Cherry Creek office. “These truly will be 10 unique residences that will evolve and propel forward the level of quality in Cherry Creek real estate.”

Developer & Designer

Albeit developer Michael Fancher is somewhat new to the Denver market, in the last eight years he has become one of the largest student housing landlords at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He also assembled the 4.4-acre site in the heart of Boulder that is being developed into Google’s regional headquarters.

In 2015 his company Iconic partnered with Craft Companies on several large development projects, including the 1,000-acre master planned Independence community in Elbert County.

Alvarez Morris Architectural Studio on S. Broadway excels in creating inviting and innovative spaces around the world. The combined experience of Carlos Alvarez and Carolyn Morris cultivates a comprehensive knowledge and a unique perspective, placing AMA at the forefront of design excellence.

Golf Dreams Do Come True

by Mark Smiley | May 25, 2019 | Feature Story Bottom Left

Win One Of Seven Dream Golf Vacations To America’s Top Golf Destinations

by Ed Mate, Executive Director, Colorado Golf Association

If you’ve ever dreamed of playing the best golf courses in America, the Colorado Golf Association (CGA), might just have a ticket with your name on it. This golf season, the CGA, home to more than 60,000 members, is conducting their Dream Golf Vacation Raffle — Presented by BMW. The 2019 raffle features seven grand prize packages including six Stay-and-Play packages at top golf resorts in the country, which feature 12 of the top 50 public courses in the United States, as ranked by Golf Digest. In addition to the Stay-and-Play packages, a grand prize winner will attend the 2019 BMW Championship at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.

This unique raffle supports youth golf programs conducted by the non-profit Colorado Golf Association at its own premier golf facility, CommonGround Golf Course, ranked #4 “Best public places you can play in Colorado” by Golfweek. Programs conducted by the CGA are Youth on Course, the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, Hale Irwin Player Program and Community and Wellness program which welcomes organizations such as Special Olympics, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Denver-area Boy & Girl Scouts.

The grand prize trip to the BMW Championship — the penultimate event of the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs, set for Aug. 15-18 — will include first-class roundtrip airfare to Chicago, a three-night stay at a host hotel (Thursday to Sunday, including transportation from there to the course) and a $500 gift card for food and beverage. The prize allows the winner to walk inside the ropes with a featured group on Friday of the event, and provides two 18th-hole VIP Hospitality access at Medinah for Friday and Saturday’s rounds.

The featured resorts and courses in the raffle include:

•           Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon (3 nights, 6 rounds of golf for winner and a guest, including caddie fees). Four courses ranked #2, #7, #12 and #14.

•           Destination Kohler Resort’s Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run courses in Wisconsin (2 nights, 3 rounds of golf). Whistling Straits will host the 2020 Ryder Cup.

•           Streamsong Golf Resort in Florida (3 nights, 3 rounds of golf for four people).

•           Sand Valley Golf Resort in Wisconsin (2 nights for winner and a guest, 3 rounds of golf).

•           Fairmount Scottsdale Princess and TPC Scottsdale, Champions and Stadium Course which is home of the Waste Management Open in Arizona (3 nights, 2 rounds of golf).

•           The Peaks Resort and Telluride Golf Club Sept. 6-8 (2 nights, 2 rounds of golf), with a 2019 BMW X7 courtesy vehicle to drive to and from Telluride.

All of the stay and plays include $1,000 worth of gift cards for travel, food and beverage, and except for Telluride they can be redeemed through at least the first half of 2020.

Additional raffle prizes include rounds at 40-plus Colorado golf courses, as well as golf merchandise and other goodies. Among the rounds are those offered by Aspen Glen Club, The Club at Cordillera, The Club at Pradera, The Pinery Country Club, Valley Country Club, Eagle Vail Golf Club, Meridian Golf Club, Inverness Golf Club and the Keystone courses.

To purchase tickets and a list of all raffle prizes visit ColoradoGolf.org. Tickets for this state-licensed raffle are $40 each, with no limits placed on the number of tickets that can be bought. The BMW Championship Prize winner will be selected on Aug. 2 and all other winners will be selected on August 22. Contact Ryan Smith for more information at 303-366-4653.

CGA Executive Director Ed Mate