by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2024 | General Featured
by Mark Smiley
Kade Ruotolo defends his title against fellow American Mikey Musumeci in ONE 160 at Ball Arena on September 6, 2024.
ONE Championship is the world’s largest martial arts organization, ranking among the world’s top five sports properties for viewership with a cumulative reach of over 400 million fans, according to Nielsen. ONE produces and distributes events across more than 190 countries, featuring martial artists and World Champions from over 80 nations and all styles of martial arts including MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and more. ONE can be viewed on many of the largest global free-to-air and digital broadcasters, including Prime Video, Sky Sports, and many others.
Cherry Creek Valley residents can see these athletes compete at Ball Arena on September 6, 2024. ONE 168 will feature many contests in an atmosphere compared to a rock concert.
“We were here [1stBank Center] last May for our first event in the U.S.,” said Rich Franklin, ONE Vice President. “We had such a great event with a sold out crowd and a great reception from the fans, that we decided to return and do two events in the U.S. Denver and Atlanta.”
Franklin became the UFC Middleweight World Champion in 2005 and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. He became ONE Vice President in 2014, supporting key strategic initiatives for the company.
Some of the key matchups on September 6 include: Mikey Musumeci vs. Kade Ruotolo, and Liam Harrison vs. Seksan. Added to Fight Card, Joining Stamp vs. Xiong Jing Nan, and Jonathan Haggerty vs. Superlek. “I’m excited for this one [Haggerty vs. Superlek],” said Franklin. “Superlek is called the kicking machine. And Jonathan Haggerty is known for his elbows. He can close distance with an elbow like most people could with a long kicking leg. This is going to be a fun one to watch.”
In addition, two contests have been added to the stacked ONE 168 fight card. First, two of the top pound-for-pound grapplers on the planet will collide when ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo defends his title against fellow American Mikey Musumeci in a must-see matchup. “We do a really good job matching up our submission grappling matches,” said Franklin. “Typically they are really fast paced. I expect this one to be really exciting.”
As the reigning ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion, Musumeci is looking to become the first two-division submission grappling titleholder in ONE history.
In addition, striking icon Liam Harrison of the United Kingdom will face Thai fan favorite Seksan Or Kwanmuang in a 140-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout. “Seksan is legendary in Tailand,” said Franklin. “His name in Tai translates to the man who yields to no one.”
ONE 168: Denver will also feature ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex, who will attempt to become a two-division titleholder when she challenges Xiong Jing Nan of China for the ONE Women’s Strawweight MMA World Title. And in a battle between two of the greatest strikers, reigning two-sport ONE World Champion Jonathan Haggerty of the United Kingdom will put his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title on the line against current ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9.
Stage Front VIP, the exclusive U.S. VIP experience partner of ONE, will continue to provide fans with access through immersive VIP experiences that include premier seating, premium hospitality offerings, athlete meet-and-greets, event collectibles, and more. You can sign up for more information on Stage Front’s VIP packages at stagefrontvip.com/one-denver.
Amazon Prime members can watch these matches live monthly and all 167 matches are archived for those who want to become more familiar with the sport. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit www.onefc.com/events/one168.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 19, 2024 | General Featured
Tickets For The Wednesday Evening Concert Series In June And July Are On Sale Now
by Mark Smiley
3eatles: The 3eatles perform the music of The Beatles the way it was intended to be heard — live, raucous, high-energy rock n’ roll. They perform at Four Mile Historic Park on June 12 as part of the Swallow Hill Summer Concert Series.
Swallow Hill Music returns to Four Mile Historic Park this summer with a concert series featuring tribute acts celebrating some of music’s most beloved artists.
Whether it is the classic rock sounds of The Beatles and the Grateful Dead, pop classics from Judy Garland, or the unmistakable hip-hop of the Beastie Boys, this summer’s lineup of tribute artists has a little something for everyone.
Music lovers are encouraged to pack a picnic dinner and spread out on the lawn to take in a night of music and memory-making in a family-friendly environment. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks and coolers will be allowed, but outside alcohol is not permitted. An onsite bar will be available.
For more than two decades, Swallow Hill has filled the summer evenings with music at Four Mile Historic Park. Get your friends together and join us!
The Wednesday night concerts begin at 6:30 p.m., with Four Mile Historic Park opening at 5:30 p.m. Four Mile Historic Park is located at 715 S Forest Street in Denver. Tickets are $20 general admission ($15 for Swallow Hill Members, $10 for kids 4-12, children 3 and under are free). Visit www.swallowhillmusic.org/four-mile for more information or to purchase tickets.
Get the full lineup and complete details below.
June 5 — Traveling Wilburys Revue – Tribute to Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and more
June 12 — Starwood – Tribute to John Denver
June 19 — 3eatles – Tribute to The Beatles
June 26 — GET HAPPY! Celebrating 100 Years of Judy Garland
July 3 — Sabotage – Tribute to the Beastie Boys
July 10 — Sugar Britches – Tribute to John Prine
July 17 — Shakedown Street – Tribute to the Grateful Dead
Founded in 1979, Swallow Hill Music is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to build community through music performance, education, and outreach. SHM is a music school and performance venue that also produces community events throughout the Denver metro region. It is an SCFD Tier II organization with a $5 million annual budget. SHM is a nationally revered hub for concerts, classes, and community events. It is also a recipient of both the Mayor’s and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, and an inductee of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and Folk Alliance International’s Business Lifetime Achievement awards. For more information visit www.swallowhillmusic.org
by Mark Smiley | Mar 4, 2024 | General Featured
By Mark Smiley
Photo by Olivier Brajon
Since 2017, CRYSTAL has performed in front of more than 1.9 million people in over 135 cities worldwide, blending the art of skating with adrenaline-inducing acrobatics and aerial feats. In total, the show spans two and a half hours with an intermission.
“CRYSTAL really 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,” says Robert Tannion, Artistic Director, CRYSTAL. “Every time you watch, there’s something new to see and experience. It’s a magical story that springs to life on the ice and we can’t wait to bring it to Denver for the first time.”
Created by Shana Carroll and Sebastien Soldevila, CRYSTAL takes audiences on a journey of self-discovery. Dive into a world of playful imagination with the show’s protagonist, Crystal, as she learns to see things differently and become whom she was always destined to be: herself.
“The show is about a girl named Crystal who has a breakthrough experience where she sees her life in a different way,” said Crystal Manich, Cirque Crystal’s Artistic Director. “Before she has this experience we see how she struggles to fit in both at home and at school. She is a bit of an outcast. The show is about her journey of self-discovery and finding her voice and becoming a creative force in her own life realizing that she has things to do in order to grow.”
The show features a mixture of acrobats and ice skaters which is rare. In fact, it is the 42nd cirque creation and the company’s very first acrobatic experience on ice. This show features seven traditional circus acts, including trapeze, hand-to-hand, Banquine, aerial straps, hand-to-trapeze, juggling, and hand balancing – all adapted to be performed on ice. CRYSTAL is the first Cirque du Soleil production that uses real snow – the team makes approximately 300 snowballs each week.
“The response has been really great because we have all of the elements of a perfect Cirque du Soleil show but the ice does add an extra element of awe,” said Manich. “You’ll see everything you would expect to see in a Cirque du Soleil show and some surprises because of the uniqueness of the show itself.”
This type is show presents challenges not seen with a typical Cirque du Soleil show. Every arena has different ice and some performers say certain ice may be too soft or too hard in a particular venue.
“What people should expect is to have a great time and to see some of the world’s best performers on the ice in a unique way coming together with these various disciplines,” said Manich. “I think this is a special show.”
CRYSTAL Performance Schedule at Ball Arena:
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 – 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 14, 2024 – 7 p.m.
Friday, March 15, 2024 – 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 16, 2024 – 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17, 2024 – 12 p.m.
Tickets for Crystal are now available online at www.cirquedusoleil.com/crystal.
Photos : Matt Baker & Olivier Brajon
by Jessica Hughes | Feb 19, 2024 | General Featured
by Jessica Hughes
Green Dot Coalition was awarded a grant of $10,000 through the RiNo Art District Social Impact Grants program.
2024 is shaping up to be a good year for the latest recipients of the RiNo Art District’s Social Impact Grants, which recently awarded an amount of $75,000 — the program’s largest amount to date.
While most people know the RiNo Art District for its extensive collection of mural art and the newest annual art festival, Denver Walls, the district also plays a big role in supporting its local artists, businesses, and community through the RiNo Business Improvement District (BID).
The Social Impact Grant program first became available to local organizations in Five Points, Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, and Cole in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. “We wanted to do something more impactful and to allocate money to organizations doing the hard work in the community,” says Alye Sharp, Deputy Director for RiNo Art District.
Curecanti Spur, mural by Lindz and Lamb at CSU Spur Campus Denver, CO.
To date, the organization has awarded a total of $225,000. The RiNo BID has additionally committed to increasing funding for the Social Impact Grants program every year.
“There were so many incredible organizations nominated this year addressing everything from social justice and food scarcity, to homelessness and youth arts education,” said Sharp. “We are so appreciative of the review committee’s passion for identifying and advocating for these organizations and appreciate our BID’s commitment to directing RiNo’s collective resources towards this important work in our community.”
Among the recipients of this grant are CIRCLE, EGS + Partners, Green Dot, Mo Betta, The People’s Pickle, and Youth Empowerment Broadcasting Organization (YEBO Media), who will each receive $10,000 to support community members in the five historic neighborhoods. Birdseed Collective will receive $15,000 to support their mission of educating and empowering disadvantaged and under-resourced individuals throughout the Denver area through food delivery, environmental equity work, youth-focused projects and events, art accessibility, work with immigrant communities, and more.
Green Dot Coalition is an equity-focused placemaking organization working to translate community vision into green spaces, practices, and policies.
With the goal of placing equity at the center of grant-making decisions, recipients are nominated by a diverse committee of local community members, this year led by Denver City Council District 9 Councilman Darrell Watson.
“RiNo’s Social Impact Grants allow us to amplify and celebrate the extraordinary work taking place every day in our District to address some of our most pressing social issues,” said Councilman Watson. “These grants are an investment in a city that works for everyone, and I’m excited to see how the selected organizations leverage their funds in service of their neighborhoods and their communities.”
Sharp also emphasized that they wanted this grant program to be an easy process for everyone to apply. “It was important that this money be unrestricted. Being able to directly write a check for the recipients is super important.”
Founded by the local artists Tracy Weil and Jill Hadley-Hooper, the RiNo Art District, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit arts organization, was created to help foster a thriving, welcoming, and creative community of artists, residents, and businesses.
As the area’s growth has surged over the years, so did the art district. “Big shifts happened in 2014 when the community came together and wanted to retain some of that creative control of how the district improved,” says Sharp.
Today, the district overlays five historical neighborhoods: Globeville, Elyria, Swansea, Five Points, and Cole. Over the last decade, RiNo Art District has helped form both a Business Improvement District (BID) and General Improvement District (GID) and a community arts educational nonprofit (Keep RiNo Wild) to support the local community.
“It’s a collaborative community of small businesses including galleries and studios, plus an incredible amount of public art,” says Sharp. “There are quite a few working artists in the district with studio space and galleries. It is a place that art is being made every day.”
“We extend our deep gratitude to the RiNo Art District for their generous support to EGS & Partners,” said Sandra Ruiz Parrilla, CEO of EGS & Partners. “This fund will not only strengthen our mission to improve our neighborhoods and offer vital mental health art therapy programs, but will also allow us to grow and get even closer to the community, effectively engaging residents in Elyria-Swansea and Globeville neighborhoods. Together, we will move forward toward promoting environmental and social justice, promoting health, and building a stronger, healthier community. Thank you for being a valued partner in our shared mission!”
To learn more, visit the RiNo Art District at rinoartistrict.org.
Photos provided by: RiNo Art District
by Mark Smiley | Jan 19, 2024 | General Featured
by Mark Smiley
For those who want to hit the slopes but avoid the drive over the President’s Day holiday weekend, Snowstang will be operating and providing service to some of the state’s premier mountain resorts.
Snowstang travels roundtrip to Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Loveland Ski Area, and Steamboat Springs every Saturday, Sunday, and President’s Day (Monday, February 19) through mid-spring. All routes board at Denver Union Station, RTD’s Federal Center Station in Lakewood, and at the Wooly Mammoth Park-n-Ride — upper lot (18560 U.S. 40, Golden, CO 80401).
Roundtrip tickets are $25, except for Steamboat Springs, which is $40. Additional discounts are available for seniors (65+) and people with disabilities. Children ages 2 to 11 ride for $12.50 (with a paying adult). Tickets can be purchased at ridesnowstang.com
“If you like to ski or snowboard but don’t like dealing with the holiday weekend traffic, Snowstang is an ideal option,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “And it’s not just this weekend. If people want to enjoy the variety of activities and special events that’ll be taking place at our partner resorts this winter and early spring, Snowstang is a great travel alternative on any weekend.”
Each Snowstang coach provides seating for 51 passengers, is climate controlled, and has luggage bays, Wi-Fi, a restroom, and USB and power outlets.
“This is our fourth season of serving skiers and snowboarders, and it continues to grow in popularity since it provides a stress-free, safe alternative to get to our world-class resorts,” said CDOT’s Division of Transit and Rail Director Paul DesRocher. “Snowstang is also affordable, comfortable, and convenient, dropping passengers off right near the ski lifts.”
by Jessica Hughes | Nov 16, 2023 | General Featured
by Jessica Hughes
Labeling your bins takes the guesswork out of where things go.
Oftentimes, the holiday season can feel overwhelming with the in-laws in town, additional obligations, finding the perfect gift, and then wrapping it. With so much going on, being organized can make a world of difference and ease the stress of “what box did I put the Christmas lights in last year.” Decluttering and organizing can help you focus on life’s other obligations this time of year. But where does one start?
Christina DesAuguste, founder of The Organizing Company — a professional organizing company that helps people organize their “stuff” in a functional, good-looking way, says to start with a method. “For those starting the process of organizing, it is best to start with a method, rather than “tips and tricks.”
During the holiday season, one of the biggest mistakes DesAuguste says she sees often is people frantically throwing things in their hamper or some other “catch all” and stick it in the closet somewhere right before friends and family arrive. “It’s best to try and not hide your mess before company comes over,” says DesAuguste. “Instead, try to come up with a method or process that sets you up for success.”
One method DesAuguste suggests when bringing out decorations for the season, is to place your non-holiday items in the holiday bins you pulled out from storage. This way, when the holidays are over, you can easily make the swap.
Christina DesAuguste gets organized with one of her Hilltop clients in Denver.
Organization not only reduces stress, but it looks good too.
“Make a decision about how you store your holiday decorations,” says DesAuguste. “You can do it by room or by category. But try not to do a “free for all storage” and take the time to be methodical.”
While DesAuguste emphasizes there is no one size fits all for organization items everyone must have, she does mention a few things she thinks everyone can benefit from. “A label-maker is huge help in getting things back where they belong. It helps eliminate the “where does this go?” question.”
Another item she strongly suggests might be one that surprises you. “A three-step stool is great to have handy,” says DesAuguste. “It sets you up for success by having easy access to things, so you put items back in their right place.”
In terms of decluttering your space to make room for all your holiday demands, DesAuguste says she is a big fan of having children go through their toys before gift-giving season. “Choose things they are ready to part with and donate. That way when new gifts come there is room for them.”
But taking away your kid’s toys might prove challenging, so starting with big bulky items that don’t have any meaning is another option. Think of items like excess small appliances, comforters you no longer use, or cleaning supplies you don’t use anymore. One other item that is less obvious but easy to discard is old paint cans.
Often forgotten about, paint cans clutter basements, garages, and crawl spaces,” says Kevin Lynch, the Program Manager for PaintCare Colorado. “Free up some of that space by taking cans of paint to one of our local drop-off sites or using the PaintCare Door-to-Door service to make room to store presents in advance of the holidays.”
PaintCare is the paint recycling program in Colorado for consumers and businesses to drop off their unwanted paint, no matter the brand, for free reuse or recycling. With more than 160 participating drop-off locations, most locations are at paint and hardware stores.
So, why worry about getting rid of your old paint cans, aside from decluttering your space? “The older that paint gets the less usable it is,” says Lynch. “Unused cans of paint can become rusty and leaky from moisture, especially in our fluctuating Colorado climate.”
Drop-off is available year-round during the retail location’s regular business hours. And if you don’t have the ability to visit one of the drop off locations, the Denver area is fortunate to have a PaintCare home paint pickup program, called Door-to-Door Service, for households with more than 10 gallons of leftover paint, stain, and varnish. There is no charge for the pickup service; the cost is included on the sale of all new paint purchased, which is how the PaintCare program is funded.
If you’re not ready for a full-blow
n organization method, DesAuguste offers a few organizing “hacks” to help get you started. “Build a “10-minute tidy up” into your daily routine. Having this time to make sure things get back to their proper homes is a great way to prevent the overwhelm that comes with huge piles of mail/laundry/dishes, or a wild playroom.” She recommends doing this after dinner and before sitting down to relax. “But whatever time of day you and your family can be consistent is great,” says DesAuguste.
Another trick she mentions is to assign tasks to a certain day of the week. “For example, Mom’s laundry day is Monday, Tommy’s is Tuesday, and Suzie’s is Wednesday,” says DesAuguste. “Have a day of the week you open your mail rather than trying to open and deal with it while you’re carrying in groceries and unpacking kids’ backpacks- it just ends up in a pile somewhere never dealt with.”
She also suggests that until you are ready to get your house fully organized you can designate a day of the week that you organize. “Build time into your routine for things like this so they are more likely to get done.”
If you’re having a hard time starting the process of organizing and decluttering, Des Auguste says to simply start with your why in mind. “It helps to know why and deciding that it’s worth it is important to getting started.” Learn to organize anything in less than 10 minutes with Morton’s free video and guide at theorganizingco.com.
