by Valley Gadfly | Feb 18, 2026 | Valley Gadfly
Valley Gadfly
Time marches on: We’ve arrived in the no-man’s-land month of March. Indeed, this is the month when we spring ahead and lose an hour of sleep. The month is all about transitions.
March in Denver is known for high variability; it can be sunny and 70°F one day, and drop to 10°F the next. It’s Denver’s snowiest month, averaging 8.5 to 11.5 inches of snowfall.
In March of last year (2025), Denver recorded a warmer-than-average mean temperature of 45.8°F. Here is our fall in and count off choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment:
There’s trouble in River City, and you won’t want to miss Meredith Wilson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man. Production is in DCPA’s Buell Theatre, March 1, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Catch Israeli-born jazz guitarist Christian Loffer — with 10 award-winning albums —playing at the Bluebird Theater March 8, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Are you ready to rock & roll? Kentucky country-rock band Ole 60 plays folk and country in the Mission Ballroom March 12, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Looking for a platter of shellfish for lunch or dinner? Cherry Creek’s Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood on 2nd Ave. is a neighborhood favorite. Try the yummy and unique lobster stuffed Knuckle Sandwich. Information: 303-333-2462.
Thinking about sending your kids to summer camp? Iliff’s Summer Adventure Day Camp — kindergarteners through age 12 — includes field trips, organized sports, arts-crafts, along with STEM activities. Information: 303-757-3551.
Mexican-born stand-up comedian Felipe Esparza who won Last Comic Standing plays the Paramount Theatre March 14, 7 p.m. Information: 303-623-0106.
DJ-electronic music producer Crankdat — whose remixes have earned millions of plays — entertains at Red Rocks March 27, 7 p.m. Information: 720-865-2494.
Milan’s Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil, with guitarist Marco Coti-Zelati, plays Summit Music Hall, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-487-0111.
Attend the St. Baldrick’s Cancer Foundation fundraiser at Chopper’s Sports Grill on South Madison St. in Cherry Creek March 7, 1 to 5 p.m. In its 25th year, funding gives hope to babies, toddlers, children, teens, and young adults diagnosed with cancer. Contact Ryan Leopando for information: 720-277-8082.
March has glorious days of 60-degree weather. But alas, the accompanying wind will blow your winter coat off. Still, the sunshine will make you think of crisp mountain air.
Blossom by blossom, spring is beginning. March on, it’s a command. Do not tarry, spring growth and warmer weather means Spring fever’s restlessness and daydreaming.
Why is spring such a great time to start a gardening business? Because you can rake in the cash. Do you know why the computer went to the beach on spring break? To surf the net!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Jan 16, 2026 | Valley Gadfly
Aahh February! Welcome to the month of love, laughter, and beautiful surprises. Spring stands at the gate with her finger on the latch. It’s the month when we celebrate romance.
At the heart of it is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14. It’s a day dedicated to expressing love through heartfelt gestures, thoughtful gifts, and quality time with those we love.
The year’s shortest month is named for Roman purification rituals. It also features Super Bowl Sunday. Here are our tease and freeze choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment:
Experience the thrill of the roaring 20s, as the Colorado Ballet does F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. With original score by Carl Davis, show is at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Feb. 1-8, 7 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Enjoy the music of Israeli-born jazz guitarist Gilad Hekselman — with 10 award-winning albums — playing Dazzle Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
Singer, bassist Mashell Ndegeocello entertains by singing-playing funk, soul, jazz, and rock at the Newman Center Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Looking for a V-Day or any day dining spot with a friendly staff and remarkable service? Jimmy’s Jersey Street Café is a culinary institution with a standout menu of Italian comfort foods and wine in a cozy setting. Information: 720-328-9481.
Want your kids grades K to 8th grades to participate in no-contact winter indoor rugby? Start them on Saturdays in February with the Glendale Raptors at the Glendale Sports Center. Information: GlendaleYouthRugby.com/winter-rugby.
Colorado’s “Front Range Darlings” Dakota Blonde perform their annual Valentine Concert in Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Catch the witty Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 — a romp filled with humor —playing at Boettcher Concert Hall, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Instrumental band Drama and vocalist Via Rosa entertain with rock and electronic music at the Mission Ballroom, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Attend the elegant 14th Annual Kaleidoscope Gala at the Ritz-Carlton February 21, 5 p.m. Benefiting Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, event supports sick children, infants, and their families. Assistance includes everything from rent payments to donor milk for premature infants. Information: 720-644-8767.
February can often seem like a difficult month. It’s the last month of winter, so you are likely fed up with waking up on cold, dark mornings, and driving to work in the dark.
Many of us feel like February is just January pretending it’s still cold. Yet, in the heart of winter, February brings warmth and love. There’s everything to hope for and nothing to regret.
Roses are red, violets are blue. If you think finding love is hard, try getting a reservation on Valentine’s night. What did the hamburger buy his sweetheart? An onion ring.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com
by Valley Gadfly | Dec 15, 2025 | Valley Gadfly
Valley Gadfly
Wipe the slate clean, it’s 2026! Time to start from scratch and make a fresh start, make a new beginning. Who knows, this January could be your lucky penny, your four-leaf clover.
It’s a chance to motivate yourself, uplift others, set new goals, and embrace exciting opportunities ahead. You don’t have to be perfect, just be yourself, and that is enough.
January is not about expecting, hoping, and wishing; it’s about doing, being, and becoming. Here are our “chasing dreams” shopping, dining, and entertainment choices:
There’s still time to see the holiday tradition Blossoms of Light®, celebrating 40 years at the Denver Botanic Gardens through January 12. The event showcases the plant collections during the winter months. Information: 720-865-3500.
Guitar virtuoso group the Stanley Jordan Trio show off their “touch technique” and music at Dazzle Denver January 9, 6:30 & 9 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
The symphony plays Rachmaninoff Rhapsody for piano and orchestra at Boettcher Concert Hall Jan. 9-11, 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Looking for BBQ with richness and flavor? Riot BBQ’s thin al pastor ribs, and brisket tacos on bison tallow tortillas feature rich, bold flavors. The laid-back atmosphere is a memorable smokehouse experience. Information: 303-872-6862.
Want to add a fun, fitness element to your life this year? Participate in Glendale Sports Center’s adult coed soccer, volleyball, men’s basketball, table tennis, and pickleball leagues. Call Kelly Legler for dates, times. Information: 303-630-4711.
Catch the music of Grammy-winning mandolinist and singer Chris Thile playing at the Newman Center January 15, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
Hairball brings their Rock & Roll concert with lights, sound, and smoke to the Paramount Theater January 16, 8 p.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
Montana quartet Kitchen Dwellers plays a fusion of bluegrass, folk, and rock music at the Mission Ballroom January 24, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
Attend this year’s Denver Animal Shelter’s strongman event, Battle in Mile High. Event is being held January 24, 8 a.m. at Prost Brewery. Shelter is raising funds to help animals in need, and every dollar counts. The Denver Animal Shelter is an adoption center and shelter for dogs and cats. Information: 720-913-1311.
Snow falls to the ground soft and white. Sometimes it falls all through the night, wintertime is here. January is a month of reflection, transition, and emotional contrast.
The truth is that January makes everyone a little bit demoralized. Whether it’s because of the cold, shorter days, or the end of the holidays, it’s tough to maintain a positive attitude.
A New Year’s Resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. What happened to the man who shoplifted a calendar on New Year’s Eve? He got 12 months.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Nov 17, 2025 | Valley Gadfly
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.
by Valley Gadfly | Oct 20, 2025 | Valley Gadfly
Once our days start to get shorter and sleepless nights get longer, we know the leafless, frostbitten, and dreary days of November have come. No sun, no moon, nor proper time of day.
The very heart and hearth of the month is Thanksgiving, which stimulates the travel economy. Folks stream back to hometowns and family, boosting grocery store spending.
It’s the traditional food holiday between Halloween and Christmas. Here are our turkey trot choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment to make this a November to remember:
See the most beloved opera of all time, Verdi’s La traviata playing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Nov. 1-9. It’s the story of a 19th century Paris courtesan’s passionate love affair with a young nobleman. Information: 720-865-4220.
Singer Mende Harston and the Queen City Jazz Band do jazz and blues numbers from WWI to the 1930s at Dazzle Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-839-5100.
Hear the music of violinist and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird playing with the Symphony at Boettcher Hall Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Hungry or thirsty? Sam’s No. 3 in Glendale offers a full menu — literally more than 100 items — for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or, just stop by to relax and enjoy a cold beer, cocktails, or milkshakes with neighbors. Information: 303-333-4403.
Planning a new build, remodel, or home addition? Marlena Design Group helps design, select, specify, and manage interior-exterior finishes. They work with homeowners, builders, and investors on projects. Information: 720-335-8202.
Participate in a full day of banjo workshops and concerts at Swallow Hill Music’s annual BanjoFest Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
Canadian singer and music producer Bryan Adams who has sold 75-100 million records entertains in the Ball Arena Nov. 24, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-405-1100.
Lead vocalist Justin Pierre and Minneapolis rock band Motion City Soundtrack plays the Fillmore Auditorium Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Attend the Denver Heart Ball at Wings Over the Rockies November 12, 6 p.m. This fun night of fundraising will help people to live longer, healthier lives. Sponsors will be celebrated, and heroes will be honored. The evening will include a live auction, live music, and lots of fun living’. Information: 303-801-4633.
The last full month of fall, November bids us to appreciate the transition from fall to winter. As Sir Walter Scott put it, “November’s sky is chill and drear; its leaves red and sear.”
The eleventh month of the calendar year, November begins the changeover from fall to winter. It is the month of calm before the storm of winter, Christmas, and New Year’s plans.
November has come, no shade, no shine, no leaves, no flowers, just turkey, talk, and tangy weather. How did the turkey get home for thanksgiving? It took the gravy train.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com
by Valley Gadfly | Sep 19, 2025 | Valley Gadfly
Brisk and cool, October is the first sign that the year is coming to an end. Time to gather your thoughts, find your inner peace, and appreciate the exquisite beauty of life and nature.
What we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits. This is the year’s last, loveliest smile. The perfect time of year for taking a long stroll outside to enjoy the mellower season.
It’s the time of year when autumn finally feels like it’s kicking into high gear. Here are our cozy choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment to embrace the beauty of fall foliage:
For a marvelous start to the month, catch the Gabriel Santiago Orchestra playing jazz and Brazilian music at Dazzle, Oct. 1, 7 p.m. The orchestra delivers a sonic experience that is both intricate and deeply expressive. Information: 303-839-5100.
Don’t miss a night of acoustic music with Americana-Blues singer David Starr in the Tuft Theatre at Swallow Hill on Oct. 2, 8 p.m. Information: 303-777-1003.
From Beatles to Wings, to solo hits, hear the music that defines decades as Paul McCartney plays Coors Field on Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-292-0200.
Looking for tasty casual dining spot in Cherry Creek North? Try the café in Town Pump Provisions that also has a Little Man Ice Cream counter. The eatery serves sandwiches, salads & burritos 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: 303-535-7876.
Lowry Speaker Series hosts Little Rock Nine’s youngest member Carlotta Walls LaNier in the Eisenhower Chapel, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. Free and open to public, she talks about integrating Little Rock High at the age of 14. Information: 303-344-0481.
Catch Canadian electronic pop band Purity Ring starring multi-instrumentalist Corin Roddick at the Mission Ballroom Oct. 21, 8 p.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
Singer-guitarist Justin Furstenfeld and the Houston-based rock band Blue October entertain in the Mission Ballroom Oct. 24, 8 p.m. Information: 720-577-6884.
Country singer Lukas Nelson — front for Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real — plays at the Paramount Theatre October 31, 8 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Support A Splash of Pink celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Cable Center on Saturday, October 18, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event is presented by Empower and will feature an open bar, live music, plus a three-course dinner. Funds raised benefit Colorado breast cancer patients in need. Information: 303-669-3113.
Ah, October, a beacon of pumpkin spice lattes, cinnamon-scented candles, and Halloween décor. Moreover, we get breathtaking views of colorful leavers everywhere we look.
This month is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. With Mother Nature giving us a blanket of colorful leaves, plus a fresh crop of pumpkins in the patch, it’s a season to behold.
Autumn skies and pumpkin pies, fall is proof that change is beautiful. What’s the best type of joke to tell to an oak tree in October? Acorn-y joke. Oh, my gourd, I love fall!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com
