by Valley Gadfly | Feb 25, 2019 | Valley Gadfly
“When after the Winter alarmin’, the Spring steps in so charmin’, so fresh and arch in the middle of March,” wrote Alfred Percival Graves, the Irish poet, songwriter. Maybe that’s why Denverites are so enchanted by St. Paddy’s Day. It’s a day when we hope the season and the Irish will transform winter’s dream into spring’s magic.
It is true that the meteorological beginning of spring occurs on the first day of March. Yep, it is also factual that Denver days start to warm up rapidly in March.
Here are our balmy and satisfying springtime choices for shopping, dining and entertainment so Irish hearts are happy and all the world seems bright and gay:
3 March to the Seawell Grand Ballroom for Saturday Night Alive’s elegant dinner and the music of multi-platinum recording artist Vanessa Williams at DCPA’s annual fundraiser March 2. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 For a picture perfect month see 60 photographic images on display at the Robert Anderson Gallery March 5-April 27. Information: 303-355-8955.
3 Learn ways to transform winter’s dreams into summer magic at the Tree Diversity Conference March 8, 8:30 a.m. Information: 720-869-3500.
3 Show you’re big-hearted by attending the Denver Heart Ball benefit in the Hyatt Convention Center March 8, 6 p.m. Information: 303-801-4667.
3 Is the gloom in your home showing? Has the fabric on the furniture and drapery lost its luster? March over to Boris’s Upholstery and look through their showroom of home décor fabrics. Information: 303-751-2021.
3 Brighten up those miserable March mornings even if it doesn’t make headlines at Morning Story, the renamed Egg & I eatery in the Leetsdale Shopping Center. More lunch options, too! Information: 303-577-9050.
3 Enjoy melancholy time listening to piano soloist Dr. Pak playing at the Auraria King Center, March 16, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-394-4552.
3 Join the “Journey” to the Convention Center Hyatt for the Junior League’s fundraiser March 22, 6 p.m. Information: 303-692-0270.
3 Keep the health of Denver Health from being susceptible to financial trauma by attending the NightShine Gala at the Hyatt Regency March 30, 6 p.m. Funds raised will support Denver Health’s Ernest E. Moore Shock Trauma Center. Entertainment is by Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats for this fun and glamorous night out. Information: 303-602-2970.
As the lyrics to Melancholy March declare, the month’s gloom often shows: “Your winds are blowing, your clouds are crying, your trees are sighing.” Despite being late for winter’s tale, it is the snowiest month of the year in Denver and a transitional month from winter to spring. The city usually gets five-inches or more of fresh snow.
This month, however, we also often see the last of severe winter weather. You can expect sunshine to stay around for an average of about 12 hours of daylight.
“Beware the ides of March,” a soothsayer tells Caesar in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
Nonetheless, as March winds sweep and sing, I sit by a fire and dream: Old memories wake; faint echoes make a murmur of spring. Whether it turns out to be warm here this March or not, when Irish eyes are smiling, sure ’tis like a morn in spring.
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Jan 28, 2019 | Valley Gadfly
It’s a simple mathematical fact — the sum of any even amount of odd numbers will always equal an even number. Hail to February, the second month of the year and the only month that has less than 30 days. Most of us pronounce it “feb-yoo-aire-ee” simply because we don’t like or can’t pronounce two r’s that are so close by each other.
Roman superstition held that even numbers were unlucky, thus Roman King Numa Pompilius stuck this month with 28, the calendar’s fewest number of days.
Here are our superstitious but warmhearted choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to fill the month with fabulous food, fun and flirting by the fire:
3 Warm up in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House as the Colorado Ballet premieres a brand new production of the Wizard Of Oz with live music by the Ballet Orchestra, Feb. 1-10. Information: 303-837-8888, ext 2.
3 Enjoy an evening of artwork, live music plus food and drink at the Art Students League’s Art & Soul, Feb. 7, 6 p.m. Information: 303-778-6990.
3 Pig out at Nathan Yep Foundation’s Year of the Pig Chinese New Year’s gala in the Grand Hyatt, Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m. Information: 303-817-8400.
3 Treat your sports loving sweetheart to Major League Rugby home games at Glendale’s Infinity Park for Valentine’s Day. Get exclusive deals on games from Jan. 27 through May 26 at glendaleraptors.com.
3 Start or continue a Valentine’s Day dining tradition at the Monaco Inn Restaurant serving Feb. 14, 4-8 p.m. Savor Prime Rib, New York Steak or Filet Mignon, with or without Lobster Tail. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Swing to Sondheim’s A Little Night Music playing the JCC’s Pluss Theatre on weekends through Feb. 17. Information: 303-800-6578.
3 Wow your love at Tennyson Center’s Mile High Country Q & Brew at Mile High Station Feb. 23, 6 p.m. Information: 303-433-2541.
3 For fabulous February fun your Valentine is sure to love, take in the Denver Jewish Film Festival in the Elaine Wolf Theatre on the JCC campus, Feb. 6-18. This year’s Festival is bigger than ever and truly a global event. From family relationships to powerful Holocaust resistance this year’s films are heartwarming, gorgeously shot and a glimpse into the human experience through a Jewish lens. Information: 303-316-6360.
The loss of the first “r” in February isn’t some recent habit spread by lazy teenagers. People have been avoiding the “r” for at least the last 150 years, possibly longer. The name of the linguistic process where one sound drops out because another of the same sound is too close to it is dissimilation, and it affects lots of languages.
Over the course of February the chance of a day with only rain increases from 2% to 4%, mixed snow-rain is constant at 2% and a day with only snow is constant at 3%.
For me there’s nothing better than curling up in a blanket on a cold February day in front of a crackling fireplace. February is like a friendship caught on fire. Late dawn and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love the month nonetheless. As J.R. Stockton reminds us,
by Valley Gadfly | Dec 17, 2018 | Valley Gadfly
Hats, confetti, noisemakers, the New Year has arrived. So sing, dance and make good cheer we’ve made it through another year. January is a time to start over, to forget the old and relish the new. It is an opportunity to resolve to change even if we never quite get there. As the years have taughtus, kick the year off by embracing the unexpected.
We can run and hide, or we can open our arms and welcome the
uncertainty of 2019. Either way, the unknown is coming, and it’s going to be
full of surprises.
Here are our New Year choices for shopping, dining and
entertainment to ring in a joyous and focused 2019 filled with pioneering fresh
hope, dreams and aspirations:
3 An explosion
of portraits, photographs and acrylic paintings greet the New Year at the
Robert Anderson Gallery on E. Colfax, Jan. 2-Feb. 28. Attend the opening
reception Jan. 18-5-8 p.m. Information: 303-257-0684.
3 Brighten the
New Year enjoying music by the Whiffenpoofs of Yale in the Gates Concert Hall
Jan. 5, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-871-7720.
3 See Denver
Botanic Garden’s beautiful Orchid Showcase in the Orangery & Marnie’s
Pavilions from Jan. 10-Feb. 17. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 Whoop it up
to the punk-influenced music of the Mustard Plug band at the Bluebird Theatre
on Colfax Jan. 11, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.
3 Plan your
2019 events/galas at Infinity Park Event Center, celebrating 10 years of
fundraisers, picnics, mitzvahs, quinceaneras, weddings, fashion shows, proms,
and trade shows in Glendale. Information: 303-248-7100.
3 For an
entertaining start to the New Year attend the Raisins & Almonds reception,
concert and dinner at Hebrew Alliance Jan. 27, 5 p.m. Enjoy open wine bar, hors
d’oeuvres and catered dinner. Information: 303-355-0232.
3 Let Count
Basie Orchestra’s Basie Bash keep the year swinging at the Arvada Center June
19, 7:30 p.m. Information: 720-896-7200.
3 Close the
month out enjoying Grammy winning singer Marc Cohn at Temple Emanuel Jan. 26,
7:30p.m. Information: 303-388-4013.
3 Put on your
cowboy boots, grab your hat and ride to Denver’s National Western Complex to
see bulls, broncos, cowboys and cowgirls at the National Western Stock Show
Jan. 8-27. Around since 1906, this is your last chance to see sights of the
historic stockyards. An $800 million makeover begins once this year’s show
closes. See rodeos, horse shows, livestock plus art and special events.
Information: 303-296-6977.
Exciting, scary, fun and enriching: That’s what each New
Year is — a leap into the unknown. It is for me. It is for each of us. A time
to say, “yes” to things we’ve never even thought about, had the nerve to do or
even saw coming. It is wiser to embrace the new and unexpected — whether good
or ill — instead of trying to dodge what can’t be dodged.
The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book,
waiting to be written. By letting go of our past, we can begin writing the
story creating a vision for the year ahead.
Celebration of the lunar New Year is believed to have
started to let in good, help us to keep an open mind and remain responsive. The
calendar marks a great time to look back and plan for an even better year
ahead. The words of Muhammad Ali offer a simple way for us to encounter 2019:
“Don’t count the days. Make the days count.”
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at
newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Nov 19, 2018 | Valley Gadfly
Gingerbread houses made out of cookies and candy. Yes, it is the holiday season and LA! LA! LA! ‘Tis time to laugh with joy. Many of us travel long and far for Christmas, Hanukkah and other holidays during this festive season. “It’s the most wonderful time of year . . . the happiest season of all.” So says the popular holiday song.
Everywhere you look this time of the year, singers, dancers, bakers and others are offering tempting holiday treats for our eyes, ears, tummies and curious minds.
Here are our happy holiday choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to bring a little extra bounce to your step, a smile to your face and all around happiness:
3 Blending dance, live music and customs from around the world, Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum is a Valley favorite. See this holiday tradition at Cleo Parker Dance Dec. 1-16. Information: 303-295-1759 x13.
3 Shop Cherry Creek Dec. 8 and stop at Fillmore Plaza’s Winter Fest with fire pit, ice carvings and free refreshments. Information: 303-394-2904.
3 Catch Chris Daniels & The Kings Feat in Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall Dec. 15, 8 p.m. He’s joined by Freddi Gowdy’s funk band. Information: 303-777-1003.
3 See the joyous-opulent Ebenezer Scrooge musical A Christmas Carol playing the Stage Theatre through Dec. 24. Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Meet Santa, learn about the Glendale Sports Center, at their annual Holiday Celebration Dec. 18, 5:30-7 p.m. Free and open to the public, there’s crafts, music, cookies and hot chocolate. Information: 303-639-4711.
3 Enjoy prime rib, lamb shank or lamb chops and grilled shrimp at the Monaco Inn Christmas Eve for $20; New Year’s Eve Prime Rib or Filet Mignon is $20, with Lobster Tail $30. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 For hilarious fun see The Santaland Diaries, a Macy’s elf stint tale, at the Jones Theatre through Dec. 24 Information: 303-893-4100.
3 Don’t forget fireworks are being launched New Year’s Eve on the 16th St. Mall at 9 p.m. and midnight. Information: 800-233-8837.
3 With its exuberant embrace of an enchanted world, Ballet Ariel’s The Nutcracker defines the holiday season. Returning to the Lakewood Cultural Center, there are matinees Dec. 15-16, 22-23 & 26-27 at 2 p.m. Evening performances are Dec. 21-22 & 26, 7 p.m.. The toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes and Sugar Plum fairies are magical with festive costumes, breathtaking choreography. Information: 303-987-7845.
The holidays are a wonderful time of year with joy, cheer and gratitude in abundance. Everywhere you look, people seem to be in high spirits: being kind to one another, taking time to pause and reflect, and taking care of those less fortunate. Whether you are 5 or 85, this is the season to enjoy yourself and reflect on the good things in life.
Friends and family are fantastic, and this is the time to gather and remember how lucky we are to have people around us that we care about and who love us.
On the flip side, don’t let the holidays overwhelm you with parties, buying gifts, and too many work and family commitments. Just remember to put some giggle in your wiggle as you flap your feet. As we say farewell to the old year, people are singing to bring in the New Year. We add our voice: Have a HA! HA! Happy New Year!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Valley Gadfly | Oct 24, 2018 | Uncategorized, Valley Gadfly
Turkeys, table-spreads and being together, it’s got to be November. A month to celebrate happiness and homes to protect us from what is often indeterminate weather. Valley families can expect kind-hearted kin coming over for the yearly Thanksgiving dinner. Surely we’ll all have fun but likely none of us will get any thinner!
Food is better in November than any other time of the year. The smell of food is very different. It smells like cinnamon and can pull us out of bed early each morning.
Here are our wishbone choices for shopping, dining and entertainment to fill the month with bright-bold days of books, friends and fireplaces that never grow cold:
3 Begin November seeing The Humans, an uproarious-hopeful play that takes place over a family dinner on Thanksgiving. It’s at the Curious Theatre on Acoma St. Nov. 3-Dec. 22. Information: 303-623-0524.
3 Attend Food Bank of the Rockies Serving Up Hope Luncheon at the Denver Mart, Nov. 6, 11:30-1:30 p.m. Information: 303-371-9250.
3 Buy unique quality merchandise at Junior League’s Mile High Holiday Mart in the Gates Field House, Nov. 9-11. Information: 303-692-0270.
3 Support Porter Hospital by attending their yearly Heart of Hearts Gala at Wings Over the Rockies Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m. Information: 303-715-7627.
3 Surprise, astonish and amaze family, friends and neighbors with new upholstery, drapery, cushions and pillows for the holidays. Purchase from Boris’s Upholstery on S. Parker Rd. Information: 303-751-2921.
3 Enjoy Classic Roast Turkey with stuffing, gravy and all the trimmings at the Monaco Inn Restaurant, noon-6 p.m. Or choose from a half-dozen other choices including New York Steak. Information: 303-320-1104.
3 Plan to see Dior: Paris to the World, art by the fashion icon at the Denver Art Museum Nov. 19-March 3. Information: 720-913-0130.
3 Run your yams off at this year’s Mile High United Way Turkey Trot in Wash Park Nov. 23, 10 a.m. Information: 303-433-8383.
3 Plan to attend this year’s L’ Esprit de Noel two-day walking tour of five magnificent homes in the Belcaro-Bonnie Brae neighborhood, Nov. 16-17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Decorated for the holidays by accomplished metro florists and table designers, proceeds go to support Central City Opera’s Summer Festival, Artist Training Program and the historic Opera House and 27 other Central City properties. Information: 303-292-6500.
We seldom think of November in terms of beauty or any other especially satisfying tribute. November is simply that interval between colorful fall and dark December. Nevertheless, nearly every year, there come a few November days of clear, crisp weather that makes one wonder why November seldom gets its due.
Chilled enough to have a slight tang, like properly aged cider. Not air that caresses, nor yet air that nips. It makes you gulp for air when walking briskly.
As winter flaps her wings we offer up a plateful of humor to make you thankful you have a funny bone instead of a wishbone on Turkey Day: What did the turkey say to the computer? “Google, google, google.” What is a turkey’s favorite dessert? Peach gobbler. Have a cozy-bright month with savor-sweet dishes. Happy Thanksgiving!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 2, 2018 | Valley Gadfly
Let the leaves fall where they may, October is about to come screaming back! A riot to the senses, the month is climaxed by Halloween and our need to be scared and terrified. Nevertheless, summer’s oppressive 90-degree heat will soon be a distant memory and golden leaves promise a Valley full of beautiful fall adventures.
Boo: “Halloween, ooh, Halloween ghostly things are gonna happen.” Darkness comes much earlier this month and you’ll soon be hearing spooky, silly noises outside.
Here are our supernatural choices for shopping, dining and entertainment as the wind nestles in the trees outside and spirits prowl the sidewalks like unseen cats:
3 Don’t miss the opening of JAAMM Fest, a one of a kind arts extravaganza on the JCC campus Oct. 4-Nov. 18. The high caliber of this year’s lineup includes music acts from all over the world. Information: 303-316-6360.
3 Be sure you have the “Write Stuff” including vintage pens at the Colorado Pen Show in the DoubleTree North, Oct. 5-7. Information: 303-322-6666.
3 Dance over to Colorado Ballet’s season opener featuring Sleeping Beauty at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House Oct. 5-14. Information: 303-837-8888.
3 Catch Emmy winner John Tesh as he sings, tells stories at the Grand Piano in Lowry’s Soiled Dove Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. Information: 303-830-9214.
3 Let Total Wine & More — newly opened on East Evans Ave. — take part in all of your Halloween parties. Your spirits will soar with the unbelievable selection of wines and unique spirits. Information: 720-535-0027.
3 For a taste of October you’re certain to enjoy attending Joy Wine & Spirit’s 8th Chili Cook Off on 6th Ave. Oct. 21, 12-4 p.m. Amateurs and pros vie for critics’ and peoples’ choice awards. Information: 303-744-6219.
3 Join the Kidney Foundation’s non-competitive 5k walk-run at Sloan’s Lake Park on Oct. 14, 8 a.m. Information: 720-748-9991.
3 Escort the kids along Glow in the Gardens’ spooky Halloween pathways Oct. 17-18 and 23-25. Information: 720-865-3500.
3 You yearn for the crispest, clearest sounds to enhance your audio experience but with today’s advancements in technology you’re not sure where to turn. Start at this year’s 15th Rocky Mountain Audio Fest at the Marriott Tech Center, Oct. 5-7. At the world’s largest Audio Show, attendees will enjoy equipment show specials, prize drawings and live entertainment all weekend. Information: 303-779-1100.
The air begins to chill, slowly, first at night, and then during the day. The leaves start their colorful dance ushering in the final stage of their existence. Nature begins the preparation for a long winter’s nap. Everything alive seems to go to sleep or migrate south. Only we humans seem to stick around for the colder months ahead.
October in the Valley, with its warm days, cool nights, and colorful displays of foliage, is always a favorite month for most everyone — most of the living that is!
For the dead, the month signifies an unwanted awareness by the living that the dead may be lurking among us. As you enjoy Halloween costume parties this month remember that this freakish, bizarre season is a reminder to be adventurous, bold and daring or you’ll just be another “hoblin’ goblin.” Eat, drink and be scary. Bone appetit!
— Glen Richardson
The Valley Gadfly can be reached at newspaper@glendalecherrycreek.com.
