Things to do in 2009 (Denver, Pueblo: loan, new house, neighborhood)

[formercalifornian]

Now that our kids are getting older and we're completely settled into our new house, our family is finally emerging from its cocoon and ready to embrace all Denver has to offer. I've spent the last couple of days researching and planning things to do in 2009, and I'm looking for more suggestions.

So far, we've planned

* classes at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for the kids
* a couple of CSO concerts
* dinner theater at the Adams Mystery Playhouse
* a tour of the Denver Mint
* a camping trip
* a show at the Denver Center for Performing Arts (hoping for Spamalot, but tickets have yet to go on sale)
* a trip to the Denver Zoo
* a visit to the Botanic Gardens

Do any of you have other ideas? We're trying to arrange a couple of special events a month. I'd like ideas for adult nights out, too.

[sportsfangal]

You could include the Denver Art Museun to that list, I haven't been in ages and I heard they expanded it.
I notice most of your choices revolve around the arts, how about the Ballet?

[formercalifornian]

Those are great thoughts, FanGal!

I understand there is a comtemporary dance troupe and school somewhere in Denver, but I don't know the name, and I also noted that DAM has a free day each month to give us the opportunity to check it out.

We also want to take the kids to a game or two. Last year, my daughter sung the National Anthem at a Rockies game with her school choir. It must have been 110 degrees that day, and we were all miserable. This year, I hope the weather will be milder.

[DenverAztec]

Here are some off the top of my head, do a Google Search for each, or contact me and I will find the event for you. Hope this helps and welcome!

Adults:

• First Night at the Galleries on Santa Fe
• Kirkland Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art in LoDo
• Herb's live jazz with Laura Newman, Ballpark Neighborhood
• Drinks on the 27th floor of the Hyatt
• Happy Hour with us City Data folks
• 12:00 midnight firework's show on the 16th mall for New Year's Eve
• A hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Lake to Emerald Lake
• Hot Springs in Idaho Sprigs or Pagosa Springs
• A night at the Brown Palace or Broadmoor
• Concerts in the summer at Red Rocks Ampitheater
• Any show at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret in the Daniel's and Fisher Tower on the 16th Street Mall.
• Weekend to Aspen/Redstone/Glenwood Springs
• Highland's Street Festival
• Old South Gaylord Festival
• Art Students League Festival off Logan and 2nd
• Junior Symphony Guild home tour
• Alexander Foundation home tour
• Antiquing on South Broadway

With Kids:

• 9:30 fireworks show on the 16th stree mall for New Year's Eve
• Denver Art Museum
• National Western Stock Show, should begin in a few weeks. My favorite is the Mexican Rodeo events. There is also a parade downtown
• International Ice Sculpture Carving contest in Breckenridge
• Saint Patick's Day parade
• Open Doors Denver (80 structures open and free to the public for one weekend, usually in March)
• Cinco de Mayo celebration in Civic Center Park
• Capitol Hill People's Fair
• Juneteen in Five Points
• Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan's Lake
• Free jazz concerts in City Park
• Water World
• Six Flaggs Elitches
• Taste of Colorado
• Movies during the summer at Red Rocks
• Hike Roxbourough Park and also the dinosaur foot prints in the foothills by Red Rocks off of C470
• Lookout Mountain viewing deck
• State Capitol tour
• Day trip to Vail to ride the gondola during summer, or ski in winter
• Sleding down Ruby Hill Park
• Boat peddling in Washington Park or the family bike carriage rides there.
• Molly Brown House tours and any tours put on by Historic Denver (Park Hill homes, Curtis Park)
• Garden of the Gods
• Airforce Academy
• State Fair in Pueblo
• A drive over Trail Ridge Road
• Colorado History Museum
• Bike ride the Cherry Creek bike path, depending on the age of your children

[formercalifornian]

Wow! I knew I could count on you, Aztec. That's every weekend for two years right there!

[sportsfangal]

I was going to suggest a show at Red Rocks also, but "Aztec" beat me to it! I think I'm going to have to borrow that list myself!!!

[DenverAztec]

My mind is going hay wire now with suggestions. I get monthly emails from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District of Denver County telling me of free or low cost events. At the end of the list is a link to their main web site and how to get this e-mailed to you direclty monthly as well. Each county has a SCFD that would list events as well. Tango lessons sounds perfect as an adult night out!

Denver Aztec



Where's the Bear Calendar offers Great Prices, Great Entertainment, Great Variety!

Thru Dec 31
HUMBUG, An evening of biting humor. Celebration Works, Vintage Theatre, 2119 E. 17th Ave., Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm, $17 - $22, 303-839-1361, vintagetheatre.com.

Wed, Dec 31
The Denver Brass - Countdown with The Denver Brass - 2 shows only! Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 4pm Family Concert, 9m Concert & Champagne Reception, 303-832-HORN(4676), Denver Brass, Feel the Sound - Denver Colorado


HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sat, Jan 3 FREE
Bluff Lake Birders, Guided bird walk around Bluff Lake. Bluff Lake Nature Center, 7 to 9am, 303-344-1836, for maps to the site, blufflakenaturecenter.org.

Sun, Jan 4 FREE
January Free Day - SCFD and Target sponsored Free Day. Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
1880 Gaylord St., 1-4pm, 303-322-1053, www.dmmdt.org

Wed, Jan 7
Firehouse Tales for Tots - First Wednesday of every month. Denver Firefighters Museum, 1326 Tremont Place,
10-10:30am, Free with paid admission. 303-892-1436, www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org

Fri, Jan 9 FREE
Snowshoeing at Rocky Mountain National Park, winter ecology lesson/wildlife viewing. Environmental Learning for Kids, carpool from Denver to Estes Park, 7:30am, call to reserve a spot, 303-291-7554, elkkids.org.

Fri, Jan 9 FREE
Everybody Loves a Train Wreck, exhibition in partnership with Stories on Stage. Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St., 5:30–8pm, 303-778-6990, ASLD.org.

Fri, Jan 9 - Feb 8
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, The classic romantic comedy by Neil Simon. Vintage Theatre, 2119 E. 17th Ave., Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm, $17 - $22, 303-839-1361, vintagetheatre.com.

Sat, Jan 10 FREE
Target Family Free Day - FREE admission and creative activities for children. Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr., 12-4pm, 303-571-4401, museo.org.

Sat, Jan 10
Demo & Dialogue with Shelley Schreiber, wheel throwing demonstration. Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St., 1-3pm, $7, 303-778-6990, ASLD.org.

Mon, Jan 12
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra @ Dazzle, featuring another fine high school jazz ensemble Dazzle Jazz Club, 930 Lincoln, 7pm, $10, MJO:303-521-8206/Dazzle:303-839-5100, metropolitanjazzorchestra.org

Mon, Jan 12
Eat, Drink, Sing, Listen, Fun - Bring A Buddy to Rehearsal! Colorado Hebrew Chorale. HEA, 3600 South Ivanhoe, 7:30-9:30pm, FREE, 303-355-0232, coloradohebrewchorale.org.

Jan 12 – Mar 20 FREE
Homare Ikeda in Residence, Drawings + paintings by Ikeda and youth. PlatteForum, 1610 Little Raven St #135, noon – 4pm, T-Sat or by appointment, 303-893-0791, platteforum.org.


Wed, Jan 14
Holiday Dinner at Crêpes n’ Crêpes, Good food, good company, good ambiance. Alliance Française de Denver
Crêpes n’ Crêpes, 1512 Larimer, 7pm, $32 members, $36 non-members (includes meal, wine, tip and tax)
303-831-0304, www.afdenver.org

Thu, Jan 15
Tribute to Buddy Rich, A great night of Buddy Rich music! Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, East High School, 1600 City Park Esplanade, 7pm, $10, 303-521-8206, metropolitanjazzorchestra.org.

Thu & Fri, Jan 15 & 16
Everybody Loves a Trainwreck, original stories and art about infidelity. Stories on Stage, Jones Theatre at DCPA, 6:30 pm. $22 discounts available, 303-494-0523.

Fri, Jan 16
Spanish Happy Hour - every 3rd Friday people practice their Español. Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr., 5-8pm, $5, Members $3, 303-571-4401, museo.org.

Fri, Jan 16 FREE
The Rolling Show, photographs of Kevin Connolly. VSA arts Colorado, Access Gallery, 909 Santa Fe Dr., 6pm, 303-777-0797, accessgallery.org.

Fri, Jan 16 FREE
Denver Chapter-American Guild of Organists multi-media presentation: Reflections on Nadia Boulanger by Boulanger scholar, biographer, student Don Campbell. Saint Luke's Episcopal, 1270 Poplar St., 7:30pm, 303-832-4730, agodenver.org.

Applications due Fri, Jan 16
DUG's new Master Community Gardener Training Program, Learn skills for successful community gardens.
Denver Urban Gardens, classes held at Denver Botanic Gardens. 10 sessions starting Feb 12, S35 materials fee; service "give back" component, 303.292.9900, www.dug.org

Fri & Sat, Jan 16, 17
Contemporary Classics - Contemporary ballet partners with Parker Dance! David Taylor Dance Theatre
Mainstreet Center- 19650 E. Mainstreet Parker, 7:30pm, parkeronline.org/recreation/cultural_events.aspx

Sat, Jan 17
Colorado Resident Free Day - Colorado Residents receive free admission! Denver Firefighters Museum, 1326 Tremont Place, 10am-4pm, FREE. 303-892-1436, www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org



ONGOING

TUESDAY’S
Argentine Tango Lessons & Practica/Dance, Tango Colorado, Denver Turnverein, 1570 Clarkson St., 6:30-7:30pm; Practica/dance 7pm-10:30pm, Class & practica $8 mem/ $10 non, Practica only $5 mem/$8 non, www.tangocolorado.org

Modern Dance Technique Classes - Kahn teaches intermediate and advanced classes. Hannah Kahn Dance Company, Open Studio, 75 S. Cherokee St., Tue & Thurs 10am/Sat 10:30, $12/single, $50/five classes, 303-789-4181, www.hannahkahndance.org.

SATURDAY’S
HOW THE WEST WAS FUN! - Interactive children’s activities, games and stories. Black American West Museum, 3091 California St., 10am-2pm, Free with admission. 303-482-2242, www.blackamericanwestmuseum.com

December
Dressed for the Holidays - Our Historic Building dressed for the Holidays! Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, 1880 Gaylord St. , Weds-Sat 10-4, Sunday 1-4, $6, Srs $5, Child $4, under 5 free, 303-322-1053,
www.dmmdt.org

Thru Jan 9 FREE
Li Hardison Sculpture, Sculpture by Li Hardison and CCN youth, Opening. PlatteForum, 1610 Little Raven St #135, noon – 4pm, T-Sat or by appointment, 303-893-0791, platteforum.org.


For a complete events calendar listing, click on The Scene :: Art.Science.Culture..

[DenverAztec]

Just thought more, the Butterfly Pavillion is cool for kids.

Here is a link to Denver Arts and festivals that I check to remind me when I am looking for things to do - The Scene :: Art.Science.Culture.

[zionvier]

Here's a link to a power point of ideas. ;-)

http://zionvier.com/Holidayfun.pps (broken link)

[2bindenver]

198 Restaurants to Participate in Denver Restaurant Week's Fifth Year

A record-setting 198 restaurants will participate in the next Denver Restaurant Week (DRW), scheduled for February 21-27, 2009 - a 14 percent increase over the 174 that composed the 2008 culinary festival.

Denver Restaurant Week, presented by VISIT DENVER The Convention & Visitors Bureau and sponsored by the Denver Newspaper Agency, serves as the city's largest dining festival, attracting 160,000 diners in 2008. DRW continues to add restaurant participants, offering consumers 62 restaurants participating for the first time in 2009, and the list keeps growing.

During the week-long celebration of Denver's culinary scene, restaurants offer a multi-course dinner for the "mile high" fixed-price of $52.80 for two ($26.40 for one), not including tax and tip. The event began in 2005 with just 84 restaurants and has now grown to be one of the largest restaurant weeks in the nation.

For a list of participating restaurants, visit: www.denverrestaurantweek.com. Special DRW menus for all 198 restaurants will be posted on the site in mid-January.