Events This Weekend: Tributes to Vets, Mary Elitch and Ol’ Blue Eyes!
This weekend you can support the sacrifices of your local military vets, enjoy a tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes with a Sinatra sound-alike, or laugh with John Henson, former host of E!’s Talk Soup. Plus, local teen thespians will be performing Les Miz and other talented actors will make you believe classic love stories and fairytales this weekend near Crystal Valley in Castle Rock.
TODAY/TONIGHT, November 9
COFFEE AND COLORING
Adults gather to share conversation and coffee (high test and decaf) while they relax with coloring books and unleash their inner van Gogh. Register here.
Parker Library, 20105 E. Mainstreet, Parker
6:30-8:30 p.m.
HISTORY-MAKER MARY ELITCH
Join Teri Johnson, president of the Association of Northern Front Range Museums, for her presentation on Mary Elitch, one of the founders of Elitch Gardens. For more than a century, Elitch’s was one of the most popular entertainment destinations in Colorado. It was nationally known for its luscious gardens, the Trocadero Ballroom, the Theatre at the Gardens, and its thrilling wooden roller coaster, Mister Twister. Mary’s love of animals and the generosity of P.T. Barnum helped her create the first zoo, and woman-owned zoo, west of Chicago!
Philip S. Miller Library, 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock
6:45 p.m.
Phone: 303-814-3164
Thursday-Saturday, November 9-11
LES MISERABLES
Winner of over 100 international awards and enjoyed by 65 million people worldwide, Les Miserables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The story takes place in 19th century France where Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker’s daughter. The decision changes both their lives forever. The musical, sung as a pop opera, is a modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s timeless novel. Show up and support the Castle View High School Theatre Company this weekend!
Castle View High School, 5254 N. Meadows Dr., Castle Rock
Thurs.-Sat., 7:00 p.m.; Sat., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8-$10
Phone: 303-387-9000
JOHN HENSON LIVE!
An actor, writer, host and producer of over 1,400 hours of television, John Henson recently completed seven seasons as co-host and producer of ABC’s smash summer hit, Wipeout. The reality show was such a success it won numerous awards, including The Kids Choice Award and Teen Choice Award. It was also named the number one co-viewing show on television with adults and children.
Henson started however, on the stand-up stage, touring the country for many years before gaining critical acclaim as the host E!’s Talk Soup. His acting credits include Anger Management and a recurring guest star role as the husband of his real-life wife, comedian Jill Benjamin, playing parents on Disney’s hit show, Austin & Ally.
Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Thurs.-Fri., 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.; Sat., 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $17-$25
Phone: 303-274-6800
Thursday-Sunday, November 9-12
LOVE LETTERS
Two actors, one stage, and a love story spanning decades. Simple staging with an intimate setting allows Love Letters to take you on a journey of emotions. Andrew Makepeace Ladd III wrote his first letter to Melissa Gardner when he was seven years old to tell her she looked like a lost princess. For the next 50 years, through personal triumphs and despair, wars and marriages, children and careers, Andrew and Melissa poured out their hearts to each other and defied a fate that schemed to keep them apart. They lived—through letters—for the one most meaningful thing, their undying love for each other. Written by A.R. Gurney (Sylvia, The Dining Room), Love Letters is a tender, funny, and nuanced examination of the shared nostalgia, missed opportunities, and deep closeness of two lifelong, complicated friends.
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 8:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45
Phone: 720-509-1000
Friday, November 10
MOVIE AND MARTINIS
Enjoy an all-inclusive night out with dinner, drinks and a movie, with prizes! Ticket holders receive two signature cocktails (or beer/wine), an incredible menu prepared by the CU South’s in-house culinary team, great-tasting popcorn and a classic film on the giant screen. The movie is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off from writer/director John Hughes, and follows a high school kid (Matthew Broderick) determined to cut class once more before graduation. The menu includes classic Chicago hot dogs, loaded tater tots, a Niçoise salad station, tomato bruschetta and funnel cakes – perfect for high school hijinks. Don’t miss trivia and prizes before the movie, and note that the event is for ages 21 and older.
CU South Denver, 10035 S. Peoria St., Lone Tree
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$36
Phone: 303-315-9444
MAYA ANGELOU FILM
This documentary, Maya Angelou, celebrates the American poet, storyteller and civil rights activist, and Oprah Winfrey’s mentor and close friend. Maya published seven autobiographies and several books of poetry, and this film celebrates her life by weaving her words with archival photos and videos which describe and illustrate hidden moments of her life during some of the country’s most defining moments. Please register online.
Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Ln., Colorado Springs
6:30 p.m.
Free
Phone: 719-633-0655
FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE
A faux Frank Sinatra and the group Tuxedo Junction recreate scintillating swing music from the 30s and 40s Big-Band Era. From lively dance beats to Latin rhythms, Tuxedo Junction will keep you moving all night long.
Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9568 University Blvd., Highlands Ranch
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$35
LA BOHÈME
One of opera’s most beloved stories, La Bohème, is popular with the curious as well as seasoned opera fans and first time opera-goers. Set in 19th century Paris, the tale follows six impoverished artists and students as they struggle to make ends meet and fall in and out of love. The six ultimately bond together to help each other in their most desperate hours. The timelessness of the story resonates just as deeply with contemporary audiences as it did when it premieres in 1896.
Ellie Caulkins Opera House, DCPA Arts Complex, 14th Street at Curtis St., Denver
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$160
Phone: 303-468-2030
Friday-Saturday, November 10-11
VICTORY: LIFE AFTER WWII
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra will perform works by Aaron Copland (Clarinet Concerto), Vaughan Williams (Symphony No. 5) and Dmitry Shostakovich (Chamber Symphony op. 110a) composed during and after World War II. The impact of the traumatic circumstances affected each of their artistic compositions and the comparisons will be hard to avoid. Don’t miss Victory: Life after WWII this weekend!
Pikes Peak Center, 190, S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $24-$73
Phone: 888-929-7849
Saturday, November 11
YULETIDE BAZAAR
The Mountain Pine Yuletide Bazaar is the annual fundraising event for the Mountain Pine Woman’s Club and features vendors displaying and selling their unique wares – one day only. The funds raised at the event help provide scholarships, contributions and support throughout the community. Need ideas for Christmas gifts? It’s never too early to start shopping for the holidays!
Parker Field House, 18700 E. Plaza Dr., Parker
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
FREE
LUNCHEON AND FASHION SHOW
It’s an afternoon filled with food and fun and the latest winter fashions by Annie’s! Enjoy a three-course lunch of cranberry walnut chicken, seasonal veggies and pecan pie or cheesecake, as you gaze at the season’s styles on runway models.
Plum Creek Golf Club, 331 Players Club, Castle Rock
11:30 a.m.
Tickets: $24
Phone: 303-789-2922
THE KYW EXPERIENCE
Let Trent Shelton take you on the KYW Experience, a journey to becoming the best you that you can be! This event isn’t a seminar, but instead a performing arts exercise that will not only positively impact your life, but help you jettison any potential insecurities. If you have ever attended a RehabTime event, you know it’s more than a motivational presentation…it’s truly a life-changing, soul-searching event!
Parker Arts Center (PACE), 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $37-$130
Phone: 303-805-6800
CINDERELLA WITH A TWIST
At first you might not recognize the Cinderella story performed by Opera Colorado — an operatic take on the beloved fairytale. But the gist is the same – a girl is forced into servitude by her stepfamily, and through her good-heartedness she overcomes her plight, falls in love and marries the prince.
But instead of the wicked stepmother, Cinderella has a self-serving, insufferable stepfather. Matching bracelets take the place of glass slippers for identification purposes, and there is no fairy godmother or magical coach. But as part of the Family Discovery Series, this experience will give children a taste of opera and the arts, and entertain them just as much as any clock striking midnight!
Parker Arts Center (PACE), 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
10:00 a.m.
Tickets: $5
Phone: 303-805-6800
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
Show up and support your local veterans at the annual Veterans Celebration with Highlands Ranch Metro District and Veterans Monument Committee featuring VFW Color Guard, music and an exhilarating presentation for and about vets.
James La Rue Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Monday, November 13
VETERANS EVENT!
Vietnam War Dog Trainer, Colorado’s own Richard Claggett, brings his poignant and tragic farewell story about leaving his valiant German Shepherd, Big Boy, behind after the Vietnam war. Claggett’s ongoing mission, and promise to his best friend, is to honor all war dogs so they are not marginalized or forgotten. “These fearless four-legged soldiers stood, slept and wept beside our brothers and sisters in arms and their story must be told,” says Claggett whose tales about Big Boy’s devotion, dedication and last heart-wrenching goodbye is the subject of films and books.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with mini-tours of the castle and a cash bar; then the presentation begins at 5:45 p.m. The Beverly Belles trio, in the style of the Andrews Sisters from the 40s, will perform after Claggett’s presentation and audience Q&A.
Dust off your uniforms and polish up your peep toes and join local veterans and canine fans for an unforgettable evening inside the castle!
Cherokee Ranch and Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park, Sedalia
5:00 p.m.
Free
Phone: 303-688-5555
Saluting Vets in Crystal Valley
Crystal Valley joins the citizens of Castle Rock in offering thanks to local veterans for their dedicated service. If you’re looking for a new home in natural environs, we invite you to visit the master-planned community of Crystal Valley, with homes by Richmond American Homes, D.R. Horton and Kauffman Homes. Check out LiveCrystalValley.com and download your free interactive brochure now!
