Washington Park Profile June 2024

What makes a sister city?

Denver and Chennai

celebrate their 40th anniversary as sister cities

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON PARK PROFILE

Denver-based Sriram Madhivanan takes exceptional pride in his home city of Chennai.

Chennai is a sprawling city, nestled along the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Southeast India (State of Tamil Nadu).

In 2017, Madhivanan moved to Denver from Chennai at 27 years old for work, looking forward to a new adventure. Madhivanan has spent the past eight years embedding himself in Colorado’s culture while also aiming to spread the history and culture of Chennai to Coloradans.

“My own Tamil culture has a recorded history of over 2,500 years. My state is known for all the beautiful medieval and ancient temples and large faithful population,” said Madhivanan. “At the same time, the population’s rationalism and ingrained secularism shows through its politics, which has been dominated by rationalist, atheistic, welfare-oriented parties and political leaders since the 60s.”

Madhivanan added that his state is the most industrialized in the country and also has the second largest economy.

“It pioneered universal voting rights

DENVER’S SISTER CITIES

Akureyri,

Iceland

Axum, Ethiopia

Brest, France

Chennai, India

Cuernavaca, Mexico

Karmiel, Israel

Kunming, China

Nairobi, Kenya

Panama City, Panama

Potenza, Italy

Ramat HaNegev, Israel

Takayama, Italy

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

To learn more about Denver Sister Cities International, visit denversistercities.org/.

local communities, promote international understanding and solve common issues through cooperative e orts and shared knowledge,” said Sacha Francois Heppell, executive director of DSCI. “ e essence of sister city relationships lies in their capacity to build global bridges on a foundation of mutual respect and shared interests, fostering peace and understanding one community at a time.”

without any exceptions while under British occupation in 1921, when British women themselves didn’t have any voting rights,” Madhivanan said. “So my language, beliefs, values, outlook and politics is closely tied to my home state and quite distinct from even neighboring cultures.”

To share his rich culture, Madhivanan volunteers with the Chennai Committee within Denver Sister Cities International (DSCI), an organization that fosters formalized partnerships between two commu-

nities from di erent countries. e organization promotes the fostering of mutual understanding, cooperation and exchange. Denver currently has 13 sister cities across the globe, with Chennai becoming its seventh in 1984.

“Sister city partnerships can involve various initiatives such as student and professional exchanges, arts and cultural festivals, humanitarian, business and economic collaborations.

ese relationships aim to bridge cultural and national divides, enrich

e Denver Sister Cities International Chennai Committee celebrated a signi cant milestone in March, marking the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Denver and Chennai. A grand luncheon in Chennai on March 7 brought together delegates, dignitaries and citizens from both cities to celebrate four decades of mutual respect, cultural exchange and shared successes.

Denver Sister Cities International celebrates a 40-year relationship with Chennai, India, during a luncheon in March, during which representatives from both cities were in attendance.

OF DENVER SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL

50-something, and nding optimism and possibilities

University of Colorado-Denver’s Change Makers program now accepting applications for Fall 2024 semester

“ e mix of guest speakers covered all the di erent angles, from curiosity to creativity, that we’re trying to build within ourselves,” Amdur added.

A new kind of university program, Change Makers is one of a handful of university programs across the country that help older adults transition well from one life stage to another. Most of these programs are yearlong and in residence, in places like Palo Alto, California, and Cambridge, Massachusetts and cost between $60,000 and $80,000.

BY ANNE BUTTON

SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON PARK PROFILE

Last November, Diane Amdur was at a crossroads. e Denver resident had run a public relations consulting rm for more than 20 years, and she was looking for a professional refresh. In her mid-50s, she wasn’t ready to retire, yet she knew something needed to shift. e question was what.

Amdur is not alone. Many people 50 and older want to make the most of the 20 to 30 extra years of healthy living our generation can expect compared to a century ago. But they don’t know what to do, whether in mid-career or beyond.

Amdur was pondering these questions when she saw a story on the television news about the Change Makers program at the University of Colorado-Denver.

“It really spoke to me at a time when I was looking to recharge my work and my personal life in a way where both had more meaning, more purpose and more energy for the encore years,” she said.

A community sharing and shaping their stories together

So in January, Amdur joined a

group of 23 Change Maker fellows who met twice a week through May.

With professional backgrounds ranging from medicine to engineering to nonpro t management, the fellows had built successful careers.

ey came to the program ready for a change — to gure out how to use their hard-earned skills in new ways, to work di erently or volunteer meaningfully.

Among them were Mark and Lori Quick, a Denver couple who enrolled in the program together. Mark had been struggling with the loss of identity he felt after retiring from 32 years in the re service. Lori, a recently-retired nurse, had been “playing too much pickleball and needed purpose,” she said.

Drawing on readings, group discussions and guest-speaker presentations, the cohort examined what has worked and what hasn’t in their lives, what made the later-stage career years meaningful for others, and the pathways, obstacles and opportunities they face in designing a meaningful next chapter.

“It was re ective, meaningful work, and it really made me look back on where I’ve been and gave me ideas on where I wanted to go in this next chapter,” Lori Quick said.

Diane Amdur, center, participates in a discussion with other Change Maker fellows. The Change Makers program is o ered at the University of Colorado-Denver for people 50 and older. COURTESY OF ANNE BUTTON/UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO-DENVER CHANGE MAKERS PROGRAM

SEE OPTIMISM, P19

A mural by local artist Detour will be unveiled in Denver’s River North Art District during the Juneteenth weekend, which also boasts the annual Juneteenth Music Festival. Story page 12. COURTESY OF SIDECAR PR

Decades of progress toward liberation and fair treatment will be celebrated during this year’s Pride Month

BY NATALIE KERR

TO THE WASHINGTON PARK PROFILE

In 1976, Christi Layne, the stage name of renowned drag performer Christopher Sloane, stood with one of their best friends at the head of the very rst Pride March in Denver, after having gone through some back-and-forth with the city and the state to get a permit.

ey had expected a crowd of 200 people. But as they looked back at the gathering of more than 1,200, Layne’s friend turned to them and, with tears in his eyes, said, “now I know I’m not alone.”

June is observed as national Pride month, with LGBTQ+ community celebrations taking place across the

nation. Here in Denver, e Center on Colfax hosts the region’s largest annual Pride event, which has a rich history and roots going back to that rst march in 1976. Pride on South Pearl is in its infancy, returning in 2024 for its second year with hopes of surpassing last year’s $5,000 fundraised to support Denver’s LGBTQ+ community.

In anticipation of these events, LGBTQ+ community members reminisced on Pride’s history and its importance to a community that had to ght to be celebrated after centuries of being forced into shame and secrecy.

A history of activism

Fifty years ago, clandestine gay and lesbian bars were some of the

only safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people, and even then, the threat of a police raid loomed over the patrons, said Phil Nash, who served as the rst coordinator of e Center on Colfax and is the author of the visual history book “LGBTQ Denver,” which was published in April this year.

In Denver, homosexuality used to be considered a major political and social problem for the city. Police would lure gay men in by advertising gay-friendly spaces, but once there, the men would nd themselves being handcu ed for sodomy. LGBTQ+ individuals were always in danger, no matter where they were, Nash said.

“ e vice squad of the Denver Police Department was constantly ha-

rassing gay bars,” Nash said. “ ey set up mechanisms to entrap gay men and arrest them, and this got out to the public. ey were at risk of losing their housing and their jobs and their reputations.”

In October 1973, the newly founded Gay Coalition stormed city hall during a council meeting, with men and women demanding safety as rightful citizens of the city. ough it didn’t mean complete safety for the LGBTQ+ community, the protest helped usher in calmer relations with the police, with bars starting to police their own establishments and public displays of homosexuality engendering less harassment.

SPECIAL

ough Denver’s rst o cial Pride parade was in 1976, a “gay-in” in 1974 was a huge turning point for a community that hadn’t before been able to gather publicly and proudly, and is considered by many to be the very rst Pride celebration.

“It was a family that wasn’t wanted, it was the black sheep of the city,” Layne said. “But we were all together, and in the numbers and the strength that that projected, you could feel that there would be a future.”

Nash’s book uses historical images to document this history as part of the 50th anniversary celebration as a direct challenge to people who are trying to suppress LGBTQ+ history and education across the country, he said.

“It’s long overdue that we have a book available that would work for somebody who just really wants to know the history,” Nash added.

Denver Pride carries on its legacy of activism 50 years later, even as Pride today has evolved to be a spirited, rainbow- lled, monthlong party. It continues to raise money for e Center on Colfax, a nonpro t organization supporting the LGBTQ+ community by ensuring community members are safe and supported with resources and education, promoting pro-LGBTQ+ legislation and speaking out against homophobia, said the organization’s CEO Rex Fuller.

Anti-trans legislation and homophobia has far-reaching and sinister e ects. e FBI’s 2022 annual crime report documented 1,947 instances of violence relating to a victim’s sexual orientation — a 13.8% increase from 2021 in reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation and a 32.9% increase in reported hate crimes based on gender identity.

“ e bottom rung of the theatrical ladder is a boy in a dress. e bottom rung of the social community is a boy in a dress. e bottom rung of the straight community is a boy in a dress,” Layne said.

ough Layne could comfortably take o their dress and heels at the end of their performance, they

know transgender people who were isolated and scorned on a daily basis because of their appearance.

Ruby Slippers is the theme for Layne’s 2024 PrideFest speech. It is a reference to “ e Wizard of Oz’’ and an analogy to how LGBTQ+ people have to publicly step into their identity, despite knowing there could be consequences. It was a nerve-wracking decision in 1976, and in the current political climate, it is just as nerve-wracking today, Layne said.

But a life of secrecy can be the worst fate of all, Layne said. Pride is meant to show people that they are not alone, and that they have a home in the LGBTQ+ community.

“Just be you, because the exciting part of being you is it doesn’t matter what you wear on the outside, it should re ect who you are,” Layne said. “Have con dence in that always, because if you be you, there’s no place anybody can take you, but home.”

Celebrating the community e Center on Colfax is hosting its annual Denver PrideFest June 22 and 23. e two-day festival includes the Denver Pride 5K, hundreds of exhibitors and food vendors, live entertainment and the Coors Light Denver Pride Parade.

Pride is important both for people who have attended dozens of times and for people who have never been to Pride and may be open about their gender or sexuality for the rst time, Fuller said.

“A few years ago, two guys showed up for volunteering. One of them was 18 years old, and the other was 80, and it was for both of them, their rst Pride,” Fuller said.  is year, PrideFest will also be recognizing its 50-year legacy by honoring key gures in the history of Denver’s LGBTQ+ community, including Layne, Fuller and Nash among others, including some LBGTQ+ elected o cials.  is is also e Center’s main fundraising event, meaning attendance helps support its mission and the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in Denver. In particular, e Center is hoping to bolster its mental health and youth programs this year with funds raised from the festival.

PHOTO ON LEFT: The 1981 Pride Parade passes the corner of East Colfax and Lafayette. Three decades later, the vacant Metropolitan Industrial Bank would be purchased, renovated and transformed into The Center on Colfax, the first building to be owned by the LGBTQ+ organization.

PHOTO BY PHIL NASH

The Pie Queen of Denver addresses the crowd at the 2023 Pride on South Pearl celebration. COURTESY OF JODY FIDLER

SETTING THE STAGE

Colorado-born actress brings immersive one-woman show to Denver Fringe Festival

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Lauren Hance will perform her one-woman award-winning comedy show “Holy O” at the 2024 Denver Fringe Festival on June 6, 7 and 9.

“ e Denver Fringe Festival does a fantastic job,” Hance said. “I have a lot of family and friends who live in the Denver area. So, it was a nice combination to be able to take my show to a place where a lot of people that I know can come and see it.” Director and developer Amelia Peterson described the show as a cross between “Fleabag” and “ e

Vagina Monologues.”

“It’s for audiences who are up for something playful, heartwarming, and experimental,” Peterson said.

In “Holy O,” Hance plays Vera in a solo comedy performance in which the audience becomes part of the play directly from their seats. e main character, Vera, contemplates becoming a nun but can’t let go of her vibrators.

“ e onset of rapturous prayers complicates her situation, leading the audience to assume the role of an advice-giving saint,” Hance said.

“As Vera’s story unfolds, it intertwines with choose-your-ownadventure stories that explore the connection of body, spirit and sexuality,” Hance continued. “Along the

way, the audience helps Vera make some of the biggest decisions of her life, starting with what shirt to wear.”

Hance was born and raised at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs but now lives in Houston.

As a little girl, Hance said she already had the personality to be an entertainer.

“When I was a little girl, my mom would put me in the grocery cart. She said I babbled before I even talked,” Hance said.

Hance said her mother decided she had to do something with her since she was very entertaining and thought she would put her play. So, in elementary school, she joined the school play and YMCA.

“It was the best thing ever. I love

it. It was what I wanted to do since I was a little girl,” she said.

Hance studied theater at Abilene Christian University in West Texas and started as an actress. She graduated with a degree in Directing.

“Like many performers, you go out into the world and try to get into acting. When I was in Texas, it was hard to make a complete living as an actor, no matter where you live,” Hance said.

“ ey have a great auxiliary campus in Houston with a good arts and culture program. I also liked many teachers who were interested in lm and all forms of art,” she continued.

SEE FRINGE, P7

Hance also has a master’s degree in theology, arts, and culture from Fuller eological Seminary. She said that “Holy O” was part of her thesis project.

“Now, I take it on the road to di erent festivals,” Hance said.

Hance travels coast to coast, producing, being a playwright and directing theater. She also hosts and produces a podcast, “What is Fringe?”

Hance said Peterson helped her develop and direct “Holy O.” She spent her career working with playwrights and presenting at festivals,

such as the Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival and the New York International Fringe Festival.

“I’m also working now with Cathy Lam-Patrie, a co-director. She is helping me with some more acting because Amelia has been a part of this show, but my show is self-producing, and she is taking a pause to work on some other projects in Knoxville,” Hance said.

Hance said Cathy Lam-Patrie is an internationally recognized producer from Hong Kong who is devoted to advancing justice-focused work. In 2023, she received the Edinburgh Fringe First Award for “A Funeral for My Friend Who Is Still Alive.”

“Amelia is all groovy about me getting assistance because we’re all in it for the betterment of the piece. We

had long conversations about the development process,” Hance said. “We sent me o to do my work with festivals.”

In addition to several other awards, “Holy O” received a “Best of Fringe” award from DC eatre Arts and was described by reviewer Ari Rogers as “a deeply moving, uniquely intimate, and spiritual exploration of sexuality.”

“It was exciting to receive these awards. is is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done artistically because it’s self-produced, and I’m the writer and the performer,” Hance said.

Hance said that on the business side, she does all the work, sending out press releases and learning how to do that process, advertising and

getting people to the show.

“It’s been one of the hardest things I’ve done but also one of the best things that I’ve ever done,” she said. “I’ve grown so much, and my ability to believe in myself, who I am and what I can do, and how I can impact the world.”

Hance said she is very relational, and her show is very relational. e audience gets very involved, which excites her.

“I love connecting with people and creating space for them to feel the experience. It feels good when other people recognize my work and really believe what I’m doing. And it’s nice when other people say they believe in what I’m doing,” Hance said.

SEE FRINGE, P11

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Kid-friendly summer activities

Ah, summer break! e possibilities are endless: sleeping in, backyard barbecues and content kiddos playing the days away. e reality, though, is often a bit more challenging. My kids typically make it about one day before proclaiming, “I’m bored.”

So, what to do? Check out these inexpensive — or free! — ideas to keep everyone entertained this summer:

For the adventurer

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Try your hand at geocaching: Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt? To get started geocaching, download the free app and go. You’ll use GPS coordinates to nd hidden containers, with any number of surprises inside.

Go camping — at home: Heading o on a camping trip is an amazing activity for kids, but not everyone has the gear, or the time. Backyard camping can be a great alternative. Set up a tent or sleep

LIFE BALANCED

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Profile. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

Email letters to csteadman@ coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline

5 p.m. on the 20th of each month for the following month’s paper.

We’ve all seen the recent headlines: “Boomers aren’t moving” or “Empty nesters holding on to McMansions.” e cost of moving or owning a home is making it very di cult for everyone. Not making the headlines, however, is just how expensive it is to simply age in this country.

As we age, we want the resources, economic freedom and peace of mind to live where we feel most comfortable — whether that means at home or in our community. At least 77% of adults 50 and older want to age in a place where they are comfortable, according to AARP, yet 70% of older adults will need nancial and health care support to do so. In 2021, an all-time high of nearly 11.2 million older adults were “cost burdened,” meaning they spent more than 30% of their income on housing, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Colorado is the third most expensive state for home health care to support aging in place. Only 14% of single people over 75 can a ord a daily visit from a paid caregiver, and just 13% can afford to move to assisted living, accord-

under the stars, roast some s’mores in a re pit (and if you don’t have one, use the grill), and swap ghost stories once the sun goes down. Bonus: if the kids lose patience, you’re steps away from a real bed.

Cool o : Ditch the neighborhood pool for a day, and try out a new water spot. Plan a “beach day” — pack a picnic, and head to a local lake or river. ere are a lot of great options in the Front Range, such as Boyd Lake State Park in Larimer County, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Big Soda Lake in Je erson County and Boulder Reservoir. Also, Denver’s City Park and Washington Park have paddle boats available to rent.

Stamp your (national parks) passport: Purchase a passport booklet through the Passport To Your National Parks program, and gift your children a keepsake they can contribute to for years. en head to one of Colorado’s national parks to secure that rst stamp.

For the budding foodie

Browse the farmers market: Farmers markets are a perfect place to spend a weekend morning. Pick out some produce and sweet treats, enjoy a sample or two, and grab some lunch at a food truck. Tie this into an add-on activity and prep a recipe from all the tasty market nds.

Bake up a masterpiece: Use those berries from the market to whip up a cobbler or crisp. Or, set up a cupcake or cookie decorating station.

We all deserve the luxury of aging a ordably

ing to MarketWatch. e median monthly cost of assisted living in the U.S. is $4,500 — while the average monthly social security check is just $1,700. e evidence is clear — we need more a ordable support services and systems that allow all of us to maintain autonomy and connections to our community as we age. Speci cally, we need more a ordable housing or homelessness prevention programs, creative solutions for in-home wraparound services, and policies that support caregiver or direct care workforce support and services.

ankfully, our state and community have some real leaders working hard to make aging less expensive. Colorado is using federal funds to substantially raise base wages for thousands of direct care workers providing a range of services to older adults.

Locally, Bell Policy Center in Denver designed and conducted a cost

study of Colorado’s direct care ecosystem for older adults that examined the economic conditions for older adults, their families, and paid and unpaid caregivers. is study identi ed statelevel data gaps on direct care, as well as provided tools for advocates looking to make systems and policy changes to bene t older adults.

And Housing Resources of Western Colorado in Grand Junction addresses the housing shortage in Mesa County that is impacting young people and older adults by developing an intergenerational village that will provide homes for older adults at risk of homelessness and for youth transitioning out of the foster care system.

Creative collaborative solutions are what we all need to help make living here less expensive. But we should all do a better job of advocating for ourselves as we age so that future generations have the luxury of aging a ordably.

Peter Kaldes, Esq., is the president and CEO of Next50, a national foundation based in Denver. Learn more at next50foundation.org.

Megan Trask and Cody Galloway

Peter Kaldes

LIFE BALANCED

Your kitchen helpers can also assist with dishes, so don’t be afraid to make a mess.

Grow your own: Maintaining a small garden means homegrown produce + a great learning opportunity. Start with simple, hardy plants like tomatoes, pumpkins or herbs. en put your kids in charge — they can plant, water and weed all the way through harvest.

Fun for the whole fam

Build a time capsule: Grab a shoebox or plastic bin, and have your kids create a collection for their future selves. A “letter to me” is a great inclusion. en tape up the box and label it with an open date — try to wait at least 10 years.

Plan a family movie night: Have everyone vote on a ick, then make it an event. Pop some popcorn, set up an ice cream sundae bar, and bring out blankets and pillows for a comfy night in.

Go retro: In the heat of summer, bowling alleys and skating rinks are a perfect escape. Head to either for air-conditioned exercise, nostalgic snacks and a few hours of family fun.

Host a chalk art festival: Pick a sunny summer morning, and challenge your neighbors to create driveway masterpieces. Set a time frame, and nd a few judges as well. Afterward, walk the block and enjoy.

Pack a picnic: Picnics are an oldie but goodie. Grab fried chicken and sides from the store, pack up some games, and head to the park. Scan local listings for free outdoor concerts — many areas offer them in the summer.

For keeping sharp

Foster the love of reading: Join a summer reading challenge. Your kiddos’ school may have a program, Barnes & Noble has a fun one (earn free books!) or there is a great summer reading challenge from Scholastic as well. Many local libraries also have challenges.

Prep to become a future day trader: Check out TD Bank’s virtual stock market program, which allows children to fund a portfolio using virtual cash.

For the parents

Form a baby-sitting co-op: Babysitters are saviors, but they also come at a cost. One solution is to form a co-op with friends or neighbors. Most systems use tokens or points to track hours. Save yours up for a big night out — or even an overnight trip.

Are you reading this list and thinking: cool, but we don’t have time? TULA can help. Pass o your to-do list to your very own, on-demand personal assistant — and free up some of those hours for summer fun.

Megan Trask and Cody Galloway are Denver residents and co-founders of TULA Life Balanced. Learn more about their business at tulabalanced. com.

“Maze 103”

This maze was created to challenge. To solve, start at an ‘S’ found in the bottom four corners, and maze-out to near the top center to find the hidden ‘W’ for win.

ABOUT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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• Letters should be exclusively submitted to Colorado Community Media and should not be submitted to other outlets or previously posted on websites or social media. Submitted letters become the property of CCM and should not be republished elsewhere.

Independent bookstores thrive in Colorado

Centennial State ranks highly for indie bookstores per capita; shopkeepers say neighborhoods benefit

BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

As the school year comes to a close for some and the summer begins for all, Coloradans may be looking for something to ll their time. Luckily, they need to look no further than their local bookstores, which o er community, games and more, beyond books.

While big box stores and bookselling chains o er wide selections and thorough organizational systems, smaller stores allow for customers to converse with someone well-versed in the pages they spend each day around.

Here are six local independent bookstores worth checking out in the Denver metro area.

Capitol Hill Books | Denver

300 East Colfax Ave., Denver, Colorado 80203 | (303)-837-0700 | info@ capitolhillbooks.com | capitolhillbooks.com |Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day

Bringing books to Denver for 44 years, Capitol Hill Books houses a large collection of used and rare books. Both its placement and longevity have made the store a neighborhood staple.

“Everyone has seen this store as they drive through town,” said owner Ben Hall, who has spent 15 years working there, the last year and a half as owner. “It’s one of the de ning features of Cap Hill, our sign that says used books.”

In addition to being a Colfax mainstay, Hall believes the store serves an important place in the community.

“I think having a neighborhood bookstore is important,” Hall said. “A neighborhood used bookstore gives everyone in the neighborhood a chance to nd something to read. You can do that at a library too, but maybe you want to take it home.

“It just means more people in the neighborhood will spend time reading,” Hall added. “Maybe I’m biased, but I think that’s important.”

Petals and Pages of Denver

956 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colo-

rado 80204 | info@petalsandpagesofdenver.com | petalsandpagesofdenver.com | Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, closed Mondays

Petals and Pages o ers a bit more than your average bookstore. e queer woman-owned shop is both a bookstore and ower shop — with a bakery coming soon.

e shop also serves as a community space, with a variety of events every month. With book clubs covering a range of genres—such as romance, poetry, social justice, fantasy, queer literature and more—any reader can nd a club for them. For those that simply want a place to read, the store also o er read-a-thons.

However, the events aren’t limited to books. From game nights to burlesque classes to oral classes to speed dating, Petals and Pages has many classes and events to bring people together.

Sudden Fiction Books | Castle Rock

221 Perry St., Castle Rock, Colorado 80104 | (303)-856-8181 | hello@sudden ctionbooks.com | sudden ctionbooks.com| Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through ursdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Inside of Ecclesia Market, Sudden Fiction Books brings new and used books across many genres to Castle Rock.

“Our bookstore prioritizes working with the community and re ecting their interests,” said bookseller Luxe Palmer. “ e community builds us up. I think we keep a very good relationship with our patrons, which is something that big box bookstores are not able to do.”

e store not only o ers a place to shop for books, but a place to nd community, with book clubs and “Local Author Saturdays,” where a couple of local authors will spend the day hanging out and chatting about books.

“Working at an independent bookstore gives us a lot of opportunity to be able to interact with the customers and help them nd exactly what they need,” Palmer said. “It’s an absolute joy to work here.”

The Book Stop | Wheat Ridge 10840 West 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033 | (303)-425-4960 | srebooks@abookstop.com | https:// www.abookstop.com/ | Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays

Since 1987, e Book Stop has brought books to Wheat Ridge.  e store has a bit of everything, o ering customers books across a wide variety of genres. With over 70,000 books in its inventory, e Book Stop has something for everyone, inviting customers to come get lost in the maze of bookshelves.

Black and Read | Arvada 7821 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO 80003 | (303)-467-3236 | blackandread19@gmail.com | https://blackandread.com/ | Open 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays  Bringing Arvada more than just books, Black and Read is an independent bookstore that also sells music and games.

For over 30 years, the store has used books and rare books, but its inventory doesn’t stop there. e store also o ers a wide variety of physical media, ranging from vinyls and CD’s to DVD’s and cassettes. For

gamers, the store has board games and role-playing games.

“I’m kinda the board game expert here,” said bookseller Ben Boskoss. “So they brought me on to help with that, and I’ve been learning more of the books side of things as well.”

With a maze of books and more at the ready, Black and Read is a shop to browse and enjoy.

“It’s always great seeing local shoppers coming in and out,” Boskoss said.

Spell

Books | Littleton

2376 Main St., Littleton, Colorado 80120 | (303)-954-0094 | info@spellbooksco.com |spellbooksco.com | Open noon to 5 p.m. Mondays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays

One of Main Street’s newest additions, Spell Books brings a curated selection to those looking for unique reads.

“We’re highly curated simply because we don’t have a lot of space,” said owner Corey Dahl. “I think we have a lot of small press and under the radar gems that people won’t nd at bigger stores.”

The iconic signage marking Capitol Hill Books, visible from the Colorado Capitol building.

PHOTO BY RYLEE DUNN

“Denver has a vibrant art scene. It’s inspiring to come to a city that supports the arts, and the Fringe Festival is received well. I’m particular about where I go because it costs a lot of time and money to take a show somewhere and the place that is going and want it to be successful within the art scene and the festival,” Hance continued.

Hance’s “Holy O” performances during the Denver Fringe Festival will be at Big Up Studios, 3410 Blake St., Denver, CO 80205.

“Holy O” showtimes are at 8 p.m. ursday, June 6, 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 7, and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 9.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at https://denverfringe.org/

BOOKSTORES

Dahl also said she focused on curating a good space, alongside a good book selection.

“We have a di erent vibe too,” Dahl said. “I did all the decor; it’s all thrifted. I just wanted to make it cozy; like grandma’s house, if grandma was a witch.”

In addition to housing books, the store is also home to several community events, including book clubs, poetry readings, writing workshops

shows/holy-o/. For more information about the show, go to theholyoplay.com.

The Denver Fringe Festival

Now in its fth year running, this year’s Denver Fringe Festival boasts more than 150 performances, including 60 original productions that include theater, dance, circus, comedy, cabaret and more. e four-day festival, which takes place June 6-9, will take place in roughly 20 venues, primarily located in Denver’s RiNo and Five Points, and a satellite location in Aurora.

In addition to “Holy O,” some other highlights include “King Penny Radio,” an improvised 1940’s radio show complete with costumes and old-timey piano music; “Disko Boy,” a family-friendly drag show featuring Hans L’Adida; and “Raw Groove: Life of the Party,” which will take audience members on an

and “Friday Night Read ‘n Writes” — where attendees can spend a few hours reading or writing with others.

“Bookstores are a great community driver,” Dahl said. “You can buy a book online but you don’t get to talk to anyone about it, you don’t get to have that kismit moment of nding the book in person.”

With a variety of community events, Spell Books o ers a space to connect through books.

“Reading feels like it’s supposed to be a solitary activity but I think it’s the opposite,” Dahl said. “I think you’re supposed to connect with people through reading.”

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Afrofuturistic journey with dance and live musical performances.

“To be able to produce a show and have the right exposure is hard to come by,” said Constance Harris with Raw Groove. “With the network that Denver Fringe has in place with venues and audiences, it cuts out some of the obstacles and allows artists to produce what they want.”

Harris, who is also known by her stage name Connie Love, is participating in the festival for the rst time this year.

Even more to look forward to this year are additional experiences such as “On e Fringes,” which is a visual art exhibit that will be on display through June 21 at Ironton Distillery in Denver; and Fringe Free-For-All, which will consist of a

variety of performances in free-entry venues and street performances.

“We’re really manifesting our goal of making the arts accessible to all,” said Ann Sabbah, executive director of the Denver Fringe Festival, in a press release. “ e elements we’re adding this year allow us to support more independent artists, collaborate within the community and share live performance art with more people. We’re ve years in and the re for Fringe is burning bright.”

e Denver Fringe Festival is known for providing “unjuried, uncensored and unconventional art” to all. ose wanting a more family-friendly experience can attend KidsFringe, which o ers two free shows catered for an audience of kids and families.

Annual Juneteenth festival returns to Denver’s Five Points

The festivities connect community, celebrate African American culture

BY MERYL PHAIR

SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON PARK PROFILE

Denver’s Five Points neighborhood will be transformed into a mecca of local businesses and live entertainment in celebration of this year’s Juneteenth, welcoming the community to attend a free celebratory event on June 15 and June 16. e packed weekend will feature one of the Mile High City’s longest running parades that dates to the 1950s, headlining rapper Bow Wow and more than 200 booths of unique vendors and artists.

Juneteenth, a combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth,” recognizes the historic day of June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued a proclamation that the last enslaved people in Texas were free. It wasn’t until 2021 that the annual celebration was recognized as a federal holiday.

But Denver, like many other cities across the U.S., has been hosting Juneteenth celebrations for decades. is year, the celebration will be back with many of its iconic staples, along with a rich array of fresh additions that both celebrate the legacy of African American history and continue forwarding social dialogue. Below are just some of the many highlights happening during the Juneteenth weekend.

Juneteenth Music Festival

Norman Harris, executive director for the Juneteenth Music Festival, describes the annual event as a “cultural treasure chest” that comes together in unique ways every year.

“I used to watch my mother cook gumbo, and she’d start with the base sauce called the roux,” said Harris. “ e roux of Juneteenth is the love and commitment of our committee who work tirelessly to keep improving the event and providing a cultural anchor for so many people.”

To learn more about the Juneteenth Music Festival, visit juneteenthmusicfestival.com. To learn more about Absolute Equality’s Juneteenth Mural Project, visit absoluteequality.org.

Joshua Trinidad of Denver performs at a former Juneteenth Music Festival.

COURTESY OF SIDECAR PR

is year’s music festival includes an activated space that invites podcasters to broadcast live onsite, giving the thousands of people who move through the festival a platform to voice their excitement for the annual celebration of freedom. In addition to new partners and sponsorship, the festival will welcome headliner Bow Wow alongside a large section of live musicians.

“The size and scale of the Juneteenth celebration is a reflection of the legacy of African Americans who were moving from rural to urban, from south to north during the Great Migration period,” Harris said. “And what occurred in Denver was, there was a concentration of African Americans living in the Five Points neighborhood –it was actually the only neighborhood (where) people could really

see once or twice a year.”

With sweet watermelons, home brews and delicious food, Moore said the annual tradition is still woven into his life, with his own family now participating in serving their mouthwatering barbecue at the festival every year.

e home of the Mile High Monster sandwich will be o ering an array of food out of its red food truck. Moore said he wasn’t revealing this year’s secret, but said Big G’s BBQ would be bringing out something fresh for the festival.

Denver’s Five Points neighborhood will be transformed into a mecca of local businesses and live entertainment in celebration of this year’s Juneteenth, welcoming the community to attend a free celebratory event on June 15 and June 16.

JUNETEENTH

“We’re determined to keep these traditions going and to keep enjoying ourselves,” said Moore.

In addition to ample food options, the festival will welcome a selection of vendors, many of whom represent nonpro ts and organizations doing essential community work in Denver. is year will be the rst time the Denver Public Schools Climate & Safety O ce will have a booth. Serving more than 90,000 students and 14,000 sta members in the metro area, DPS Climate & Safety coordinates with investigators, armed patrol o cers, dispatchers, emergency management professionals, campus safety o cers and a prevention-focused support team.

“One thing we want to improve is our engagement with the community as there is a lot that happens in the realm of school safety and we want that to be shared knowledge,” said DPS Climate & Safety Chief Greg Cazzell. “It’s an opportunity to meet our community in person and empower parents with information on the tools they have at their disposal.”

Campus safety o cers and school sta will be at the Juneteenth fes-

tival booth talking with attendees about DPS Climate & Safety’s work such as standard response protocols, programming and supportive resources. A major focus of the ofce is addressing student needs through preventative measures, such as youth violence prevention programming and wraparound support systems that alleviate the need for uniform o cer intervention.

Dream Big Awards

e Juneteenth Music Festival has worked to highlight community champions who set high standards for achievement with the annual Dream Big Awards, which started in 2015. is year’s awards will include a lifetime achievement award to Chauncey Ray Billups, who was recently named to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Another awardee is Bianka Emerson, president of Colorado Black Women for Political Action. Formed in 1977, the political organization was founded by former State Sen. Gloria Tanner to enhance African American political participation. Today the organization works to educate the community on current issues, along with supporting candidates and ballot measures that bene t the Black community.

Denver’s annual Juneteenth Music Festival, which takes place this year on June 15-16, boasts one of the Mile High City’s longest-running parades. PHOTOS COURTESY

Kick off the summer in Denver with an array of events

Summer is a glorious time of the year to be spent in Denver. ough the rst day of summer isn’t technically until June 20 this year, we’ve already had some lovely weather and the summer events – from outdoor art exhibits to free concerts in the park – are getting the season started.

Fantastical creatures at the Denver Botanic Gardens e Denver Botanic Gardens has a new outdoor exhibit – the rst in roughly ve years – now on view. “Spirit Guides: Fantastical Creatures from the Workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles” features eight large sculptures inspired by an ancient Zapotec stone calendar in the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca. Jacobo and María Ángeles are a married artist team based in San Martín Tilcajete in Oaxaca, Mexico. eir sculptures embrace both contemporary art practices and folk art traditions. “Spirit Guides” will be on display at the York Street location through Sept. 8 and is included with general admission. On select Fridays and Sundays through the duration of the exhibit, the gardens is o ering a Spirit Guides Outdoor Art Tour for an additional cost, during which attendees will explore the outdoor sculpture exhibition as well as related plant themes, including the biodiversity of Mexican ora. Visit botanicgardens.org for more information and tickets.

members are professional musicians, and the nonpro t organization as a whole truly cares about providing an experience for the entire community. e Denver Municipal Band will be performing a number of free concerts – mostly in neighborhood parks – all across Denver nearly every weekend this summer. (It kicked o its summer concerts in May, and there will be concerts through mid-September.) A full schedule is available on the Denver Municipal Band’s website: denvermunicipalband.org. But to get a sampling of what the summer will entail, check out the band’s Fourth of July concert at Washington Park or on July 5 at Cheesman Park.

Photo: e Jaguar-Eagle is one of the spirit guides on display for an outdoor exhibit at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Photo by Christy Steadman.

Enjoy a concert by the Denver Municipal Band e Denver Municipal Band is sure something we as Coloradans have bragging rights to – forming in the 1860s, it is the longest-running band west of the Mississippi. But not only that, band

Fun at Denver Union Station and the Dairy Block ere is a lot going on at Denver Union Station, this summer: Popup Denver Maker Markets on three weekends in June and July, an Urban Market at Union Station from June through August and a Mile High Global Bazaar on June 29 and June 30. More about these can be found on denverunionstation.com. And don’t forget that the nearby Dairy Block also has a lot to o er. Its June Alley Soundscapes is a live music series. It’s free to attend and a diverse variety of local musicians will be performing. Check out the lineup at dairyblockcom/events.

Photo: e June Alley Soundscapes in Denver’s Dairy Block will feature a variety of local musicians throughout the month. Courtesy photo.

Cly ord Still Museum’s ‘Dialogue and Defiance’ e Cly ord Still Museum, 1250 Bannock St., opened its “Dialogue and De ance: Cly ord Still and the Abstract Expressionists” exhibit in May, and it will be on view through Jan. 12. is exhibit is a curated collection of Still’s work that demonstrates how he “was part of an artists’ community in the late 1940s and early 1950s, despite his protestations to the contrary,” states the museum’s website. “Considered one of the most important painters of the 20th century, Cly ord Still (1904–1980) was among the rst generation of Abstract Expressionist artists,” states the website. roughout the duration of the exhibit, the museum will o er various programs and events. Learn more at cly ordstillmuseum.org.

Photo: “Dialogue and De ance: Cly ord Still and the Abstract Expressionists” will be on view through Jan. 12.

‘Why Does Washington Park Matter’

In celebration of Washington Park’s 125th anniversary, Friends And Neighbors (FANS) of Washington Park is putting on two contests that showcase the park. The first contest is a photography contest, which returns this year after a seven-year hiatus. Photos should demonstrate the theme: Celebrating Wash Park. Entry fee is $5 and entries can be submitted at Fansphotocontest.com through June 30.

EVENTS

Winners will be chosen by public, in-person voting during FANS’ Anniversary Celebration. Prizes will be awarded in youth and adult categories. e second contest is the rst-ever Wash Park essay contest. e prompt for this is: Why Does Washington Park Matter. ere is no fee to enter the essay contest, and submissions can be entered at fansessaycontest.com through June 30. Essay contest divisions are 8-14 years, 15-18 years and Adult (over 18). Essays will be judged by a local panel of educators, writers, librarians and community leaders. FANS’ Anniversary Celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 7 at Washington Park. e free community event will include a full schedule of events and entertainment, including a parade, sports clinics, park activities, history and educational displays, food trucks and live music. Learn more about FANS at fanswashingtonpark.org.

“Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence” concert takes place on June 15. Courtesy photo.

Denver Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation

e Denver Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, commonly known as Denver INC, which is a registered neighborhood organization that represents all Denver neighborhoods, is inviting the entire community to its Neighborhood Block Party and Artfest on June 22 in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. From 1:30-3:30, the community is invited to attend RNO 101 - e Art of Community Organizing at nuROOT Studios, 2942 Welton St. Afterwards, from 3-6 p.m., the event moves to Spangalang Brewery, 2736 Welton St., for art showcases, live music and meetand-greets/networking with neighbors from across the city. To learn more about Denver INC, visit denverinc.org. To register for the event, visit https://bit.ly/DENARTFEST.

Denver Chamber Music Festival

e Denver Chamber Music Festival, a local nonpro t music organization, has four noteworthy concerts coming up in June. e rst is the Colorado Cello Quartet, co-presented with the Denver Friends of Chamber Music. It takes place at 6:30 p.m. on June 2 at Dazzle, 1080 14th Street, in Denver. On June 12, a special concert will take place in downtown Denver’s Daniels and Fisher Clock Tower, 1601 Arapahoe St. is event has limited seating available. e other two concerts both take place at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Ili Ave, on the University of Denver campus. “Horn Calls and Love Letters – e World of Schumann” takes place at 7:30pm on June 14. “Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence” takes place at 7:30 p.m. June 15. To learn more about the Denver Chamber Music Festival or to purchase tickets to any of these concerts, visit denverchambermusicfestival.org.

Photo: e Denver Chamber Music Festival’s

Le Dîner en Blanc

e Le Dîner en Blanc is returning to Denver for the second year on June 15. e location is kept secret until one hour before the event takes place, though it will be in one of Denver’s bestknown public spaces. is event is a Parisianinspired picnic-style dinner and is characterized by its all-white dress code. Denver is one of 120 cities across the globe that is hosting a Le Dîner en Blanc. Tickets range from $63-$76. is event is invite-only, so people wanting to attend should sign up to the waitlist/Phase3 at denver. dinerenblanc.com and click on the Register tab.

Photo: Le Dîner en Blanc returns to Denver on June 15 with a secret location. Photo by Ben Sorrells.

Sunset Cinema

e theme for this year’s Sunset Cinema is a celebration of animation. Sunset Cinema, put on by Denver Arts & Venues and Denver Film, is a free outdoor movie series that takes place

at the Denver Performing Arts Complex Sculpture Park. e lms to be presented this year are: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” on June 25, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” on July 9, “ e Triplets of Belleville” on July 23, “ e Incredibles” on Aug. 6 and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” on Aug. 20. e University of Colorado-Denver’s Digital Animation Center Student Showcase will be presenting animated shorts prior to each feature lm. Additional highlights include food trucks, lawn games and photo booths. Learn more at denver lm.org/ lm-series/sunset-cinema.

Photo: Courtesy image.

PLAN AHEAD: FAN EXPO

is year’s FAN EXPO will take place July 4-7, and early announcements of celebrities in attendance include Shannen Doherty, Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs from the TV show, “Charmed,” Mario Lopez of “Saved by the Bell,” and Jason Lee of “My Name is Earl” and “Clerks 2.” Additional celebrities are to be announced. e event takes place at the Colorado Convention Center and a variety of ticketing options are available. FAN EXPO comes to Denver thanks to a partnership with Pop Culture Classroom, which is a Denver-based nonpro t. To learn more, visit popcultureclassroom.org/ fanexpo.

Members of Denver’s Mile High Harmonica Club share how the small instrument has a mighty impact

BY KIRSTEN DAHL COLLINS

SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON PARK PROFILE

It’s just a little oblong tube lled with exible metal “tongues” that vibrate when you blow into it.

But members of Denver’s Mile High Harmonica Club seem to nd endless joy in their instruments.

Along with the fun of making music together, club members also credit the humble harmonica with improving their social lives, making them smarter and even helping people with lung disease breathe easier.

Founded in 1994, the harmonica club is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. e club now has about 65 members, but it originally sprang from a small group of enthusiastic students under the tutelage of Swallow Hill Music instructor Paul Davies.

“ e rst meeting o cially gathered at my house,” said Davies. “We have all become very good friends.”

Today, the harmonica club meets twice a month at Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S. Grant St., a former Methodist church built in 1908 that is now used as a community center.

Once a year, however, club members go on the road to attend a national convention with other harmonica-lovers from all over the U.S. is year, the Society For the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH) convention will take place from Aug. 13-17 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Davies, who is a past president of SPAH, said he expects “non-stop jamming.”

An invention from Germany catches fire By many accounts, the harmonica was invented in Germany in 1826 by instrument-maker Christian Buschmann. Also called a mouth harp or mouth organ, although it doesn’t sound much like either, the pocketsized instrument is played with a combination of blowing and ‘draw-

ing’ (inhaling). e instruments are inexpensive and easy to learn. No ability to read music is required. e new instrument became wildly popular. Soon Germany was dotted with harmonica factories.

From 1900 to the 1920s, German harmonicas poured into the United States to meet the swelling demand. Today the harmonica has multiplied into a crazy quilt of di erent models, large and small. e most familiar is the simple diatonic harmonica, which has 10 holes and usually plays in the key of C.  It has a folksy, bluesy sound — exemplied in the music of folk-rocker Bob Dylan, who famously termed it, “ e best-selling instrument in the world.”

e larger chromatic harmonica — favored by artist Stevie Wonder — produces far more notes and chords, but is tougher to learn. It’s often used in jazz, classical and pop music.

Having too much fun

At a recent meeting of the Mile High Harmonica Club, a diverse

group of male and female club members, aged 24 to 94, sported both diatonic and chromatic instruments. e joy of music-making was palpable. People sang along and applauded as various players stepped up to the open mic, performing numbers as disparate as Al Jolson’s 1921 hit, “April Showers,” and Led Zeppelin’s 1971 rock classic, “Stairway to Heaven.”

Jackson Campbell played his own composition, a lively piece reminiscent of Irish folk music. A quartet made up of Gayla Michelin, Shawn Mass, Lee Taylor and Roger Bale played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Wayne Di y put his heart into “Elk River Blues,” a folk song about a man watching as a new dam submerges his ancestral home.

Between numbers, Lloyd Williams showed o harmonica covers his daughter had knitted for him. Charter club member, Lee Taylor, told an anecdote about his childhood, when his little brother was exiled to a closet for bad behavior. Inside the closet, the boy

discovered a harmonica and started playing it. After he’d served his time, he refused to come out.

“He was having too much fun!” Taylor said.

Scott Paulding serves as the club’s president and harmonica enthusiast-in-chief.

“I try to be a welcomer for everyone who walks into club meetings and encourage people to play music,” he said.

Paulding believes the harmonica he acquired as a teenager had a big impact.

“I de nitely was not musical,” he said, “but learning the harmonica rewired my brain.”

He may be on to something.

“Playing an instrument may be one of the best ways to help keep the brain healthy,” said a recent post on the University of Pennsylvania’s medical school website. It reported that studies have found bene ts for kids — but also gains in memory and cognitive function for people older than 60.

Thirteen of the 65 harmonicists with the Mile High Harmonica Club posed for a portrait at a recent meeting. The club meets twice a month and welcomes new members, from beginners to experts.

PHOTO BY TIM COLLINS

The Mile High Harmonica Club welcomes new members, from beginners to experts. Meetings take place twice a month, on Sunday afternoons from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Historic Grant Avenue Community Center, 216 S. Grant St. For more information, visit milehighharmonicaclub.com or call (303) 810-4655.

HARMONICA

Learning is a key purpose of the club, Paulding said, whether it’s teaching beginners or helping experienced players improve their technique. Experience has taught him that without instruction, it’s di cult to progress.

Breathing easier with the harmonica Paulding also teaches technique when he visits e Harmonicats, a group of pulmonary rehab patients at University of Colorado Medical Center’s Anschutz campus in Aurora. Some patients attend the biweekly meetings with oxygen tanks in tow. All are coping with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or other respiratory disorders.

Dean Hutto, a Mile High Harmonica Club member, played with the Harmonicats as he recovered from a double lung transplant.

“I would go home after playing the harmonica and feel like I could breathe deeper,” he said. “Everyone in the group swears by it.”

He said the group plays a lot of “camp re songs,” including “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore,” and the Gaelic barn dance, “Skip to My Lou.”

“It’s easier to learn if you already know the song,” he explained.

e pursed lip breathing required to play the harmonica helps relieve shortness of breath, according to UC Health’s Pulmonary Rehab Supervisor Alexandra Worl.

“When they’re practicing harmonica during the week, they are creating muscle and integrating it into activities of daily life,” Worl said.

ese musical gatherings also address another pressing problem. Many COPD su erers isolate

themselves because they dread the breathlessness that accompanies simple exertion, such as standing up, walking or climbing stairs.

Worl says the Harmonicats biweekly meetings are an important tool in ghting this isolation.

“It improves quality of life and human connection,” she said. “And the old familiar songs can remind you of your youth. It brings back amazing memories.”

Back at the harmonica club meet-

ing, Myron Wilson took his turn at open mic with a heartfelt rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

He regarded his two, large chromatic harmonicas with something akin to adoration.

“Here I am, 60 years old,” he said, “and I’m still learning new things.”

Ireland’s Finest Painting Co.

Years +

Lee Taylor, one of the original Swallow Hill Music students who banded together to help form the Mile High Harmonica Club, plays a large chromatic harmonica during a recent club meeting.

PHOTOS BY TIM COLLINS

Freddie Alexander donned his harmonica rack and accompanied himself on the guitar for his rendition of the ballad, “You Should Probably Leave,” by songwriter Chris Stapleton.

Nash will also be doing readings of “LGBTQ Denver” at e Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave., on June 7, and at the Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., on June 11.

Pride on South Pearl Street will kick o its second year of celebrations on June 15 with vendors, entertainment, drag queen story time, pet adoptions, free and Pride-themed exercise classes and a Pride dance party in the evening. More information on the schedule and signups for the free classes can be found on the South Pearl Street website: southpearlstreet. com.

It’s exciting to be able to bring the event back for a second year in a row, especially since it had great turnout and engagement last year, said Paige Milstein, coordinator for Pride on South Pearl and manager of the business Ride Revolution on South Pearl Street.

“It was a great success, it was super fun, and we’re just so excited for this year to be bigger — and every year, we’re going to keep adding more,” Milstein said.

A portion of money raised from vendor sales and donations will go to e Center on Colfax.

Last year, Pride on South Pearl raised more than $5,000 and the hope is to surpass that this year, said Jody Fidler, owner of Wheelhouse Gifts and a coordinator for Pride on South Pearl.

Organizers are trying to get more local businesses involved, both to raise more money and also to send a message to the community that everyone is safe and welcome, Fidler said.

Last year, there was a protester who tried to heckle the crowd with homophobic statements, Fidler said.

“We had a lot of merchants who were very willing to just move this gentleman along,” Fidler added. “We will be prepared for that type of person if he decides to hear about it and come back.”

The significance of Pride

Every year when Pride comes around, Layne is reminded about what it took to get to this point: the protests and permits, the police and the pushback. But they

are also reminded of how many people have stood alongside them to make it possible, and the progress the LGBTQ+ community has made through the decades.

Back in 1976, despite being a leader in the community, Layne didn’t have a solid idea of what a Pride celebration meant. e de nition a friend gave them has

stuck ever since.

“ e Declaration of Independence says we all are created equal,” Layne recalled hearing. “Are you treated equally? I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Well, do you think you’re a good person? Are you an asset to this world?’ (I said) ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘that’s your Pride, and that pride deserves to be shared.’”

MORE WAYS TO CELEBRATE PRIDE IN DENVER

A search online for ‘what to do in Denver to celebrate Pride’ will provide hundreds of results metro-wide. While all will be unique events, the list would be much too lengthy for us to publish. So our sta narrowed down the results to some of our top picks. Melodies of Pride: The Mile High Freedom Bands’ Winds and Strings will be performing its annual Melodies of Pride concert at 7 p.m. on June 20 at City Park, approximately located at 2001 Colorado Blvd. in Denver. Free to attend and family-friendly. Visit mhfb.org for more information. X Fest: X Bar, 629 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, is hosting its 10-day X Fest from June 14 to June 23. Daily events range from dance parties to karaoke to drag shows and much more. Festival passes can be purchased as 10-day, three-day or single-day. Find a full lineup of X Fest events and purchase tickets at xbardenver.com.

Pride with JCC Denver: The Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC Denver) has a few Pride events going on. Namely, its annual Pride Kabbalat Shabbat & Dinner, which takes place on June 21 this year; and a screening of the Israeli documentary “Transkids” on June 13. Learn more and register for these events at jccdenver.org.

Queeridescence: The annual youth Pride celebration, Queeridescence, takes place from 7-10 p.m. June 14 at the History Colorado Center, 1200 N. Broadway in Denver. This event is alcohol-free and is intended for teens and young adults, though attendees age 12 and younger are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. There will be plenty of activities, including an opportunity for aspiring drag queens and kings to walk the runway. Learn more or purchase tickets at historycolorado.org.

Black Pride Colorado: Black Pride Colorado is putting on a number of events at a variety of venues in Denver throughout June. Noteworthy are the family-friendly Queer Cookout on June 16 at the Sie Film Center and the Strange Fruit of Black Excellence Gala on June 14 at the Denver Botanic Gardens. But there are many others — check out the roster at blackpridedenver.com.

To Wong Foo Festival: The Rainbow Cult is hosting the To Wong Foo Festival on June 15 at the Historic Elitch Theatre, 4600 W. 37th Place in Denver. The festival’s Red & Wild Festival, which is free and open to the public, takes place from 2-6 p.m. The ticketed event begins at 6 p.m., and includes a screening of the “To Wong Foo” film, a drag show and after party. Learn more and purchase tickets at historicelitchtheatre.org.

A puppy participates in the 2023 Pride on South Pearl celebration.

COURTESY OF JODY FIDLER

SISTER CITY

e anniversary luncheon featured speakers who highlighted the partnership’s rich history and cultural signi cance, along with the announcement of upcoming cultural initiatives. ese aim to continue the tradition of cultural exchange and mutual understanding that has been the hallmark of the Denver-Chennai relationship.

Cultural exchanges are a cornerstone of sister city programs. ese initiatives enrich the local arts scene and introduce residents to diverse artistic expressions. Events like cultural festivals, art exhibitions and live performances educate and entertain, building a culturally diverse community. An artist exchange will happen this year between the RiNo Art District and St+art India to facilitate a mural collaboration between artists in Denver and one artist in Chennai in honor of the 40th anniversary of the DenverChennai sister city relationship.

“ e bene ts of having an o cial sister city relationship, particularly between Denver and Chennai, are profound, aligning with the overarching goals of fostering education, cultural arts and enhancing global business relationships, “ said Heppnell. “ ese aspects are crucial in today’s interconnected world, where trade and international collaboration are key drivers of local and global progress.”

Displays of the 40-year partnership can be found all across Denver. From parks to peacocks, and a display case in City Hall, the Denver-Chennai sis-

OPTIMISM

Change Makers was designed to be an accessible option. It is one semester long in duration and costs $3,400. Sessions take place in the evenings, so those who work on weekdays can attend. Tuesday sessions are virtual, and Wednesdays take place in-person on the university’s campus in downtown Denver.

‘I feel energized and curious’ By May, the fellows had developed 12-week plans to launch their next chapters. Mark Quick’s plan includes helping refugees and Lori Quick’s plan involves getting her pilot’s li-

ter cities relationship is obvious.

“Locally, the City of Chennai Park in Denver and ‘Krishna,’ a specially named peacock at the Denver Zoo, symbolize the enduring connection with Chennai,” Heppnell said. “ ese landmarks, along with the Denver House in Chennai — originally intended as a residence for Denver students and now a bed and breakfast — emphasize the outcomes of this relationship.”

In addition to these timeless symbols of friendship, several Denver events will take place throughout the summer that highlight the rich diversity and beauty of Indian culture.

• Taste of India Festival in Denver:

Scheduled for July 17-20, this festival will celebrate Indian culture, bringing a slice of Chennai’s vibrant traditions to Denver.

• Mural Artist Exchange with RiNo Art District: is program will facilitate artistic exchanges between muralists from Denver and Chennai, fostering creative collaboration and sharing unique artistic talents.

• ird Friday Lunch Concert Series presented by Denver Sister Cities International: Shows continue on ird Fridays through Fall 2024 with a di erent Denver Sister City explored during each show. Performances and tickets are to be announced.

“I patronize Hindu temples in and around Denver and also frequently take part in communal celebration of various religious and secular festivals like Pongal and Diwali,” said Madhivanan. “My hope is to contribute to education and cultural exchanges. I hope to aid Sister Cities International in facilitating any steps in that regard through the Chennai committee.”

cense and working on her Spanish.

“You may not see the nish line in week one or two,” Mark said, “but when it starts to materialize later in the class, you feel like you’re on the right path, and you have hope again.”

Amdur’s plan includes refocusing her business toward serving more nonpro t clients, while also creating space for more community involvement and volunteer service travel.

“I see things di erently, for myself and my community — and all the opportunities in between,” she said. “Instead of feeling like there’s a dead end, I feel energized and curious for what’s next, both professionally and personally.”

Editor’s note: Anne Button is the founding director of the University of Colorado-Denver Change Makers program.

State plans to bring back another species

Wolverine reintroduction would be di erent, supporters vow

BY JASON BLEVINS THE COLORADO SUN

A new predator could be coming to Colorado’s high country but supporters are promising this reintroduction will be di erent.

Colorado lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved the return of wolverines to Colorado’s alpine landscape, with a plan “that is completely opposite from the wolf reintroduction process,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, a Democrat from Avon who co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Perry Will, a Republican from New Castle.

Roberts said the pair’s Senate Bill 171 marks “a responsible way to do wildlife reintroduction.” e bill is heading to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk for nal approval. If signed, the e ort will mark the rst-ever attempt to restore wolverines to a native range.   Roberts and Will are among the most outspoken critics of the state’s wolf reintroduction e ort and spent two years crafting the wolverine bill with input from Western Slope residents, the resort industry and wildlife biologists.

e wolverine legislation allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate an experimental population in Colorado, which gives Colorado Parks and Wildlife the ability to manage reintroduction. at federal approval of a state-managed popu-

lation of federally protected animals is allowed under section 10(j) in the Endangered Species Act. at 10(j) designation will require the federal government to review the reintroduction plan under the National Environmental Policy Act, which can take a year or longer.

Senate Bill 171 also establishes a funding tool so ranchers who lose livestock to wolverines can be compensated. ere is no deadline for when Colorado Parks and Wildlife should return wolverines to the state.

e 10(j), the lack of a deadline and a compensation program were crafted to avoid the pitfalls of wolf reintroduction, “where they just went to the ballot rst and then lled in all the safeguards afterwards,” Roberts said.

“I think the bipartisan support and sponsorship of this legislation reects the long-term process this has gone through rather than rushing it though like wolves,” he said.  ere are somewhere between 300 and 400 wolverines in the lower 48 states of North America. e largest member of the weasel family is native to Colorado, but the last wolverine in Colorado was killed in 1919.

CPW conducted a dozen surveys in the late 1980s to the mid 1990s searching for wolverines across the Western Slope and found none. Wolverines are extremely solitary and the 15-to-40-pound animals

roam territories that are 8 times larger than needed for lynx.

e U.S. and Fish and Wildlife Service in 2020 declined to list the wolverine as threatened but a federal court overturned that decision. In November last year the federal agency designated the carnivore as threatened, citing updated threats based on climate impacts to high altitude snow coverage, fractured habitat and trapping activity.

Colorado wildlife o cials rst began planning wolverine reintroduction in the late 1990s but restoration plans were delayed as the state focused on restoring Canadian lynx. Wolverine reintroduction was delayed again in 2010 as federal ofcials weighed the protection status for wolverines.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has already begun reigniting wolverine restoration work that began in 2010 as the state concluded reintroduction of Canadian lynx. e Colorado wildlife biologists presented an early plan to CPW commissioners earlier this month at a meeting in Montrose. at theoretical plan calls for releasing up to 45 wolverines over three years — 30 females and 15 males — in three zones: north of Interstate 70, a central zone between I-70 and U.S. 50 and a southern zone in the San Juans.  at plan could yield a sustainable population of 100 wolverines in the

next three or four decades, according to survival rate information from Sweden, where biologists have studied wolverines for 30 years.

“No agency has attempted this so we are on the cutting edge, I think,” wildlife researcher scientist Jake Ivan told the commissioner at the Montrose meeting. “We have done what we can to prepare ourselves for this but everything really is unknown to a degree at this point. I think our success will likely require our ability to adapt and roll with the punches.”

Senate Bill 171, Restoration of Wolverines, will reintroduce the animals to Colorado.

e legislation sets aside $103,000 to help cover the costs of increased sta ng and workload connected to the reintroduction. Wolverine attacks on livestock are rare but Utah wildlife o cials in March 2022 captured and collared a 4-year-old male after it attacked and killed rancher’s sheep.  e last wolverine con rmed in Colorado was in 2009, when a collared male traveled south from the Teton Range in Wyoming and hung out around Rocky Mountain National Park for several years. e wolverine eventually headed up to North Dakota, where it was shot in 2016 by a rancher who said it was threatening his cows.

Is another reintroduction being proposed too soon?

Colorado House co-sponsors Ti-

sha Mauro, a Democrat from Pueblo and Rep. Barbara McLachlan, a Democrat from Durango, made sure to tell fellow lawmakers that “these are weasels, not wolves.”

McLachlan, during discussion on the Colorado House oor on May 2, said she spoke with cattlemen who were wary of the legislation “because wolverines sound too much like wolves.”

“Wolverines are much smaller. ey are scavengers,” she said. “ ey do not eat cattle. ey do not eat sheep. ey do not eat people.”

House Assistant Minority Leader

Ty Winter, a Republican from Trinidad, voted against the legislation but said on the House oor May 2 that the lawmakers sponsoring the bill “are doing it right” and doing “everything that should have been done with wolf reintroduction.”

Even though wolves were reintroduced in December in northern Colorado, far from Winter’s southern Colorado district, he said his

constituents feel wolves arrived “with no real plan …and they’ve got heartburn from this still.”

Rep. Richard Holtorf, a Republican from Akron, also opposed the legislation, saying “the agriculture community has not recovered from the introduction of the last predator species.”

“I think it’s better if we are going to do this to take time and not just try to rush the introduction of these animals that are not very compatible with so much of what is Colorado,” Holtorf said on the House oor May 2. “I fear the wolverine will not like it here.”

e lack of a deadline for Colorado Parks and Wildlife to return wolverines to Colorado and the requirement for U.S. Fish and Wildlife to permit an experimental population addressed concerns for both ranchers and the resort industry. Ski areas expressed some concern that the endangered status of wolverines would complicate operations with-

LET THE PROS HANDLE

out that 10(j) rule exemption from the federal government. It’s expected that mining, agriculture, logging and ski industry representatives will be involved in the reintroduction e ort and the 10(j) designation review.

“ e 10(j) rule is the way to really address those concerns and make sure ski area operations can continue without major regulatory burdens,” said Megan Mueller, a conservation biologist with Rocky Mountain Wild. “I think Colorado Parks and Wildlife worked hard to include stakeholders in the wolf reintroduction and they are doing the best they can, but with legislation, stakeholders have real guarantees that their concerns will be addressed.”

is story was printed through a news sharing agreement with e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned nonpro t based in Denver that covers the state.

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

“One of the things we really focus on is voter education,” said Emerson, a Denver native with nearly 20 years of experience in electoral politics, campaign strategy and program management. “It’s not enough just to vote but understanding what your vote means, who the political players are and how the government works.”

For Emerson, the Dream Big Award is a full-circle moment as dreaming big has been a guiding force in her life. One of only a few Black students in her graduating high school class in the Cherry Creek School District, Emerson went on to earn degrees from Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana, as well as a law degree in Arizona, and has a background working in immigration law.

e daughter of two pastors, she was introduced to advocacy and acts of service at a young age, remembering her mother’s impactful sermons that encouraged women to always dream big and strive to ful ll their passions, regardless of what others might say.

“ ere’s value in making sure that everyone’s voice is heard,” said Emerson. “We make sure the needs and issues that uniquely impact the Black community are heard and addressed.”

Absolute Equality’s Juneteenth Mural Project

Denver will be participating for the rst time this year in Absolute Equality’s Juneteenth Mural Project, a national initiative that encourages social dialogue through coordinating public art installations. Organized by community partner EDENS, local artist Detour ( omas Evans) will unveil a new mural at

Noble Riot in Denver’s River North Art District during the Juneteenth festival weekend.

e mural project got its start in 2021 in the birthplace of Juneteenth – Galveston, Texas – with a 5,000-square-foot mural titled “Absolute Equality” overlooking the site where Granger issued his historic general order. Since then, 13 murals have popped up in 13 di erent cities across the United States. is year’s Juneteenth welcomes four new murals.

“Public art helps spark conversations and fosters new connections within these communities,” said Absolute Equality artist Reginald Adams. “Projects like this amplify marginalized voices, challenge perceptions and o er opportunities for collective re ection on our shared history.”

e locations of the murals are intended to be long-term storytelling spaces that will forward other com-

munity engagements. Adams said the growing number of murals serve as gathering points and outdoor classrooms, permanent reminders of a collective commitment to equality.

Absolute Equality works with local community organizers through supporting research prior to starting the mural projects, assisting in nding a location and volunteering their time working with the artists. While artists are given an overarching theme, they use their own interpretation to create something that would resonate with the surrounding community through their own local lens.

“What we hope people take away from the mural project really is a sense of the spirit of resilience that we as humans have to overcome being enslaved to actualizing freedom,” said Adams. “I hope the imagery within each mural serves as a sense of inspiration of what’s possible when we exercise our freedoms.”

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG

SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON PARK PROFILE

anks to Denver’s CELL (Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab), 16,000 people in Minneapolis took training to recognize and possibly prevent attacks at the Super Bowl about 10 years ago.

And they weren’t alone.

“CELL has done similar training in Arizona when it hosted the Super Bowl two years ago, as well as many other events and venues nationwide,” said Tom Ruppel, chief operating ofcer for CELL.

Other municipalities and sporting events have had CELL customize their training to match a speci c event, venue or place.

“What’s tremendous about these events is that there are 2,000 to 3,000 people each time – the public, stu-

dents, community leaders, business leaders under one roof, listening to those experts debate the issues of the day,” said Melanie Pearlman, president and CEO of CELL.

CELL is a nonpro t, non-partisan institute and o ers a speaker series and training programs.

It reopened on May 7, following a four-year pause to renovate its home at 99 W. 12th Ave. in Denver. CELL updated its displays and o erings during the four-year hiatus in order to provide an interactive experience to block security threats.

Among the exhibits is a large, attention-grabbing, badly damaged piece of metal recovered from the south tower of the World Trade Center.

“ e CELL is a place to stay on top of an evolving landscape of the threats we continue to face,” said Pearlman.

BATHROOM REMODELING DONE RIGHT

Titled exhibits with names such as “Vitriol & Violence,” “What is Terrorism,” “Rooted in Extremism,” “Countering Today’s reats” and “Civil Liberties & National Security” grab visitors’ attention.

“ e impetus for the CELL was brought by the unfortunate attack of Sept. 11,” Pearlman said. “We wanted to form a (way) to educate people about issues that a ect our national security and our global security. We brought together an array of thought leaders and subject matter experts for everything you can imagine, people from all di erent religious and political persuasions, that really helped us for an understanding for visitors.”

CELL does more than just share the knowledge.

“We want to help prevent crime and possible acts of terrorism to help prevent radicalization, and to teach

enrollees how to do so,” Ruppel said.

For example, its Community Awareness Program works with local, state and federal safety o cials to help train people on how to recognize and report suspicious activity, as well as “discover how hatred can lead to violence, learn how terrorism inuences global security, and engage ... to make our community safer.”

“ is past year, we developed a new education series all about how we can address the rising threat of domestic, violent extremism here in Colorado,” Ruppel said. “We brought in experts from across the country to address and really speak to the community members about how to recognize (terrorist threats) and what concrete steps you can take to help prevent radical (behavior).”

To learn more about CELL, visit www.thecell.org.