19 minute read
Our Top Picks for Family Fun in January
happenings
Our Picksjanuary
Snow: International Snow Sculpture Championships.
1
International Snow Sculpture Championships
Watch teams from around the world carve 20-ton blocks of snow into enormous works of art, using only hand tools. Jan. 24-28, carving week; Jan. 28-Feb. 2, viewing week. Breckenridge Riverwalk Center. gobreck.com
3
Snow Days
Slide down a snow hill, go sock skating, cozy up by fire pits with hot cocoa, and take a photo in a life-size snow globe, at this new winter adventure. Through Feb. 27. Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Denver. mychildsmuseum.org
2
National Western Stock Show
The Super Bowl of livestock shows is back this year, featuring rodeos, kids activities, and the kick-off parade through downtown Denver. Jan 6-23.National Western Stock Show Event Center, Denver. nationalwestern.com
4
Schoolhouse Rock Live!
Kids learn about math, grammar, civics, and science as the classic educational series is brought to stage by Childsplay Theater. Jan. 30-31. Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree. lonetreeartscenter.org
5
Disney’s The Lion King
Watch the Serengeti come to life on a Denver stage, in this breathtaking performance for age 6 and up. Through Jan. 2. Buell Theatre, Denver. denvercenter.org
6
Aerial Open House
Check out the aerial studios at Frequent Flyers. Visitors age 5 and up have an opportunity to try out the apparatus starting every half hour. Jan. 9. Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance, Boulder. frequentflyers.org
7
Winterskate
Glide across 5,000 square feet of ice in Historic Downtown Louisville and enjoy concessions to keep your family warm. Through Feb. 14. Steinbaugh Pavilion, Louisville. louisvilleco.gov
8
Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World
Explore the science, sound, history, and pop culture behind one of the world's most popular instruments. Through April 17. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver. dmns.org
9
Beats By Girlz
Community artists help empower the next generation of women and gender-expansive musicians, ages 14-20, by teaching production skills on Ableton Live software. Youth on Record, Denver. youthonrecord.org Performers Scott Hoatson and James Edwards play the famed Boy Who Lived and sage Dumbledore, and many others in a rapid stage rendition of the Harry Potter series.
10
Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience
How do two actors portray 360 characters and cover material from all seven Harry Potter books in just 70 minutes? It appears “shambolic”—which is half the fun—according to co-creator Jeff Turner, but each moment is carefully arranged. Of course not every detail of the wizarding world made it in the script, but enough to keep a grasp of the original narrative while having a bit of creative fun.
This stage performance shares one vital thing in common with the iconic series: it appeals to all ages. Kids with shorter attention spans will love the players’ physical comedy; plus they’ll be able to participate in a real Quidditch match from their seats (it’s huge fun and only three or four children have been lost to Dementors in the process so far, according to Turner). “We see audiences ranging from age six to 86 laughing away at our onstage nonsense,” Turner says. “There’s also loads of actual, real, wizardy magic in Potted Potter. Tons.”
Even muggles (who don’t know they’re muggles because they haven’t read the books or seen the films, for shame) will get a kick out of Potted Potter. Its successful world-wide career began more than a dozen years ago and continues to pack theaters, including Denver’s Newman Center in 2018. Turner remembers: “I was lucky enough to perform in Denver a few years ago, and the crowds were wild! You guys are massive laughers!” Need to Know: Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience shows Jan. 4-9, at the Newman Center in Denver. newmancenterpresents.com/events
EDITOR’S NOTE: Get your family psyched for the Potted Potter show by tuning in to the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts on HBO Max; it’s a reunion of key actors from the film series featuring in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes moments, dropping on January 1. hbomax.com
Waitress is the musical story of a small town and its people’s struggles and dreams. Jan. 6-8.
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of stirring music. A special guest will perform, plus recipients of the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Awards will be honored. Find tickets online. Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver. tickets.coloradosymphony.org
13Thursday
Parent University: New Year, New You 9:30-11am. This session with Kristina Scala, head of school at Aspen Academy, covers an element of self-care many busy parents and professionals overlook: taking the time to establish their mission, vision, and values for the coming year. Register online. Virtual Event. aspenacademy.org
14Friday
Dance Theatre of Harlem Jan. 14 and 15, 7:30pm. This multi-ethnic touring company performs a ballet that includes classic and contemporary works that celebrate African American culture. All ages. $30-$62. Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver. newmancenterpresents.com
2Sunday
Avs Family Pack Jan. 2, 17, 30. Game times vary. Take the family to an Avalanche hockey game (select dates) and get one meal and Pepsi per person with this family package. Ticket prices vary. Ball Arena, Denver. nhl.com
4Tuesday
Seedlings: Bug Safari with the Butterfly Pavilion 9:30am and 11am. Bring your child to spend the morning with an educator from the Butterfly Pavilion and meet invertebrates from environments around the globe. Learn facts about their lives and why they’re important. Age 3 and up. $3. Lone Tree Arts Center, Lone Tree. lonetreeartscenter.org
5Wednesday
Support Group for Caregivers and Parents of Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth. 5:30-6:30pm. Join
VISIT OUR DIGITAL CALENDAR FOR MORE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.
staff from Youth Seen, an organization that helps empower the social and emotional well-being of LGBTQI youth and their families, for a monthly group that will share experiences, ask questions, and gather resources for parentingtransgender and gender expansive kids. Register online. Virtual Event. youthseen.org
6 Thursday
Waitress Jan. 6-8, 7:30pm; Jan. 8, 2pm additional show. Waitress tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town; it’s an uplifting celebration of friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie. Recommended for age 13 and up. Find tickets online. $20 and up. The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins. lctix.com
7Friday
Hayden Childress 8pm. Hayden is a modern magician and mentalist who has performed off-Broadway in New York City and is featured on the latest season of Penn & Teller: Fool Us. He uses ordinary props, magic, psychology, and audience participation to create a thought-provokingexperience. Age 13 and up. Find tickets online. $35. Dairy Arts Center, Boulder. thedairy.org
8 Saturday
Colorado Children's Chorale Audi-
tions Jan. 8 and 22, 9am-noon (in-person audition slots). Record your child singing one of the suggested songs (accompaniment is provided if needed) and have them introduce themselves with their name, grade, school and why they want to sing with the Colorado Children’s Chorale. Or, schedule an in-person audition online. Colorado Children's Chorale, Denver. childrenschorale.org
Fun with Snow! 10-11am. Kids will have fun exploring snow through games, crafts, and (weather permitting) actual snow. Ages 6-12. Register online. Majestic View Nature Center, Arvada. majesticviewnaturecenter.arvada.org
Sunset Nature Walk 3:30-5:30pm. Join a naturalist for a leisurely walk during “golden hour” to explore nature and learn about Colorado's flora and fauna. All ages. Register online. Majestic View Nature Center, Arvada. majesticviewnaturecenter.arvada.org
11Tuesday
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute 7:30pm. Celebrate one of the most inspirational figures in history and reflect on his pursuit of equal rights during this evening
15Saturday
Junior Naturalists: Winter Wildlife 1-3pm. Kids will make snow, experiment with blubber, and explore how animals stay alive during Colorado’s coldest months. Ages 6-8. Register online. $2. Morrison Nature Center, Aurora. auroragov.org
Indoor Stargazing 7:30-8:30pm. From the comfort of a fireplace-warmed room, using a remote-controlled robotic telescope, take a good look at stars and galaxies lighting the night sky. All ages. Register online. Majestic View Nature Center, Arvada. majesticviewnaturecenter.arvada.org
16Sunday
Nuggets Family Night Jan. 16 and 23, 6pm. Take the family to a Nuggets home game on a Sunday and enjoy a meal of choice per ticket. Ticket prices vary. Ball Arena, Denver. nba.com
17Monday
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Marade Jan. 17, 9:30am. From City Park to Civic Center Park, those honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will march the streets in support of the leader’s vision for equality. All ages. City Park, Denver. drmartinlkingjrchc.org
National Geographic: Wes Skiles. Dancers: Nathalie Sternalski.
19Wednesday
Meet Author Lauren Tarshis of the I Survived Series 4:30-5:30pm.
Attendees will learn how an author like Laurent Tarshis “goes back in time” by reading books, studying maps and paintings, watching videos, poring over diaries, and other primary sources. With lots of visuals and plenty of time for questions, find out how the popular nonfiction series goes from idea to book. Ages 8-12. Register online. Virtual Event. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com
Parenting Strategies: Money
Matters 6:30-7:30pm. Wondering how to help your young child learn the difference between “need” and “want”? This program includes simple ways to engage kids in money management practices. Presented by Jennifer Gravlee, a teacher and leadership coach at Aspen Academy. For parents and caregivers of children ages 0-8. Register online. Virtual Event. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com
20 Thursday
Paper Airplane Guy Jan. 20, 4-5pm; Jan. 25, 5-6pm. John Collins, paper airplane expert and world record holder, will share his knowledge about aerodynamics and teach kids how to make paper airplanes. Come with a few sheets of printer paper. Ages 5-12. Register online. Virtual Event. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com
Night with a Naturalist: Beeswax
Lanterns 6:30-7:30pm. Kids and adults will have fun making beeswax lanterns to light up the cold winter nights. All ages. Register online. $5. Majestic View Nature Center, Arvada. majesticviewnaturecenter.arvada.org
National Geographic Live: Extreme Cave Diving. 7:30pm. Join cave diver and environmental anthropologist Dr. Kenny Broad for a voyage into beautiful and perilous realms—the “blue holes” of the Bahamas— a potential treasure trove of scientific knowledge, captured in incredible images and video. All ages. Find tickets online. $12 and up. The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins. lctix.com
22 Saturday
New Year, New Books for All Ages 10am-noon. Jump start your family’s reading in the new year. Librarians will introduce you to the latest books hitting the shelves this season, and share favorites for picture books, kids, teens, and adults. Koelbel Library, Centennial. arapahoelibraries.bibliocommons.com
26Wednesday
Side by Side: Elgar's Enigma Variations 7pm. The Colorado Symphony and Denver Young Artists Orchestra (DYAO) will perform together a series of short musical portraits inspired by composer Elgar Enigma’s friends and family. Find tickets online. Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver. tickets.coloradosymphony.org
27Thursday
Cie Hervé KoubiJan. 27 (The Lincoln Center), Jan. 29 (Newman Center for the
Environmental anthropologist Kenny Broad shares incredible findings from his avocation as a cave diver. Jan. 20.
Cie Hervé Koubi combines martial arts, acrobatics, and dance. Jan. 27 and 29.
Performing Arts); 7:30pm. Enjoy Hervé Koubi’s Fort Collins debut, a show with a highly physical work from dancers of North Africa and the Mediterraneanbasin who perform capoeira, martial arts, acrobatics, riurban, and contemporary dance. All ages. Find tickets online. $15 and up. Fort Collins and Denver; lctix.com, newmancenterpresents.com
28Friday
Family Play Festival Jan. 28,
2-4pm (Meadows Branch), Jan. 29, 10amnoon (Main Branch), Jan. 30, 1-3pm (George Reynolds Branch). Drop-in to play, sing, read, write, and talk at activity stations in English and Spanish. Take home crafts and prizes plus new ideas for family fun. Ages 0-5 and caregivers. Various Boulder Library locations, Boulder. calendar.boulderlibrary.org
Untitled: Creative Fusions 6-10pm. Join in a quarterly collaboration with local artists and creatives to create an evening full of events, performances, and experimentation. Artists showcase their work while providing hands-on opportunities. Pop-up installations are also displayed throughout the museum. Find thematic details online. Included in general admission: $10-$13 adult, $8-$10 seniors, military, and college student, free age 18 and under. Denver Art Museum, Denver. denverartmuseum.org
Creation Stations Valentine Workshop 10-11am. Drop off child for a valentine-themed art-making workshop. Preschooler-first graders. Register online. $39. artSPARK Creative Studio, Littleton. artsparkcreative.com
30Sunday
Winter Heritage Day 1-3pm. Learn about typical winter chores and indoor games while exploring the Walker Ranch Homestead. See a working demonstration in the blacksmith shop and smell food being prepared on the wood-burning stove. Be prepared for cold, windy weather and to walk in snow. All ages. Walker Ranch Homestead, Boulder. bouldercounty.org
Fusion 5280 2pm. Experience the diverse sound waves of Colorado, including strains from Native Americans, immigrant miners, cowboys, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and artists in a melting pot of various musical genres (with a tribute to Denver’s Five Points jazz scene). Hors ‘d’oeuvres and beverages will be available prior to the concert. $19-$65. Seawell Ballroom, Denver. denverbrass.org
#IMOMSOHARD: The Getaway Tour 7pm. Moms, best friends, and co-creators of the comedy web-series #IMOMSOHARD, Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley bring their wit and wildness to the stage to discuss the good, bad, and funny about motherhood. $50-$60. Paramount Theatre, Denver. ticketmaster.com
Twilight Nature Walk 4:45-5:45pm. Experience nature in the magical time after sunset and before complete darkness. Look and listen carefully for wildlife along the trail. All ages. Register online. $2. Morrison Nature Center, Aurora. auroragov.org
ongoing events
Creative Playgroup Adult +
Toddler-K Through Jan. 31. Fri, 9:3010:30am and 11am-noon. Share some creative, messy time with your little one(s). No formal lesson will be given. Children can move freely between different art-making centers set up with drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, sensory, and play materials. $18, $30 two-pack. artSPARK Creative Studio Littleton. artsparkcreative.com
GiGi’s Playhouse 1:1 Literacy Tutoring Enrollment Through Jan. 9. Trained tutors work at the level of each child with Down syndrome, and family members who attend leave with practical activities to continue at home. Spring 2022 sessions begin the week of January 30 and end the week of May 14; each lesson lasts up to an hour. Age 3 and up. Enroll online. In-person or virtual sessions. GiGi’s Playhouse, Lakewood. gigisplayhouse.org
IdeaLAB Open Lab Through
Feb. 26. Sat, noon-4:30pm. IdeaLAB is the Denver Public Library’s makerspace. Visitors can try out a variety of hardware and software to create music, sew, print 3D designs, make art, and more. Age 5 and up. Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library, Denver. denverlibrary.org
Open Studio Second and fourth Sat, first and third Sun; 10-11:30am. Experiment, play, tinker, invent, and create with or without the kids at artSPARK studio. All ages. Reservation required. $18, $30 two-pack. artSPARK Creative Studio, Littleton. artsparkcreative.com
Kids Robotics Jan. 8-29. Sat, 2-3pm. Over four weeks, students will become engineers as they learn how to plan, build, and program their own robot. Ages 6-12. Space is limited, first come first serve. Ross-Broadway Branch Library, Denver. denverlibrary.org
Voz y Corazón Tue, 5:30-7:30pm. LGBTQ+ teens can drop by this social group where they can learn from a professional artist and express themselves through art. Supplies and snacks provided. Ages 12-17. The Center on Colfax, Denver. lgbtqcolorado.org
Youth On Record Open Lab Fri,
3:30-5:30pm; Sat, 11:30am-2:30pm. Musicians and artists who write songs or poetry, play instruments, produce, audio engineer, and record can practice their skills with quality equipment, under the guidance of local professionals. Ages 14-20. First come, first serve. Youth on Record. youthonrecord.org
B.E.A.T. | Boulder Experiments in Art and Technology Through Feb. 6.
Sun-Mon, Thu-Sat, 9am-5pm; Wed, 9am8pm. A gathering of artists, biologists, and technologists collaborated to create this exhibit showing the benefits and negative impacts of technology. Visitors will collaborate with each other and connect with person-made and natural tools. Included with admission: $10 adult, free children under 5 and members. Museum of Boulder, Boulder. museumofboulder.org
ReVisión: Art in the Americas
Through Jul. 17. Daily, 10am-5pm. The first exhibition to open in the revamped Martin Building, this selection of nearly 180 objects from the museum’s ancient American and Latin American art collections will tell a visual narrative about the formation of the Americas from 100 B.C. to today. Themes will explore land, people, and place by linking ancient and contemporary artworks that address political and social issues at the heart of the region’s cultural heritages. Included with admission: $10-$13 adult, free age 18 and
The Museum of Boulder collaborated with a group of local Arapaho artists for their new exhibit, Returning.
under. Denver Art Museum, Denver. denverartmuseum.org
Returning: Contemporary Works by Arapaho Artists Through Feb. 14.
Sun-Mon, Thu-Sat, 9am-5pm; Wed, 9am-8pm. A group of Arapaho artists in the region created a pop-up exhibit exploring the notion of Indigenous artists coming back to their historical territory. Returning features the contemporary work of ten artists, with their individual perspectives, displaying exclusive visual stories told in their personal styles. Included with admission: $10 adult, $8 youth, free children under 5 and members. Museum of Boulder, Boulder. museumofboulder.org
Skyward: Breakthroughs in Flight
Through June 15. Mon-Sat, 10am–5pm; Sun, noon–5pm. Journey through extraordinary aerospace milestones by viewing artifacts and discovering the stories behind the people who made the momentous achievements happen. All ages. Included with admission: $16.95 adult, $9.95 age 4-16, free age 3 and under. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, Denver. wingsmuseum.org
Suited: Empowered Feminine
FashionThrough March 6. Daily, 10am-5pm. Explore the evolution of the tailored suit for the female form over the course of the 20th century and beyond. This presentation highlights 70 looks from 1900 through the present day. Included with admission: $10-$13 adult, free age 18 and under. Denver Art Museum, Denver. denverartmuseum.org
The Power of Horses Through May 8. Daily, 10am-5pm. This exhibition will reveal strength, majesty, and diversity in Colorado’s history with horses, from prehistoric animals and Ute tribal traditions to contemporary Black horsemanship and therapeutic
Spotlight
Students at Fashion Factory create their own looks, from concept to finished product, with the help of textile teachers.
The big, beautiful, birdwing butterfly graces the Butterfly Pavilion facilities this month.
rides. View artifacts, enjoy pop-culture references, and engage in activities including a ride on bouncing toys, braiding toy horsehair, and creating a leather craft. Included with admission: $14 adult, $10 ages 16-22 with student ID, $8 ages 5-15, free age 4 and under and members. History Colorado Center, Denver. historycolorado.org
Star K Kids Thu, 9:30-10:30am and 11am-noon. Discover Aurora’s nature through puppets, interactive activities, and discovery time on the trail. Age 5 and under. Limited capacity; register online. Morrison Nature Center, Aurora. auroragov.org
Audubon’s 121st Christmas
Bird Count Days and times vary according to compilers. Join fellow bird enthusiasts across the nation and contribute to a centuries’ worth of community science. Grab some binoculars and your sharp listening skills so you can tally each bird you see or hear all day. Find a count circle via a map online and contact the count compiler to join. Beginner birders welcome. Various locations. audubon.org
Beauty of the Birdwings Jan. 3-31. Daily, 9am-5pm. Connect with a beautiful, endangered species, the birdwing butterfly, which has large, bright wings. Learn about their vital role in sustaining ecosystems in the Southeast Asian and Northern Australian tropics and walk among them in the pavilion’s facility. $14.50 adult, $9.50 child; $50 four-pack; $30 two-pack. Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster. butterflies.org
Marine Biologist for a Day Jan. 8
(grades 1-4) and 22 (grades 5-8), 9am2pm. See if you have what it takes to be a Marine Biologist. Help prepare food, feed some exhibits, and learn how biologists take care of the animals. Registration is required two weeks in advance. $65. Downtown Aquarium, Denver. aquariumrestaurants.com Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea
Jan. 28-Feb. 20. Thu-Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. Eighteen-year-old Dontrell Jones the Third feels called to venture into the Atlantic Ocean in search of an ancestor lost during the Middle Passage. Blending poetry, humor, wordplay, and ritual, this play is a present-day hero’s quest to right history’s wrongs. Age 12 and up. Find tickets online. $20-$40. The Aurora Fox Arts Center, Aurora. aurorafoxartscenter.org
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Through Jan. 9. Wed, 7pm; Thu and Fri, 7:30pm; Sat, 2pm, 5pm, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. This contemporary take on the classic tale features Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible’” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” Enjoy free museum admission included in the cost of your tickets. $20-$50. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs. fac.coloradocollege.edu
The Wizard of OzJan. 14-Feb. 5. Fri, 7:30pm; Sat, 2pm and 7pm; Sun, 2pm. Jan. 23, 2pm (sensory-friendly). Follow the yellow brick road through this stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the 1939 film. A sensory-friendly performance is available. All ages. $29-$34. The PACE Center, Parker. parkerarts.org
Factory Five Five Nurtures Young Artists Through Theatrical Programs
An outgrowth of Neighborhood Music, Factory Five Five offers creatives of all ages an opportunity to explore their inner fashion designer, filmmaker, thespian, stage tech, and drag queen. Their recurring programs, which run out of a studio in Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace and an office/theater space nearby, start anew this month.
Aspiring video creators ages eight to 17 can take a ten-week Intro to Short Film Making course to learn script writing, directing, camera angles and movements, lens choices, and lighting, culminating in a public debut of their pictures.
Designers who love to make patterns and sew can join an 11-week workshop to prepare garments that will show at Denver Fashion Week in April. Young drag stars have an opportunity to learn how to complete elaborate looks and performances during the Drag Tween-Teen “werkshops,” led by local queen Diamond and sewing instructors. Join one, two, or all three sessions in January for $50 each.
Auditions for James and the Giant Peach Jr. (age 7 and up) and The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (tween/teen) begin early January. The continuous Storybook Theater program invites little ones (ages 5-6) to learn how to act out scenes from children’s books; spring 2022 sessions include Dory Fantasmagory and My Father’s Dragon. Factory Theatre community theatre actors also put on shows for kid and adult audiences, check online for schedules. Many performances in the Factory’s black box theater offer a full bar and concessions. factoryfivefive.com
fresh mindset
I want my children to see me love myself when I succeed in my goals and when I fail in my goals because I am not superhuman, I am not perfect, I am whole and human and I want them to have permission to be exactly that—a whole human who fails and succeeds. This is how we learn, together.
