Hailed as “an eruption of cross cultural joy” Nobuntu, the female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe, has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano) and organic, authentic dance movements.
NOV 29 - DEC 22 , 2024
DUSTY LOO BON VIVANT THEATER
Sisterhood and scandal, romance and rumors, high society and...horses? Jane Austen’s Dashwood family bubbles with wit and warmth in this energetic, familyfriendly adaptation of the classic novel, following sensible Elinor and sensitive Marianne Dashwood as they navigate the perilous waters of courtship and the human heart.
Living life to its fullest includes experiencing Colorado Springs’ vibrant performing arts scene. Celebrating our 98th year, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic is the home of captivating performances and deep moments of connection. From essential Masterworks to Pops entertainment, there’s something for everyone. Come see (and hear) it for yourself and allow us to fill your heart to the brim.
WITH THE ARTS Uniting our community
BY ANGELA SEALS Executive Director
Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region
This past spring, an Ipsos* survey found that 81 percent of Americans now believe that our country is “more divided than united,” yet 69 percent say that most of us “want the same things out of life.” As Arts Month 2024 overlays the weeks leading up to the presidential election, the Cultural Office invites our community to unite around the uplift, connection, and frankly, reassurance of our shared creativity. Throughout life’s seasons and politics’ twists and turns, community heals and grows by singing songs, making with our hands, tasting one another’s cooking, and saying “thank you!’ with a collective round of applause.
At the heart of this annual campaign is an arts community that invites you to experience it. Visit ArtsOctober.com to find the full lineup of local events and get out there in the mix! You’ll be surprised and impressed with the diversity and strength of our local arts & cultural scene in 2024. There are many ways to celebrate, as our community usually offers over 300 arts events in the 31 days of October!
To help you explore the full spectrum of local arts, we’ll highlight genres throughout the month:
Orchestrated annually by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, Arts Month elevates the visibility of arts & culture across El Paso and Teller Counties. Our local Arts Month initiative coincides with National Arts & Humanities Month, which was established in 1993 and is observed every October throughout the United States. This national program was initiated to encourage Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of participation.
But I’ll let you in on a secret that more and more people are realizing … the energy we spotlight during October is actually happening year-round.
The invitation of Arts Month lasts all year. Our local artists, cultural groups, nonprofits, and creative businesses, are always busy bringing creativity into the life of the Pikes Peak region. Their work generates important economic activity, cultural tourism, workforce attraction, arts education, positive mental health outcomes, community connection, empathy, and a higher quality of life for all of us.
There is always at least one moment during a live concert,
play, or film screening when I stop listening to the show and become aware of the audience. That we, as hundreds of strangers, gasp in unison. We chuckle together at that punchline. We feel one another’s momentum to stand at the end. When we nod knowingly at a playwright’s relatable lines, we are united with the writer, actor, and each other for a
miraculous split-second.
I’ll look for you in those audiences this October. That’s where we’ll find each other. *www.ipsos.com/en-us/withhonor-ipsos
SPONSORED BY
ON THE COVER
Arts and culture again take center stage across the Pikes Peak region this October as our creative community celebrates Arts Month 2024! This image designed by Neon Pig Creative invites you to “Unite Your World With The Arts” this October.
Visit ArtsOctober.com for details on experiencing the strength and vitality of our arts community this month and all year round.
The Cultural Office Local Arts Guide was edited by Jonathan Toman and designed by Gina Pietramale.
A PROGRAM OF THE CULTURAL OFFICE OF THE PIKES PEAK REGION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GAZETTE
ANGELA SEALS Executive Director
DYLAN CRADDOCK , Program Manager, Creative Economy
JONATHAN TOMAN, Program Manager, Cultural Promotion & Tourism
MELISSA O’REAR, Program Manager, Education
BECCA DAY, Office Coordinator
RICHARD WILLIAMS, President & COO
STACEY SEDBROOK, Vice President of Sales
TRACI CONRAD, Director of Sales
KAREN HOGAN, Director of Advertising Operations
GINA PIETRAMALE, Creative Services Lead
SAMANTHA THOMAS, Graphic Designer
MICHELLE THOMSEN, Graphic Designer
ERIC ANDERSON, Advertising Sales
LORI CURRY, Advertising Sales
NIKKI DIRKS, Advertising Sales
STEFANI RACKLEY, Advertising Sales
JACKI STAMBENE, Advertising Sales
SUE WILLIAMS, Adverting Sales
Ormao Dance Company’s performances offer engaging original work. Photo by Melanie & Tyler Photography. See page 6 for more.
One of the new additions to the Rocky Mountain Highway lineup, Rocky Mountain Flower Fest takes over Venetucci Farm in July. Photo by Ashley Travis Photography. See page 17 for more.
9
ARTS MONTH EVENTS YEAR-ROUND ARTS EVENTS TO EXPERIENCE
BY PEAK RADAR STAFF
ARTS MONTH
Comedy Night with Jeff Dye
October 10
Boot Barn Hall
Spinphony
October 11
Stargazers Theatre & Event Center
40th Annual Woodcarving & Woodcraft Show
October 12 and 13
Shrine Club
Vienna Light Orchestra: “The Greatest Showman”
October 13
Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts
Boogie Nights Dance Party
October 18
Lulu’s Downtown
Pikes Peak docuFEST
October 18 and 19
COS City Hub
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival
October 18–20
Colorado College — Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center
The First Annual Colorado Springs
Tattoo Arts Festival
October 18–20
Colorado Springs Event Center
Mozart/Beethoven
Ent Center for the Arts
October 19 and 20
Ghost Stories of Old Manitou Walking Tours
October 11, 12, 18, 19, and 25
Manitou Springs Heritage Center
Night at the Museum
October 26
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Front Range Maker’s Market
October 26 and 27
Lewis Palmer High School
YEAR-ROUND
Carnivale Weekend
March
Downtown Manitou Springs
Pikes Peak Poetry Summit
April
Pikes Peak Library District
Meadowgrass Music Festival
Memorial Day Weekend
La Foret Conference & Retreat Center
Colorado Springs
Western Street Breakfast
June
Downtown Colorado Springs
Commonwheel Arts Festival
Labor Day Weekend
Memorial Park in Manitou Springs
Rock Ledge Ranch Annual Powwow
September
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
Best of the West Wingfest
September
Western Museum of Mining & Industry
Three Nights of Horror Film Festival
October
Ivywild School
Festival of Lights Parade
December
Downtown Colorado Springs
THESE GREAT EVENTS AND MUCH MORE AT …
Find unique, catered arts programs for your schools and students: workshops, field trips, professional development, and more!
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Find arts classes and camps for youth, military, 55+, and adults of all ages.
ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND ARTISTS
List your educational experiences and training programs for schools and the community to find.
www.PeakRadar.com/ArtsEd
a program of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region For support, contact Melissa O’Rear, melissa@culturaloffice org
ORMAO CONNECTS THE WORLD AROUND US
BY JAN JOHNSON Executive & Artistic Director Ormao Dance Company
Ormao Dance Company is an innovative, inclusive, and communityoriented home for dance and the arts in downtown Colorado Springs. Ormao fills a need in the Pikes Peak region for a professional modern and contemporary dance company, school, and community engagement programs focusing on artistry and improving the well-being of people of all ages through meaningful, relevant dance expression and experiences.
Professional performing company
Ormao remains committed to a repertoire of original work that mirrors our commitment to excellence and collaboration in the arts. Our 2024-25 season reflects a creative response by engaging our community with a mixture of indoor and outdoor performances that create new audiences, by connecting them to see
their community and outdoor spaces in new and unforgettable ways.
This past summer, Ormao had the opportunity to travel to Basalt, Colorado for a week-long residency. In addition to performing dances in a theatrical setting, the company spent the bulk of their time creating a sitespecific work with dancers from the Roaring Fork Valley.
Working with new dancers affirmed something Ormao has felt time and again — that when we move and create together, we create sincere and meaningful bonds. Dancing together under the sun, grass squishing under our feet, we explored not only the space we were in, but our memories, experiences, and humanity. By dancing together and witnessing each other, we became more vulnerable with each other and began to really feel each other.
After just a few days rehearsing together, an audience joined us. With viewers (soon to be participants) scattered across the lawn, company members wove through them, danced
through dance
next to them, handed them mementos to activate their senses, and immersed them in Ormao’s co-created world. Everyone leaned in, willing to let go of the traditional audience role and inhabit their own humanity. Both portions of the experience — the creative process and the performance, reminded us that dance has the power to bring us together.
Community engagement
We continually assess community needs and ponder how the practice of modern dance can help address the social, emotional, and physical health of our community.
In 2022, Ormao dance artists began a series of participatory arts events and open-to-thepublic classes within the Hillside and Southside neighborhoods of Colorado Springs. Rather than delivering already formulated dance performances or classes, the artists partnered with neighborhood leaders to construct socially impactful artistic programming. As
Colorado’s Oldest Aviation Museum
guests to the neighborhood, they asked, how might we move with community participants to develop sustained relationships?
Along with prominent community leaders, Ormao co-created Dancing Your Stories — a dance and storytelling laboratory with elders at the Hillside Community Center. An ongoing dance of civic reciprocity, the elders have performed throughout Colorado Springs, including at Colorado College’s Fine Arts Center and the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS.
Their performances represent two years of relational community engagement — a constellation of interconnection — and publicfacing events intended to embody an ecology for creative interaction across social and cultural difference. Every Tuesday and Friday at Ormao, people living with Parkinson’s Disease (and other mobility challenges) gather to enjoy community and connection through the art of movement. Dance brings
Learn about the origins of the Congressional Medal of Honor and our United States Air Force recipients at our Memorial Park.
ACCESS: Non-DoD ID holders require a base pass. Please call or email us 3 days in advance of your visit to arrange your pass. Large group tours arrange access at least 2 weeks ahead. 719-556-5543. Email: Staff@petemuseum.org.
DAYS/HOURS OF
OPERATION: Free Admission. 10am - 3pm Tuesday through Friday. Closed Saturday through Monday, Federal Holidays and USSF Family Days.
We’re always looking for volunteers. Come visit!
In the Airpark, walk inside the Warning Star, an airborne early warning and control aircraft from the Cold War.
imagery, and music, allowing each person to be supported and seen. For a population of older adults living with a progressive disease, an hour of dancing brings out smiles, laughter, and hope.
School
Offering open classes for ages three through infinity, Ormao proudly provides a robust program for youth and adults where everyone is welcome and joyfully encouraged to find their own movement voice. Adults can expect to sweat, express, and connect — to themselves and their community.
Looking for something new? Try our monthly series of Dance Diversity classes, where all ages and levels of experience can explore dance forms such as Celtic, Odissi, Flamenco, and Capoeira.
We believe our work creates a community that loves dance and views dance as an essential ingredient to our community’s vibrant lifestyle.
“Movement is the elixir of life,” says Ross Jacobsen. “Place that in a creative, educational, communityfocused vessel and you’ve got Ormao. The best part? I get to participate. Join me. You won’t be disappointed.”
Ormao traveled to Basalt, Colorado over the summer for a week-long residency. Photo by Raliegh Burleigh, The Sopris Sun.
CREATIVE STAYS
DAVID SIEGEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Pikes Peak is Colorado Springs’ most prominent feature. It’s an ever-present beacon on the horizon, inspiring and reminding people of the natural beauty surrounding it. The mountain was once called Tava, or Sun Mountain, by the indigenous Ute people. Today it goes by the nickname America’s Mountain. By any name, the mountain dominates the region’s geography and draws people from near and far.
David Siegel grew up at the base of Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs. Now he is the executive director of the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS (University of Colorado Colorado Springs), as well as an arts advocate and musician who performs with several ensembles in and around town. As the host of this Creative Stay in Colorado Springs, David has curated an itinerary for a relaxing getaway that engages the arts, the outdoors and unique opportunities at their intersection. You’ll experience Pikes Peak close up, far away and on top, and you’ll enjoy a relaxing, artistic retreat in the mountain’s shadow.
Explore the arts and outdoors around Pikes Peak with a peaceful getaway based in Green Mountain Falls.
ABOUT CREATIVE STAYS
Creative Stays is a digital campaign to attract cultural tourists to the Colorado Springs area during Arts Month, and throughout the year. The series features 13 weekend getaway itineraries curated by a diverse group of local creatives. Each of these local creatives will share a little about themselves, and recommend some of their favorite lodging accommodations, community attractions, restaurants, entertainment activities, hidden hangouts, and not-to-miss cultural destinations.
Perfect for out-of-town visitors and local residents, Creative Stays offers a whole new way to explore and enjoy some of the wonderful attractions and amenities that the Pikes Peak region has to offer! Check out all the Creative Stays itineraries at cosCreativeStays.com.
W H E T H E R Y O U C O L L E C T O R J U S T A P P R E C I A T E
A R T , W E ʼ R E B U I L D I N G A C O M M U N I T Y F O R Y O U .
A r t A d m i r i s t s i n c l u d e p e o p l e f r o m a l l w a l k s o f
l i f e i n c l u d i n g : s e a s o n e d c o l l e c t o r s , c o m m u n i t y
m e m b e r s , e m e r g i n g a n d e s t a b l i s h e d a r t i s t s I f
y o u ʼ r e c u r i o u s a b o u t s e e i n g a n d e x p e r i e n c i n g
s o m e t h i n g n e w w e w e l c o m e y o u t o A u r i c G a l l e r y
N e w E x h i b i t s M o n t h l y
P a r t n e r i n g w i t h o u r t a l e n t e d l o c a l a n d r e g i o n a a r t i s t s ! W e h a v e r o t a t i n g m o n t h l y e x h i b i t s w i t h t h e o p e n i n g r e c e p t i o n s o n t h e F i r s t F r i d a y o f e v e r y m o n t h C u s t o m C u r a t i o n W e c a n a s s i s t y o u i n c u r a t n g a n d d e s g n i n g Y O U R i d e a l s p a c e W h e t h e r y o u n e e d h e p r e o r g
s o u r c i n g a s p e c i
F o o d f o r t h e S o u l P A G E 0 6
P A G E 0 1
WATCH DAVID’S ITINERARY VIDEO
Keeping Manitou creative,
BY AUDREY GRAY Executive Director | CRANE
In a year when Manitou Springs is celebrating the 50th birthday of Commonwheel Artists Co-op, one of its premier art institutions, CRANE (Creative Alliance Manitou Springs) is working hard every day to help keep the town creative.
This year, CRANE , which in 2022 was born of the union between Manitou Springs’ state certified Creative District and the 20-yearold Manitou Springs Arts Council, is adding sculpture and murals (along with a healthy dose of cookies) to Manitou’s artscape. In addition to our public art projects, we are working to connect artists to opportunities and knit together the creative community.
Our purpose is to lift creatives and support the local creative economy — so we are expanding what we can offer to artists, including help with grants, fiscal sponsorships, and connection to expanded opportunities. And this year, a little more fun. Our Cookies with CRANE events allow the creative community to come together over a delicious snack while discussing various topics or simply celebrating.
One highlight so far this year was a reception to reveal five new murals at 441 Manitou Avenue and honor the local artists who created them. The project was funded by Colorado Creative Industries and Manitou Arts Culture & Heritage tax grants in 2023 and 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with the result — an
Mural artists (from left to right) Sally Knox Hall, Natalia Pulido, Paige Talerico, Hank Frank, and Katie Curcio pose in front of their murals at the 441 mural unveiling. Photo by Taylor Trask.
CRANE: Creative Alliance Manitou Springs
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
otherwise art-less section of Manitou Avenue morphed into a celebration of local culture and talent.
Turning a routine sculpture move into a community-wide scavenger hunt was also exciting. The Portable Deity, by Larry Terrafranca, had graced the roundabout at Ruxton and Manitou Avenue for 10 years. This year, the artist is donating it to the community, and it has been relocated to a new home at the Shoshone Spring pocket park.
As part of the move, CRANE asked local artist Adam Rath to create 100 3D-printed mini Portable Deities, and hid them all over town the morning of the big move. People who found the figurines flocked to the Manitou Chamber of Commerce to show off their minis and collect prizes. As of this publication, CRANE is aware of at least one figurine that has yet to be found.
Other projects this year include bringing three new sculptures on two-year contracts to Manitou’s downtown corridor for our Art on the
Avenue program, and fundraising to acquire the beloved “Comforting Melody,” which finds its home in front of the music venues Armadillo Ranch and Kinfolks.
On the mural front, Jennifer Davis, with her assistant Amy Crickenberger Oeth, traveled from Minneapolis to paint a pair of murals for the back of the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center — a pilot for a series of murals along the Creekwalk trail. Also along the Creekwalk trail, expect to see seven new artworks go up in and around Fields Park this October — an artwalk on the creekwalk, spearheaded by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and administered by CRANE with additional support from the Urban Renewal Authority.
CRANE is always looking for ways to help people become more involved, so if you have questions, want help with a creative project, or just need a cookie, please visit CreativeManitou.org and give us a shout!
Intrigued?
ABOVE: Laura Ettinger (left) and Celia Egghart show off their Portable Deity figurines at the Manitou Art Center on the day of the scavenger hunt.
Photo by Natalie Johnson.
LEFT: Comforting Melody, by Flaminio Antonio, will soon belong to Manitou Springs’ permanent sculpture collection. Photo by Monica Rozelle.
CREATIVE STAYS
NATALIE JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MANITOU
If you’ve been to the Pikes Peak region, you may have been to Manitou Springs and not even known it. The tiny mountain hamlet blends seamlessly into the greater Colorado Springs area, but is indeed its own incorporated town. Nestled directly beneath Pikes Peak, Manitou is the gateway to America’s Mountain and home to the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
Quirky, eclectic and funky, Manitou Springs is also proud of its independent identity. The community loves its celebrations, from its annual Wine Festival, Ice Cream Social and Pie Baking Contest, and Commonwheel Arts Festival to its offbeat Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Great Fruitcake Toss, and Carnivale Weekend. If you’re there during the holidays, you’ll feel like you stepped into a snow globe, and you can meet Santa at the historic Town Clock. Manitou is also a creative hub where art is woven through public and private spaces as a priority, adding to the community’s unique personality.
Welcome to the funky, creative, beautiful world of Manitou Springs. Here’s an insider’s guide to exploring the tiny town at the base of Pikes Peak.
ABOUT CREATIVE STAYS
Creative Stays is a digital campaign to attract cultural tourists to the Colorado Springs area during Arts Month, and throughout the year. The series features 13 weekend getaway itineraries curated by a diverse group of local creatives. Each of these local creatives will share a little about themselves, and recommend some of their favorite lodging accommodations, community attractions, restaurants, entertainment activities, hidden hangouts, and not-to-miss cultural destinations.
Perfect for out-of-town visitors and local residents, Creative Stays offers a whole new way to explore and enjoy some of the wonderful attractions and amenities that the Pikes Peak region has to offer! Check out all the Creative Stays itineraries at cosCreativeStays.com.
WATCH NATALIE’S ITINERARY VIDEO
Cook up a new career with OPUS’ CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY PROGRAM
BY LAUREN MARTINEZ Deputy Director | Opus Creative Industries
At Opus Creative Industries, we believe in bringing people together and creating meaningful connections.
Our Culinary and Hospitality program is a testament to this belief, as it merges the world of culinary arts with the vibrant community of creatives. Whether it’s through a meticulously crafted dish or a well-curated event, our program aims to inspire, educate, and connect individuals.
Our Culinary and Hospitality program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that combines the art of cooking with the essentials of hospitality. We offer a curriculum that is both rigorous and creative, equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in the dynamic
and ever-evolving culinary industry. This is a unique, earn and learn, real-life/real-time, community facing, on-the-job-training program.
Students in our program have the opportunity to learn from seasoned chefs and industry professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. The coursework covers a wide range of topics, including culinary techniques, food safety and sanitation, menu planning, and customer service. Opus Creative Kitchen provides students with hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.
Opus hosts a variety of events that showcase the talents of our students and bring the community together. These events range from intimate dinners to large-scale galas, each designed to celebrate the art of food
Photo courtesy of Opus Creative Industries.
and hospitality. By participating in these events, students gain valuable experiences, learning how to create memorable experiences for guests.
The Culinary and Hospitality program is more than just a training ground for future chefs and hospitality professionals, it’s a community of creatives who are passionate about the arts. Through our program, we aim to foster a sense of belonging and connection, using the universal language of food to bring people together. Whether you’re a student, a guest, or a member of the community, we invite you to be a part of our journey and experience the magic of culinary arts at Opus.
Real-life, real-time experience
Students are exposed to various food service scenarios, developing the sense of urgency required to serve paying customers promptly.
Prep and knife skills
Students are trained to follow recipes and master proper knife skills and safety. They have experience preparing a range of produce, meats, and seafood. Students receive a custom-made chef’s knife at program completion.
Food safety and cleanliness
All students complete the program with the “ServSafe Manager” food safety certification.
Food service processing: From purchase to plate
Students learn to create menus, develop recipes, and design plate presentations. They also gain experience in ordering, receiving, and properly storing goods.
Hospitality and front of house basics
Students develop communication and professional socialization skills with guests. They learn to set up dining rooms, prepare and serve beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks, and are introduced to the basics of opening and pouring wine.
Interested in the culinary industry? Candidates must be 16 years of age or older, actively seeking employment in the culinary or hospitality field, and must currently be unemployed, underemployed, or looking for training to gain employment in the culinary or hospitality sectors. Take the next step toward a fulfilling career at CommunityCulturalCollective.org/ opci-application/
You’re Invited to
our 2024/25 Concert Season
Experience the elegance of baroque music with Parish House Baroque, Colorado Springs' premier early music ensemble. This season features exquisite performances on period instruments, bringing the vibrant sound of the baroque era to life. Visit parishhousebaroque.org for tickets.
Portraits | Oct. 5-6
Ornaments of Delight with Jeffery Smith | Nov. 2-3
Buon Natale – an Italian Christmas at Glen Eyrie | Nov. 30 featuring soprano Kacie Kenton
Emerald and Scarlet | Dec. 16 our annual Parish House Baroque Society party!
Taylor Memorial Concert Series | Feb. 16 performance with the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble
Music in the Augustan Age | Feb. 22 -23 featuring mezzo-soprano Amalia Dobbins
Halls of the Sun King | May 10 -11 featuring viola da gambists Mary Springfels and Zoe Weiss
Photo courtesy of Opus Creative Industries.
The Bells Are Calling and I Must Go by Sarah Mason-Reeder
CREATIVE STAYS
MICHAEL FERGUSON, POET, SCHOLAR, SELF-PROCLAIMED
Want to tap into the local nerd culture in Colorado Springs? Then we’ve got your perfect guide.
Michael Ferguson is a local poet, scholar and self-proclaimed nerd with interests that span what he calls multiple nerd buckets, including poetry, video games, comics, film and writing. “Whatever your nerdy proclivities are, there’s a space for them in Colorado Springs,” he says.
As a Black man, Michael also understands the importance of feeling welcome in a new space, especially for people who are part of a marginalized identity. “Any of the spots that I’ve recommended are going to be welcoming because these are the spots that I feel welcome and where I’ve developed relationships with people,” he says. “You’ll find places where you can absolutely feel like you can be yourself.”
If you’re drawn to spoken word and poetry or comic shops and indie movie theaters, this is your itinerary for touring Colorado Springs. This local selfproclaimed nerd will guide you to his favorite spots and help you connect with welcoming community.
ABOUT CREATIVE STAYS
Creative Stays is a digital campaign to attract cultural tourists to the Colorado Springs area during Arts Month, and throughout the year. The series features 13 weekend getaway itineraries curated by a diverse group of local creatives. Each of these local creatives will share a little about themselves, and recommend some of their favorite lodging accommodations, community attractions, restaurants, entertainment activities, hidden hangouts, and not-to-miss cultural destinations.
Perfect for out-of-town visitors and local residents, Creative Stays offers a whole new way to explore and enjoy some of the wonderful attractions and amenities that the Pikes Peak region has to offer! Check out all the Creative Stays itineraries at cosCreativeStays.com.
WATCH MICHAEL’S ITINERARY VIDEO
festival fun
BY JESSICA BARNEY
Executive Director | Rocky Mountain Highway
Have you heard of MeadowGrass? It’s the three-day music festival that takes place in Black Forest at the La Foret Retreat Center every Memorial Day weekend. The 2024 edition celebrated 15 years of MeadowGrass, showcasing 22 local, regional, and national acts. The meadow is filled with families from all walks of life, joining together as a community as their kids play together in the “kid zone” enjoying the sunshine on their faces. You’ll see folks relaxing in lawn chairs and dancing in front of the stage.
Freedom of self-expression is abundant. Many families camp out in tents or RVs for the weekend to get the full experience. This year, kids and adults enjoyed puppet shows, basket weaving, and drum circles from Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts, among many other art and music
related workshops including tiedyeing MeadowGrass t-shirts! Other offerings at MeadowGrass include yoga, sound baths in the chapel, workshops in the woods, kiddo creation stations, guided nature hikes, and labyrinth walking meditations.
Another cool thing about MeadowGrass is Steve Harris’ ability to pick amazing acts! Early shows included Nathaniel Rateliff and Gregory Alan Isakov before they hit the big stages. More recent years had Big Richard and John Craigie, who frequent national stages now too. MeadowGrass will bring you great music without the big venue price — and it’s not a bluegrass festival as many folks assume. The grass in the name is from the beautiful meadow where an open space becomes a mini community for the weekend.
Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative is the small non-profit behind MeadowGrass. Our mission
photo
The 15th annual MeadowGrass Music Festival took place in Black Forest over Memorial Day weekend. Photo by Ashley Travis Photography.
LAUGH OUT LOUD
QUIET CROWDS &
YOU CAN FIND IT ALL
Raucous comedy nights and intimate gallery viewings. The arts scene in the Pikes Peak region has it all — and then some.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
includes family friendly and allinclusive events with something for everyone to enjoy. Founded in 2014 to bring live music to the front range for an affordable cost, the organization (powered by one paid employee, a volunteer board of directors, and hundreds of volunteers) now coordinates three festivals each year — MeadowGrass in May, Rocky Mountain Flower Fest in July, and Mountain of the Sun in September.
Rocky Mountain Flower Fest is presented in partnership with Gather Mountain Blooms — the flower farm housed in the historic Venetucci Farm just south of Colorado Springs. Three sisters had a vision for this farm and it is something to see! 2024 marked the third annual RMFF with three regional bands, 12 local artisan vendors, and local food vendors. Music, art, and flower picking are the focus of this festival — with more family-friendly activities too.
Flower Fest was such a hit this year that the farm and Rocky Mountain Highway co-produced a
new event called Music & Blooms every Thursday in August, featuring one local band, one food truck and hundreds of people picking flowers and making their own bouquets. You would see kids running around playing kickball and families and friends connecting over a drink and lounging around in the beautiful scenery.
Mountain of the Sun Music Festival has lived at Aspen Valley Ranch in Woodland Park for many years, but it was just three years ago that Rocky Mountain Highway started helping out with the festival production and promotion. The smallest of the three festivals, it’s also housed in a beautiful venue surrounded by — you guessed it — aspen trees. With fall chill vibes all around, local Teller county art vendors line the perimeter of the grounds. Currently a single day fest, there’s talk about making it a camping event in the future!
If you’d like to learn more about how to get involved, volunteer, or donate, please connect at RockyMountainHighway.org/
Rocky Mountain Highway
Aspen Valley Ranch in Woodland Park plays host to the Mountain of the Sun Music Festival in September. Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Highway.
CREATIVE STAYS
JIM JACKSON AND BIRGITTA DE PREE, OWNERS AND FOUNDERS, THE MILLIBO ART THEATRE
When you explore a new place — or even new places in your hometown — it should be filled with wonder and fun. There definitely should be a lot of laughter, especially when you travel with kids in Colorado Springs — or staycation. Enter stage left Jim Jackson and Birgitta De Pree, owners and founders of the Millibo Art Theatre and one of the leading couples in Colorado Springs theater.
“Why grow up?” could easily be their mantra. While original productions at the Millibo cover a full spectrum of genres and emotions, the theater is well known for its whimsical children’s shows, circus acts, comedies and cabaret that delight kids of all ages. Birgitta and Jim are well known for their signature characters, Babette Matdiva and Art Guffaw the clown. So when it came time to share a getaway itinerary of their favorite spots in Colorado Springs, of course the couple presented their entire Creative Stay in character — full character.
Want to explore the Springs with fun and laughter? Whether it’s for travel with kids, fun family things to do or creative entertainment for the grown-ups, here’s your guide.
ABOUT CREATIVE STAYS
Creative Stays is a digital campaign to attract cultural tourists to the Colorado Springs area during Arts Month, and throughout the year. The series features 13 weekend getaway itineraries curated by a diverse group of local creatives. Each of these local creatives will share a little about themselves, and recommend some of their favorite lodging accommodations, community attractions, restaurants, entertainment activities, hidden hangouts, and not-to-miss cultural destinations.
Perfect for out-of-town visitors and local residents, Creative Stays offers a whole new way to explore and enjoy some of the wonderful attractions and amenities that the Pikes Peak region has to offer! Check out all the Creative Stays itineraries at cosCreativeStays.com
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WATCH JIM’S & BRIGITTA’S ITINERARY VIDEO
Shutter & Strum OFFERS SPACE FOR YOUTH TO CONNECT AND HEAL
BY BRIAN TRYON Founder and Owner | Shutter and Strum
As longtime teachers in alternative education, we’ve witnessed firsthand the magic that unfolds when our students tap into their creative potential. We’ve seen shy wallflowers blossom into confident performers, struggling readers find their voice through songwriting, and disengaged teens become captivated by the intricacies of photography and the healing ritual of darkroom film development and printing.
Creative arts-based interventions for youth experiencing complex trauma significantly improve symptom reduction, emotional regulation, and post-traumatic growth.
Colorado Springs reports a significant burden of mental health issues among youth, including depression, anxiety, and suicide. Various studies suggest
that intergenerational trauma (experienced by many of our atrisk students) can increase the development of these conditions. Unlike many programs, we’re accessible to these vulnerable youth, empowered by artistic expression and fueled by safe spaces for storytelling and healing.
Our community art center at 2217 E. Platte Ave. is in the transitioning working-class neighborhood of Knob Hill, which has an established tradition of outsider and DIY art forms (graffiti, tattooing, and alternative music venues). This location also situates us close to many low-income and marginalized households that disproportionately experience mental health issues or difficulties due to factors like poverty, discrimination, and family instability.
As art educators, we have personally seen engagement with visual arts and music as crucial
in the recovery of many at-risk students. For nearly a decade, we have worked primarily with the same population who commonly face instability at home, social isolation, financial hurdles, mental health struggles, addiction, and even transportation difficulties.
Our programs fill these gaps by offering accessible, engaging experiential learning and therapeutic outlets for this critically stressed population. We aim to use traditional darkroom photography, mixed media visual arts, and music as vehicles for school credit opportunities as well as mindfulness, healing, and personal empowerment.
Shutter and Strum’s programs encompass a comprehensive approach to internships, photography, visual arts, and music education. Our before-, during-, after-school, and weekend workshops allow space for youth to
practice mindfulness and explore their passions, ultimately inspiring them to pursue their interests in the arts and grow as individuals. Each workshop’s curriculum is designed to cater to individuals of all interests and skill levels, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of these disciplines.
A community art center and gallery are perfect venues for bringing people together through the arts. We host regular art exhibitions and local artist showcases, featuring rotating exhibitions of work by local and surrounding area artists. Managed by our youth interns, these provide a platform for artists to share their work with the community and for community members to engage with art in a meaningful way.
This also provides a learning platform for our student interns, addressing topics such as how to
run a business, communication, curation, promotions, and connecting with the community. We offer art workshops and classes from the beginner to the advanced, a great way for the community to learn new skills, explore their creativity, and meet others with similar interests.
We provide family and intergenerational workshops that are designed to attend together. These sessions can strengthen family bonds while fostering connections between different age groups.
We are striving to offer other creative pursuits and events such as community art projects, art and cultural dialogues, art fairs and markets, cultural exchange programs, and drop-in creative sessions. Shutter and Strum is a place to celebrate community milestones and festivals, explore the arts and social change, encourage volunteerism and participation, and see how multidisciplinary arts can shine. By utilizing the community art center and gallery in these ways, you can create a vibrant, inclusive space where people of all ages and backgrounds come together, connect, and build a stronger community.
Photo courtesy of Shutter and Strum.
Stompin’ Groundz GATHERS COMMUNITY, CENTERS ART IN SOUTHEAST COLORADO SPRINGS
BY JUELZ RAMIREZ Owner | Stompin’ Groundz
Growing up, I felt disconnected from my community and the political climate of the world felt so divisive and overwhelming. I wanted to do my part in making the world a better place and I noticed the small yet significant ways that art and gathering spaces could do just that. This sense of unity and creativity was something I cherished and wanted to cultivate.
From a young age, I was immersed in the arts. I spent nine years dancing with Ballet Folklorico De La Raza, a traditional Mexican dance group that allowed me to connect with my culture through dance. My love for the arts didn’t stop there. I dabbled in a variety of artistic hobbies, from bullet journaling and scrapbooking to crochet and painting. I found joy in creating friendship bracelets and exploring new crafts.
As I got my education, I became aware of the challenges facing my community. Southeast Colorado Springs, like many urban areas, had its share of difficulties. But I also saw the potential for change. I knew that creating spaces where people could come together, share their stories, and get involved in their community could make a significant impact. It was this belief in the power of “third spaces” —
places that are neither home nor work, but somewhere in between — that inspired me to take action.
The forever long journey to opening Stompin’ Groundz began when I noticed a lack of gathering spaces. I began envisioning a place that would not only serve as a coffee shop but also as a hub for community engagement. A place where people could feel a sense of ownership and pride in their neighborhood, where they could come to unwind, meet new people, and get involved in local projects.
Stompin’ Groundz was born from this vision. From the moment the doors opened, it was clear that this was no ordinary coffee shop. The walls were adorned with local artifacts, and the space was filled with the warm, inviting energy of a place designed for connection. I made it a priority to host a variety of events that encouraged creativity and community involvement. From BIPOC open mics to paint nights, there’s always something happening at Stompin’ Groundz that brings people together.
One of the projects closest to my heart was coordinating public art initiatives in the community. I organized a storm drain painting project outside Monterey Elementary School, where local artist Jeresneyka
A utility box wrap at Chelton and Academy by artist Phelan Carrasco. Photo by Stephanie Merchant.
Rose and students came together to paint the storm drains outside the school. I also spearheaded a project to have utility boxes wrapped in the artwork of local artists, adding color and creativity to the streets of southeast Colorado Springs. These projects were a testament to my belief that art could be a powerful tool for community engagement and pride.
My commitment to the arts didn’t stop there. I want Stompin’ Groundz to be a space where local artists can showcase their work and feel supported. That’s why, in October, we will launch “Artist Alley,” a collection of art displayed in the back hallways of the coffee shop. My hope is to give local artists a platform to share their work with the community, and it will create yet another reason for people to visit and feel connected to their own stomping grounds.
Through Stompin’ Groundz, I hope to inspire others to get involved in their community, to take pride in their neighborhood, and to see the value in connecting with others. I know that change doesn’t happen overnight, but I believe that by creating spaces where people can come together, share their stories, and express themselves through art, a lasting impact will be made on southeast Colorado Springs.
We celebrate and uplift the arts all year long with local concert broadcasts, performing arts interviews, youth artist interviews and more. Stream your 24/7 listener supported radio stations online at kcme.org and jazz935.org or listen on our apps.
Stompin’ Groundz has become an important gathering spot in southeast Colorado Springs. Photo by Allen Beauchamp.
CREATIVE EXCHANGES OFFER
connection –&– collaboration
BY DEBORAH THORNTON Executive Director | Imagination Celebration
Imagination Celebration (aka IC or “I see!”) produces brain-stimulating, communitybuilding, life-enhancing experiences that demonstrate the power of the arts, the impact of the creative process, and the importance of creative thinking skills.
IC inspires curiosity, inquiry, artful collaborations; and promotes life-long experiential learning helping us participate in the cultural life of our region to thrive in a changing world. To this end, programs range from large scale to human scale. Connection and collaboration are essential to this.
Imagine walking into a big gold box to meet with people around the world. Participants remark how this gold box changed their perspective, changed their understanding of various cultures, and changed their lives. Through a partnership with Shared Studios, Imagination Celebration provides a gold popup, public art social-impact shipping container
that connects the Pikes Peak region to the world and the world to us.
The immersive technology in this box (lifesized Zoom) creates a space that feels as if participants are in the same room, breathing the same air. Imagination Celebration moves this “Portal” to various sites around our region creating unforgettable experiences of meaningful engagement.
• Global poetry with Ethiopia.
• A shared meal with Mexico City.
• A spontaneous dance party with random visitors in New York’s Times Square.
• Agricultural challenges for Colorado ranchers and Australian ranchers.
• Centuries-old embroidery techniques between Afghan woman using silk and NEA Heritage Artist, Josie Lobato, using wool.
• An impromptu collaboration between violinist David Siegel and Hip-Hop artist Big Samir, prompted by a doctor in Herat.
• An International Festival of Tolerance in Africa teaching professional dancers at the Ent Center some new moves.
Detail from “Under the Same Blue Sky” of the 20-foot mountain scape representing shared landscape of Afghanistan and Colorado — created by weaving handmade Afghan scarves with Colorado women’s scarves. All photos courtesy of Imagination Celebration.
Colorado’s NEA Heritage Fellow, Josie Lobato, sharing her 1,500-year-old tradition of Spanish Colcha embroidery with Sediq, who is sharing the 2,500-year-old tradition of Afghan embroidery. This Catholic woman from rural San Luis Colorado and Muslim woman in the city of Herat bonded over their shared creativity.
• Conversations about the future with United Nations Live, with members at the World Economic Forum and those wild people at Burning Man!
These creative exchanges in the gold box make our world more connected. And these exchanges led to another one.
Imagine having to flee your home, your parents, your siblings, your work, your everything - grabbing your children’s hands and heading to an unknown place where no one knows your language, because your husband helped the United States.
There are many stories of isolation: for an entire year, a thirty-year-old woman with 2 toddlers only left her apartment to buy groceries. She never met another Afghan or an American until walking into Imagination Celebration’s iSpace, located inside a regional cultural hub, The Citadel Mall. She now joins dozens of Afghan and Colorado women to share laughter and tears and a deep commitment to imagine new possibilities in their lives through shared creativity.
“Creative Exchange” is a trauma-informed expressive arts program serving legal adult and youth refugees from war zones (Afghanistan, Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Central Africa, etc.) who have been welcomed into the Pikes Peak region. They learn from us, and we learn from them — creative exploration, skill enhancement, and cultural sharing — all of which creates a sense of belonging and wellness.
Research shows that creative engagement affects cortisol levels and unlocks inner resources for dealing with stress, solving problems, and enjoying life. With experience using arts engagement to serve military members suffering from PTSD, Imagination Celebration co-created Creative Exchange” in partnership with Diversified Consulting and InnerCHANGE Works.
Recently, a Creative Exchange group of 25 Afghan women helped create “Under the Same Blue Sky,” an art installation in UCCS’ Gallery of Contemporary Art at the Ent Center for the Arts (available to view through Oct. 5). These women meet weekly to explore creative projects while developing new skills and new friends. They are creative, courageous, and caring. They are eager to learn English, to contribute to their new community, and to safely raise their children.
Many of the women are separated from their siblings; all are separated from their parents and dealing with loss as they fear for their loved ones. Due to the continuing danger of the Taliban towards family members remaining in Afghanistan, the women’s identities are protected. Imagine a circle of beautiful Afghan women (ages 20 to 57) intermixed with a dozen caring Colorado volunteers. These are women building community together.
Local women artists, with deep experience in collaboration, contributed to “Under the Same Blue Sky” and worked with the Afghan women to develop the final art. The exhibit celebrates the richness of Afghan culture and gives voice to these women, bridging perceived divides by emphasizing common human experiences — laughter, music, and aspirations.
To host the Portal, to buy original work by refugees, to volunteer, to imagine more possibilities, or to learn more about other programs, visit ImaginationCelebration.org/
Artist Tina Riesterer chats and sketches new friends.
“Portal” provides life-sized Zoom on an 8x8 screen, connecting people around the world.
Theatreworks BRINGS THEATRE TO THE COMMUNITY
BY CAITLIN LOWANS
Artistic Director | Theatreworks
Before we say anything else, you might be asking … what is Theatreworks? Theatreworks Colorado Springs is the professional producing theatre in residence at the Ent Center for the Arts on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus, devoted to connecting, empowering, and delighting our region through the arts. In our case, theatre! Professional? That means we compensate all of our artists — whether acting onstage, designing the costumes, or working backstage — for the work they do. Producing? That means that we create it all right here in Colorado Springs.
As Artistic Director, I curate the shows and match directors to those plays. From there, we cast a combination of local, statewide, and national actors who embody the roles along with assembling design teams who create beautiful plans for sets, costumes, lights, and sound. Then Theatreworks staff and technicians create everything you see onstage from the ground up — whether pulling from our costume stock of garments that go back to the theatre’s founding in 1975 or hand-painting a design on a freshly-laid stage floor — all uniting their visions to create a singular artistic world.
All this means that when you buy tickets to Theatreworks productions, you contribute to the local creative economy, channeling resources right back into home-grown artists of the Pikes Peak region.
Love going to your local farmers market? Think of Theatreworks as a farmer’s market for art that is local, delightful, and “handmade” just for you. Knowing our community ensures our plays serve as both mirrors in which you see your own experience reflected, and
windows through which you experience the lives of others — uniting community around a shared experience.
In the 49 years Theatreworks has been creating — yes, next year will be our 50th birthday, and yes, we know Theatreworks doesn’t look a day over 35 — we have had many homes: the basement of Penrose Hospital, UCCS’ Dwire Hall, a tent on the campus’ main lawn, UCCS’ University Hall, a tent at Rock Ledge Ranch, and since January 2018, the Ent Center for the Arts on North Nevada. While we produce five to six large-scale shows each season at our Ent Center home, sometimes we (metaphorically) come to yours!
Since 2019, Theatreworks has brought its ACT OUT program (which performs abridged Shakespeare) to schools, senior centers, parks, libraries, shelters for the unhoused, adult day programs, community centers, and parks all around southern Colorado.
We perform in community spaces that our audiences already know and love, allowing them to see these spaces as loci of creativity and creation. We set up a tarp and perform “inthe-round” with audiences on all four sides — just like you might gather around a campfire to tell a late-night story. Our actors approach the work of Shakespeare — or this spring, Moliere — with their full bodies and with the power of the unamplified human voice, celebrating our inherent capacity as people.
We mine the plays for humor and connection — never missing a chance to make eye contact, acknowledge the joke of a seemingly endless passing train, or share a snack with our audience! And while we pay every artist, we offer the work for free, thanks to generous sponsors and community partners, so that we might unite in the experience of giving and receiving gifts without recompense or expectation.
We then take every part of that experience out in the world back to our own home at the Ent Center for the Arts, working to meet each audience as if this play is their first, finding opportunities for us all to experience these stories right here in shared space and time, uniting the community in the same way — maybe with fewer trains, but equal amounts of joy.
Robb Williams and Carla Brown in ACT OUT: 2 Gents at Green Box Arts. Photo by Jeff Kearney/TDC Photography.
Ellie Myers in ACT OUT: 2 Gents at Sangre De Cristo Arts Center. Photo by Dave Hayden.
Kaley Corinaldi in ACT OUT: 2 Gents at Green Box Arts. Photo by Jeff Kearney/TDC Photography.
