Crystal Valley Blog

There’s plenty to do this weekend and next in Castle Rock and nearby locales! Just minutes from the new home community of Crystal Valley you’ll find music, comedy, theatrical performances, celebrity appearances and more!

TODAY/TONIGHT: Thursday, August 24

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The recent release of the artificial intelligence program Chat GPT has catapulted this technology to the forefront of global conversations. The enormous potential of this technology has many people both excited and fearful. Join Active Minds as the experts explain what AI is, how it is can be used for good, but also the potential for abuse.

Castle Rock Senior Center, 2323 Woodlands Blvd, Castle Rock
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
RSVP: 303-688-9498

Thursday-Saturday, August 24-26

CLEAN COMEDIAN: ROCKY LAPORTE!
Rocky LaPorte’s appeal comes from his every-man, streetwise style of comedy. Delivering laughs in his trademark Brooklyn accent, he has become one of the most sought-after comedians in the country. 

Rocky most recently appeared on season 8 of NBC’sLast Comic Standing. His resume includes a slew of performances, including being a featured comic on Showtime’sThe Godfathers of Comedy, a special starring five of America’s most hilarious Italian-American comics. On the big screen, he has been seen in two Tim Allen movies; Crazy on the Outside and The Shaggy Dog.

Rocky traveled with Drew Carey to Iraq to entertain the troops and was seen on the Showtime special Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie. Rocky has filmed his own Comedy Central Presents special and was voted the network’s second most popular comedian in a nationwide poll. Rocky has his own NBC pilot called the Rocky LaPorte Show. Rocky’s clean blue-collar style of comedy continues to increase in popularity as he travels the country.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri. 7:15 p.m.; Fri./Sat. 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$26
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday, August 25

FITNESS FRIDAY: DANCE PARTY 
Fitness Fridays are for everyone! Open to all fitness levels, this series offers a variety of formats taught by an amazing fitness staff! Bring your whole family. Fitness Friday classes are free and registration is not required.

Amphitheatre at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock
8:00-9:00 a.m.
FREE

Friday-Sunday, August 25-27

COMIC CON-COLORADO SPRINGS
Get ready, Colorado Springs and surrounding towns and hamlets, for the biggest and best pop culture convention within miles. This three-day event will feature celebrities from all genres of TV, movies and cartoons, some of the best names in the comic art community, as well as some the greatest vendors in the area with those hard to find toys, comics, and collectibles. Be sure to stop by and finish that wish list and even meet some of your favorite celebrities (like Cassandra Peterson, William Shatner, Bruce Campbell, and Cary Elwes!) and get their autographs and have your picture taken with them at this amazing event. For more information visit the convention site!

Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., Colorado Springs
Fri., 3:00-9:00 p.m.; Sat.., 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $44 (multiple day available)

Saturday, August 26

CASTLE ROCK FARMER’S MARKET
A 30-year tradition every Saturday bringing the people of Castle Rock locally sourced fresh produce, food and other artisan goods. You’ll find gourmet angus beef, bakery bites, tree-ripened fruit, hot sauces, healthy veggies, Colorado peaches, cakes and cupcakes, tamales, dairy products, kettle corn, Italian ices, exotic wood creations, Mexico-style jerky, mushrooms, micro-greens and experts to answer your gardening questions.

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Upper Parking Lot, Castle Rock
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Info: 303-660-7400

VINTAGE & VARGAS SHOW
Take a step back in time and check out aircraft and cars from 1980 and earlier, including a collection of Varga 2150s. There are 83 Vargas still registered in the United States, several of which reside in Colorado. Wings’ own 1977 Varga 2150A Kachina with factory original paint and upholstery will be on display, as well as a Varga from Blue Sky Flyers, Inc. Other aircraft will include Grummans, Beechcraft and Cessnas.

Dress up in your favorite retro wear and shop for vintage goods in the hangar from BetsEclectics! The food truck scheduled to serve is RagBag Bistro, a perfect complement for this showcase of vintage aircraft and cars

Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood, CO 80112
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $1-$12
Info: 303-360-5360

ROCK THE MOUNTAIN: JAY CASMIRRI
This summer is going to be 🎵ROCKIN🎵 at Outlets at Castle Rock! The Outlets staff is excited to be adding live entertainment in the East 4th Street Courtyard (next to H&M) this summer. Saturday, enjoy Jay Casmirri, who has entertained audiences from Phoenix to Chicago, from Louisiana to Iowa. Now, he is bringing his vocals, guitar and piano to the Denver area. Whether for restaurants and clubs, corporate events, community concerts or private parties, Jay connects with audiences of all ages with his renditions of the most popular songs of the 70’s to now. You can also go shopping, and sample delicious Food Trucks’ menus. 

Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
12:00-3:00 p.m.
Free

MUDVAYNE: THE PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSIONS
Heavy metal quartet Mudvayne formed in Peoria, IL, in 1996, its members adopting the unusual pseudonyms sPaG (M. McDonough/drums), Gurrg (G. Tribbett)/guitar), and Kud (Chad Gray) (vocals). The group’s original bassist was replaced after two years by Ryknow (Ryan Martinie). During their development, the bandmembers began the practice of applying bizarre makeup. After self-releasing their first album, Kill, I Oughta, they were signed by Epic Records and recorded their major-label debut, L.D. 50, which was released in August 2000 shortly after the end of their first national tour opening for Slipknot. The album later went gold and earned Mudvayne the first-ever MTV2 Video Award at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. 

As musicians, McDonough, Martinie and guitarist Greg Tribbett haven’t shifted their songwriting focus from what they’ve always tried to achieve. In the words of the bassist, “it’s an honest representation of who we are as people. We love getting high on music, whether it be crazy blast beats, European black metal, dance music, electronic music, or stuff we grew up with, like Van Halen, Rush, Iron Maiden and Metallica. The things that we like to hear are the things that come out when we write together, and when you put them together, it’s Mudvayne.”

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village
5:00 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $30
Info: 303-220-7000

SUMMER CONCERT: NIGHT RANGER
Night Ranger is an American hard rock band from San Francisco formed in 1979 that gained popularity during the 1980s with a series of albums and singles. The song ‘The Secret of My Success’ was a single released from the 1987 album ‘Big Life.’ It is one of Night Ranger’s most famous songs because it was also on the soundtrack of the film of the same name, which starred Michael J. Fox, who had specifically requested that Night Ranger wrote the song. A year after the single’s release, it was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song but lost out to the theme tune from ‘Dirty Dancing,’ ‘I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.’ Night Ranger’s second-most commercially successful single was ‘Sentimental Street,’ which peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. 

Nestled in the beautiful setting of Philip S. Miller Park, the Amphitheater has become one of Colorado’s most sought-after live music venues. Each year, the featured acts get bigger and bigger. The Summer Concert Series has hosted dozens of Grammy-nominated, world-famous artists and has made Castle Rock a musical hotspot. These ticketed music events have truly become a signature part of summers in the community.

Amphitheatre at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock
7:00-10:00 p.m.
TICKETS: $45

Sunday, August 27

YOGA AT PSM AMPHITHEATRE
Making the practice of yoga a habit each morning allows the body to get into the habit of switching off the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ stress response, and instead able to finally tap into the healing benefits of the parasympathetic nervous system – increasing the health of both body and mind immensely.

Amphitheatre at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock
8:30 a.m.
FREE

FARMER’S MARKET IN THE PARK
Enjoy warmer temperatures and seasonal goods at The Farmers Market at Festival Park. Hosted by the LOCAL Colorado, the farmers market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through October.

Don’t miss locally raised meats, farm-fresh eggs, a variety of fresh produce, delicious baked goods, artisan-made products and more from dozens of vendors. Support local business and agriculture while getting outside, meeting neighbors and enjoying delicious local fare.

Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock 
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
FREE

ROCK THE MOUNTAIN: GRAYSON RATLIFF
This summer is going to be 🎵ROCKIN🎵 at Outlets at Castle Rock! The Outlets staff is excited to be adding live entertainment in the East 4th Street Courtyard (next to H&M) this summer. Get ready to be captivated by the heartfelt, folk-infused pop sounds of Colorado-based singer-songwriter, Grayson Ratliff. His music is a beautiful blend of hometown nostalgia, raw emotions, and soulful storytelling that is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart. Grayson’s music is a celebration of individuality and self-acceptance. His ultimate goal is to encourage his listeners to embrace their true selves and trust in their own unique journeys. You can also go shopping, and sample delicious Food Trucks’ menus. 

Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
12:00-2:00 p.m.
Free

NEXT WEEK:  Wednesday, August 30

SUNSET, MOONRISE HIKE
Imagine the sun slipping behind the mountains; the sky glowing with golds and oranges, the subtle shift to pinks and purples as twilight comes to Cherokee Mountain. A short time later, the full moon rises over Racoon Knob. Hear tales of the past and listen to the animals settling for the night as the peace and beauty encompass you.

This is considered a moderate hike—participants should be physically fit and over 10 years in age. The hike will begin in the upper parking lot and the hike will last about 45 minutes each way. Hikers will arrive atop Cherokee Mountain a bit before sunset and return after dark. Long pants and good hiking shoes, liter bottle of water is recommended, as well as a walking stick and a headlamp for night hiking. Check in at the top Castle parking lot. Reservations are required and non-refundable.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia 
6:00 p.m. Check in
Cost: $37.50 Reservations Are Required
CALL: 303-688-5555

GOO GOO DOLLS
As life goes on for Goo Goo Dolls, the ensuing music connects even more closely, embracing experimentation, exhibiting assurance, and exuding experience. Drawing on over three decades together, the four-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated record-breaking multiplatinum rock band—John Rzeznik and Robby Takac—supply a real sense of hope and a whole lot of heart on their 12th full-length album, Miracle Pill. 

“The process is more enjoyable than ever,” says John. “We work with whoever we want to, and we get to experiment. You never know if this may be the last time you’ll get to make a record. It’s a privilege, so you need to have fun. It’s a joy to sit down, try out ideas, and push the limits of the band.”

That’s exactly what the boys do on the first single and title track “Miracle Pill.” Backed by ragtime piano, handclaps, and dreamy production flourishes, John’s voice swings from theatrical verses into an intoxicatingly irresistible hook.

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village
6:45 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $32
Info: 303-220-7000

Thursday-Saturday, 31-September 2

LIVE RECORDING: DERRICK STROUP
Alabama native and stand-up comedian Derrick Stroup is not your average slow talking Southerner. With the cadence of an angry auctioneer, he engages his audiences with his detailed stories, over the top energy and southern charm.

Since leaving home for Denver in 2015 to chase his dreams of stand-up comedy, Derrick has become a regular opener for the likes of John Crist and Josh Blue. He also won one of the biggest comedy contests in the country in 2019 at the World-Famous Comedy Works in Denver. This well-respected competition has over 250 entries each year. Look for Derrick’s Dry Bar Comedy special titled Derrick Stroup: Yelling My Feelings. LIVE SPECIAL RECORDING! Recording by Git-R-Done Productions.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$25
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday-Sunday, September 1-3

HISTORY COMES TO LIFE
Join Wings Exploration of Flight, in partnership with EAA Rocky Mountain Chapter 301 and Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing, from September 1 – 4 to experience rare historic aircraft up close! The featured aircraft of this event include the 1920s Ford Tri-motor and the C-47 “That’s All, Brother” that led the invasion on D-Day in 1944. Also on the ramp will be a 1947 C-45 Twin Beech and a 1943 SNJ from the Commemorative Air Force Gulf Coast Wing.

Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood, CO 80112
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$25
Info: 303-360-5360

Things to Do Near Crystal Valley!

Enjoy life in Castle Rock within minutes from the master-planned community of Crystal Valley – where nature is around every corner of the neighborhood! Looking for a new home you can add your signature style to? Check out the beautiful model homes from Kauffman Homes, Taylor Morrison, D.R. Horton, Richmond American Homes, and Century Communities. Picture yourself in your very own dream house – ranch-style or two-story models priced from the $600s.