Dogs, Divas and Deities!
Dogs have no fewer than four – count ’em – four swimming events this weekend to signal the end of the dog days of summer! Take your pooch for a plunge – it’s obviously meant to be – or enjoy a little humor with Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney or John Mulaney. Plus, you’ll find a few girls-only events that you and your favorite young lady might enjoy! It’s all happening this weekend near Castle Rock!
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, September 7
ANIMALS OF POKEMON
Did you know that many of the characters from the popular Pokémon games were inspired by real animals? During this unique program, learn about the real defense strategies animals use to protect themselves, find shelter, and find food. For example, Froakie is based on a frog and uses water as its defense. Pidgey is based on a pigeon and uses wing attacks just like in real life. There will be five live animal ambassadors that have “characters” in the Pokémon games / shows, and experts will discuss natural history, stories, diets, habitats, conservation and more!
The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Free
Phone: 720-733-2294
Friday, September 8
GIRLS IN POLITICS
Camp Congress for Girls Denver 2017 is a leadership program that introduces girls, ages 8 to 15, to politics. The camp begins with a lesson on the structure of our political system. Each girl will choose to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate or for the presidency. The girls will learn about campaigning and finance, political ads, and they will register and vote in an election. Newly elected members of Congress will introduce a bill, debate its merits, lobby fellow legislators and collaborate with the Executive branch. The camp will culminate with a ceremonial signing of the bill by the elected president, and during the day campers will meet an elected official or political consultant.
Denver Marriott, 934 16th St., Denver
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $120-$160
Phone: 202-660-1457
SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR
Gracie Barra (GB) Jiu-Jitsu is offering a fun, enjoyable and professional self-defense seminar exclusively for women and teenage girls. This Women’s Self-Defense Program will prepare you to physically and mentally deal with a potential attack. In this structured program, your Gracie Barra instructor will not only cover the most common attacks against women, but teach you how to prevent them, and then, if necessary, how to respond effectively!
Gracie Barra Centennial Jiu-Jitsu, 4181 E. County Line Rd., Unit C, Centennial
6:00 p.m.
Free
MARTINIS AND THE BLUES BROTHERS
Movie & Martinis is a special event night out where you can nosh on nibbles, sip a cocktail and enjoy a movie complete with popcorn and friends. Guests enjoy two drinks (specialty cocktails, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages), hors d’oeuvres, popcorn, access to the museum exhibits and the featured presentation: The Blues Brothers. In this 1980 comedy two brothers played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, try to save the orphanage they grew up in, by performing to raise $5,000 to pay its back taxes. It’s a movie night to remember!
CU South Denver,10035 S. Peoria St., Parker
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$36
MILE HIGH WORSHIP
This unique event brings together the faithful from all over the city for a moving evening of music and fellowship at Mile High Worship 2017. Featuring a talented collective of vocalists and musicians including Shauna Chanda, Biff Gore, Leah Shafer, Billy Lloyd, Christie Gerwinat, Steve Selinsky, Tarell Martin and Perfect Praise, Darren and Priscilla Rahn, Jason Rahn, Michael Williams, Peter Gunder, Marvin Craft, Bill Oudemolen, and Chris Scharf, their songs and performances will lift your spirits!
Lone Tree Arts Center
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Friday-Sunday, September 8-10
BRIARFEST WINE TASTINGS
In its fourth year, the Briarfest will celebrate fine wines through formal tastings and a variety of snacks selected for wine pairings. In addition, there will be a smaller, walk-up informal wine-tasting on Saturday from 3:00-7:00 p.m. in the V3Gate Beer Tent outside the church for those who cannot attend the formal tastings.
St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 8755 Scarborough Dr., Colorado Springs
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Admission: $25
THE KATHY AND MO SHOW
Kathy Najimy (best known for her roles in the Sister Act films and as the voice of Peggy Hill on King of the Hill) and Mo Gaffney (known for her work in TV sitcoms That 70s Show and Run of the House) star in a feminist romp called Parallel Lives, opening this weekend. In the first scene, two Supreme Beings plan the beginning of the world with the relish of two suburban divas decorating a living room. Once they’ve decided on the color scheme of all the races, they create the sexes. Afraid women will have too many advantages, the Beings decide to make childbirth painful and give men enormous egos to compensate. With boundless humor, Parallel Lives reexamines the ongoing quest to find parity and love.
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$20
Phone: 719-634-5581
Saturday, September 9
2017 DOGGIE SPLASH
It’s a day for dog lovers at the Doggie Splash and Pet Expo with vendors in the pet business, a dog swim, and an excuse for dog lovers to enjoy their canine companions, assorted concessions and like-minded camaraderie!
Westridge Rec Center, 9650 Foothills Canyon Rd., Highlands Ranch
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Admission: $10
Phone: 303-791-2500
JOHN MULANEY: KID GORGEOUS
John Mulaney is an Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian who most recently starred in the Broadway hit, Oh, Hello on Broadway alongside Nick Kroll. In 2015 Mulaney released his third stand-up special, The Comeback Kid, a Netflix Original which was hailed as “the best hour of his career.” In 2008, he began writing at Saturday Night Live where he appeared as a “Weekend Update” correspondent and co-created characters such as Stefon with Bill Hader. He’s been called one of the best stand-up comics alive and currently writes for IFC’s Documentary Now and for Netflix’s Big Mouth.
Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$35
Saturday-Sunday, September 9-10
29TH ANNUAL CASTLE ROCK ARTFEST
Historic downtown Castle Rock provides the perfect canvas for the 29th Annual Colorado Artfest, a juried fine art show with artists from across the country. This summertime tradition for residents and art enthusiasts highlights the talents of more than 170 exhibitors displaying a wide range of works from life-size sculptures to photography and jewelry. Artfest will feature continual live main stage entertainment with popular musicians, as well as strolling entertainers, plus there’s an Artfest Store and silent auction. To tantalize your taste buds, there will be food and beverage vendors aplenty, as well as an Imagination Zone for children.
Outlets at Castle Rock Parking Lot, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sat., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Admission: $3-$5 (children under 16, FREE)
BARKER DAYS
This annual event welcomes hundreds of dogs and dog owners to one of several swimming events in September! Barker Days features a temporary dog park in the O’Brien Park ball field and the H2O’Brien Pool, dog demonstrations, contests and dog-related vendors.
O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Dr., Parker
9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
DOGGIE PLUNGE!
On this fun-filled day, hundreds of pooches will take the plunge yet again with other four-legged swimmers as Pirates Cove Aquatic Center goes to the dogs. The 10th Annual Doggie Plunge is a popular, fun-filled fundraiser for dogs (and their humans) to enjoy, benefitting Freedom Service Dogs. Families can enjoy food trucks and the best time ever with their doggie friends.
Pirates Cove Aquatic Park, 1225 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
$15 per dog
POOCH PLUNGE
The dog days of summer are nearing an end, and what better way to celebrate than with one last splash at Butterfield Crossing Pool with your favorite canine? Come join a pool full of dogs and dog-lovers for a splashing great time! Play games, win prizes or just take a dip with your furry friends. Admission is free, but donations are accepted to benefit the Denver Dumb Friends League Buddy Center.
Butterfield Crossing Park, 3952 W. Butterfield, Castle Rock
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-814-7457
CHILIFEST!
The annual Chilifest helps the Boy Scouts of Troup 780 in Castle Rock fund its high-adventure program. You can help send the boys to places like Northern Tier for a canoe trip, to Sea Base for diving and sailing excursions, and to Philmont for hiking and backpacking trips. Supporting scouting and high-adventure helps shape tomorrow’s leaders and this Chilifest includes live music, a silent auction, a car smash, bounce house, and a Jaws of Life demonstration from the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department. Plus, you can enter your chili for a chance to win in either the professional, amateur or scout categories!
Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
4:00-8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8-$10
Sunday, September 10
SMIRK
What happens when a former scientist and a Ringling Brothers clown put together a show? You get Smirk! Physical comedian Reid Belstock and juggling ace Warren Hammond entertain audiences with all the subtlety of an atom smasher. Reid plays a maniacal goofball to Warren’s straight man inviting comparisons to Abbott and Costello. The award-winning duo embodies the best of family entertainment: a visual display of human skill; precision that amazes audiences; and timeless humor that delights all ages.
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
1:30 and 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5
LET’S MAKE SOAP!
Teens and adults, ages 16 and over, are invited to come together to collectively make a batch of soap! Learn a little about the history of soap-making from Denise Hopkins, of Caramel Apple Farm, and about the process of making milk-based, homemade soaps. The best part? You can do this in your very own kitchen and each participant will walk away with a bar of soap they helped to create, plus a soap recipe.
Lone Tree Library
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Phone: 303-791-7323
Monday, September 11
MUGGLE MAGIC
Welcome to Hogwarts! Kids ages 8 to 12 will explore how to make different potions that change color, as well as make things disappear and reappear. Plus, kids will learn how to make troll boogers, quicksand and boo bubbles! Register here!
Philip S. Miller Library/CR Bank Room, 100 S. Wilcox, Castle Rock
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Phone: 303-791-7323
Wednesday, September 13
FALL SWING GOLF TOURNEY
This 18-hole, two-flight, four-person scramble tournament is not only loads of fun but all the proceeds will help underwrite services for seniors at the Castle Rock Senior Center. Entrants will receive breakfast and lunch, and compete for prizes including contest holes, and other giveaways. Don’t delay – register today!
Bear Dance Golf Club, 6630 Bear Dance Dr., Larkspur
8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Cost: $175 per player
Celebrate the Dog Days in Crystal Valley
Fall will soon be in the air at the master-planned community of Crystal Valley, just minutes from downtown Castle Rock’s boutiques and eateries. If you are a home buyer in search of a neighborhood, check out the beautiful new home designs from Richmond American Homes and D.R. Horton available in ranch or two-story models and priced from the high $300s. And – coming soon – new homes by Kauffman Homes!
