Crystal Valley Blog

What’s happening this weekend? If you have nature-lovers in the family, you won’t want to miss a National Geographic presentation about an African wildlife park, or maybe your kids would enjoy a hands-on fishing class! You can take a “wine walk” in Parker, enjoy amazing dance watch a body-building competition, and the music offerings include a larger-than-life Philharmonic concert, frontier storytelling, and more!.

Thursday-Saturday, May 17-19

SARAH COLONNA ON STAGE!
If you love Sarah Colonna’s straightforward and hilarious approach as a popular roundtable regular on Chelsea Lately, you’ll love seeing her live stand-up comedy routine! Colonna is a best-selling author, comedian, writer, and actress who has served as a full-time writer on Chelsea Lately, as well as a producer, writer and star of the show’s spin-off scripted series After Lately.

In addition to her Lately work, Colonna can also be seen in hilarious comedy roles including on Back in the Day, Paradise, Battle Creek, Killing Hasselhoff, and Monk. She will be starring in the upcoming Netflix series Insatiable. Her first book, Life as I Blow It, debuted at #5 on the New York Times Bestseller list and was sold to NBC to be developed for television.

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

Friday, May 18

NATURE ROARS BACK – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE!
The true and courageous story of re-building a wildlife park on the verge of destruction! When civil war threatened the existence of Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park, rangers, scientists, and a passionate cinematographer from National Geographic stepped up to tackle perhaps the biggest conservation project on the planet. At stake are Gorongosa’s majestic animals— lions, crocs, elephants–and the spectacularly scenic land itself, all of which Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Bob Poole has captured in a new six-part PBS/Nat Geo International series.

Join Poole in this fascinating presentation accompanied by his stunning images as he shares how his childhood in East Africa led to a fierce curiosity about the natural world as well as an adventurous spirit. He’ll tell how he cracked the “Gorongosa code”—learning to read the landscape and find prime locations for filming the park’s spectacular wildlife. Don’t miss the acclaimed cinematographer and filmmaker as he shares unforgettable images and stories of Gorongosa’s majestic animals—and learn how the wild places we’ve broken can be put back together.

Lone Tree Arts Center, Main Stage, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$35
Phone: 720-509-1000

SHINE – A YOUTH TALENT SHOW!
Like America’s Got Talent for the 7-14 set, this performance and talent competition gives young performing artists in dance, vocal, and instrumental music the chance to Shine! Young solo and ensemble musicians and dancers will perform and compete in this family-friendly talent show that is run with utmost professionalism by American Academy Performing Arts. This annual competition is designed to provide a superior performance and competitive experience while providing an event where young performers’ passion for the arts can be showcased.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Phone: 720-292-5686

DOWNTOWN WINE WALK
Downtown Parker in the springtime is made even more enjoyable with this leisurely walk, tasting wines and discovering the many shops and restaurants! Get together with friends or make new ones as you sample a variety of wines and tasty bites in Downtown Parker. This event is sponsored by the Parker Chamber of Commerce.

Mainstreet in Downtown Parker
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $15
Phone: 303-841-4268

Friday-Saturday, May 18-19

AN UPDATED GREEK MYTH – ON STAGE!
In an ambitious re-telling of the Greek tragedy Antigone, playwright Melissa Cooper transports the familiar ancient tale of war and family loyalties to a vaguely post-apocalyptic present day: a contemporary bombed-out city still feeling the aftershocks of war. 

The modern version of the heroine, Antigone, is just as rebellious and intense, and she still defies her uncle in a campaign to bury and honor her disgraced brother. Threads of moral imperatives like those found in Gladiator will resonate with young audiences. And Cooper’s poetic and accessible prose make the universal story both beautiful and easily understood. This presentation of Antigone Now by Lutheran High School is a must-see! 

Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 E. Main St., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Phone: 303-805-6800

Friday-Sunday, May 18-20

FINAL WEEKEND – FULLY COMMITTED!
How does one out-of-work actor handle a barrage of desperate diners in Manhattan’s premiere restaurant? One at a time! This devastatingly funny one-act play follows a day in the life of Sam Peliczowski as he mans the red-hot reservation line at the trendiest spot in New York. Everyone who calls must get in—and sit at the table of their choice!  

This is your last chance to see the regional premiere of Fully Committed, “a richly comic affirmation about the bad behavior that good food can inspire” (New York Times). Don’t miss out on the laughs as a cast of desperate callers (all played by a single brilliant actor) will do anything to land a prime reservation at the right table!

Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 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, May 19

HOOKED ON FISHING
Warning: once you introduce your kids to the joys of fishing, it will be an ongoing adventure for the entire family! Join experts from the Colorado Division of Wildlife as they lead this fun and educational class for kids ages 6-11.

Everything is provided as kids learn first about ecology and the art of angling—then, it’s on to the pond to fish! Two sessions of this class will be held rain or shine, and parents must accompany their children. 

Redstone Pond, 3280 Redstone Park Cir., Highlands Ranch 
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $11 – $15

SONGS AND TALES FROM THE COLORADO TRAILS
Frontier fun for the entire family! Dressed in typical 1860s attire, Susannah and Jackson tell tales of crossing the plains, interspersed with some of the best loved pioneer songs, accompanied by guitar, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, mandolin, harmonica, and autoharp. 

Stories include accounts of real-life Colorado pioneer women such as Clara Brown, Chipeta Silverheels, Rattlesnake Kate, and Matilda Godfrey. Other tales are about Native Americans, miners, cowboys, and ranchers. You can count on lots of audience participation and an appearance by the Lumberjack family!

Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 E. Main St., Parker
10:00 a.m.
Tickets: $5
Phone: 303-805-6800

MEET BESTSELLING AUTHOR JESSICA KNOLL

If you loved the bestselling novel, Luckiest Girl Alive, you won’t want to miss your chance to meet author Jessica Knoll! In this meet-and-greet evening at the Lone Tree Library, you’ll have a chance to hear about her latest book, The Favorite Sister, a blisteringly-paced thriller!

Lone Tree Library, 10055 Library Way, Lone Tree
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-791-7323

CHAMBER MUSIC WITH MOZART AND HAYDN
Known for their authentic and intimate performances much like the original settings the pieces were created for, the Boulder Chamber Orchestra is the premier Chamber Ensemble in Colorado. This group goes above and beyond typical classical performances to bring rarely performed classical gems to audiences. 

This concert includes Mozart’s beloved Symphony No. 36 as well as Haydn’s Sinfornia Concertante for Violin, Cello and Bassoon. These pieces are considered masterpieces of the classical era which are rarely performed in the current American classical music scene.

Lone Tree Arts Center, Main Stage, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $13-$28
Phone: 720-509-1000

Saturday-Sunday, May 19-20

ROME COMES TO LIFE AT THE PHILHARMONIC! 

Treat yourself to the larger-than-life symphony of the ages—Ottorino Respighi’s Roman Festivals! In capturing the vividness of life in ancient Rome, the composer admitted to using the “maximum of orchestral sonority and color.” In the first movement, the ferocious roaring of wild beasts comes across loud and clear, thanks to a cacophony from the bass clarinet, bassoons, contrabassoon, horns, trombones, tuba, timpani, cellos, and basses. By the final Epiphany movement, no holds are barred as the scene is depicted as vividly as a photograph (New York Philharmonic).

Also on the program is Ravel’s Alborada Dal Gracioso, Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen. Awaken your senses to the enlivening sounds of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic in a concert not for the timid!

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $24-$73
Phone: 719-520-SHOW

Sunday, May 20

PARKER FARMERS’ MARKET
Did you know—each American consumes, on average, 53 pounds of bread per year, and a family of four could live for 10 years off the bread produced by one acre of wheat? At the Parker Farmer’s Market, open every Sunday this summer, you can shop for homemade bread in addition to all the freshest produce and artisan foods! With over 70 vendors in attendance, you will want to bring several shopping bags!

Mainstreet in Downtown Parker
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-693-3662

CLASH OF THE TITANS – LIVE!
For a truly unique way to spend a Sunday, come watch this Bodybuilding and Fitness Event with athletes from all around the country showing off their hard work and dedication for themselves and the sport! 

The morning portion of the event is where the athletes showcase their physiques and are pre-judged, and after an intermission, the night show is where they will battle it out for the honor of winning the title!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25
Phone: 303-805-6800

DREAM CATCHERS DANCE ENSEMBLE!
What better way than through dance can we come to understand what our dreams mean? In this new work by Cleo Parker Robinson, Dream Catchers is an invitation to heed the power of dreams to help shape a greater humanity. This dance theatre piece for the entire family transports the imagination to a distant time by looking at the lost stories of historic visionaries of the Americas. Their epic experiences and adventures are brought to life through extreme artistry, followed by an interactive demonstration and discussion to help kids understand and address issues relating to diversity, respect, and social harmony.

The Passport to Culture series is specifically designed for children and families to experience arts and culture outside the classroom and inside a world of imagination through performances, workshops and pure entertainment to foster the growth of visual and performing arts, science and cultural understanding in our community.

Lone Tree Arts Center, Main Stage, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $5
Phone: 720-509-1000

Community is Key in Crystal Valley!

Visit Crystal Valley this weekend for a taste of nature and happiness and the community that connects people and places. The neighbors who become friends in this master-planned community are proud of their homes and their camaraderie. Why not visit the inviting models by D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes, and Richmond American Homes, priced from the high $300s, and find one that’s perfect for you?