Crystal Valley Blog

You don’t need to go far to find great entertainment this weekend! With a variety of events from the first Oktoberfest celebration of the season to a jazz concert to neighborhood comedy performances, you have your choice of great entertainment. There are also plenty of family-friendly events like the Fine Arts and Music Festival in Parker and great children’s theatre—even a fairy-tale ball for the youngest children! 

TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, September 20

ART AND WINE!
What could be more brilliant than pairing fine wine with the best contemporary art? Taste and learn about four carefully selected wines that have been paired specifically to reflect the art in the exhibition! 

Artist Linda Fleming is featured in this solo exhibition, and GOCA curator Daisy McGowan will lead a guided experience of her work. Whether you are a novice or an aficionado of art and wine, this event will provide intelligent context for understanding (and savoring!) the fermented berries as well as the works of art! 

GOCA Downtown, Plaza of the Rockies, 121 S. Tejon, Suite 100, Colorado Springs              
5:30 p.m.
Tickets: $40
719-255-3232

Friday, September 21

JUST FOR KIDS – FAIRY TALE BALL!
For little ones ages 3-6, this event will make their dreams come true! All ages are welcome, but this special Fairy Tale Ball is geared towards younger children. Come dressed in your favorite fairy tale costume and let the magic begin. Come one, come all to the Fairy Tale Ball, where favorite fairy tales are brought to life!

James H. LaRue Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-791-7323

JUST FOR ADULTS – TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE BAR
What could be better than star gazing at an outdoor party with live music? When all of the above occurs at a castle! The Cherokee Ranch & Castle presents a stellar show—just by looking up! 

The Castle Pines Astronomy Club will have two telescopes for viewing the night sky from the castle tower, and a cash bar will be on hand for libations and delicious bites. Topping it off is a live guitarist to set the mood! Reservations are required, and all guests must be 21 and over. 

Cherokee Ranch, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
7:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Tickets: $5 Cover Charge + 1 drink minimum
Phone: 303-688-5555

FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ!
Enjoy some of Colorado’s best jazz musicians right in the heart of Parker! The Friday Night Jazz Series at the newly renovated Schoolhouse Theater delivers a jazz club vibe, with a mix of classic and contemporary styles. 

This performance features the ever-popular Robert Johnson, along with saxophonist Bob Rebholz and the CJRO rhythm section, performing selections popularized by Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder. Enjoy a classy evening out on the town— designed with jazz lovers in mind!

Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $24-$29
Phone: 303-805-6800

 Friday-Saturday, September 21-22

BLOCKBUSTER BROADWAY WITH THE POPS!

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Pops welcomes guest vocalists straight from New York in this celebration of Broadway’s biggest blockbusters! You’ll hear all your favorite show-stopping tunes from hit musicals The Phantom of the Opera, Annie, Jersey Boys, The Sound of Music, The Lion King, Les Miserables, and more! No need to travel to Broadway to get a taste of the Big Apple!

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs          
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$75
719-520-7469    

IT’S—WHITNEY!
Straight from the NBC comedy series, Whitney, that she created and starred in, Whitney Cummings is just as funny on stage as she is on TV! She was also the co-creator and co-writer of the Emmy-nominated CBS comedy series, 2 Broke Girls, and was an executive producer on the ABC revival of Roseanne.

Cummings has also appeared on the big screen in Unforgettable, The Wedding Ringer, Made of Honor, and The Ridiculous Six. Her first book I’m Fine… and Other Lies has just been released, and her film directorial debut, The Female Brain, is available for streaming. Don’t miss this talented and funny comedian when she takes the stand-up stage!

Comedy Works-South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
7:15 and 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $32
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday-Sunday, September 21-23

COLORADO ARABIAN HORSE CLUB FALL SHOW!
Don’t miss the majesty and athleticism of these beautiful horses and talented riders in the Arabian Horse Club Fall Show! This versatile show includes the Region 8 Cow Horse Championships, as well as other events in Western riding, including herd work, reining, working cow horse and ranch riding. It’s also the CAHC Halter and Performance Show, with English events including hunter, English pleasure, mounted costume and more! 

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
Fri./Sat., 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sun., 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
303-646-6242

CHILDREN’S THEATRE – GO, DOG, GO!
See dogs snorkel. See dogs howl at the moon. See dogs ride a Ferris wheel. See dogs sing and dance and climb trees. Based on P.D. Eastman’s book, this is a big and little musical world of doggy fun. Like a pop-up book that comes to life – and never stops!

“With its gentle, bouncy humor and familiar situations, Go, Dog, Go! would make a fitting introduction to theater for even the youngest children, and has enough sly wit to satisfy older children and parents” (The Columbus Dispatch).

Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs
Fri., 6:00 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$20
Phone: 719-634-5581

Saturday, September 22

5K OKTOBERFEST RUN
Before you take part in the Highlands Ranch Oktoberfest celebration later in the day, get up and head out to the Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk! Don your lederhosen for this fun and fast course that has a total ascent of 144ft and reaches a max elevation of 5,773ft. The race course is family and pet friendly, so bring your strollers and dogs on leashes!

Starting and finishing on Dorchester Street, the course will take you through neighborhoods, along the Foothills Trail and Diamond K Trail, past Kistler Park, and back through neighborhoods to Town Center South. All participants will receive a race t-shirt, a custom race bib, and all-you-can-eat pancakes at the post-race party!

Town Center South, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch 
9:00 a.m.
Registration: $25-$45

OKTOBERFEST AT HIGHLANDS RANCH!
It’s everyone’s favorite time of year, and you don’t need to be German to enjoy this celebration! The fun-filled day is a family-friendly affair, with magic, balloons, and games for the kids! And everyone will enjoy the highlight of the day—the Dachshund Races!

This great cultural event features German food, music, and, of course, great biers from Paulaner. With live entertainment including German dance performances, The Average German Band, and the Blu Rose Variety Band, it’s an evening of non-stop entertainment!

Town Center South, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch 
2:00 – 10:00 p.m
Cost: FREE

MOVIN’ AND GROOVIN’ FAMILY VIDEO SCREENING
See movie magic created by talented teams in our own community! The Family Video Challenge offered the opportunity for teams of at least one adult and one child to create a video that moves us to tears or laughter, inspires us with heart, or gets us groovin’ to the beat. All the videos have been submitted, and now is your chance to see the results! Come out for this family-friendly screening that also includes light refreshments while you watch!

Parker Library Event Hall A/B, 20105 East Mainstreet, Parker
3:00-5:00 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-791-7323

COMEDY AND COCKTAILS WITH JAY LARSON!
Chances are good that you will recognize this talented and funny comedian from one of his many roles on TV, the silver screen, and as a nationally-touring standup comic. Jay Larson starred in the critically-acclaimed thriller, The Invitation, and had a recurring role in David Lynch’s 2017 Emmy-nominated series, Twin Peaks. He has appeared multiple times on Conan, The Late Late Show, and Comedy Central, and currently entertains a large audience every week with his wildly popular podcast, The CrabFeast. 

What better place to enjoy this hilarious stand-up comedian than in a hometown setting with friends, enjoying a drink and having a laugh together? The newly-renovated Schoolhouse Theater in downtown Parker provides an intimate space that’s perfect for a lively and spontaneous comedy experience. While the 7:00 p.m. performance will feature the “clean” version of the comedian’s act, the 9:30 p.m. performance will include adult content and is intended for mature audiences, so please use your discretion to decide which is best for you!

Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker
7:00 and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $24-$29
Phone: 303-805-6800

Saturday-Sunday, September 22-23

FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL!
This family-friendly day out in the beautiful Colorado countryside offers a myriad of fun fall activities, including picking pumpkins in the “Best Pumpkin Patch of 2017,” according to the Parker Small Business Excellence Group! Other activities include an awesome corn maze, a kids’ hay bale maze and obstacle course, duck races, a tractor-pulled hay ride, bounce houses, a climbing wall, a petting zoo, and more!

While at the Fall Festival, you can enjoy an artisan pizza prepared and wood-fired by Colorado Pizza Company. Every visitor to the Fall Festival will receive either a free mini-pumpkin or mini-gourd!

Flat Acres Farm, 11321 Dransfeldt Rd., Parker 
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m
Cost: $5-$12

PARKER FINE ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Enjoy a day in your community browsing among stunning artworks by national artists—and even select and purchase your own art treasures! The entire family will enjoy perusing the displays in the park and catching one of the last free outdoor concerts of the year! 

Live music on the Festival Stage includes the Hazel Miller Band, Scarecrow Revival, Ponder The Albatross, Band On The Fence, Doc & Kit, Tullis Blues and more. Limited seating is provided for the music show, and lawn chairs are welcome.

O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Dr., Parker
Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-916-5711

Sunday, September 23

MASTERS OF THE BAND UNIVERSE
Travel through time with the Denver Concert Band as they present an epic concert of some of the greatest works from master composers of concert band music! From Joseph Wilcox Jenkins’ American Overture and Gustav Holst’s unforgettable First Suite in E Flat to the imagination of Johan de Meij’s Gandalf from Lord of the Rings and Robert Russell Bennett’s arrangement of My Fair Lady, you will be inspired by the musical mosaic represented in this concert! 

The Denver Concert Band has been going strong for 57 years, with a talented all-volunteer community of musicians performing year-round in Colorado. Known for their rich sound and delightful variety of music, there is something for everyone in their performances!

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$20
Phone: 720-509-1000

Family-Friendly Crystal Valley

Castle Rock is so close to the master-planned community of Crystal Valley you can scoot over and find plenty of family-friendly things to do. Then head to the beautiful model homes from Richmond American Homes, Kauffman Homes, and D.R. Horton and see the variety of ranch and two-story designs, priced from the $300s.