Crystal Valley Blog

If you are a fan of stand-up comedy, children’s theatre, music, dance, and/or humpback whales, there is an event for you this weekend in the Castle Rock area! Several nationally-acclaimed comedians will be appearing on stage, some right in your backyard! With high-quality children’s theatre locally available, the entire family can enjoy an afternoon or evening out together. And if you’re a Pink Floyd fan, you won’t want to miss the symphonic performance of Dark Side of the Moon! It’s all the entertainment you want, right here in the Castle Rock vicinity!

TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, March 8

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON SYMPHONY
See both sides of the moon in this extraordinary musical experience when The Black Jacket Symphony performs an instrumental version of Pink Floyd’s renowned Dark Side of the Moon. Part symphonic interpretation of the music that highlights the musicianship of classical concerts and part rock-concert with a stunning light show, this performance will have you fully enthralled! 

The Black Jacket Symphony puts a unique spin on classic albums with live instrumental concerts, performing the selected album in its entirety. Musicians are hand-picked specifically for each performance, according to their ability to reproduce the musical stylings of the featured group’s classic production. From a true symphonic piece to a laid-back and uninhibited orchestration, this performance of Pink Floyd’s classic album will take you to another dimension!

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs              
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$30
Phone: 719-520-SHOW

Thursday-Saturday, March 8-10

LIVING BIG WITH IAN BAGG!
Those Canadian comedians always make us laugh! Ian Bagg is among them, making it big in New York City and ending up on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, as well as other late-night shows including The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. He also appeared on Make Me Laugh, NBC’s Fridays, and Showcase Comics with Louie Anderson. A diverse actor, you might recognize him from movies like Tim Robbins’ The Cradle Will Rock, MVP 2, and MXP or appearances on the History Channel, the Food Network, and the Biography Channel. 

He originally went to school to become an explosives engineer, but ended up with a stockpile of volatile jokes instead. Since Bagg is a master at audience interaction, you never know what to expect—no two shows are alike! His humor explodes with all of the energy of a hockey game, his favorite sport. Don’t miss your chance to get bowled over by this bigger-than-life comedian!

Comedy Works-South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $17-$25
Phone: 720-274-6800

Thursday-Sunday, March 8-11

THE WORLD OF WHALES IN 3D!
The IMAX® 3D experience gives you the chance to see how truly majestic and remarkable these beautiful creatures are! You will marvel at this most acrobatic of all whales and be moved by their haunting songs as you swim with the humpbacks, a species that nearly went extinct 50 years ago but have made a miraculous recovery. Narrated by two-time Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor, Humpback Whales 3D is an extraordinary journey into the mysterious world of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring marine mammals. 

You will journey to the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii and the remote islands of Tonga for an up-close look at how these whales communicate, sing, feed, play and take care of their young. Join a team of researchers as they unlock the secrets of the humpback, including why these intelligent, 55-foot, 50-ton animals migrate up to 10,000 miles round-trip every year.

CU South Denver, 10035 S. Peoria St., Lone Tree
10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8-$10
Phone: 303-315-9444

Friday, March 9

BALLET 101 WITH COLORADO BALLET!
Do you know the five positions in ballet? What about the three arm positions? And what are you supposed to do with your hands? Have you ever wondered what pointe shoes are made of? If you would like to know more about the basics of ballet, this is your chance to get the answers straight from the experts! Through the Douglas County Libraries’ “Learn About” series for adults, Colorado Ballet will make a special appearance to educate you on the basic movements, history of ballet, and more! Your questions are welcome!

James H. LaRue Library, 9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Highlands Ranch
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-791-7323

HOW I BECAME A PIRATE – LIVE ON STAGE!
“Pirates have green teeth—when they have any teeth at all. I know about pirates, because one day, when I was at the beach building a sand castle and minding my own business, a pirate ship sailed into view…” So begins young Jeremy Jacobs’ tale, brought to life in a swashbuckling musical excursion the whole family will love!

Based on the popular children’s book by Melinda Long, this engaging production follows Jeremy on his nautical adventures with a band of comical pirates in their search for the perfect place to bury their treasure. Jeremy is recruited when the captain observes his talents for digging in the sand! You can’t help but delight in songs inspired by pirate hygiene (“Green Teeth”) and a pirate ballad “I’m Really Just a Sensitive Guy,” a hilarious nod to the hidden poet’s soul of a pirate. The infectious energy of singing and dancing pirates will have the kids—and you—ready to board the next pirate ship you see!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $12
Phone: 303-805-6800

LAUGH WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS—AND AL GOODWIN
You don’t need to venture far to catch some hilarious stand-up comedy—enjoy an evening of comic relief at Southridge! Allan Goodwin has been making people laugh all across the country in comedy clubs, theatres, cruise lines, resorts, and military bases. He was a winner on America’s Funniest People, and has made other TV appearances, including Laughs on Fox, The Billy Bush Show, and in several PBS commercials. If you aren’t familiar with Goodwin, this show is a must-see because at an Al Goodwin show, “laughter is always guaranteed.” This event is for adults only (21 and older). A cash bar will be available. 

Southridge Rec Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$15
Phone: 303-791-2500

Friday-Sunday, March 9-11

AESOP’S ANDROCLES AND THE LION – ON STAGE!
Children and adults will delight in this familiar tale, adapted from one of Aesop’s favorite fables. A story of the power of friendship and compassion, this play illustrates the good that comes from helping a stranger. This version for the stage playfully casts the characters in the style of Italian commedia dell’arte, using stock comedic characters to portray the fable in a funny theatrical experience. Androcles and the Lion is a prize-winning play that has been applauded around the world again and again! A rollicking performance, full of zany comedy and the warmth of friendship, this is a play your family will love! The performance is recommended for children ages 5 and older.

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, March 10

CATAPULT – DANCING WITH SHADOWS!
Maybe you remember them from Season Eight of America’s Got Talent: that mesmerizing dance troupe that created characters and scenarios with nothing more than light and shadows. With ingenious placement of lights and huge backdrops, Catapult creates not only human characters but houses, pianos, teepees, animals and more with nothing but the shadows of their bodies!

The art of weaving shadows into stories has been around for a thousand years, but never before has it been elevated to such an art form. Dance, music, and the duality of light and darkness come together to create stories of love and peace and countless others. Don’t miss your chance to see Catapult, the avant-garde shadow-dancing group, when they make their appearance in Parker!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $34-$39
Phone: 303-805-6800

ANOTHER CHANCE TO LAUGH – COMEDIAN JO KOY!
With inspiration gleaned from his family–specifically his young son–Jo Koy created two highly-rated specials for Comedy Central: Don’t Make Him Angry and Lights Out. If these scenarios sound all too familiar, you won’t want to miss Koy in this evening of hilarity!

At his first national TV appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno back in 2005, he received a standing ovation. He has moved on to appear in more than 100 episodes of Chelsea Lately and can be heard weekly as a guest on The Adam Carolla Show podcast. His comedy special Jo Koy: Live from Seattle was released as a Netflix Original in 2017. Now he is selling out clubs and theaters around the country.

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs              
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $38-$48
Phone: 719-520-SHOW

Sunday, March 11

LEARN HOW TO FLAMENCO!
Don’t miss this one-time-only chance to participate in a master class taught by the “Keeper of Flamenco” herself, Carlota Santana, when she comes to Parker to perform with her dance troupe! Prior to her company’s professional flamenco performance at the PACE Center, Santana will offer a master class to increase participants’ awareness and understanding of flamenco dance. In this hands-on workshop, participants will receive instruction in rhythmic handclaps (palmas), arm movements (braceo), body posturing (marcaje), and footwork (taconeo). By the end of the class, participants will weave newly-learned flamenco techniques into a simple choreographed dance. This class is for ages 15 and older.

PACE Center Dance Studio, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
9:30-10:45 a.m.
Tickets: $15-$17
Phone: 303-805-6800

CARLOTA SANTANA’S FLAMENCO DANCE COMPANY! 
An art form rich in history, flamenco dance is as vibrant and vivid as it is culturally significant. You won’t want to miss Carlota Santana’s authentic dance company, Flamenco Vivo, as they whirl in a blur of colorful Spanish dance moves to create a dramatic, cutting-edge performance. Named “The Keeper of Flamenco” by Dance Magazine and honored by the King and Government of Spain for “all the years of passion, excellence and dedication to the flamenco art,” Santana is an internationally-renowned flamenco dance artist and educator. She takes Flamenco Vivo in bold new directions, creating an artistic experience with a wonderful, traditional vibe.

Evolving from the interactions of many cultures, including Moors, Jews, Andalusians, and Romani, flamenco is an art form that grew over the centuries in southern Spain. You will be mesmerized as Flamenco Vivo’s dancers, singers and musicians perform this most expressive folkloric genre, revealing visions of life full of pride, passion, honor, love, and sorrow.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $39-$44
Phone: 303-805-6800

A  Variety of Comedy and Entertainment Near Crystal Valley!

It’s a good time for comedy in the Crystal Valley area, as well as other events your family will love! You will find a wide variety of choices, including exciting live performances on stages less than 25 minutes away from the master-planned community, nestled in nature. Stop by the stunning models offered by D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes, and Richmond American Homes, available in ranch and two-story designs and priced from the high $300s.