Crystal Valley Blog

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend and next, check out this assortment of art festivals, concerts, comedy, a youth triathlon and the WWE! From Castle Rock and Lone Tree to the Springs, there’s something for everyone!

TODAY/TONIGHT: Thursday, September 8

TWENTY HANDS HIGH 
Twenty Hands High performs modern and classic country, as well as your favorite Southern rock and “red dirt” tunes. This lively group plays a dynamic mix of songs to get you dancin’ in nothin’ flat! The five-member band has a knack for engaging an audience and inviting everyone to be part of the show with the kind of stage energy that proves they’re doing what they love! Grab your friends and your boots and prepare to get ROWDY! The event includes delicious heavy appetizers. Castle doors and bar open at 6:00 p.m.; Castle Tours 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Appetizers: 7:00 p.m.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
Show Starts: 7:30 p.m.
Reservations Required
Box Office: 303-688-5555

Thursday-Saturday, September 8-10

PAT MCGANN LIVE!
Pat McGann began stand up at the age of 31. He hustled his way to become the house MC at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished himself as especially adept at working the crowd.

Pat’s appeal stems from his quick wit & relatable take on family life & marriage. In 2017, McGann began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco, moving with him from clubs, to theater, and to arenas, including 4 sold out shows at Madison Square Garden. McGann’s relatively appearances include The Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, The Great American Comedy Festival and the Nashville Comedy Fest.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri./Sat, 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $16-$24
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday, September 9

BERLIN: FEATURING TERRI NUNN
The sensational synth electro-pop band Berlin is coming to Parker Arts! Berlin is best known for their international #1 hit, “Take My Breath Away,” which was featured in the 1986 film Top Gun starring Tom Cruise and won Berlin an Academy Award and Golden Globe for “Best Original Song.”

Few bands emerging from the era of Berlin have achieved as far-reaching and long-lasting an impact. Headed by singer Terri Nunn, bassist John Crawford, and keyboard player David Diamond, the band has produced their fair share of top hits, including “Sex (I’m A…)” from the platinum-selling debut EP Pleasure Victim in 1982, “The Metro,” and “No More Words.” Their decades-long career includes 12 gold and platinum album awards, nine studio albums and three live albums.

Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $74
Phone: 303-805-6800

ARAPAHOE PHILHARMONIC: SCHEHERAZADE!
Sail across the ocean through Rimksy-Korsakov’s sparkling “Scheherazade.” Then jump into pirate battles with Korngold’s suite from The Sea Hawk, and the overture to Berlioz’s “Le corsaire.” Finally, take a flight with Peter Pan through music by John Williams from the movie Hook! Pirate dress is encouraged!

The Arapahoe Philharmonic’s mission is to engage, enrich and inspire our community through musical performance, education and outreach.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$37
Phone: 720-509-1000

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Dave Matthews Band is one of the most influential bands in rock history. In 1991, vocalist/guitarist Dave Matthews decided to put some songs he had written on tape and sought the assistance of drummer Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore, who were both accomplished jazz musicians in the local Charlottesville, VA music scene. 16-year-old bassist Stefan Lessard came on board shortly thereafter. Their infectious, distinctive sound garnered lots of early attention and a die-hard loyal fan base, catapulting the band into one of the most successful touring acts of the past three decades.

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village
7:30 p.m.
Tickets $49-$155
Information: 303-229-7000

Friday-Saturday, September 9-10

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOOK & PAPER FAIR
For collectors, book lovers and photography fans, don’t miss the largest book and paper fair in the Rocky Mountain region. You’ll find rare books, ephemera, first editions, signed books, maps, Americana, posters, art prints, brochures, postcards, children’s books, photography and more! Have you been on a quest for a special item? This is your opportunity to find it or something you never expected. Knowledgeable exhibitors from across the country will offer thousands of collectibles under one roof. 

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
Fri., 2:00-7:00 p.m.; Sat., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5

BRANDI CARLILE LIVE
Brandi Carlile started singing as a young girl and first performed with her mother at age 8 on the song “Tennessee Flat Top Box.” She began playing guitar and writing songs and was signed by Columbia at age 23 by Columbia Records. Carlile is a five-time Grammy winner and best known for the hits “By the Way,” and “I Forgive You.” 

Joining Brandi will be the Indico Girls, Lucius and Allison Russell.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $56.50+

Saturday, September 10

FARMER’S MARKET AT THE FAIRGROUNDS
Castle Rock Farmers Market is a food and agriculture-based Farmers Market that has been bringing a variety of local farmers with local produce and artisan food to Castle Rock for over 30 years. Come shop at one of the last true Farmers Markets in the area, every Saturday mid-June through the first week in October. 

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
FREE

UNCHARTED MUSIC SERIES: MARY FAHL
With “a voice for the gods that can transport listeners to other realms” (Boston Globe), Mary Fahl is an expressive, emotional singer/songwriter who first achieved fame as lead singer and co-founder of the mid-1990s NYC- based chamber-pop group October Project, a band known for their lush harmonies, sweeping melodies and Fahl’s unique and powerful vocals. After two records on Epic, the band disbanded, but Fahl had more freedom to pursue her own muse, whether that meant writing and recording songs for movies (including the theme for the Civil War epic “Gods and Generals”), singing arias and medieval Spanish songs for Sony Classical or releasing a unique album-length take on “Dark Side of the Moon.”

Fahl’s music has a timeless quality that she conveys with earthy, viscerally powerful contralto that bridges the generational gap between Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny and London Grammar’s Hannah Reid. Her elegant, cinematic songs have a hauntingly gothic romanticism that inspired renowned writer Anne Rice to portray Mary’s voice emanating from a dead woman’s room in her 2013 novel “The Wolves of Midwinter.”

Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $29
Phone: 303-805-6800

WWE – WRESTLEMANIA!
That’s right, the WWE Saturday Night main event will dazzle fans in Colorado Springs this weekend! It’s guaranteed to be a night full of drama, surprises, and shenanigans! See your favorite RAW superstar in one of several events: from the Six Woman Tag Team Match featuring Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka vs. Bayley, Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai, the United States Championship match with Bobby Lashley vs. Ciampa

Plus, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, The Judgement, & many more of your favorite RAW superstars!

Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., Colorado Springs
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $19-$109

MOUNTAIN HEART WITH JEREMY GARRETT
“The quintet stays true its bluegrass roots, they add R&B, country, and jazz alongside some heavenly harmonies and brilliant musicianship creating a high-energy, soulful sound.” The Daily Country

Mountain Heart is the band that has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way acoustic music can be presented and played. The band’s name has been synonymous with cutting-edge excellence in acoustic music circles since the group’s creation. Widely known throughout the music industry for continually redefining the boundaries of acoustic music, the band has gained legions of loyal fans both as a result of their superlative musicianship and just as notably, their incendiary live performances. They have appeared on the revered stage of the Grand Ole Opry in excess of 130 times, and have shared the stage with acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Montgomery Gentry, Merle Haggard, George Jones and Brad Paisley to Alison Krauss, Tony Rice, The Avett Brothers, Yonder Mountain Stringband, The Punch Brothers, Levon Helm, John Fogerty and many more.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$40
Phone: 720-509-1000

Saturday-Sunday, September 10-11

33^RD ANNUAL CASTLE ROCK ARTFEST
The weekend after Labor Day, the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce hosts a juried fine arts show with artists from across the country. Historic downtown Castle Rock provides the perfect canvas for the 33rd Annual Colorado Artfest, which has become a summertime tradition for residents and art enthusiasts alike. This esteemed community art festival continues to highlight the talents of exhibitors displaying a wide range of works from life-size sculptures, to photography and jewelry. There are many opportunities to appreciate – and purchase – art during this weekend of visual inspiration. 

Enjoy continual live main stage entertainment, featuring popular musicians, that provide a complimentary backdrop to this year’s program along with strolling entertainers, the Artfest Store; and a silent auction. To tantalize your taste buds, there will be food and beverage vendors aplenty as well as an Imagination Zone for children. There is something for everyone at the Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock. 

Downtown Castle Rock and Festival Park, Castle Rock
Sat., 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
FREE

Sunday, September 11

TRI-THE-ROCK YOUTH TRIATHLON
All you have to do is try! Come for a day of fun, food, prizes and sports. This annual youth triathlon is for young athletes ages five to 18. From kids who have never even heard of a triathlon to seasoned competitive triathletes, Tri the Rock encourages kids to get out and give it a try. The staggered start is as follows: 15-18 year olds begin at 7:30 a.m.; the rest of the age groups will follow in order of oldest to youngest.The 5 and 6 year olds will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. (once all of the other age groups are complete and the course is clear. Times are estimated.)

Castle Rock Recreation Center
6:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Registration: $65

NEXT WEEK: Wednesday, September 14 and Beyond

ARTS IN THE AFTERNOON: AFTER MIDNIGHT
It’s time to swing! Award-winning clarinetist Roger Campbell leads Denver’s Big Band Swing sextext. Formed in 1997, this extraordinary group of musicians conquers dizzying charts by the likes of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. It’s tight, fun, exciting, and hugely popular among the jazz and swing crowds.

Arts in the Afternoon is a monthly hour-long program that usually takes place once a month on a Wednesday afternoon at 1:30pm. The series features some of the finest classical, jazz, opera, and other musicians from the metro Denver area. Each show includes a significant educational component, with the professional musicians or their narrators sharing historical and artistic insights about the music they play. You can enjoy complimentary refreshments and conversation with artists after each performance.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $22
Phone: 720-509-1000

Thursday, September 15

BUDDY GUY & JOHN HIATT
The title of Buddy Guy’s latest album says it all: The Blues Is Alive and Well. The legendary blues artist’s eighteenth solo LP and follow-up to 2015’s Born to Play Guitar showcases his raw and unadulterated sound, its 15 tracks a true pleasure for aficionados and genre newcomers alike. “I got children and grandchildren who didn’t know who I was, but nowadays we can play outdoor concerts and see kids that are eight, nine, twelve years old coming to me and saying, ‘I didn’t know who you was, but I read what Eric Clapton said about you,'” Guy explains when discussing his mindset around the new record. “I’m always trying to make an album that someone accidentally plays where some kid hears it, picks up a guitar, and helps keep the blues alive.”

A master lyricist and satirical storyteller, John Hiatt delivers songs filled with tales of redemption, relationships and surrendering on his own terms. Hiatt’s finest album is 1987’s Bring the Family; other catalog highlights include the pop and rock of 1983’s Riding with the King, the rough-hewn blues-rock of 2008’s Same Old Man, and 2021’s Leftover Feelings.  His lyrics and melodies have graced more than 20 studio albums, have been recorded by Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and scores of others, and have earned him a place in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, a BMI Troubadour award, and a lifetime achievement in songwriting designation from the Americana Music Association.

Pikes Peak Center for Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $59-$109
Phone: 719-575-9632

TUNES FOR TRAILS
Celebrate and participate in a good cause. The Tunes for Trails, Perks for Parks free concert series is back, and better than ever in 2022! While this is a free event, donations will be accepted for the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation, which is currently fundraising for the Possibilities Playground. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. The concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. featuring Groove-a-Licious – Colorado’s Mile High Mountain Funk connection. This group is a high-energy, seven-piece Funk-Soul ensemble based out of the Boulder-Denver Metro area. Driving deep pocket grooves, killer harmonies, accompanied by one of the most stellar brass sections on the scene, the music of Groove-a-Licious brings the rootsy funk from Detroit to New Orleans. Since their inception back in 2015, the band’s transformation has taken the local music scene by storm to become one of Colorado’s up-and-coming funk n’ soul experiences. 

No outside alcoholic beverages will be allowed. No registration needed.

Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock
6:30-9:00 p.m.
FREE EVENT

Friday, September 16

FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ: LATIN MUSIC!
The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO) Sextet will play an evening of Samba, Mambo and more in a concert celebrating the rich and bold culture of Latin music. Vocalist Marion Powers is a six-time DownBeat Award-winning jazz vocalist whose dynamic improvisation skill, and fresh and modern arranging style, keep her in high demand from coast to coast. This concert promises to be a high-energy night of music that will make you want to dance!

Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $24
Phone: 303-805-6800

GLOW DANCE PARTY
Come out and join our annual Dance Fitness Glow event at The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park. Zumba, Rebel Groove, Mixxed Fit and D2G Soca Fit fitness dance programs will be featured. There will be great music, dancing, prizes and more! You won’t want to miss this amazing event at our beautiful outdoor venue. Free glow necklaces are provided at the entrance. Proceeds from this event are used to provide scholarships, purchase adaptive equipment and provide access to a wide variety of activities for adults and children with cognitive or physical disabilities. 

The Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Admission: $10

Friday-Saturday, September 16-17

MICHAEL YO LIVE!
A two-time Emmy nominee, Michael Yo is a comedian, actor, and host keeping busy in all of Hollywood’s platforms. The self-proclaimed “Half-Black Brother with a Korean Mother” is regular on the Joe Rogan Experience, host of the Michael Yo Show and fresh off his critically acclaimed comedy special Blasian. Right after having his son and a viral appearance showcasing his talents to the world on America’s Got Talent, Michael Yo brings his all new We’re Still Here 2020/21 Tour to your city. 

In stand-up, Michael came up under the wings of Chelsea Handler and Jo Koy, now headlining all over the country. As an actor, Michael recently reoccurred on Kevin Can Wait, shot a Damon Wayan Jr.’s pilot Happy Together for CBS, and was a principal in Facebook’s upcoming Facebook Watch first sitcom series, Starter Pack. 

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

Saturday, September 17

OKTOBERFEST IS HERE!
With nearly a million Coloradoans claiming German heritage, we have our own “fair” share of Oktoberfests. Enjoy live music, an assortment of beer, food trucks and family activities at Castle Rock Oktoberfest next weekend.

Wilcox Square, 500 Wilcox St., Castle Rock
1:00-9:00 p.m.
FREE

DANCEASPEN
DanceAspen was founded in 2021 by the professional dancers from the acclaimed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet which dissolved during the pandemic after 25 years. An incredible story of perseverance and passion, DanceAspen has quickly been established as a fresh voice and champion for new choreography in the dance world. Join DanceAspen for a thrilling evening of dance with innovative choreography, unmatched athleticism and emotional artistry.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$55
Phone: 720-509-1000

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, , Century Communities, and coming soon – Toll Brothers! Picture yourself in your very own dream house —  ranch style or two-story models priced from the $500s.