Crystal Valley Blog

With not one, but two, highly-acclaimed Celtic music performances in the area this weekend, you can start getting in the St. Paddy’s Day spirit a little early! Two of the finest award-winning fiddlers in the Celtic tradition are also a couple, with five talented kids who make it a family act. If you prefer music with an edge, the Tartan Terrors bring a rock-and-roll vibe to the Celtic tradition! Plus ballet dancers, family magicians, improv artists and the original Harlem Globetrotters are all performing this weekend near Castle Rock!

TODAY/TONIGHT, February 28

FAMILY MAGIC SHOW
This family-friendly show is full of magic, comedy, and juggling! Magician Ann Lincoln specializes in entertaining young children with her signature trick: juggling two bowling balls while eating an apple! Afterward, everyone gets to pet her live bunny! 

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Tickets: $3
Phone: 720-509-1000

BALLERINA BY DEGAS
Watch Degas’ famous ballerina paintings come to life in this imaginative dance program by Ballet Ariel! Ballerina by Degas is the story of a young dancer, Simone, as she rises rapidly within the Paris Opera ballet company, while the Impressionist artist records it all. The ballet world is filled with rivalry and envy as the young dancers compete for top position at the barre. Visiting suitors raise the stakes. Ultimately Simone’s talent and hard work pay off as she earns the lead dancer role!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26
Phone: 303-841-4500

COLD CASES AND COCKTAILS
An evening especially for true crime fans and amateur sleuths! Even better than a documentary, podcast, or true crime book, this live presentation of a real-life cold case is facilitated by Jonathyn W. Priest, the former commander of the Major Crime section of the Denver Police Department. 

As a forensic analyst, Priest has over twenty-seven years of experience investigating thousands of criminal incidents of violence during his tenure as a detective, supervisor, and command officer. He has specialized in bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene and shooting incident reconstruction, officer-involved critical incidents, and death investigation. Advance registration is required for this event, and you must be 21 to attend. Ticket price includes one cocktail, and there will also be a cash bar.

Falls Event Center, 8199 Southpark Ct., Littleton
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$30
Phone: 303-791-2500

Friday, March 1

TAKE A MUSICAL AMERICAN JOURNEY
Celebrate what’s best in America—its music! This concert by the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra—a first-class community orchestra made up of your talented musician neighbors—will feature composers from different eras in our country’s history.

The program includes Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, as well as favorites from Gershwin and Williams. 

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $14-$26
Phone: 720-509-1000

IMPROV AT THE CASTLE
What do you get when you cross Saturday Night Live with the popular TV show Whose Line is it Anyway? A hilarious improv show, made even more exciting by the addition of a Murder Mystery scenario. Staged in the Great Hall at Cherokee Castle, this outrageous improv show will take suggestions from the audience and come up with a unique comedy, made up on the spot! Grab some friends and come ready to laugh until your sides hurt!

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia 
7:15 p.m.
Tickets $35
Phone: 720-627-7175

Friday-Saturday, March 1-2

CELTIC FAMILY MUSICAL CELEBRATION
This is more than a concert by two of the most talented fiddle players in the world—it’s also a family affair! Before they married, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy were already superstars in the Celtic music world, with collaborators that included classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, bluegrass star Alison Krauss, and banjo ace Béla Fleck. 

Their appeal and talent grew exponentially when they paired up for recordings and live shows of traditional fiddling that include dancing, singing, and world-class music-making. The centerpiece of their show is undoubtedly the inclusion of their six musically-gifted children! 

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $54-$59
Phone: 303-841-4500

Saturday, March 2

WOMEN IN FLIGHT
So much more than just Amelia Earhart, the history of women in aviation is an inspiring story not told often enough! Come out to the Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery to celebrate and learn more about these extraordinary women! 

In honor of Women’s History Month and Women of Aviation Worldwide Week, this showcase is hosted by Wings Over the Rockies and highlights the accomplishments of women in flight—past, present, and future. Hear from one of the first female fighter pilots in the world, Lt. Col. Tracy LaTourrette, mingle with female pilots and cadets from the United States Air Force Academy, and even interact with Women in Aviation International!

Blue Sky Aviation Gallery, Centennial Airport, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $6-$12
Phone: 303-360-5360

MAC-N-CHEESE & CHILI COOK-OFF
This is not your average chili cook-off—the inclusion of mac-n-cheese takes it to a whole new level! Come hungry and ready for unlimited chili tastings and mac-n-cheese tastings to help determine the winner of this ultimate chef challenge! Also on the menu is an appetizer spread and craft beer, and there will be raffle items, a silent auction, entertainment, and more! Best of all, you’ll be helping to support the youth in our community.

Douglas County Fair & Rodeo, Kirk Hall, 500 Fairgrounds Dr., Castle Rock
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $9.37 – $14.62

OUTDOOR GEAR SWAP
You’ll feel like a million bucks when you gather up all that underused, still-in-great-shape gear you’ve got lying around and do something productive with it! No, not a sprint to the nearest cross-country ski track—even better! Sell it at the Gear Swap, and clear some space in your garage! Proceeds will go to support the Backcountry Conservation and Education Fund nonprofit.

If you’re thinking of buying some great new-to-you equipment including backpacks, camping gear, skis, headlamps, boots, and other outdoor gear, you’ll find the bargains of the season at the Gear Swap!

Living the Dream Brewing Company, 12305 N. Dumont Way, Littleton
12:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Phone: 303-791-2500

INTERNATIONAL WINE TOUR
Take a trip around the globe without leaving Highlands Ranch! This special event celebrates wines from around the world, and through a tasty expedition, you will learn how to distinguish grapes and vineyards from the sunny climes of Argentina to the cold, wet regions of France and Germany!

The evening includes appetizers and unlimited tastings of wines from across the globe, as well as a commemorative wine glass to take home. You definitely won’t want to miss this exciting adventure partaking in the global community of wine! Stamp your passport as you make your way around the globe trying outstanding wines! You must be 21+ to attend.

Southridge Recreation Center, 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch
4:00-7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $50-$55
Phone: 303-791-2500

TARTAN TERRORS – LIVE!
Don’t be fooled by the name—the Tartan Terrors are downright delightful! This musical, dancing entertainment extravaganza takes Celtic tradition and infuses it with the high-energy sounds of rock and roll! All the classic pipes and fiddles are there along with step-dancing, but this show adds driving drum tones, electric bass, and signature guitar styles to bring a modern feel to traditional Celtic fare. 

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$50
Phone: 720-509-1000

Saturday-Sunday, March 2-3

SHIMMERING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

When it comes to innovative, shimmering orchestral music, Rachmaninoff may be the composer that immediately comes to mind. So when a contemporary composer shares the program with such a well-known entity, his work had better be “a curtain-raiser in the best sense of the word, full of energy and anticipation.” 

That’s exactly how Jonathan Leshnoff’s Starburst has been described. When the Colorado Springs Philharmonic performs Starburst, it will share the program with Rachmaninoff’s Third Symphony—a fine pairing, indeed!

Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs              
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $26-$75
Phone: 719-520-SHOW 

Sunday, March 3

RAY CHARLES TRIBUTE CONCERT 
The spirit of Ray Charles is alive and well in this stirring tribute to the Father of Soul. The talented Robert Johnson brings the songs of Ray Charles to life as he performs some of his most beloved tunes Count Basie-style, with the help of the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra. You’ll be swinging to well-known hits such as Oh What a Beautiful Morning, I Can’t Stop Loving You, I’ve Got News for You, and much more! 

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $24-$29
Phone: 303-841-4500

THE ORIGINAL HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
The Harlem Globetrotters are back with a new inclusive show that includes the largest selection of female talent ever: TNT Lister, Hoops Green, Torch George, and Mighty Mortimer! This combined with their unparalleled ability to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide makes the Globetrotters a must-see event for the entire family!

The show features Guinness World Record holders and some of the most elite dunkers and exceptional ball handlers on the planet, including showmen like Big Easy Lofton, Hi-Lite Bruton, Ant Atkinson, and Hammer Harrison, as well as fan favorites Firefly Fisher, Bull Bullard, Thunder Law, and Cheese Chisholm.

Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., Colorado Springs             
2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $28.50 
Phone: 719-520-SHOW

Plenty to Do Near Crystal Valley!

Away from it all, but close to everything, the family-friendly community of Crystal Valley offers access to plenty of things to do every weekend! If you’re in the area, stop by the amazing models from Richmond American Homes, Kauffman Homes, and D.R. Horton and and find out why our community is among the top five fastest-growing in the state with new homes priced from the $300s.