Crystal Valley Blog

Food and drink lovers will be happy to hear the Taste of Pikes Peak food extravaganza is returning to the Broadmoor Arena this weekend! With over 80 restaurants and food vendors, this is the largest all-you-can-eat experience in Southern Colorado! Campers will have a chance to learn how to make their own gourmet food around the campfire with Highland Ranch’s Backcountry Wilderness workshop. And there are also lots of theatrical and music events for the entire family to enjoy!

Thursday-Saturday, April 25-27

TOTALLY RELATABLE – STEVE TREVINO
This hilarious comedian’s work is infused with a “Tex-Mex” sensibility, since he hails from Texas and is becoming the new voice for the 21st century Mexican-American. But Steve Treviño’s comedy has a uniquely American voice that transcends anything about ethnicity, making him universally relatable. 

You may have seen Treviño in one of his many TV appearances, including on The Late Late Show, Comics Unleashed, and BET’s Comicview, among others. In his latest special, Til Death, Treviño gives a bitingly honest take on the day-to-day joy of marriage, kids, and living life with your best friend. His first Showtime comedy special, Grandpa Joe’s Son, landed in the Nielsen Top 20, and his second comedy special, Relatable, aired on Netflix. 

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

Friday, April 26

RANKY TANKY MUSIC
Something old, something new! Most people have never heard of the Gullah music tradition from the storied culture of the Sea Islands of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. But there is something warmly familiar about this deeply heartfelt music with its origins in West African tradition.

Part jazz, part spiritual, part funk, and altogether delightful, Ranky Tanky is the name of the band of South Carolina natives who keep the Gullah musical tradition alive and fresh with a repertoire of playful game songs, heartbreaking spirituals, and delicate lullabies. NPR says they bring “freshness and uplift to overlooked Americana. In a pop music milieu ever hungry for newness, this group proves that the right musicians can make the past new all over again.”

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$45
Phone: 720-509-1000

FATHER KNOWS BEST
Jim Gaffigan is an engaging comedian best known for his unique brand of humor that revolves around the more hilarious aspects of fatherhood, as well as his observations on life in general. 

He’s a familiar face on TV and the big screen, with writing and acting credits including two seasons of the semi-fictitious Jim Gaffigan Show, along with his wife Jeannie. He’s made appearances on Portlandia and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, as well as HBO’s Flight of the Concords and Bored to Death and dramatic roles in Law & Order. Movie fans may recognize him from one of his many film roles including Three Kings, Hot Pursuit, and Experimenter. Don’t miss your chance to see this funny family man live on stage!

Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., Colorado Springs             
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $39.75
Phone: 719-520-SHOW

Friday-Sunday, April 26-28

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ANTIQUE FESTIVAL
If you have ever spent a memorable Sunday flea-marketing or watched enough episodes of American Pickers to wish you had a place to go to find that kind of stuff, you are going to love the Rocky Mountain Antique Festival! This event features the kind of browsing through time and space popular in many parts of the country, but harder to find around here. You don’t even need to buy anything in order to enjoy this event!

Brought to you by a husband and wife team who have spent the last decade scouring regional antique and vintage items to select the best to present in their shows, Heritage Event Company has the experience and judgement to offer the quality antique items you’re looking for!

Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Dr., Castle Rock
Fri./Sat., 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3 – $10 (Children 8 years old & under: Free)

PETER PAN JR.
Pirates, mermaids, and flying through the night sky are just some of the adventures that will transport you in this delightful adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan! Performed by an adorable troupe of young actors from the Joyful Light Youth Theater, this is a play by children, for children! 

The entire family will be inspired and entertained by the new arrangements of classic Disney songs and the timeless story about a boy who wouldn’t grow up. Treat the kids and yourself to this celebration of imagination!

Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 E. Main St., Parker
Fri./Sat., 6:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8.50
Phone: 303-805-6800

BAD DATES REVISTED
This is a one-woman comedy everyone can relate to—especially women of all ages! The dating scene is treacherous, and when Haley Walker decides to share her experiences, it’s one painfully humorous episode after another! Haley’s world includes her job as a restaurant manager and her obsession with shoes, but when it comes to dating, she’s is on the outside looking in!

Bad Dates is a sweet and sharp comedy, recommended for ages 18+, with a “scrappy, magnetic narrator” (The Boston Globe). Don’t miss this crowd-pleasing show that’s sure to become the hottest date night in town!

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, April 27

PARTY WITH A TREE CITY!
Did you know Parker has been named a “Tree City U.S.A.” every year since 1994? Help them celebrate—and keep their title—by stopping by their display in the park for Arbor Day and learning more about trees! There will be fun family activities, delicious pancakes, and goodies for the kids.

As a Tree City, one of Parker’s commitments is to raise awareness about the great importance of trees. From improving air quality to improving the view, trees are an essential part of our lives. They will be giving away seedling trees for you to take home to plant in your own yard where your new tree will be a focal point of beauty and create a wonderful space for your kids and pets to play!

Discovery Park, 20115 E. Mainstreet, Parker
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Information: FREE
Phone: 303-805-3267

CATURDAY MORNING AND DOG DAY AFTERNOON
This is your chance to mix and mingle with fellow animal lovers—and their furry friends! Enjoy an afternoon pet extravaganza featuring fun activities, crafts, pet adoptions, and more! Presenters include the Rocky Mountain Collie and Sheltie Rescue, the Cat Care Society, and the Dumb Friend’s League. Bring the entire family for this warm and furry event!

Parker Library, 20105 East Mainstreet, Parker
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Registration: FREE
Phone: 303-791-7323

CAMP COOKING 101
If your version of camp cooking is a hot dog on a stick over a campfire, you owe it to yourself (and your family!) to learn about the creative gourmet experiences that can be achieved in the wilderness! 

This hands-on workshop will introduce you to new skills and recipes that are sure to please the tastebuds of the entire family. Come hungry! There will be plenty of taste-testing in this fun and educational cooking class!

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$24
Phone: 303-471-7043

Saturday-Sunday, April 27-28

BOOMTOWN BALLET
For a collaborative theatrical experience that incorporates ballet, music, history and pure imagination, you won’t want to miss Wonderbound’s performance of Boomtown, with an original score performed by Chimney Choir. Chimney Choir’s sound defies categories and seamlessly blends folk, rock, trance, and so much more in what can only be called a genre of its own. 

Wonderbound’s imaginative dance company takes you on a journey with Johnny Alpha, an average guy living an average life in Floptown. When his sweetheart tells him she’s getting out and moving to Boomtown, he hops on a train and follows her. The ballet is a non-stop adventure that follows Johnny as he explores his wondrous new home, eventually uncovering its seedy underbelly.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$40
Phone: 303-805-6800

Sunday, April 28

TASTE OF PIKES PEAK
Foodies, get ready for the largest all-you-can-eat-and-drink event in Southern Colorado! The Taste of Pikes Peak features more than 80 restaurants and vendors from the Colorado Springs area coming together for one delicious afternoon at the Broadmoor World Arena. 

You can experience the Chef’s Competition and Craft Cocktail Competition, as well as a Silent Auction to raise money for local charities. For serious food and drink connoisseurs, the VIP experience is your opportunity to come an hour early to get first tastes and meet the chefs!

Broadmoor World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., Colorado Springs             
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45 – $65
Phone: 719-520-SHOW

COLORFUL COLORADO CONCERT
The all-volunteer Denver Concert Band is returning home to Colorful Colorado—a musical version of our snowcapped mountains and vivid landscapes. Selections such as  Red Rocks Fanfare by Bogenschutz and Colorado Blue by Jared Spears will have you planning a spring hike in our inspiring surroundings!

The DCB is made up of community-member musicians who channel their passion for music into concerts for the rest of the community, and this one features a performance by the winner of DCB’s annual young artist competition. Don’t miss the music of the most beautiful state in the union and an opportunity to hear tomorrow’s promising young musicians!

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

Family-friendly activities in the Crystal Valley area!

There’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Crystal Valley! Enjoy the  relaxed lifestyle of Castle Rock and surrounding area where cultural and entertainment activities abound! Check out the beautiful model homes from Kauffman Homes, Richmond American Homes, and D.R. Horton, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the $300s.