Crystal Valley Blog

TODAY/TONIGHT: Thursday, February 17

FREE ROMANTIC HOLLYWOOD MUSIC PERFORMANCE!
Join singer Marta Burton and guitarist Michael DeLalla for a sampling of Hollywood and Jazz classics…genuine, heartwarming, and filled with favorites!  SPARK! is a free program offered in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association for people experiencing mild memory loss, early stage Alzheimer’s, or a related dementia, and their family, friends, and guests.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $44-$54
Phone: 720-509-1000

Thursday-Saturday, February 17-20

CASTLE TOUR
Cherokee Castle’s unique architecture combines aspects of the Western United States and a 1450’s Scottish-style castle built in the 1920’s. The Castle is home to historic collections of fine art, furnishings and memorabilia from around the world.

A guided Tour of the Castle offers an intimate look upon one of Colorado’s finest hidden gems and all of the treasures housed inside. The history of Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation, including the legacy of founder, Tweet Kimball gives guests a great understanding and appreciation for the arts, education and conservation.  

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
10:00 a.m.
Reservations $20
Phone: 303-688-5555

JACKIE KASHIAN LIVE
Jackie Kashian’s comedy is like listening to a really racy episode of All Things Considered. Her album, I Am Not The Hero Of This Story, debuted at #1 on iTunes and Amazon, and #3 on Billboard. Jackie has opened for Brian Regan at Carnegie Hall and Maria Bamford at the Stanley Night Live at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. She has performed her stand-up on CONAN, and made appearances on HBO’S 2 Dope Queens and Comedy Central’s @Midnight. Jackie has recorded This American Life with Ira Glass for NPR and has done some acting on Netflix’s Lady Dynamite and IFC’s Maron. Kashian’s critically acclaimed podcast, The Dork Forest, is in its 13th year and has more than eight million downloads. 

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Fri./Sat, 7:15 & 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$26
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday, February 18

WINE TASTING AT THE CASTLE
Wine and chocolate go so well together. So, grab that special someone to and head to the Castle’s February wine tasting, the sommeliers will pair chocolate with the finest wines! Melissa and Natalie will lead you through a formal tasting of delicious wines in a beautiful castle setting for what promises to be an entertaining and educational event. Charcuterie appetizers will accompany the tasting as you enjoy a complimentary glass of your favorite wine and admire centuries old art and antiques. A cash bar will be available to purchase additional glasses and you may purchase your favorite bottles to take home.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Rd., Sedalia
6:45 p.m. (Doors Open); 7:15-8:15 (Tasting)
Reservations (Masks Required at Present)
Phone: 303-688-5555

OLETA ADAMS LIVE!
Since the runaway success of her 1990 debut album Circle of One (which went Platinum), and the impassioned hit single “Get Here” (which became an unofficial anthem of the 1991 Gulf War) Oleta Adams has inspired a growing legion of fans around the world with journeys of the heart via songs that draw deeply from her roots in gospel, while crossing effortlessly into the realms of soul, R&B, urban, and popular music. 

Her success was first nurtured by worldwide tours with Tears for Fears, Phil Collins, Michael Bolton and Luther Vandross and was solidified by four Grammy nominations and more than two and a half million records sold. A long-time resident of Kansas City, Kansas, where she has found sanctuary from the turmoil of the entertainment industry, Oleta Adams also remains anchored by her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest where she spent her formative years in Seattle and Yakima, Washington. This is also where she first demonstrated her budding vocal gifts in the church where her father was minister. 

Through the years she has recorded duets with the likes of Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Toots Thielmans, Shirley Ceasar and of course the infamous songs she recorded with Tears for Fears. Oleta’s music is featured in Hollywood movies Corrina, Corrina, Sleeping with the Enemy, Jason’s Lyric, and her vocals were instrumental in setting the tone in How Stella Got Her Groove Back. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear the velvety-voiced songstress sing favorites from her secular and gospel albums.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$50
Phone: 720-509-1000

Saturday, February 19

RESEARCH YOUR IRISH ROOTS!
This lecture, designed as a practical guide to finding the origins of Irish ancestors, will be presented by Michael Brophy, a nationally known, professional genealogical researcher, and heir search specialist, from the Boston area. He’ll offer the history of Irish genealogy, including the destruction of the Public Records Office in Dublin on June 30, 1922. As a result of that loss, unique challenges and realistic expectations for Irish ancestral research will be discussed. Vital records, immigration documentation, and unique resources will be presented, and examples will be used to emphasize key principals and record holdings such as the lineage of notable Irish American Grace Kelly. The overall goal of the lecture is to give attendees a practical guide to finding the origins of their Irish ancestors in a broad overview lecture. Michael Brophy is a nationally known, professional genealogical researcher, heir search specialist, and lecturer from the Boston area. His Registration required at www.crcgs.org.

Castle Rock Genealogical Society
Zoom Webinar
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Registration

FIREFALL PERFORMS!
The genealogy and musical roots of Firefall run deep in the fertile soil of American Folk/Rock music. Defying industry labels, they melded country, folk, easy listening and rock ‘n’ roll, creating a sound uniquely their own, helping to define a generation and forever changing the landscape of contemporary music. One of the few surviving bands of their genre, Firefall has remained true to the founding vision throughout the band’s 30-year history.

Firefall produced a string of Top 20 hits, earning two platinum and three gold records and gained a huge and loyal fan base that continues to grow. Their much-loved hits are faithfully recreated with a freshness rare in live performances and their newer material, they continue to demonstrate the diversity of the band’s musical excellence. 

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

INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT 
“Despite over 20 years of touring, International Guitar Night has remained fresh with new guitar luminaries from around the world added each year.” —Anchorage Press 

The incredible longevity of International Guitar Night continues with its 21st Anniversary North American Tour, featuring acoustic rock sensation (and favorite of 2019’s IGN) Luca Stricagnoli (Italy), progressive classical guitarist Thu Le (Vietnam), Slack Key master Jim Kimo West (Hawaii), and Latin Swing pioneer Lulo Reinhardt (Germany). 

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

Sunday, February 20

COMPNET JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIPS
CompNet is the Global Jiu-Jitsu League formed by Gracie Barra Team members dedicated to achieving excellence through competitive Jiu-Jitsu. Designed to promote a positive competitive culture of high-level Jiu-Jitsu, mutual respect, and sportsmanship, CN Tournaments have become the preferred competitive stage for Gracie Barra athletes of all ages and levels. During this event, Gracie Barra Team members of all ages and levels will be competing with each other on single elimination brackets. The first, second and third place athletes will be awarded medals and points for the CompNet Global Ranking.

Douglas County Event Center, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock
DAY LONG
TICKETS: $10
Phone: 720-724-2083

WEEK AFTER NEXT: Wednesday, February 23

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this Roarsome Interactive show for the entire family! Grab your compass and join the intrepid lead explorer across uncharted territories. You’ll discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs, including the flesh-eating giant, Tyrannosaurus Rex, plus Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show will give all brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Don’t miss this entertaining and mind-expanding Jurassic adventure, live on stage.

Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $29

Thursday, February 24

MIKE STANLEY LIVE
Detroit native Mike Stanley is pretty hilarious, but more than just coarse anecdotes about life and sex, there’s an enviable amount of heart and warmth behind Stanley’s humor. Given his penchant toward brutal honesty, spiced up with a healthy dose of insatiable wit, it’s not difficult to see why Stanley was named “Best Chicago Stand-up Comedian” in a People’s Choice poll done by the Chicago Reader and “Best Detroit Comedian” by HOUR Magazine. Mike has appeared in The Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, The Adam Carolla Show and Funny or Die’s Odd Ball Comedy Fest. Mike has had the pleasure of performing with many great comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Al Madrigal, Jim Gaffigan, Bill Burr, Dave Attell, Doug Stanhope, Larry Miller, Andy Kindler, Artie Lange, Christopher Titus, and many more. 

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $14
Phone: 720-274-6800

Thursday- Sunday, February 24-27

INCISIVE COMEDY ABOUT OLD HOLLYWOOD
A provocative comedy from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage (Sweat and Intimate Apparel) draws on the screwball films of the 1930s to take a funny and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood. By the Way, Meet Vera Stark is a 70-year journey through the life of Vera Stark, a clever Black maid and budding actress, and her tangled relationship with her boss, a white Hollywood star desperately trying to hold on to her career. 

When circumstances collide and both women land roles in the same Southern epic, the story behind the cameras leaves Vera with a surprising and controversial legacy that scholars will debate for years to come.

“The first act, in which Vera angles for a role, is in the style of a screwball comedy…. The second act, which shifts between a 2003 symposium, steeped in academese, and a 1973 talk show, steeped in gin, is more like a screwball tragedy” —The New York Times

Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 West Dale, Colorado Springs
Thurs.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 5:00 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$45
Phone: 719-634-5581

Friday-Sunday, February 25-27

ALONZO BODDEN LIVE
A regular panel member on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, Alonzo Bodden has been making audiences around the country laugh for more than 20 years.

In August 2019, Alonzo starred in his fourth stand-up special, Heavy Lightweight, which premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. His first big comedy break came when he was on the “New Faces of Comedy” showcase at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, but it was as the season three winner of NBCʼs Last Comic Standing, where Alonzo was first introduced to America.

Since then, he has starred in two comedy specials for Showtime: Historically Incorrect and Who’s Paying Attention. He’s also made appearances on ABC’s Dr. Ken and Fresh Off the Boat, Dr. Phil, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore and Californication. 

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Pl., Greenwood Village
Fri./Sat, 7:15 & 9:45 p.m., Sun., 7:00
Tickets: $16-$24
Phone: 720-274-6800

Saturday, February 26

PRINCE OF SPANISH GUITAR
Rarely is an artist as capable of touching the hearts and souls of people of all ages, cultures, and diverse musical backgrounds. Benise (pronounced Buh-nes-say) shattered the mold of Spanish guitar by combining music and dance – the only show of its kind! Last year Benise, “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” debuted his fifth national PBS special Strings of Hope and launched his 20th Anniversary Tour. Armed with his Spanish guitar and a stage full of musicians and elaborately choreographed dancers, Benise takes the audience on a musical journey through Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Parisian Waltz, exotic drumming, and more!

“I want to take the audience on an escape…to a beautiful Spanish courtyard filled with Flamenco dancers, stunning costumes, and fiery Spanish guitars,” BENISE says. “The live show will incorporate some fan favorites from my street performing days and rock classics like Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir and AC/DC’s Thunderstruck.”

Parker Arts Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $44-$54

Saturday-Sunday, February 26-27

HERALDING THE COMING SPRING
As winter’s end approaches, there comes the inevitable desire for the first bloom of Spring. Schumann’s First Symphony expresses this longing with an orchestral awakening. Opening with an unforgettable brass fanfare that harkens the beginning of Spring, this work is jubilant and celebratory, lyrical and triumphant, breathing and pulsing with the joyous anticipation of Spring.

Colorado Springs’ favorite, Jan Vogler, returns to the Philharmonic performing Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 – considered one of the greatest works in the cello repertoire. “Vogler’s intense and febrile sound is restrained by classical discipline and enriched by a searching musical intelligence.” New Yorker

Pikes Peak Center for Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs
Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Sun.2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $29-$83
Phone: 719-575-9632

Sunday, February 27

DENVER CONCERT BAND
Back by popular demand, the Denver Concert Band stages its annual guest concert. Featuring pieces from collections such as “Folk Suite” by William Grant Still and “Armenian Dances” by Alfred Reed, this concert will present the best of classical suites. Stay tuned for an announcement around our special guest artist!

A community band of 90 volunteer musicians, the Denver Concert Band (DCB) performs concerts year-round in the Denver Metro Area and throughout Colorado. Known for their uniquely sonorous bass, powerful brass, sparkling woodwinds and dynamic percussion, their concert repertoire has something for everyone. The DCB has performed in Europe and at several music conventions as well as neighboring states.

Within the DCB is a group called the Show and Tell Band, (SATB) that performs throughout the school year in schools, senior living communities, and a variety of other events. The principal focus of the SATB is to educate people from kindergarten age to those who are kids at heart, about band instruments and music. The DCB is thrilled to be returning to the Lone Tree Arts Center for their formal concerts again this year, and they look forward to performing exciting concerts for their patrons.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $39-$49
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, Richmond American Homes, D.R. Horton, and Century Communities, and picture yourself in your very own dream house! With ranch and two-story models available, new homes are priced from the $500s.