There are some musicals that are just made for the summer, and “Rock of Ages” certainly falls into that category. The show not only captures some of that wild freedom of the best summer days, but also is full of quintessential 80s songs.

“The show is all about bigger and better. It embraces the big hair of the time and has all the great music,” said Leslie Bonnell, marketing coordinator at the Parker Arts, Culture & Events (PACE) Center, which is staging the show to close its season. “It brings out all the elements of the 80s that people find so nostalgic and fun.”

Produced with Veritas Productions, “Rock of Ages” runs at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave. in Parker, through Sunday, July 20. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree (who also does the choreography), the show takes place at one of the Sunset Strip’s last venues and features a group of music fans coming together to chase their dreams and save the soul of the strip.

“I love a good, smart comedy, and that’s what this is,” Nancy Evans Begley, co-founder and producing artistic director with Veritas Productions. She is the executive producer, assistant director and production manager for “Rock of Ages.” “My producing work started with putting together a team and we have an incredible one for this show.”

In addition to a top-notch crew, the show also features performers guaranteed to blow audiences away with their musical skills. Most of the cast is new to the PACE Center, which adds an extra level of excitement for both performers and audiences.

Many theaters end their season during the spring, so having the opportunity to see a show during the summer makes for a special treat. And the PACE Center leans into this fact.

“The season is a little off-set from everybody else’s, which gives patrons the opportunity to experience shows at different venues and then come here during the summer,” Begley said. “This is the kind of show that is perfect for people who don’t like musicals, because they can still sing-along and laugh at the dialogue.”

The show is recommended for those 14-years-old and older, but Begley sees this as an opportunity for parents to have a night out where they’re able to just enjoy themselves.

“We say leave the HOA, leave the board, leave the student council stuff behind and come relive your favorite decade and favorite music,” she said. “In a time when our day-to-day is filled with tension and negativity… you can escape that for two-and-a-half hours. We hope you walk out of the theatre saying, ‘That was really fun. Let’s do more of that.’”

Information and tickets are available at https://parkerarts.org/event/rock-of-ages/#event-description.

FAN EXPO Denver Brings the Pop Culture World to Fans

It’s time for the Mile High City to get its fandom on with the annual FAN EXPO Denver, held at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., from Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6.

This year’s event will play host to some top-tier guests, ranging from Star Trek’s William Shatner and Mae Whitman to a slew of Superman performers (a role very close to my heart) like Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin and Tom Welling. In addition, there will be plenty of cosplaying, collector’s items to buy and panels to watch.

Go celebrate the best of pop culture by visiting https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/.

Independence Day Goes Big at Northglenn

If you don’t want to head to downtown Denver for your July 4th festivities, the City of Northglenn has you covered with events that last for most of the day and provide attendees of all ages with something to do. Held at EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Drive in Northglenn, activities begin at noon with a car show.

Throughout the day, attendees can take part in a duck derby, listen to music from performers like Skool Daze, Chicano Heat and Jacob Larson, and pick up food from vendors (if they don’t bring their own picnics). Fireworks will close out the evening at about 9:15 p.m.

For full details, visit www.northglenn.org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Wu-Tang Clan at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

I can think of no better group to listen to on the day we celebrate our independence than the Wu-Tang Clan, Staten Island’s legendary rap group. They are, after all, for the children. And they represent the collective power of a range of voices when they come together while maintaining their individual perspectives. They’re responsible for some of the genre’s most important music and are the best kind of American success story.

Their final tour is coming to Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Greenwood Village, at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 4. For the opener, the Wu-Tang will have Run the Jewels, the best modern rap duo. This has all the makings of a legendary concert, so get tickets at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

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In Denver’s bustling neighborhoods, it’s not uncommon to find a shop cat curled up by the register or an excited dog greeting customers at the door. 

Across the city, small businesses are embracing their four-legged companions, not just as pets, but as part of the store experience. 

At Crystal Castle Beads, located at 2240 S. Broadway in Denver, two dogs — Ruby and Boss — have become as much a part of the shop’s identity as its crystals and handmade jewelry supplies.

Crystal Castle Beads

Owner Adrienne Lemke opened the shop with other co-workers in October 2023 after the previous bead store they worked at shut down. 

“We just kind of came together and said, ‘Let’s start our own shop,’” she said. 

Enter Ruby — a spirited pup with a nose for stones and a habit of napping on desks. 

“I got her around the time we bought this building, on July 4,” Lemke said. “She’s been a part of this shop ever since. She helped us go through products, (she) tries to steal products … She knows the crystal business pretty well, and she has good taste in beads, too.”

Ruby quickly became the shop’s unofficial greeter, favorite distraction and emotional support creature all in one. 

“People come for the dogs, not for us,” Lemke said. “Kids, husbands — everyone loves her. It really adds something special.”

But Ruby isn’t the only pup with a following at Crystal Castle Beads. General Manager Jennifer Niemela brought in her dog, Boss, under equally heartwarming circumstances.

After the loss of her previous dog, Niemela had no intention of adopting again. But life had other plans. 

“Boss needed to be rescued, and I kind of needed a little extra happiness in my life,” she said. “So we introduced him to Ruby to see if they got along. They hit it off immediately.”

Now, Boss is a fixture in the shop alongside Ruby. 

“He’s happy, calm, super smart, and he loves sound healing,” Niemela said. “When I work with the bowls, he runs in like, ‘Yes, we’re doing sound healing.’ He just gets it.”

As customers wander through displays of stones and beads, it’s not unusual for them to be greeted by Ruby and Boss. 

“People ask where they are before they ask about anything else,” Niemela said. “It’s kind of like they’re the real stars of the shop.”

While the pets might be the draw for some, they also reinforce something deeper – a sense of comfort and community. 

“It’s soothing to have your dog at work with you,” Niemela said. “They make you smile. They make everyone smile. That’s kind of what it’s all about.”

Sewn Denver 

Owner of Sewn Denver Kirsten Coplans feels the same way about her dog, Kyoko, who can often be found lounging around the store located at 18 S. Broadway. 

Kyoko, who possesses a Japanese name that means “little girl,” is described by Coplans as smart, kind and mellow. 

“The question people ask me constantly is, ‘Is she always this chill?’” Coplans said. “This is her second home. She’s used to everything — old people, young people, walkers, wheelchairs. She doesn’t get overly excited when people pet her. It’s just normal for her.”

Coplans adopted Kyoko from Low Riders of the West, a small dog rescue in Littleton, when she was just 8 weeks old. 

Kyoko isn’t the first shop dog the business owner has had. 

“My other dog, Pearl, was my shop dog for 13 years,” she said. “When she passed, I needed another dog in my life.” 

Training Kyoko to be a shop dog started early. 

“I wanted to do a rescue, and I wanted to get a young puppy so I could start bringing her from day one,” Coplans said. 

Now 7 years old, Kyoko has grown into her role. 

“People lose their mind over a shop dog,” Coplans said. “It’s like they haven’t seen another dog anywhere else. They might not say hi to me, but they’re definitely gonna say hi to her.”

Kyoko has her own rhythm in the store and will move about the space seeking the best place to get comfortable – be it in front of a rack of vintage shoes or smack dap in the middle of the doorway.

“Sometimes she’s just like, ‘I’ve had too much attention today,’ and she’ll tuck herself away. But she also loves to see what’s going on outside,” Coplans said.

Coplans said Kyoko is very smart and always looking for food. 

“She’s always checking people’s pockets or bags for treats. She’s definitely an opportunist,” Coplans said. “The UPS guy brings her treats. People bring her treats. She knows what she’s doing.”

Kyoko is a blue heeler, a breed known for being deeply loyal to their owner. 

“She’s not really cuddly like a typical velcro dog,” Coplans explained. “But she always wants to know where I am. She just wants to have eyes on me.”

Sewn focuses on handmade and upcycled goods. 

“We’ve got a handful of handmade artists, most of them local. One-of-a-kind items, eco-friendly, and we also carry vintage,” Coplans said. “My background is vintage fabric and patterns. I love connecting with people about what they’re making.”

The post ‘Come for the dogs’ – Denver pets are more than pals, they’re business partners appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

For many, the feeling is all too familiar: hands awkwardly gripping the fretboard, the sharp bite of the strings digging into fingertips, an out-of-pitch buzz emitting from the soundhole — the early days of learning to play guitar can dissuade even the most persistent student from the pursuit. 

Yet those who persist often discover the hard-earned spoils of guitar playing. Campfires become enlivened with sound, impromptu jam sessions serendipitously come together and, in some cases, bands and long-standing musical careers are formed. 

While many guitarists learn the instrument when they’re children, others come by it later in life – and the instrument has plenty to offer folks no matter when they pick it up. David Gilbert, a father of two from Englewood, began playing recently because he wanted to expose his young children to the magic of live music. 

“I’m pushing 40,” Gilbert said. “At this point, the likelihood that I’m going to end up some guitar virtuoso is pretty slim, but what I recognize is that I can get to a point where I can subject my family to some campfire songs. 

“And I think that kind of speaks to the essence of guitar — kind of as this common man’s instrument that doesn’t take too much to get to a point where you can play some simple sing-along songs with kids, or get to a point where you can just make a fun sound or a little tune,” he continued. “So at this point, that’s my goal; to learn enough chords that I can play some music.” 

Gilbert, like many other later–life-learners, has turned to a common source of information in the modern age for instruction: YouTube. 

The widely-utilized social media site is sought out by both novices and seasoned professionals alike. 

Warren Rubin is a lifelong guitarist who began playing at an early age, and now plays bass guitar in the Arvada-based band, Dive Bar Diva. Rubin works as a soundman for artists such as Hazel Miller and operates an amplifier repair shop out of his garage. He is sometimes known as the “Amp Whisperer.” 

Rubin says that there are more resources out there for aspiring guitarists now than there has ever been. 

“You don’t have to take classes every week or every month; as much as you need to just pursue interesting ideas,” Rubin said. “Watch other people who have other approaches to the instrument. We live in a golden age for this sort of thing, because you can turn to YouTube and there are people who are just absolutely brilliant guitarists showing you what they do and how they do it.” 

Some of the YouTube channels Rubin and Gilbert recommend are Rick Beato, JustinGuitar, Paul Davids, Andy Guitar and Wings of Pegasus. 

While Rubin acknowledges the utility of something like YouTube, he also continues to take in-person lessons at the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor in Arvada, despite having played the instrument for over six decades. 

“All of the best guitar players I know — including my teacher, who has a master’s degree in jazz — continue to take classes,” Rubin said. “If you can afford it, take lessons, not because it’s the only way to learn the instrument, but it gives you a strong set of fundamentals.” 

The Denver metro area is awash with music schools that offer guitar lessons. Arvada’s Pickin’ Parlor, Denver’s Swallow Hill Music, Englewood’s Denver Music Institute and the Littleton School of Music all offer lessons for a variety of different styles and skill levels. 

While many continue to take lessons long after first picking up the instrument, other players eschew them all together. Kevin Pounds – a Colorado Springs-based musician who records under the name Kevin Lbs. and has played in bands including We Are Not A Glum Lot and The Short-TERM – is completely self taught and learned the instrument by ear. 

“I spent my first year playing, probably hours a day, sounding out Nirvana songs by ear,” Pounds said. “Just dragging my fingers up the strings until I heard some semblance of what was coming out of the speaker across from me. I became a bit more literate with time. I started to realize that certain chords that I was learning matched individual notes on my fretboard.” 

Pounds echoed Rubin’s sentiment about trying to learn from others. 

“Try not to compare yourself to others,” Pounds said. “It can be very discouraging. But on that note, don’t be afraid to steal their tricks or techniques. You’re always going to put your own scent on it anyway.” 

Gilbert said the main hurdles he’s dealt with as a newer player are developing the muscle memory to be able to quickly change chords and finding time to practice. 

“It reminds me, actually, somewhat of where I started to feel a little stumped with learning a foreign language,” Gilbert said. “Doing rapid chord changes is still something I’m training my fingers to do.

“The other big challenge for me right now is just time,” Gilbert continued. “You know, I’ve got a fulltime job and I’ve got kids, so, if I’m lucky, I’ve got half an hour in the evening to sit down with a YouTube tutorial and mess around with guitar. But that’s sort of the benefit of the YouTube thing. I don’t have to build lessons into my schedule. I can fit them in where it works.”

Rubin said that instead of seeking out mastery, one should play simply for the enjoyment of the instrument. 

“If it brings you joy, you already play well enough,” Rubin said. “And you know, what brings you joy? Is it just playing three chords and being able to sing some of your favorite songs? Is it being able to sit in your chair and noodle a little bit while you watch television? Do it. It’s never too late to start. 

“You don’t need to become a virtuoso,” Rubin continued. “I’m not going to live long enough to be a virtuoso, but you don’t need to be a virtuoso for playing to bring you joy.”

The post How to (finally) learn to play guitar this summer appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

In a softly lit room in Centennial, Lilly Cadillac Unger shuffles her tarot cards with practiced hands. The space, filled with gentle natural light, is the heart of her business, Altered Arcana. On the table, a classic three-card spread — past, present and future — unfolds a story. Among the cards drawn: Death, the Six of Cups and the Nine of Wands.

“I see here that there was some kind of huge transition,” Unger said, pointing to the Death card. 

The card’s reputation, she said, is the most feared and is more Hollywood than reality — its real message is transformation and rebirth.

Unger’s journey with tarot began at age 12, sparked by curiosity and the little guidebook included with her first Rider–Waite deck — the most popular tarot deck, she notes, and one she’s misplaced more times than she can count. 

For Unger, tarot isn’t about predicting the future. 

“Tarot really should tell you about your present,” she said. 

The Rider-Waite tarot card deck, first published in 1909, was created by artist Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of occultist A.E. Waite. The deck consists of 78 cards — 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana — with each card featuring symbolic illustrations designed to evoke intuitive and emotional responses.

Distinctive for its fully illustrated Minor Arcana, the Rider-Waite deck’s imagery draws from esoteric traditions that embrace practices that involve secret or hidden knowledge, Christian mysticism and the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society that studied occultism and metaphysics, according to the University of St. Thomas. 

Kate Kettelkamp, who reads tarot cards from her Denver office, also starts with the three card spread that displays the past, present and future. After she shuffles, she has the person receiving the reading pull three cards.

“I like people to choose their own cards,” Kettlekamp said. “Different tarot readers have different rules. I like people to select the cards because I feel like you bring your own energy to it.” 

When the cards are pulled and laid out as reversals – meaning the card’s art is upside down – Kettlekamp said that can signify an energy blockage. 

Looking towards the card that represents the past, Kettlekamp observed the Nine of Cups, reversed. 

“Cups are water, so it has this emotional, imaginative quality to it,” she said. “With it reversed, it can (signify) wanting to move something forward but having some obstacle.” 

When Kettlekamp moved from California to Denver almost 10 years ago, she said everyone she met in the new city knew their astrology signs and owned a tarot deck, inspiring her to dive into the metaphysical world. She currently studies consciousness in a graduate program at the California Institute of Integral Studies.

In the program, Kettlekamp studies culture, the human journey, the soul and the environment, which she said sets her up for inquisitive knowledge for reading tarot.

“I like to approach (tarot) from a place of inquiry. Some people ask, ‘should I break up with my partner?’ But I find that the tarot doesn’t answer deterministically,” she said. “Then they’ll pull the Death card and I’ll say, ‘well, possibly, what do you think? It’s up to you.’ That could just be their current energy that is creating a trajectory towards breaking up.”

Kettlekamp said the cards do not tell the future but can give insight into what struggles someone may be currently facing. She said it’s important for readers to uphold ethics when doing a reading. 

“I’ve had people come into my office who have been disturbed from prior readings because they’ve been told things that make them anxious. So I do think that there’s some responsibility on the reader’s part to not induce anxiety by giving a deterministic prediction about someone’s life,” she said.

When the cards convey a negative message, Rachel Florentino from Bridge the Gap Tarot in Westminster said she views the cards as morphable. 

“It’s not set in stone. (The cards) are something we can bring to the present and change if we want to,” she said.

Florentino reflected on the readings she’s done that the cards portray a potentially negative message, and how she communicated it to her client. 

“There was a client that desperately wanted a baby … When I looked at her present, the problem was, she worked 80 hours a week and she wasn’t listening to her doctors telling her, ‘no, you cannot sustain that type of lifestyle while you’re pregnant,’” she said. “It hurt me because she wasn’t going to do that. I had to tell her she has to listen to people.” 

Something Florentino did not always do at the beginning of her reading journey – even when she met the woman who wanted a baby – was shielding. In an effort to protect herself from her clients’ energies, sometimes Florentino will imagine herself wearing a cloak that acts like a shield.

During another reading, Florentino pulled the Tower card in a past, present and future spread – with the Tower card in the future pile, she said it’s the harshest card of the deck. 

“It’s because there’s things that you should be doing that you’re not doing and so the universe is going to make it happen. It can be harsh because it can no longer be in your control,” she said. 

According to Florentino, the Tower card can show up when someone may be losing a job if they continue down their current trajectory. 

“It’s definitely a warning of: what do we know we need to be doing but we haven’t done yet?” she said.

Regarding the seemingly worrisome card — the Death card — Florentino said the image of the card, which typically displays a grim reaper-esque skeleton with a sword, scares people, largely due to Western society’s perspective of death.

“I think Hollywood has done a great job in scaring us with (death). In the United States, we’re not open about death and don’t view it as a rebirth but as the end of something. In a lot of other cultures, death is looked at as a death-rebirth process,” she said.

Regarding the online popularity of tarot card readings – from mass-collective tarot readings on YouTube to online psychic chats – Kettlekamp and Unger suggest looking at reviews to avoid being scammed.

“I would recommend for people to find someone that has reviews because there are people who will take your money,” Kettlekamp said. “Anybody that has a physical location, not that that’s necessary, but it can indicate how much time they spend practicing.”

For Unger, reviews and having a connection with a reader are two ways to prevent scams. 

“You just have to be honest with yourself about if it resonates, and I think you should be careful who you go to,” she said. “I think at the end of the day, getting reviews, and maybe just really asking yourself: ‘who am I being led to and why? Am I being led to this person because I saw something online that said: he’s thinking about you? And is that what I’m seeking?”’

The post Inside the world of tarot appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

Antique shops across the Denver metro are more than places to buy old things — they’re spaces where history meets creativity. 

Across the metro area, vintage lovers and curious newcomers alike are fueling a growing scene rooted in nostalgia, community and the thrill of discovery.

Colorado Antique Gallery 

Standing at 52,000 square feet and advertised as “Denver’s largest antique mall,” Colorado Antique Gallery in Littleton is filled to the brim with unique vintage items for all types of people. 

Colorado Antique Gallery is operated by President Chris Rodriguez who took ownership of the business in 2012. It is located at 5501 S. Broadway, Unit 135. 

“I have 275 vendors and we rent space to them on a monthly basis, and then I take a commission of all their sales,” Rodriguez said. “So most of the merchandise in the store is not ours.” 

Rodriguez said the store has been operating since 1992. He decided to purchase the store after initially taking a business interest in it. 

For Rodriguez, he said the best aspect of operating an antique store is the unknown of daily life.

“Every day is different. Every day is new,” Rodriguez said. “You’re going to run into different people and this is the type of business that brings out eccentric people – and it brings out just people who you may not see on a normal day, maybe, if you were shopping in a mall.” 

From Native American jewelry to specific crystal canoes, Rodriguez said people are looking for all sorts of items and every day “is not going to be boring.” 

“What also is nice is we keep all this stuff from going into the landfill and we give everything a second home so they can use it again,” Rodriguez said. “We like saving stuff.” 

Rodriguez said he would describe Colorado Antique Gallery as “large, different and fun,” adding that the store has evolved over the last three decades. 

Heirloom Antiques Mall 

Tucked in a quiet shopping mall in Aurora that includes an adult bingo venue and a hobby shop lies Heirloom Antiques Mall. Filled with various items including toys, art and more, the shop stands  two stories tall. 

Behind the counter, owner and operator Scott Davenport often greets his customers by asking if they’ve been in the shop, and explains the business to first-time visitors. 

The way Davenport described the store is simple but heartfelt. 

“It’s just a fun place,” he said, glancing around at the eclectic mix of vintage furniture, old signage and toy collections tucked in every corner.

His business model is shaped by inclusivity and a sense of community. 

“I try to offer something for everyone and I want it to be family friendly … We try to have stuff that they can see and interact with,” Davenport said. 

Davenport hadn’t always owned the store. His journey began as a vendor at a different antique shop. 

“I was a dealer at another antique store for eight years. And I came in and I took a spot here. And when I brought my wife back, I stepped on the bottom stair, and I looked at her, and said, ‘I’m going to buy this store.’ And one year to the month, not to the day, I bought it,” he said. 

It was a decision that would change his life. 

“It’ll be 10 years in August,” he said. 

What keeps him in it isn’t just the love of antiques — it’s the people. 

“I like the interaction with the customers, you know – you get to know them and their families. We have so many regulars,” Davenport said. 

Currently there are over 100 vendors in the shop, and Davenport said he also recently added more space to the business. 

And he isn’t done yet. 

“I just hope for continued growth,” Davenport said when asked what the future held.

The antique scene in the Denver metro area, according to Davenport, has seen a shift. 

“I think it’s gone more vintage and more clothing. It’s better now. The younger generation has found … a greater interest in repurposing and recycling,” Davenport said. 

Overkill Thrift & Consign

Overkill Thrift & Consign in Englewood opened its doors last year and offers a blend of what Davenport describes as what “the younger generation” has found, including vintage clothing in various styles and some antiques. 

“While Overkill primarily deals in modern second-hand clothing, we very frequently receive vintage and antique pieces from our consignors with ages ranging anywhere from 1960s to the early 2000s,” owner Megan Hartberger said. “We try to carry all the small staples that an antique store might offer, such as vintage Playboy magazines, antique knick knacks like wooden kaleidoscopes, vintage movie memorabilia items and cassette tapes.” 

Located at 3041 S. Broadway Overkill is a small but bustling purple building where Hartberger seeks to provide curated, unique fashions at reasonable prices. 

Hartberger maintains a “punk rock” style herself, but like Davenport, strives to have “a bit of everything” for vintage seekers who cross the threshold of her store. 

“No matter what your style is, I want you to be able to come in and find anything,” Hartberger said. “So, you know, goth, grunge, grandma, gearhead. We’ve got it all.” 

Hartberger said Overkill is partially a thrift store because it has various items under $5, including $2 bins, and much of those pieces are actually from her own personal collection. 

“We (also) have consign, which means you can come in and sell your clothes with us,” she said. “Those are going to be our slightly higher-priced items but I still like to have a good deal.”

Overkill used to be operated under the name Inner Me with a different owner, and Hartberger said it had a strong customer base that she has maintained since taking over the space in May last year. 

“I wanted to make something for myself to put my name on, and this place worked out,” she said. “It’s a great location, the landlord is really awesome, and there were just a bunch of great ways to get started.”

For the fashion collector, one of the best elements of the shop is chatting with the people who travel in and peruse her bins and racks. 

“My favorite aspect is just looking at clothes all day, but I have loved getting to know people who have similar style to me or just really appreciate the pieces I’ve brought in,” she said. 

Overkill is also a place where Hartberger encourages people to take the quirky or eclectic and make it their own.

“Put it on. If it looks good, keep it,” Hartberger said. “Let yourself be yourself.” 

Hartberger describes the thrift and antiquing scene in Denver as “thriving.” 

“Broadway especially is bustling with thrift and vintage stores alike, while several antique malls can be found throughout the area as well,” Hartberger said. “There’s something for every budget, whether you’re looking for records, comic books, clothes or antique home decor. Thrift stores have these items at lower prices but require more effort to dig for, while dedicated vintage and antique stores will be more curated at the cost of higher pricing.” 

The post Treasure hunting: Denver metro’s antique stores are spaces where history meets creativity appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

How do you move a 148-year-old schoolhouse from Wilmot Elementary School to Marshdale Park? Very, very carefully.

You might even say one inch at a time.

A Parker company specializing in moving historic buildings used hand-jacks to painstakingly inch Buffalo Park School from its concrete foundation in front of Wilmot Elementary on May 19, moving it onto a trailer and driving it about 4.5 miles to its new location on May 21 where movers slowly lowered the building onto a new concrete slab.

The historic one-room log Buffalo Park School has deteriorated and the Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society and Evergreen historian John Steinle have been looking for a new location for several years, so the area doesn’t lose this piece of history.

Steinle believes the Buffalo Park School is the oldest and last remaining one-room school structure built of logs in Jefferson County and perhaps the oldest in Colorado.

“I am a very very happy man,” said Steinle, who spent May 21 watching the move. “Personally, this is a culmination of … trying to make sure the school would be preserved, and it would be moved to a new location where it can be used as an educational tool.”

He called the groups who joined together to bring the move to fruition a great community effort, something typical for Evergreen.

“It will be a great asset as it was in the past to the Evergreen community,” Steinle said.

Takes a village

Since 1967 – when the schoolhouse was moved to Wilmot Elementary – and until about 10 years ago, school groups entered the building regularly to learn about Evergreen history.

The schoolhouse move took a village — the Evergreen Park & Recreation District agreeing to take over ownership of the building from Jeffco Public Schools and pouring a concrete slab at Marshdale Park; EMAHS using grant money to pay for the move; and Steinle working with all parties to make it happen.

Plus the Jeffco County Historical Commission and History Jeffco preservation group had a hand in making the move a reality.

Now that the building has its new home, it will take a village to raise the additional funds to renovate the building. The Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce, the Evergreen Legacy Fund, History Jeffco plus EMAHS and EPRD have offered to help with the renovations.

EPRD hopes to open the building for educational programs for school groups and the public.

“I’m excited to bring that back,” EPRD Executive Director Cory Vander Veen said. “We can get people learning about the history (of Evergreen) and do some programming.”

How to move a historic building

The Buffalo Park School, which had rotting wood at the bottom of the 15-foot by 20-foot building, was lifted ever so slowly by Mammoth Structural Moving workers, using jacks that they wedged under the building’s four corners.

Workers hand-jacked up the walls inch by inch in unison, so they could place steel beams under the building. The first day, workers lifted the schoolhouse about 12 inches. The second day, they lifted it so they could put a trailer under it, and on the third day, they drove the school to Marshdale Park and gingerly lowered it onto its new cement pad.

About a dozen people, including Steinle, EMAHS and EPRD representatives watched the building come to rest in Marshdale Park.

“Our first challenge is to keep (the building) from falling apart,” said Bill Davis, Mammoth’s founder and owner. “Jacking up the building is really simple. Keeping it together is what is complicated.”

Davis said his company moves buildings of all sizes, and a one-room building such as Buffalo Park School might seem simple, but it’s not.

Other details

Discussions to determine what to do with the building started in earnest in 2019, according to Stuart Collins, EMAHS president. But it wasn’t until 2022 that EPRD said it would assume responsibility for the building.

Nancy Judge, president of the Evergreen chamber, said the chamber got involved because the school is about the same age as Evergreen, which is celebrating its 150^th anniversary this year.

“The schoolhouse is part of the history of Evergreen, and we want to honor that and learn from it,” Judge said. “We want to move it, give it a new home and give it some TLC.”

Collins said hopes the money can be raised to replace the roof and windows, and to refurbish the building.

Many involved with the project thought it wouldn’t happen.

“This is great,” Collins said. “Now we have a financially secure entity – the Evergreen Park & Recreation District – taking care of it. Now we will put labor into restoration. The goal is to have a ribbon cutting by Aug. 1 next year and celebrate its opening.”

History of Buffalo Park School

Steinle has written a history of the building, telling how it came to be and was moved around Evergreen.

According to Steinle’s history, several families within the newly named Evergreen community joined forces in 1877 to build a school for their children. Antoine Roy and Selim Vezina, members of several French-Canadian families living in the area, constructed the Buffalo Park School at the Vezina ranch.

The land on which the school stood was leased by Jefferson County School District 11. There were eight boys and 15 girls: 23 students and their teacher crammed into the 10- by 15-foot building. The constant disappearance of the students’ pencils caused consternation until the culprit was discovered: a pack rat that had been adding pencils to his nest.

When a larger school was built along Cub Creek in the 1920s, the Buffalo Park School was no longer necessary, and it closed. The old school building was cared for by the Vezina family, but the ranch was sold in 1948. At that time, Carrie Riel Vezina had the building dismantled and moved to her new home on Evergreen Hill.

By 1966, Vezina wanted to sell her property and was concerned about the school’s future. She was a longtime member of the Evergreen Woman’s Club, and in 1967, the club assumed ownership, moving the schoolhouse first to the Evergreen High School grounds and then to Wilmot Elementary School.

The club assumed responsibility for maintaining the building, and Wilmot teachers used it as a learning environment for decades. Volunteers from Hiwan Homestead Museum also taught using 19th-century methods.

In 1987, the Evergreen Woman’s Club had the building renovated and repaired. By 2010, the Woman’s Club disbanded and turned over ownership and responsibility for the school to Jeffco Public Schools.

Since the 1987 renovation, the condition of the old school has deteriorated, and the school district was no longer able to adequately care for it.

In 2019, the school district contacted the Evergreen Mountain Area Historical Society to form a renovation plan. EMAHS board members and representatives from the Jefferson County Historical Commission and other groups met at the school to evaluate its condition.

HistoriCorps, a national volunteer preservation organization, was brought in to examine the school and formulate a renovation plan and budget. However, the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted everything and put the preservation effort on hold.

The post Relocating Evergreen’s historic Buffalo Park School a delicate endeavor appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

Many people think of museums as places that have all the answers, but that’s not always the case. And sometimes that makes for a more intriguing story.

Such is the case for the latest exhibition at the History Colorado Center, The Disappearance of Thomas Riha, which takes a local mystery and investigates the many remaining unanswered questions.  

“This is a true crime cold case that’s never been told publicly in a museum setting,” said Katherine Mercier, exhibition developer and historian at History Colorado. “We felt we finally had the space to experiment with the kind of exhibit we’ve never done before.”

The Disappearance of Thomas Riha will be on display at the Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver in Denver, through March 15.

According to the provided information, the exhibit tells the story of University of Colorado Boulder Russian history professor Thomas Riha, who vanished on March 15, 1969, right in the middle of the Cold War.

The exhibition features never-before-displayed declassified documents from the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is deepened by History Colorado’s archives. Museum researchers had a wide range of materials to use, including the journals of a woman who may or may not have played a role in Riha’s disappearance.

“Despite the case never being solved, we have hundreds of pages in our collection that provide unique insights,” Mercier explained. “We don’t claim to have the answer as to what happened, but we want people to be able to go through the evidence and come up with their own theories. There’s even a space at the end of the exhibition where guests can share them.”

While the mystery is the main draw of the exhibit, Mercier said she also hopes visitors get a glimpse of Colorado’s role as a hotbed of activity during the Cold War. With sites like Rocky Flats and the Air Force Academy, the state saw plenty of intrigue.

“People may not understand how big the Cold War was and how it integrated itself into everybody’s life,” she said. “I hope people think about what it would’ve felt like to be living at the time and how they would cope.”

Riha’s disappearance received a great deal of press coverage at the time, but eventually faded away, leaving everyone without answers. So, this exhibit was carefully designed to also include the stories of the people who were affected.

“The exhibit focuses on the people and lives that were wrapped up in the events,” Mercier said. “Thomas had a family that never got answers about what happened to him. This is ultimately a story about humanity.”

For more information, visit www.historycolorado.org/exhibit/disappearance-thomas-riha.

See How Englewood Works at Civic Center

How well do you know the people who keep your city running? Englewood residents have the chance to meet those behind the scenes at the Celebrate Englewood event, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 at the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway.

Attendees can meet employees and participate in other activities like Touch a Truck, where people can get up close to a fire truck, police cars, bearcat, police motorcycles and command post, and more. There will be vendors and other activities as well.

More information at https://www.englewoodco.gov/our-city/events/upcoming/celebrate-englewood.

Jefferson Symphony Plays Star Wars Score

May 4 may have been more than a week ago, but the Jefferson Symphony will be celebrating the immortal John Williams Star Wars score with two performances at 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 18 at the Mines Green Center, 924 16th St. in Golden.

In addition to the timeless music, Conductor Arturo J. Gonzales will be holding a pre-concert talk at 12:15 and 3:15 p.m. on the day of the concert in Metals Hall. According to provided information, he will discuss the history and composition of the Star Wars Soundtrack, what to listen for, and how to break down John Williams’ brilliant compositions.

Costumes are encouraged and those who wear costumes will get a discount on tickets. Information and tickets are available at https://www.jeffsymphony.org/.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Toro y Moi and Panda Bear at the Fillmore Auditorium

There is some music that’s made to get lost in. It’s less about the lyrics and more about the mood, a sonic energy that can transport you if you allow it. In their own ways, both Toro y Moi and Panda Bear, a member of indie rock legends Animal Collective, have been building these musical worlds for years. Their music is very different, but the vibes are strong with both.

The two musicians are a perfect pairing and they’ll be performing at the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St. Denver, at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 16. They’ll be joined by Kassie Krut for an evening to carry you away.

Information and tickets are available at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.

The post Clarke Reader: Can You Solve The Disappearance of Thomas Riha? appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

With the weather getting warmer and summer just around the corner, it’s time to hit the road — and the stacks. 

While Denver Public Library’s Central Branch is a Colorado landmark, it’s not the only library worth the trip. Scattered throughout Denver metro are unique libraries, filled to the brim with books and other resources waiting to be discovered. 

Coloradans are lucky enough to be able to get library cards in nearly every library district, regardless of whether they live in the district or not. Patrons just need to bring in a Colorado State ID or other proof of address, and they’ll be able to register for a library card. 

Summer reading programs are also just around the corner, and they’re not just for kids. Many libraries will offer special programming to inspire a love for reading in kids, teens and adults alike. To get ready for a literary adventure-filled summer, hop in the car, stock up on library cards and discover what each library has to offer.

Columbine Library Jefferson County Public Library

7706 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, CO 80123

Seated within Robert F. Clement Park, Columbine Library has books — and views — to share. The library’s west side features floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of Johnson Reservoir with the mountains behind it. Around the window, tables and chairs abound, giving visitors a cozy spot to study, read or just hang out.

“We are very lucky to have — in our biased opinions — one of the best locations in Jeffco Public Library,” said Columbine Public Services Manager Julianna Sipeki. “Nestled against the foothills, we are located in the beautiful Clement Park, where we host some of our outdoor programs, like birdwatching.”

However, great views aren’t all that Columbine Library has to offer. In addition to over 100,000 physical books and other materials, the library has Culture Passes for local museums, Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots that patrons can take home, access to apps for streaming music and movies and access to 133 different research databases. 

“We wish everyone knew that you can use all of our library services at no cost,” said Sipeki. “It costs nothing to get a library card, we don’t charge to book meeting or study rooms, there’s no charge to attend any program and we don’t charge late fees. You don’t even need a library card to come in and attend programs or use a computer.”

With dedicated sections for children and teens, study rooms and local businesses nearby, the library offers a spot for anyone to hang out. 

“We want people to know libraries are so much more than just a place to check out a book,” said Sipeki. “We are a place to meet your neighbors and make new friends; a place to learn and expand your worldview; a place to practice a skill or start a new hobby; or simply, just a place to spend an hour of your day. “

Bemis Public Library

6014 S. Datura St., Littleton, CO 80120

Nestled in a sleepy grove across from the Littleton Historical Museum, Bemis Public Library is one of the few independent libraries in the metro area, meaning it is not part of any library system. 

Instead, the library was built by the City of LIttleton in 1965 and is the namesake for former Littleton Independent Publisher Edwin A. Bemis. 

Now, the library — which is walking distance from Downtown Littleton — sports a large kid’s section that sometimes hosts storytimes, as well as a teen area that is separated from the rest of the library. 

Bemis Public LIbrary is also home to resources for immigrants and the unhoused, both of which are groups the library welcomes through its doors. The library also eliminated overdue fees in 2023 as an effort to become more equitable to patrons. 

Koelbel Library Arapahoe Libraries

5955 S. Holly St., Centennial, CO 80121 

Arapahoe Libraries comprises eight community libraries, a jail library and a bookmobile, all of which provide valuable resources to their patrons.

Oliver Sanidas, the executive director of Arapahoe Libraries, said that Koelbel Library in particular offers unique programming thanks to its cafe, meeting spaces, 39-seat theater, outdoor space and public art installations. 

“We want to provide a place and services that help meet not only the information needs of our patrons, but also the social needs,” Sanidas said. “The library provides a place for people to connect with others who share their interests and passions. We do this through events and programs, and by providing spaces for patrons to meet, work and enjoy fun activities.” 

Sanidas said that meetings rooms are used for birthday parties, business owners use the library’s cafe to meet with clients, tutors can meet with students and adults participate in book clubs and open mic nights at the library’s facilities. 

“We want our library to be a community hub,” Sanidas said. 

The library’s cafe serves bites and sips from local vendors, and offers a rotating series of drink speciale. The Koelbel Library Cafe is currently featuring a Purple Rain Latte, a Crimson and Clover Latte and a Strawberry Fields Lemonade. 

Anythink Wright Farms Anythink Libraries

5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602

Anythink Libraries branches offer all of the usual trappings of a library with a fun added twist: TryIts, a program wherein a patron can check out a kite, tarot deck, toy, musical instrument, games and more. The program is offered throughout the Anythink system. 

The library system’s flagship branch, located at Wright Farms, features a digital lab featuring video, audio and design software that allows teens to work on their digital editing skills and push their creativity. The flagship branch also contains a one-acre park adjacent to the library building. 

Castle Rock Public Library Douglas County Libraries

100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock, CO 80104

The new Phillip and Jerry Miller Library in Castle Rock was built in 2023 and was constructed with an emphasis on creating space for working adults, families and Douglas County history. 

“The Castle Rock location features two outdoor Aloha Plazas East and West, an interactive children’s play space called The Ranch, sponsored by Castle Rock Rotary Club, and DCL’s Archives & Local History, its collections and the Sjostrom History Lounge reading room,” said Melissa Anciaux, the staff writer for Douglas County Libraries. 

The branch replaced the old Phillip S. Miller Library that stood at the same location. 

Douglas County Libraries also partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which offers books to children up to 5 years old that the youngsters are able to keep. 

The post A literary road trip: Denver metro’s best libraries appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

A few years ago, Cipriano Ortega began integrating a two-string bass guitar into his music, experimenting with stripping his sounds down to the basics.

A minimalist at heart, the Denver local said that while researching blues, an African-American music genre dating back to the 1860s, he found that many players would start their music careers experimenting with a Diddley Bow, a one-string instrument.

“After I discovered that, I found an instrument that I was able to get obsessed with,” said Ortega, who began to experiment with the bare-bones sound, even constructing a few of his own.

His explorations make up the backbone of his debut album “Lo Lo House,” which was released in early April. The musician has described the 11-track record as “low-rock blues,” the minimal instrumentation combining elements of blues, jazz and rock.

“If I had an elevator pitch for anybody, it’s Morphine meets the White Stripes,” said Ortega, noting that much of the recording of the album itself was done on analog equipment to keep with the vintage, old-school vibe of the album.

“Lo Lo House” came together during an artist residency Ortega received through Breck Create, spending the summer of 2024 diving into the songwriting and recording process while living in the historic Robert Whyte house in Breckenridge.

“I found myself listening to a lot of those old-time blues records,” said the musician, nodding to his muses for the project such as Son House, Albert King and Bo Diddley. “I’ve always been enamored by these players who could create such an atmosphere and mood, just with their voice and guitar. It’s always been my goal to create that.”

Ortega said his time in the mountains was a significant inspiration for the album, with four songs coming out of being in the physical space. The title of the album “Lo Lo House” also pays homage to the historical setting along with bringing up associations to low rock as well as direct translations of “crazy” in Hawaiian and “grandfather” in Spanish.

“What I liked about the experience was it put me in this place to focus on the music and do some soul searching within that,” Ortega said. “The vibe I captured on the album will always bring me back to that place, and I loved using the unconventional recording space which became a pinnacle part of the album.”

Sonically, the album has a bit of everything from upbeat dance tunes to lofi beats. Ortega said he’s heard from listeners who enjoyed the album due to its edginess along with those who have found it relaxing. Some of the most popular tracks have been “Speakeasy” along with “Promise” and “Brighter than the Moon,” he said.

The album features Ortega on lead vocals, playing a two-string slide bass and a dobro. Doug Carmichael plays baritone and tenor saxophone with Bret Billings on harmonica and a lap steel guitar. Astin Lopez plays acoustic guitar, Courtlyn Carpenter on cello and Bret Batterman on drums. Batterman also worked as co-producer, having mixed and mastered the album.

“It’s a very experimental sound with experimental instrumentation that’s conventional, but not conventional in the way we’ve orchestrated it,” said the musician. “The number one question is how can we put all these puzzle pieces together to make a composition that still has a lot of atmospheric qualities?”

The lyrics of the album are grounded in the motifs of nightlife, solitude and making the most of what you’re given, all essential elements of blues, Ortega said. Growing up on Denver’s northside, the musician said much of the lyrics were written or inspired during night walks he would take through the city with the album’s track six, “Genie,” a direct nod to the northside.

In addition to creating an atmospheric quality in his music, Ortega said he’s enjoyed experimenting with crafting sonic worlds, embracing elements of storytelling that weave in and out of the around three-minute tracks.

“Being a man of color, Indigenous and of Latino heritage, I see the way the world perceives me in certain vignettes,” he said. “This album is about understanding who I am within those worlds but also beyond that.”

As for what’s next for the musician, playwright, actor, visual artist and poet, Ortega said he’d like to continue to refine his sound, making it accessible to a wider audience.

“Lo Lo House” is Ortega’s debut album, having released his debut EP “A Whole New Low” in 2023. “Lo Lo House” is available on all streaming platforms while hard copy CDs are available for purchase on lo-lo-house.com.

The post Northside local Cipriano Ortega releases debut album ‘Lo Lo House’ appeared first on Colorado Community Media.

When Justine Williams came to Colorado from England, she pursued horse therapy for people with disabilities. 

“As a kiddo in England, I was one of those kids who asked my mom and dad if I could ride horses, and I’ve always loved horses. So, they bought me a horse for my birthday, and I took 10 riding lessons and worked at the barn to pay for my riding lessons,” Williams said. 

Williams said that when she was 11 years old, her friend had a stroke, so she grew up with her childhood friend being disabled. 

“By the time I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to work with people with disabilities, and I found out about therapy horses,” Williams said. 

Williams went to Budapest to train in conductive education at the Pet Institute. 

“It’s where I learned about therapy and horses,” she said. 

She ended up getting married and then came to the U.S., moving to Colorado in 2001. With her passion and education as a therapist, she started her Rhythm of the Horse therapy services in Fort Lupton in 2021. 

Williams works with children with different types of disabilities, such as kids with autism, who don’t speak much.

“With training, I initiate a lot of language when they are on the horse. I teach them to say ‘go’ or ‘stop’ with my horses, Chloe or Gus,” Williams said. “It could be overwhelming to make the horse move, which is what they want, but they need to say something. So, they’re motivated to say something,” 

She also works with children and adults with cerebral palsy. 

“I also work with disabilities from stroke, ADHD, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, anyone with neuro-motor dysfunction, and I also work with other neurodivergent issues such as autism (and) sensory processing disorder,” Williams said. 

Rhythm of the Horse also has a program for horse reading for children who are new readers or struggling readers, and can learn to read with a horse. 

“So, they’re learning to feel more comfortable and confident about reading by partnering with the horse. It’s very special,” Williams said. 

William said Rhythm of the Horse also offers its Equine Assisted Learning Program for people who may be overwhelmed in life or have relationship issues. 

The children and adults can choose which horse they want to work with and eventually build a bond with that horse to get through their fear, anxiety or whatever they are experiencing. 

Rachel Sartucci, who has cerebral palsy, comes once a week for training for up to an hour. Her mom, Elizabeth Robinson, said Rachel, who is now 30, started the program when she was 21. 

“I think the program is helping her not get old and tight as quickly. She has cerebral palsy, a type that makes her muscles contract and not go back out. Her right side is weaker, so when she’s on the horse, it relaxes her muscles,” Robinson said. 

Karen MacDowell is retired, and has been volunteering with Rhythm of the Horse for about five years. 

“I’ve been working with Rachel the whole time I’ve been here. It’s important work, and it makes you feel good to help others,” MacDowell said. 

Colleen Larson is also retired and has been volunteering for four years, helping Williams with the clients.

“What Williams does with the horses and with riders is amazing. When they get on and off the horse, it’s nothing short of miraculous,” Larson said. 

Rhythm of the Horse is a nonprofit and offers scholarships based on financial need. The organization applies for grants and fundraises.

“We are looking for volunteers to come and help with the different programs. We welcome high school students or adults – anybody who is interested,” Williams said. 

In addition, Williams stated that she is initiating a program to find local do-it-yourself enthusiasts who would like to come together and form their own small group and social network.

“They could help build and fix things on the farm, such as walking ladders for the children learning to walk or fix a fence, where they can socialize with the kids,” Williams said. 

Williams has a large barn arena on her property, but it needs someone to put electricity in it so she can expand and use it on hot days and cold days to train her clients. 

“I have multiple sclerosis,” Williams said. “Before my mother passed in 2015, she always worried about me working in the heat. I work outside in the heat, which exacerbates my MS symptoms.”

Williams said she hopes to launch a capital campaign to run electricity underground from her house to the barn.

“I could have more classes throughout the day on cloudy days and wintertime to get some heat in here and some lights in the evening to do training,” Williams said. “We could hold fundraising events and bring in more fun. So that’s something that I would like to do with this indoor area.”

The services Williams offers:

• Conductive education, a holistic education with individuals with neurological impairment or delays.
• Adaptive riding for individuals with special needs to learn horseback riding or transition to other programs.
• Sensor integration therapy, which helps children with sensory-processing challenges improve their ability to handle sensory input. 
• The Horsepower Reading and Math program combines social emotional learning with academics to support students struggling with reading and math due to ADHD, anxiety, depression and other challenges. 
• Equine-assisted learning activities with a horse, such as mounting or dismounting it, which focuses on personal development and academic skills. 

In addition, Rhythm of the Horse offers various camps during school breaks, accommodating school groups. Homeschoolers and emotional support groups are available upon request. 

For more information on Rhythm of the Horse therapy, contact Justine Williams, executive director and therapist, at 303-681-8183 or email at  justine@rhythmofthehorse.org, or visit her website at https://www.rhythmofthehorse.org.

The post Rhythm of the Horse: Coloradan empowers people with disabilities through equine therapy appeared first on Colorado Community Media.