June is Pride Month and the Arvada Center is going big with three events that celebrate LGBTQ+ communities all over the state.
“We’re excited to invite the community to celebrate Pride with these three unique events this June,” said Sarah Kolb, marketing and communications director, in a provided statement. “Each event creates a sense of belonging and understanding, and learning through the arts has such a special ability to connect and entertain us. Working with these incredible collaborators from all across Denver allows us to bring events that celebrate pride and community to the Arvada Center, and we’re so grateful for their partnership.”
The first event will be held at the Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., on at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 and is called Pride In Place: A Colorado Country Concert celebrating LGBTQ+ country and bluegrass musicians.
The free event is hosted in partnership with Jefferson County Public Library and will feature performances from Amy Martin, Trace & Baerd, Morgan Harris Guitar, and Rosales and Summers. According to provided information, each group will take audiences on a journey as they explore important themes like place, sexuality, identity and love.
The next event is from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, and is Drag Queen Storytime with Miss Shirley. Another free, all-ages event co-hosted with the library, this one features an interactive story time and the opportunity to get to know Miss Shirley. It will also feature complimentary snacks and drinks.
Finally, there’s the Leather & Lace concert presented by the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and Denver Feminist Chorus. The concert is at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 15.
“It’s been a while since we’ve collaborated together, so it felt like a great idea for Pride Month to do something fun we haven’t done in a while,” said Dr. Clelyn Chapin, artistic director for the Denver Feminist Chorus. “All our concerts espouse a message that’s important to us and every song we sing has a reason for it.”
The show highlights the uniqueness of everyone’s gender expression and sexuality, which is something both musical organizations do throughout the year with their performances.
“We both have the same goal, but we approach it from a different artistic standpoint. When you put it all together, their style and our style, you get a new combined style that’s really powerful,” said Johnny Nichols Jr., artistic director for the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus. “This concert is about the things that bind us together as a community: love, family, friends and organizations that bring us together. The songs we’re singing highlight these experiences.”
Whichever event you attend, you’re going to get a powerful mix of entertainment and connection, both of which are extremely important these days.
“We hope to inspire freedom and openness and give everyone in the audience encouragement to be who they truly want to be,” Chapin said.
“We’re all in a community of love and we should be protecting, supporting and learning from each other,” Nichols Jr. added.
For more information on the Center’s Pride events, visit https://arvadacenter.org/events.
Celebrate All Things Puerto Rico at the Festival Flamboyán
The 40 West Arts District in Lakewood is celebrating the arts and culture of Puerto Rico with the Festival Flamboyán, beginning at noon on Sunday, June 8. The event will be held at The Three Leaches Theater, 1560 Teller St.
The festival will feature an artisan market from noon to 4 p.m., including a book fair, live music, a salsa class and food and drinks. From 5 to 10 p.m. attendees can see El Espectáculo — a variety show with two short plays, improv comedy, spoken word poetry and a special dance performance.
For more information, visit https://40westarts.org/events.
Take Advantage of Annual Aquatic Plant Sale
The Colorado Water Garden Society is hosting its annual Aquatic Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 8 at the Hudson Gardens and Event Center, 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.
Attendees can browse through a diverse assortment of aquatic plants. like lilies, lotus and many other marginals at the free event. There will also be fertilizer tablets for sale. Additionally, staff will be on hand to share their advice with those in need.
For more information, visit colowatergardensociety.org or contact Vicki Aber at 303-423-9216 or docvicki@msn.com.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Coldplay at Empower Field
I’ve always connected to musicians that wear their hearts on their sleeve, and few bands have done so as wonderfully as Coldplay. They’ve made a career full of music that can be absolutely soaring and moving if you just allow it into your heart.
The band doesn’t tour often, but they’re bringing their Music of the Spheres World Tour to Empower at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St. in Denver, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10. They’ll be joined by openers Elyanna and Willow for what is sure to be a magical night under the stars.
Get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.