Fall and Winter 2014: Can’t-Miss Museum, Science, and Cultural Events around Denver and Boulder
A Fall Preview by Gwen Gray
We’ve bid adieu to summer, but fear not: fall and winter have so many creative, inspiring and invigorating cultural events coming our way that we’ll hardly give summer a parting glance. Here are eight organizations bringing us can’t-miss museum, science, and cultural events around Denver and Boulder this fall and winter.
1. Spooky Tales and Holiday Tea at the Molly Brown House Museum
One of Denver’s most dignified historic residences, the Molly Brown House, gets a wee bit dark and creepy for their annual Victorian Horrors event. Come enjoy readings of serious and sinister tales that harken back to the days of Edgar Allan Poe and the romantics, when Gothic literature got hearts beating, chests heaving and minds racing. Advised for ages 12 and up, per parental discretion. Then beginning in December, refinement returns in the form of their Holiday High Teas. What a cheery, warm and festive place for a spot of tea with your family or friends over the holidays. Nosh on delicious treats and tour Mrs. Brown’s holiday bedecked home. 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver, www.mollybrown.org, 303-832-4092, ext. 16
Molly Brown House, Denver
Victorian Horrors
Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25, 6–9pm
$18 adults/$15members, seniors, children 6-12
Holiday High Teas
Thursdays, December 11 and 18, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Friday, December 5, 11am and 1pm
Fridays, December 12 and 19, 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Saturdays, December 6, 13 and 20, 11 am, 1pm and 3pm
Sundays, December 7, 14 and 21, 1pm and 3pm
$25 adults / $20 children 6-12
2. Cool-Weather Adventures with Environmental Learning for Kids
Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK)
Two upcoming events through Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK), an outdoor, science-based program for underserved kids, will make the most of Colorado’s cooler weather. In November 2014, they will head to the Edgar Mine near Idaho Springs for an underground tour that sheds light on mining history and technology. Then in January 2025, ELK students will head to Georgetown for an ice fishing outing to catch some rainbow trout deep under the frozen water. Fishing stories and hot coca are part of the adventure, and kids might even glimpse some bighorn sheep. These are both free to all ELK students (and it is free to signup to become an ELK student). Visit www.elkkids.org to enroll and RSVP to Amy Wright at awright@elkkids.org, 303-291-7693.
Edgar Mine Tour
Departs from Denver
November 11, 8am-2pm
Ice Fishing
Departs from Denver
January 31, 2015, 8am-2pm
3. Winter Raptors and Homestead Holidays Events at the Plains Conservation Center
There’s something powerful and peaceful about spotting a soaring hawk or eagle against a crisp autumn sky. On Oct. 25, come learn how to identify common birds of prey during an interactive slideshow and lecture on winter raptors at the Plains Conversation Center. Then take a wagon ride through the short-grass prairie and practice your newly learned identification skills alongside experienced guides.
Plains Conservation Center
If you’ve always wanted to take a horse-drawn holiday ride, here’s a new twist on the idea: Take a horse-drawn wagon ride to the Plains Conservation Center’s sod homestead and tour it by lamplight. Taste hot apple cider and molasses cookies fresh off the wood stove, and use hot potatoes to keep your hands warm. The buildings will be decked with authentic 1867 holiday decorations, and guides will discuss holiday traditions of the homesteaders. 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora, www.plainscenter.org, 303-693-3621
Winter Raptor Identification
October 25, 9am-12:30pm
$10/member; $15/non-member
Register here
Holidays on the Prairie
November 7, 6-7:30pm and 6:30-8pm
November 8, 6-7:30pm and 6:30-8pm
$25/member; $30/non-member
4. Family Fun and Holiday Craftiness at Majestic View Nature Center
Majestic View Nature Center
Arvada’s Majestic View Nature Center & Community Park is making great use of its 80 acres this season with two great events. The carefully timed After-Nappers Club allows well-rested and curious kiddos to frolic in nature this fall at a relaxed pace, while learning through fun, lighthearted weekly adventures. And closer to the holidays, the whole family will love the Eco Holiday Crafts series, where ornaments and decorations are cleverly crafted from reused and reclaimed products. Call 720-898-7405 to sign up. 7030 Garrison Street, Arvada,
After-Nappers Club
Thursdays, October 23, 30, November 6 and13, 3:30-4:15pm
Ages 2-5 yrs. with adult, $12 for all four classes.
Eco Holiday Crafts
Tuesdays, December 2, 9 and 16, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Ages 6 yrs.-adult, $5/class or $13 for all three.
5. Santa and a New Toy Exhibit at the Denver Firefighters Museum
Combine firetrucks and Santa Claus, and you’ve got some seriously happy little ones on your hands. On Dec. 6, 2014, the Denver Firefighters Museum’s Holiday Open House allows your whole family to meet Firefighter Santa, enjoy holiday refreshments, make crafts and take a tour of Old Station 1. As if that weren’t enough, you can then take a short walk to the Parade of Lights parade route beginning at 7pm. And just in time for the holidays, the museum unveils a new exhibit on Nov. 3: The Fire Toy Collection. This fun exhibit showcases toys and models inspired by firefighting. 1326 Tremont Place, Denver, www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org, 303-892-1436
Holiday Open House
Saturday, Dec. 6, 4-6pm
Free admission
Fire Toy Collection Exhibit
Nov. 3, 2014-Jan. 23, 2015
Museum admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and older, and $4 for kids ages 2-12. Children under 2 are free.
6. Tesoro Cultural Center
On Nov. 2, Jeff Campbell, historian at the National Park Service Sand Creek Massacre site, will give an introduction and overview of the Sand Creek Massacre to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Campbell will then introduce Karen Little Coyote (Cheyenne) and Al Addison (Arapahoe) who will share the stories of their ancestors, the fate of their tribes and the impact of the massacre on tribal relations today. There will be a free afternoon session hosted at the Denver Public Library and an evening lecture at The Fort, accompanied by a prix fixe, three-course dinner.
The Tesoro Cultural Center will also celebrate the Southwestern tradition of lighting the farolitos – paper lanterns – in the courtyard of The Fort on Nov. 30. This year’s honoree is Dr. Alexa Roberts, superintendent of the National Park Service Sand Creek Massacre site, for her efforts in uniting the tribes involved in the Sand Creek Massacre. An American Indian musician will perform songs of honor and healing for the descendants in attendance, and a pinecone will be ceremoniously placed into the fire to send messages to the fallen. This event is free and open to the public and features complimentary apple cider, coffee and biscochitos provided by The Fort. http://www.tesoroculturalcenter.org, 303-839-1671
Tesoro Cultural Center, tepee
Tesoro Cultural Center’s Historic Lecture Series: “150th Anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre: The Descendants’ Voices”
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, 1:30pm, Denver Public Library
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, 6pm, The Fort – 19192 Colorado 8, Morrison
The afternoon lecture hosted at the Denver Public Library is free; The dinner lecture hosted at The Fort is $55 per Tesoro member, $65 per non-Tesoro member.
More information
Farolito Lighting & Pinecone Ceremony
Sunday, Nov. 30, 4:30 p.m.
The Fort, 19192 Colorado 8, Morrison
Free
7. The Boulder History Museum’s Sand Creek Massacre Exhibit and Talk
The Boulder History Museum’s award-winning Chief Niwot: Legend & Legacy exhibit runs through Dec. 31, 2015 and is supported by several events this fall, including a Nov. 19 talk by Ben Nighthorse Campbell about the fight to make the Sand Creek Massacre site a National Historic Site.
Chief Niwot Forum
Nov. 19, 7pm
Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway, Boulder
$20 General admission
$10 Boulder History Museum members and NARF donors
Tickets may be purchased online or at 303-449-3464
8. Alliance Française’s Special Wine Tasting
On Monday, Oct. 20, Alliance Française is offering an educational wine tasting class themed around the Denver Center’s fall performances of “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Sample the wines poured on the Titanic and sip on selections from Molly’s adventures in Rome and Andalusia. Denver Center actors will join in. Seats are limited. Please RSVP by purchasing tickets.
The Unsinkable Molly Brown Wine Tasting
Oct. 20, 6:30-8:30pm
571 Galapago St., Denver
$40 for Alliance members and $50 for the public
Enjoy these fantastic events around Denver and Boulder this fall and winter!
