It looks like it’s going to be another stormy weekend. I’m not one to complain (who am I kidding? I may actually have a tendency to complain), but can we not catch a break on the weekends? My son has so many soccer make-ups scheduled, he’ll be playing until the Fourth of July!
Earth Day is this week. Go, Earth! There’s an Earth Day Fair in Evergreen, and the Museum of Nature and Science is free, also. There are a couple of interesting musical/theater options, as well as Doors Open Denver, an annual event. I’ve added a list of consignment sales going on around town. Because the economy. . . it’s not doing so well. In case you haven’t heard. I’ve also added a section for Mother’s Day events, so you can start planning now for that special day dedicated just to you Mamas.
As always, please check times, admission prices, and so on before you head out. I’ve checked this stuff pretty thoroughly, but you just never know.
Upcoming Free Days:
Sunday, April 19th, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver www.dmns.orgs 303-322-7009. In celebration of Earth Day, admission to the museum is free! Don’t forget they have that awesome new Expedition Health exhibition, along with the ongoing Natural Disasters exhibit, plus several others. Expedition Health is free with admission (so, free + free = totally free), but you need to make reservations.
Community Events:
Saturday, April 18th, and Sunday, April 19th, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Doors Open Denver, 303-282-5073, www.denver.gov.org/doorsopendenver.
Celebrate local architects and go behind the scenes in Denver’s architectural gems. You can do a self-guided tour, take a tour with an expert, or do a tour with a theme. Any of these options will take you around Denver to discover some truly great architecture that you might not have known about otherwise. And best of all: It’s FREE!
Saturday, April 18th, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Earth Day Fair, Evergreen Lake and Lake House, Shuttle Parking available at Wulf Recreation Center (5300 South Olive Road) behind Evergreen High School. Earth Day Celebration, including children’s activities and a live raptor demonstration. I’ve been told this event will go on, rain or shine. Bundle up if your’re heading up! This event is FREE.
Theater and Music:
Saturday, April 18th, 2:00 p.m. Spring with the Colorado Children’s Chorale, Boettcher Concert Hall, 14th and Curtis Street, Denver. www.childrenschorale.org or
This spring concert commemorates 35 years of the Colorado Children’s Chorale. Enjoy selections from musicals including Oliver and Tom Sawyer. Tickets are $24 to $60 through TicketMaster. Not necessarily an inexpensive event, but no doubt a good one.
Saturday, April 18th, 7:00 p.m. Grease Sign-a-Long, Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder. 303-442-3282 or www.chautauqua.com.
Chautauqua rolls the movie, you all get to sing along. Costumes are optional. Introduce your school-aged kids to the movie that was a huge influence (For some of us, anyway.). And you get to belt out the songs without anyone looking at you askance. Cool. Tickets are $8 or $4 for members. Check the website for directions and more information.
Through May 15th: Snow White and the Dwarves of Dweedlebury, Boulder’s Dinner Theatre, 5501 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder. Show times are most Wednesdays through Saturdays, Various times. www.theatreinboulder.com or 303-449-6000, x4 for reservations.
A musical participation experience, recommended for kids in preschool – 5th grade. Tickets are $7. Check for specific show dates and times.
Through May 17th: The Emperor’s New Clothes at the Denver Puppet Theater, 3156 West 38th Avenue, Denver. www.denverpuppettheater.com or 303-458-6446
Show Times: Thursdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Tickets are $6.00. Group discounts and discounted ticket packs available.
Shows at the Denver Puppet Theater are appropriate for children ages 3 and older.
*Please note: The theater is closed Easter Week, April 6 – 14. Times also change during the summer months. Check before you go!
The Denver Puppet Theater is a funky little hidden gem in North Denver. Puppets truly are art, and take on a life of their own (but not in a creepy, Poltergeisty way). Definitely worth a visit.
Consignment Sales:
Consignment sales are great, because not only do you get good stuff for cheap, but the sale usually benefits some sort of non-profit or good cause. It’s a win-win. And when your toddler smears leftover Easter chocolate all over that gently used shirt you just bought, you don’t feel quite so bad.
April 17th, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., April 18th, 9:00 – 4:30, and April 19th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Just Between Friends Consignment Sale, National Western Complex, I-70 and Brighton Road, www.jbfsale.com. $2 admission fee.
Saturday, April 18th, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (some items go to half-price at Noon) New to You Children’s Consignment Sale, Christ Lutheran Church, 8997 South Broadway, Highlands Ranch 303-791-0803. $1.00 admission fee, sales are cash only.
Mother’s Day Events
Mother’s Day is May 10th. My guess is that most of you reading this are actually mothers. You may need to drop a hint or three. You might also be planning for other mothers in your life. If any of the above applies to you, following is a list of activities that are mother-related, mother-appropriate, intended for mothers, what-have-you. I’ll continue to update this list until the magical day, so feel free to send me suggestions.
April 21st, 5:30-8:00 Mother’s Day Craft Night and Pizza Party, My Art Workshop, 9126 W. Bowles Avenue, Unit 2C, Littleton; 303-958-3594 or www.myartworkshop.com.
It’s dad’s turn (or any grown-up!) to bring the kids in to make great hand-made Mother’s Day gifts. My Art Workshop will supply the pizza and drinks for just $5 per family and kids can choose from a huge variety of crafts to make for Mom, Grandma, or whoever, starting at just $5/project. Pottery, mosaics, tie dye, stepping stones, sand art and more are available to choose from and the helpful folks at the Workshop will guide your (brilliant and) crafty kids every step of the way. You must sign up in advance (so there’s plenty of pizza and beverages), but a deposit is not required. Not only is this a great idea for Mother’s Day gifts, but you can have a night on your own while your wonderful husband is off with the kids, creating gifts galore for you and all of the Grandmas. I wonder what sort of Merlot would pair nicely with this?
May 8th, 9th and 10th, Various times: Mother’s Day Full Tea at the Molly Brown House, 1340 Pennsylvania Street, Denver. www.mollybrown.org or 303-832-4092. Reservations for this event are going fast! So register now! Take your daughter/s (I’m sorry, I just can’t see my boys getting into this. . .), share fancy tea with your favorite Mom or Grandmother, and tour the Molly Brown House while you’re at it.
May 10th, 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Mother’s Day Brunch at Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. www.hudsongardens.org or 303-797-8565 x 321.
A glorious way to spend Mother’s Day: Surrounded by beautiful flowers you didn’t have to plant or weed! Seating is European style, which means you may be seated with other parties. Check the website for complete information, including menu descriptions, seatings areas, and specific seating times. Tickets are $12 for children, $23 for adults.
May 10th, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Mother’s Day Tea, Denver Firefighter’s Museum, 1326 Tremont Place, Denver. www.denverfirefightersmuseum.org or 303-892-1436.
A traditional tea party and reading of the book No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons). Sure to please any Mother-Child combo. Tickets are $10 per person, and reservations are required.
A note about the following listings and other similar listings that may show up on occasion: I have been known to run a mile or two in my day. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the race circuit, but I think races are a great thing. They usually benefit a good cause, and typically include some sort of fun run for the little ones. I like the example I set when my kids see me participating in an event I’m unlikely to win, but that I’m doing anyway, just to see what I can do. Please note that not all races are stroller-friendly, but many are, and may include specific waves or start times just for strollers. Either way, if you’re running with your stroller, just be prepared to shout—nicely, of course!—at other runners as you approach. Because, strong Mamas that you all are, you’ll be passing everyone right and left. I also don’t run with my iPod, so I just talk to the person running next to me, whether I know them or not. Takes my mind off of my inability to breathe.
May 10th, 9:00 a.m., Washington Park, Denver Spina Bifida Association of Colorado Walk, Run, and Roll; A Fundraiser and Public Awareness Event for the Spina Bifida Association of Colorado. 5k Run/Walk/Roll, and 1 Mile Family Walk. Registration: $20/individual, $50/family, $12/youth and seniors. Register by May 8th at www.coloradospinabifida.org. We have a fabulous kid in our life who has Spina Bifida, so I may be biased in mentioning this event. But what could be more fun than burning off your Mother’s Day meal before you eat it? And Washington Park? On Mother’s Day? Beautiful! Go. Run or walk. Eat. Enjoy!
May 10th, 9:00 a.m., Boulder Reservoir, Title 9k+ Mother’s Day Run; Rag-A-Muffin Run at 8:15. www.titlenine.com.
This is an awesomely fun race around Boulder Res. It’s 6 miles, which is pretty similar in distance to that other race in Boulder in May. You can run/walk it alone, with your kid/s in a stroller, or with your kid/s as a team. Only, no dads. Seriously! A great way to celebrate your umph as a woman and a mother. And did I mention the Rag-A-Muffin run? It’s too cute. The post-race festivities include live music and fun activities of all varieties for kids and parents alike. Register by April 19th and get a discounted entry fee. The race is limited to 1800 participants (this is a good thing, believe me!), so register ASAP.
To have an event considered for inclusion, please email [email protected].
