Denver’s free outdoor summer concerts 2022

What would summer be without some outdoor concerts? We recommend you come early, bring your own chairs/blanket and a great picnic to enjoy some of the best bands around town for FREE at area parks all summer long! Some of the best bands across Denver play and don’t cost you anything. That’s one way to save money in this economy this summer and have a great family experience.

If you want to be super-efficient, check out products like Mac Sports Foldable Chaise Lounge Chair with Integrated Wagon Pull Cart Combo. Haul your picnic and beverages with the wagon that then converts to your very own chair. The wheels are heavy and can cross any terrain.

Also, don’t miss our guide to Outdoor Family Movies in Denver.

May

· May 25 – Lampoe at Union Station

· May 27 – Gasoline Lollipops with Jimbo Darville & the Truckadours at Levitt Pavilion

· May 28 – The Polish Ambassador at Levitt Pavilion

June

· June 1 – Modern Fusion at Union Station

· June 1 – The Wendy Woo Band at Northglenn Summer Concert Series

· June 2 – Mr. Majestyk’s 8-Track Revival at Highland Ranch Summer Concert Series

· June 2 – Ruthie Foster with Anthony Russo Band at Levitt Pavilion

· June 2- Thornton Community Band and Acrobatic Circus at Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Series

· June 2 – Ricardo Pena Band at Parker Arts’ Discovery Park Concerts

· June 3 – Mark Farina at Levitt Pavilion

· June 4 – Funkiphino at Concerts on The Green

· June 5 – Alex Cuba with Gui Kroneberger & Bill Kopper) at Levitt Pavilion

· June 8 – Chris Koza at Union Station

· June 8 – The Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band at Northglenn Summer Concert Series

· June 8 – Funkiphino at Streets of Southglenn

· June 9- FACE Vocal Band at Highland Ranch Summer Concert Series

· June 9- That 80’s Band at FlatIron Crossing

· June 9 – Ella Mae with Jacob Joliff Band at Levitt Pavilion

· June 9 – Tunisia and the Mayor’s Ice Cream Social at Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Series

· June 9 – Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts at Clement Park

· June 10 – Steep Canyon Rangers with Timber! at Levitt Pavilion

· June 11 – Calexico at Levitt Pavilion

· June 12 – Kutandara with Maputo Mensah and Logo Ligi at Levitt Pavilion

· June 15 – Femi Kuti and the Positive Force at Levitt Pavilion

· June 15 – Hot Lunch Band at Northglenn Summer Concert Series

· June 15 – Hazel Miller & The Collective at Bands on the Bricks in Boulder

· June 15 – Ryan Shupe at Littleton Concert Series

· June 16 – Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra at Clement Park

· June 16 – Tunisia at Southlands

· June 16 – The Radio Band at FlatIron Crossing

· June 16 – Megan Burtt at Longmont Summer Concert Series

· June 16 – Rickie Law at Parker Arts’ Discovery Park Concerts

· June 16 – Amanda Castro at Lakewood’s Concerts in the Park

· June 16 – Soul School at Highland Ranch Summer Concert Series

· June 16 – Soul X Band at Concerts on The Green

· June 16 – Groove N Motion + Ward 1 Ice Crem Social at Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Series

· June 18 – Thumpin’ at Concerts on The Green

· June 18 – iZCALLi: Rebirth Album Release Festival at Levitt Pavilion

· June 19 – Blitzen Trapper with Laney Jones at Levitt Pavilion

· June 20 – Funkiphino at Stapleton on the Green Concert Series

· June 22 – Saritah at Bands on the Bricks in Boulder

· June 22 – Black Iris Collective at Union Station

· June 22 – Christine Alice and the Chords at Northglenn Summer Concert Series

· June 22 – Paizley Park at Streets of Southglenn

· June 22 – Juice O’The Barley at Littleton Concert Series

· June 22 – Dr Poz and Friends at Evergreen Summer Concert Series

· June 23 – Thumpin’ at Southlands

· June 23 – Knyght Ryder at Lakewood’s Concerts in the Park

· June 23 – Moors & McCumber at Clement Park

· June 23 – Soul X at FlatIron Crossing

· June 23 – Mile High Powwow Dance Experience at Longmont Summer Concert Series

· June 23 – Mannequin the Band at Parker Arts’ Discovery Park Concerts

· June 23 – The Drones at Highland Ranch Summer Concert Series

· June 23 – Hazel Miller Band at Concerts on The Green

· June 23 – Ninety Percent 90’s + Chalk Arts Festival at Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Series

· June 29 – Jeff Johnson & Company at Littleton Concert Series

· June 29 – Hand Turkey Band at Union Station

· June 29- Expresso! at Northglenn Summer Concert Series

· June 29- Chimbangle at Bands on the Bricks in Boulder

· June 30 – Soul X at Southlands

· June 30- Homeslice at FlatIron Crossing

· June 30 – Hard Days Night at Lakewood’s Concerts in the Park

· June 30 – On The Rise: Songwriter Showcase at Longmont Summer Concert Series

· June 30 – Dotsero Band at Concerts on The Green

· June 30 – Quemando Orquestra + Group Salsa Dance Lesson at Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Series

· June 30 – Shameless at Parker Arts’ Discovery Park Concerts

July

· July 2 – That 80’s Band at Concerts on The Green

· July 2 – Shakedown Street at Levitt Pavilion

· July 3 – The Altons with Wes Watkins at Levitt Pavilion

· July 6 – Soul School (and Ghostbusters Afterlife Move after the concert) at Northglenn Summer Concert Series

· July 6 – The Long Run at Bands on the Bricks in Boulder

· July 21 – Gold Rush Country at Lakewood’s Concerts in the Park July 7 – Plain Faraday at Clement Park

· July 7 – The Long Run at Southlands

· July 7 – Funkiphonio at FlatIron Crossing

· July 7 – Narrow Gauge at Highland Ranch Summer Concert Series

· July 7 – Cass Clayton Band at Concerts on The Green

· July 7 – The Petty Nicks Experience at Parker Arts’ Discovery Park Concerts

· July 7 – Foxfeather at Longmont Summer Concert Series

· July 7 – Catch a Wave at Lakewood’s Concerts in the Park

· July 8 – The Suffers with Adiel Mitchell at Levitt Pavilion

· July 8 – Sweet Summer at Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series in Boulder

· July 9 – Hot Lunch at The Orchard Town Center Concert Series

· July 10 – The Reverent Peyton’s Big Damn Band with The Claudettes at Levitt Pavilion

· July 13 – Petty Nicks Experience at Streets of Southglenn

· July 13 – Journey Girls at Littleton Concert Series

· July 13 – The New Respects at Levitt Pavilion

· July 13 – Funk Fusion at Union Station

· July 13 – Titanic at Bands on the Bricks in Boulder

· July 14 – Dakota Blonde at Clement Park

· July 14 – The Radio Band at Southlands

· July 14 – Chase N The Dream at FlatIron Crossing

· July 14 – After Midnight at Parker Arts’ Discovery Park Concerts

· July 14 – the Long Run at Highland Ranch Summer Concert Series

· July 14 – Ron Ivory Motown Review at Concerts on The Green

· July 14 – Jessica Lea Mayfield with DespAIR Jordan at Levitt Pavilion

· July 14 – Wash Park Band + Ward 4 Ice Cream Social at Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Series

· July 14 – Hollywood U2 at Lakewood’s Concerts in the Park

· July 15 – Drive By Truckers (with Buffalo Nichols) at Levitt Pavilion

· July 15 – Hazel Miller at Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series in Boulder

· July 16 – Mo Lowda and the Humbel with Holdfast & Joyce From the Future at Levitt Pavilion

· July 16 – Tunesia at The Orchard Town Center Concert Series

· July 17 – The Abrams with Casey James Prestwood at Levitt Pavilion

· July 20 – The Coffis Brothers at Bands on the Bricks in Boulder

· July 20 – Wellington Bullings at Union Station

· July 20 – Delta Sonics at Littleton Concert Series

· July 20 – The Wreklunds at Evergreen Summer Concert Series

· July 21 – Country Music Project at Southlands

· July 21 – The ThreadBaronds at Clement Park

· July 21 – Hot Lunch at FlatIron Crossing

· July 21 – Trouble in the Heartland at Parker Arts’ Discovery Park Concerts

· July 21 – Chris Daniels & The Kings at Highland Ranch Summer Concert Series

· July 21 – Jacob Larso Band at Concerts on The Green

· July 21 – Hazel Miller + Ward 2 Ice Cream Social at Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Series

· July 21 – Delta Sonics at Longmont Summer Concert Series

· July 22 – Reckless Kelly with The Barlow at Levitt Pavilion

· July 22 – Jacob Larson at Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series in Boulder

· July 23 – Fire & Ice at The Orchard Town Center Concert Series

· July 27 – Chain Station at Bands on the Bricks in Boulder

· July 27 – That 80s Band at Streets of Southglenn

· July 27 – Spinphony at Littleton Concert Series

· July 27 – Rhett Haney at Evergreen Summer Concert Series

· July 28- Jakarta at Southlands

· July 28 – Thumpin at FlatIron Crossing

· July 28 – Union Grey at Parker Arts’ Discovery Park Concerts

· July 28 – The Radio Band at Highland Ranch Summer Concert Series

· July 28 – Wash Park Band at Concerts on The Green

· July 28 – Chris Daniels & The Kings at Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Series

· July 28 – Hazel Miller & The Collective at Longmont Summer Concert Series

· July 28 – ATOMGA at Clement Park

· July 28 – Smokin’ Cobras at Lakewood’s Concerts in the Park

· July 29 – The Hamilton Band at Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series in Boulder

· July 29 – Fiesta Colorado Dance Company with Mariachi sol de Mi Tierra and ArtistiCO at Levitt Pavilion

· July 30 – Knot Rock Band at Concerts on The Green

· July 30 – The Long Run at The Orchard Town Center Concert Series

August

· August 3 – The Goonies at Bands on the Bricks in Boulder

· August 3 – Dakota Blonde at Littleton Concert Series

· August 4 – Soul School at Southlands

· August 4 – Hot Lunch Band at Concerts on The Green

· August 4 – Denver Jazz Club Youth All-Stars at Clement Park

· August 4 – Bleu Breeze Band at Lakewood’s Concerts in the Park

· August 5 – Chris Daniels & The Kings at Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series in Boulder

· August 5 – Head for the Hills ft. The Horsetooth Horns (with Buffalo Commons) at Levitt Pavilion

· August 6 – Chris Daniels & The Kings at The Orchard Town Center Concert Series

· August 10 – FACE Vocal Band at Streets of Southglenn

· August 10 – The Selfless Lovers at Evergreen Summer Concert Series

· August 11 – Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion at Clement Park

· August 12 – Dotsero at Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series in Boulder

· August 12 – Hot Buttered Rum at Levitt Pavilion

· August 13 – Kaleta & Super Yamba Band with Zanib at Levitt Pavilion

· August 13 – Home Slice at The Orchard Town Center Concert Series

· August 14 – Y La Bamba with Kayla Marque at Levitt Pavilion

· August 18 – Ginga at Levitt Pavilion

· August 19 – FACE Vocal Band at Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series in Boulder

· August 20 – Funkiphino at The Orchard Town Center Concert Series

· August 21 – Slim Cessna’s Auto Club with Snakes at Levitt Pavilion

· August 15 – Calvin Arsenia with Nina de Freitas at Levitt Pavilion

· August 24 – The Long Run at Streets of Southglenn

· August 26 – Quemando Salsa at Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series in Boulder

· August 27 – Oakhurst at Levitt Pavilion

· August 27 – That 80s Band at The Orchard Town Center Concert Series

· August 31 – North Mississippi Allstars with Uncle Jesse (DJ Set) at Levitt Pavilion

September

· September 1 – River Whyless with Heavy Diamond Ring at Levitt Pavilion

· September 2 – Amy Helm at Levitt Pavilion

· September 3 – Evanoff with Trent Campbell (TNERTLE Solo) at Levitt Pavilion

· September 4 – Gamelan Tunas Mekar with Leela Dance Collective at Levitt Pavilion

Denver Summer Activities

The Ultimate Denver Summer Activity Guide (250+ ideas)

Guide to Denver’s Splash Parks and Spray Fountains

Cool Off This Summer at Colorado’s Best Beaches

25 great fishing ponds in Denver

South Platte River Trail’s 25+ best parks, trails, restaurants and museums

Borrow a Colorado State Parks Pass from Your Library

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. While clicking these links won’t cost you extra money, they help us keep this site up and running. See our disclosure policy.

The tale of my worst haircut ever in middle school (pun intended)

I’ve had big, curly hair most of my life. During my early years, my hair was more frizzy than curly and I endured many nights of going to bed in those awful pink sponge rollers (if you were a child of the 1980s, you know). If I was extra lucky, I would forget I was wearing a turtleneck and my mom wouldn’t let me remove it so I got to sleep in a 1980s turtleneck AND those pink rollers.

Those were memorable nights.

I started getting perms like all the other cool kids in the 1980s and my puberty hormones must have kicked in around that time because my hair stayed curly for the rest of my life. When you have a head of bouffant curls, your styling options are pretty limited. My variations were big bangs and even bigger bows. Sometimes my curls cascaded down to the middle of my back; other times, it was shoulder-length.

And then there was middle school.

My mom loved glamor on a budget. Well, she hate the budget but loved the glamor so that was her only choice when you’re on a tight budget. To save a few bucks, she took us to the local high school’s beauty school where a very glamorous Ms. Munoz oversaw all cuts and styling. She was a Farah Fawcett look-a-like who was always up on the latest trends.

I was a pretty solid kid: Great athlete, good student and I had lots of friends but I was in the middle of my awesomely-awkward (ugly) middle school years. So, in seventh grade, I decided it was time for a change: The Hair had to go.

The beauty school girls gathered around as I told them I wanted my mane chopped into a very 1980s asymmetrical do.

“No way, do you know what you should do?” they gushed.

“What?” I asked. I was very impressionable to the older, glamorous beauty school girls.

“Since we’re going from long to short, you should keep some wisps in the back. It’s all the rage and very apropos.”

I was a lot of things during my dork stage but apropos was not one of them and so I let them chop my hair, leaving these “wisps” all over my head.

When the deed was done, they all gathered around, oohing and awing at my transformation. It was every bit as good as those before-and-after specials on Oprah and I was loving it.

Until I got home, and looked, really looked in the mirror.

To my horror, those were not whimsical wisps but rather, TAILS ALL OVER MY HEAD.

I was a furry well before they existed.

My furry existence was short-lived because we chopped off those tails STAT. Sadly, we did not commemorate the occasion by taking a picture (or should I say thankfully that these were the days before social media?)

But I had to live with crazy-short hair for several months until my hair grew out long enough for an asymmetrical cut.

And then my mom loved it so much that she got the same cut as me.

Just in case you’re taking notes about how to be the coolest kid in middle school.

Deals: Free American flags, Elitch discount, Memorial Day sales and more!

Memorial Day is not just a three-day weekend. It is also the unofficial start to summer. It is when some of the biggest blockbuster movies of the summer start (I saw Top Gun: Maverick last night and it’s AWESOME). It is the best time to buy mattresses, TVs, Kitchen appliances, Outdoor items (furniture, gear, camping stuff and garden items). And it is when we should be remembering those that gave their lives for us.

Also, don’t miss our guide to Memorial Day weekend in Denver with these family-friendly events.

GetOutPass. Get 55% off the GetOutPass, a 12-month membership to Denver’s best attractions that can be paid for in a few ways, making it affordable for everyone. Enjoy Denver’s best attractions like Elitch Gardens, Fat Cats, and Bandimere Speedway and more. Use code MILEHIGHMAMAS at checkout. Valid through May 31.

Epic Pass. Winter is not the only season in the mountains. When you buy your Epic Pass (Vail Resorts) for next ski season, you get deals for this summer too (start using benefits immediately)! The Summer Escape Sale, through May 30, you get an additional 20% off already discounted rates including Summer Scenic Gondola rides, on-mountain food, lodging, bike rental and golf. That might give you one more reason to staycation again this summer!

Planet Fitness Teen Summer Challenge. Do you have a teen between 14 and 19? They can work out for FREE at any Planet Fitness location. Sign up now for the teen challenge online or in-person (plus, they can win a scholarship!)

Waterworld. I love when something local gets great national attention, WaterWorld in Federal Heights is one of the top water parks in the country! But cheap it is not! There are several ways you can get a discount: Join the eclub for notices of deals and discounts; pre-choose your day and purchase your ticket online to save money; buy a season pass (they call it a Splash Pass); and Hyland Hills Resident (residents get a discount). In years past they have provided discount coupons on soda cans and for the military, we will stay on the lookout and let you know if that happens again). Also, you can bring your own food and drink into the park which could save quite a bit.

Sonic. Get half-price shakes at Sonic through May 29. Download or open the Sonic app for the reward.

National Hamburger Day. A “National Day” of anything usually means deals. For National Hamburger day which falls on May 28 you can get a classic Smashburger at Smashburger for only $5; a buy one get one free at Hamburger Stand; a free junior bacon cheeseburger at Wendy’s (with any purchase plus it’s good through June 5); and McDonald’s says they will have deals on their app.

Hulu. Stream Hulu for only $1 for three months (trial membership). Sign up as a new subscriber between May 20 and 27.

Kohl’s. Kohl’s has women’s tees and tanks for as low as $2.92!

Lowe’s. Lowes is having a Memorial Day Sale! Get Mulch and Garden soil for as little as $2 a bag and save on other outdoor items such as patio furniture and more.

Ace Hardware. Let’s not forget the Memorial Day is for not forgetting! Get your free American Flag at Ace Hardware on May 28^th.

Crocs Sandals. Last summer I bought my daughter the new Birkenstock sandals – because we were going to a beach. The rubber/plastic design was great for summer. While the Birkenstocks were not that expensive (compared to regular Birkenstocks), the Cros sandals can be snatched up for a mere $16 shipped! Visit Crocs.com to get 40% off select styles + an extra 20% off when you use promo code EXTRA20.

IKEA Restaurant Deals. Not only will you not likely have the same long checkout lines, but you can score an awesome meal deal when you shop Wednesday and Thursday at IKEA. The deals are: Wednesdays get half off kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée and Thursday, buy one entrée get a second for half off!’

Summer Camp Discount. Still looking for a summer camp? KidzToPros provides a variety of STEM, arts and sports summer camps for kids ages 3-14 with 13 locations across the Denver area! From Wonder Robotics to sports to improv comedy to graphic design to tennis. Get $50 off with our exclusive code MILEHM-50!Here Comes the Sun with KidzToPros’ Summer Camps (Get $50 off!) | Mile High Mamas

5 Reasons Why Gardening Can Help Children Feel Happier and Calmer

As we enter the summer season, many parents are wondering how to keep their kids busy without always being glued to screens indoors. One way to get them outside is to start a family garden. Growing fruits and vegetables together as a family can be a fun, engaging, and calming activity. In addition to the general physical and mental health benefits of being outside in nature, gardening offers a healthy distraction, provides a chance for some light exercise, encourages children to eat healthier, and builds community. There are also some incredible new discoveries about how soil can help improve mood.

“Spending time in nature doing activities like gardening helps reduce stress and allows us to recover from tense situations more quickly,” explains Sandi Schwartz, author of Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer. She adds, “It is special when we can pick fruits and vegetables grown in our own backyard and savor them at our dinner table. We have dabbled in growing our own tomatoes and peppers, which the children absolutely love doing. It’s a wonderful experience for them to pick the produce and play a role in creating a healthy meal for our family that incorporates the food we grew ourselves.”

Schwartz’s book highlights five reasons why gardening can help children feel happier and calmer:

Healthy Distraction. Engaging with a garden helps children feel more mindful and get lost in the moment, distracting them from their worries. One study showed that after 30 minutes of gardening, participants’ stress hormone levels dropped, and they felt happier after the activity.

Exercise. Gardening also provides some light exercise from digging, lifting, carrying, and bending up and down. Exercise helps kids feel better as a result of their body producing endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers. Exercise also reduces the level of stress hormones in the body like adrenaline and cortisol, helping kids feel calmer.

Eat Healthier. Gardening can motivate kids to eat healthier foods that make them feel better. When kids are invested in growing their own fruits and vegetables, they feel more connected and want to enjoy the “fruit of their labor.” By encouraging them to eat healthier through gardening, they will hopefully choose foods that nourish them instead of junk foods filled with sugar. It’s important for children to eat less sugar for numerous health reasons, but also for their mental health. Sugary foods can increase anxiety and even cause kids to feel gloomy.

Builds Community. Whether it is family bonding in the garden, sharing produce and gardening stories with friends and neighbors, or volunteering in a community garden, that social interaction also plays a major role in boosting kids’ well-being. Experts explain that the most important way to feel happier is through positive relationships, so gardening can provide a vehicle for children to connect with others over a healthy hobby.

Soil. Recent research has found that the simple act of touching soil can reduce stress and improve mood. This is because a bacteria in soil called mycobacterium vaccae has been shown to stimulate areas of the brain that produce serotonin, a hormone that makes us feel better. It thrives in soil that is enriched with organic matter like fruits and vegetables. Researchers have found that eating trace amounts of soil on garden vegetables helps people manage stress and enhance brain function.

Sandi recommends the following steps to add gardening to your children’s lives:

Start a family garden in your backyard.
If you do not have the space for a garden, consider starting slow by growing a few herbs on your windowsill or one vegetable at a time in a large flowerpot.
Engage your children by buying them their own gardening tools, asking them to pick out the types of produce they want to grow, and using the produce you grow to cook meals together.
Look for opportunities to volunteer in a local community garden.
Register your children for a gardening club or start your own in your community.

Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold. For more information, please visit www.ecohappinessproject.com or contact Sandi Schwartz at [email protected].

Outdoor Fun in Denver

(Crested Butte)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. While clicking these links won’t cost you extra money, they help us keep this site up and running. See our disclosure policy.

Deals: Get 55% off Elitch Gardens with GetOutPass, Free Planet Fitness & More

Have you ever had that kind of week when it’s Tuesday and you feel like it’s Wednesday already? I think I’ve done that for an entire week slipping this whole week past my thoughts and memory in a hurry to get to Memorial Day Weekend – the official start to summer. So yes, we have a whole other weekend to squeeze in more fun or maybe even just go and get a pedicure in preparation for Memorial Day! Planning summer vacations and mountain getaways, talking about putting my paddleboard in the waters of the reservoir, savoring the fresh fruits at Farmer’s Markets and catching an outdoor concert or movie in the park. I hope you pack this summer with lots of fun – and enjoy an extra week of planning for it!

Planet Fitness Teen Summer Challenge. Do you have a teen between 14 and 19? They can work out for FREE at any Planet Fitness location. Starting on May 16 sign up for the teen challenge online or in-person (plus, they can win a scholarship!)

Firehouse Subs Name of the Day. Firehouse subs is offering a free Sub if your name is the name of the day (visit FirehouseSubs.com/NameoftheDay). This is their way of “thanking their customers by name.” And even better, some days they just list the first two letters!

Sonic. Get half-price shakes at Sonic through May 29. Download or open the Sonic app for the reward.

IKEA Restaurant Deals. Not only will you not likely have the same long checkout lines, but you can score an awesome meal deal when you shop Wednesday and Thursday at IKEA. The deals are: Wednesdays get half off kids meal with purchase of an adult entrée and Thursday, buy one entrée get a second for half off!’

Walmart Tent. I love camping in the summer. If you hustle to Walmart you can score the Coleman Teaya Lake 8-person Fast Pitch Cabin Tent for half off! (Just $119.50) – You will totally be ready for summer!

Cats at Denver Center Performing Arts. Cats have nine lives and maybe you should see this show at least 9 times! It is about a night when a group of gather to the annual ball and to decide which cat gets to be reborn. Get 50% off tickets in Price Level two for the Thursday, May 26 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows when you use the promo code FAMILY. The tickets for Level 2 are normally $75. Plus, DCPA has a deal with Hard Rock Café (at the Pavilions) for a free kdis meal with the purchase of an adult meal when you show your ticket stub.

Applebee’s and Top Gun: Maverick Movie. Applebee’s is running a promo until June 12. Spend money one dinner/lunch get a movie tickets to see Top Gun: Maverick. When you spend $25-$49.99 you get one movie ticket and if you spend $50 or more you get two tickets. Go to activaterewards.com/Applebees to submit your receipt. Redeem the ticket by June 17. To get the actual ticket you will get an email from Fandago with your Promo code to redeem for movie tickets.

Summer Camp Discount. Still looking for a summer camp? KidzToPros provides a variety of STEM, arts and sports summer camps for kids ages 3-14 with 13 locations across the Denver area! From Wonder Robotics to sports to improv comedy to graphic design to tennis. Get $50 off with our exclusive code MILEHM-50!https://www.milehighmamas.com/blog/2022/04/07/here-comes-the-sun-with-kidztopros-summer-camps/

Contest: Win Tickets to The Dr. Seuss Experience (20 winners)!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go at The Dr. Seuss Experience at Denver’s Centennial Promenade!

The Seuss-tacular immersive spectacle invites guests to journey through nine different Dr. Seuss books, bringing the magical worlds to life in creative ways that fans young and old will adore. After debuting in Toronto in 2019, the production has since visited Houston and Chicago where it was met with unprecedented success.

The multisensory experience transports guests into the pages of the beloved stories and allows them to interact with their favorite characters. Visitors step inside the narratives of treasured Dr. Seuss books like The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hears a Who!, The Lorax, as well as several other timeless classics.

The attraction’s centerpiece is an interconnected maze of thousands of suspended balloons inspired by the artwork from Oh, The Places You’ll Go! Each room within the experience will represent a different Dr. Seuss book. These fantastically colorful and enchanting experiences bring the magic to life, all while exploring the social message at the heart of each featured story. The Denver run will also premiere new and noteworthy additions to the Experience including an augmented reality scavenger hunt companion app, available free to guests who wish to further enhance their visit.

The Dr. Seuss Experience kicked off in March at Denver’s Centennial Promenade. Tickets are $45 and kids under the age of 12 are free, however make sure you add a complimentary ‘infant under 12 ticket to your cart when purchasing for a group.

For more information about The Dr. Seuss Experience and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.experienceseuss.com and follow along on Facebook and Instagram @experienceseuss. #experienceseuss

CONTEST

Why Summer Music Lessons are SO HOT Right Now!

How To Heat Up Your Kids’ Summer

… Summer Music Lessons: SO HOT Right Now

Summer music lessons are extremely popular, both on a conscious and an unconscious level, and recent data proves it.

Last September, your friends at Littleton School of Music took a poll* of area youths, aged 7-17, and this is what we discovered they’d spent their time doing last summer:

82% – staring at their phones

7% – staring at their friends’ phones

3% – asking parents for money

5% – rolling their eyes when asked to perform the simplest of household chores

0.0005% – actually performing the simplest of household chores

0.9995% – doing absolutely nothing

2% – pestering their siblings

142% – napping

When we asked local youths what they would LIKE to do this summer, a whopping 212% reported wishing they could do exactly what they did last summer. Except more napping, maybe.

But when asked to project their minds into the future, and to predict what they will wish they would’ve spent their childhood summers doing, the numbers were quite different:

5% – eye-rolling (it never goes out of style for kids)

5% – doing what their parents say (so they won’t have to later regret how right their parents were)

5% – investing in cryptocurrencies

85% – learning to play a musical instrument

Yes, as it turns out, your kids actually want to take summer music lessons, even if they don’t know it.

But many do know it! Maybe that’s why Littleton School of Music is growing so fast. We were bursting at the seams at our “new” location just north of Littleton Boulevard on Broadway… so we’ve moved to a NEW new location at Broadway and Ridge Road (right near the ever-popular Andy’s).

Parents are realizing how many benefits their kids get when they take summer music lessons:

They learn music (duh)
They also improve their grades the next school year
This is because summer music lessons keep a kid’s mind sharp
Math skills improve
Science skills improve
Social skills REALLY improve
Eye-rolling skills stay pretty much the same, but
Discipline, stick-to-it-iveness, and inspiration increase dramatically with summer music lessons.

If you’re like me, and I know I am, you probably don’t remember a thing about the summers when you basically sat on the couch and stared at a glowing rectangle.

(Granted, for us, the glowing rectangle was probably a television set. In some cases, it was a black-and-white television. But nobody’s judging, here.)

But if you had even one year when you were able to take summer music lessons, chances are, you remember a LOT about that summer. Every teacher. Every lesson. Every song you learned.

Every eye roll.

So if you want to make this summer HOT – and memorable – for your beloved offspring, consider giving them the amazing gift of summer music lessons.

They will appreciate it for the rest of their lives.

And they’ll have a little less to talk to their therapists about.

Give Little School of Music a call today, and I’ll be happy to send you a FREE copy of my book, Fall In Love With Music, to help you learn more about this great answer to the “summertime blues” – for the whole family!

(*Not really)

Also From Littleton School of Music

Celebrating 15 YEARS of Music Lessons! Littleton School of Music: Growing Fast And Here To Stay

We Write The Book of Music Lessons and We’d Love to Give You a Free Copy

Stephan Hume, the founder of Littleton School of Music, appeared on the hit MTV show “Made,” and created the school in 2006. His music degree is from the University of Colorado (Denver), and he’s a past president of BNI “Action Partners.” Stephan lives in Littleton with his wife, Lauren, and his young son and daughter. In partnership with Mile High Mamas.

Deals: Walk with a Doc, Meow Wolf & More!

It’s finally the season when we see festivals outside again and Farmer’s Markets opening once again. Concerts will be starting again soon (look for our post soon) and so will loads of outdoor festivals. This weekend you can enjoy the Historic Westminster Spring Festival on Saturday at the Westminster Arts District or if you are in Castle Rock, head to Festival Park for the Spring Kickoff Concert.

Walk with a Doc. Take steps toward better health when you walk with a doc. The event is on May 14 and again on June 4. For more information and locations visit Denver.walkwithadoc.org.

Meow Wolf. My daughter has been to Meow Wolf three times already. I’ve not gone once. But the four-story experiential museum They do offer a discount for Colorado residents. Regular General Admission is $49 ($44 for kids 5-13) but it is only $35 ($30 for kids 5-13) if you are a Colorado resident.

Shred a Thon. On Saturday, May 14 from 7 am. To 12:00 noon Denver Crime Stoppers, Channel 2, Fox 31 and Iron Mountain will shred your personal documents for free. There will be three locations where you can drop off up to three boxes – Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office HQ, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Westminster Police Department.

Bike Maintenance & Safety in Aurora. On May 14, Tallyn’s Reach Branch of Aurora Public Library along will be the place to learn about bike maintenance and safety from the Aurora Police Department for free. Registration for one of four sessions is required.

Sonic. Get half price shakes at Sonic through May 29. Download or open the Sonic app for the reward.

Mini Photo Shoot. Book a free 30-minute outdoor session with Shoott and capture gorgeous memories without breaking the bank! Shoott offers multiple locations in and around Denver including Centennial, Cheesman Park, Chautauqua, Golden, Union Station + lots of other locations available throughout the area! Check out Shoott’s full schedule HERE and grab a slot — use code MILEHIGH at booking or checkout to receive 15% off 5+ photos.

Summer Camp Discount. Still looking for a summer camp? KidzToPros provides a variety of STEM, arts and sports summer camps for kids ages 3-14 with 13 locations across the Denver area! From Wonder Robotics to sports to improv comedy to graphic design to tennis. Get $50 off with our exclusive code MILEHM-50!https://www.milehighmamas.com/blog/2022/04/07/here-comes-the-sun-with-kidztopros-summer-camps/

A Sordid Tale of When One Loses More Than Just One’s Mind

When my son Bode was little (33-pounds to be exact) I loved going for bike rides with him in his bike trailer.

It was one of those delightful early summer days and we started strong. Translation: we went downhill. My house is perched atop a hill that takes me about two minutes to ascend on my bike, 20 minutes when pulling Bode and about 2 hours with my then-40-pound daughter Hadley added to the mix.

There was a good reason I chose to do the ride when she was still in preschool.

Bode and I have a regular route through a nearby Open Space park. We often pass “Swiper” the Fox by a footbridge, “Daffy” Duck paddling in the pond and if we’re lucky, we’ll spot “Wile E.” Coyote perched under his favorite shade tree.

Our animal nomenclature is commercialization at its best.

That day, we were delighted to encounter many of our favorite animals as we cruised along the undulating landscape and marveled at the profusion of wildflowers starting to explode. All was going well–blissful, even–until our ascent up The Great Hill.

My Little Butterfly Murderer: Coming Soon to Dateline

My daughter Hadley’s butterfly obsession began last summer when my parents bought her a butterfly net and book.

She was not quick enough to capture even one.

That’s why I wasn’t too surprised when she announced she wanted a butterfly kit for Christmas. It seemed like a brilliant strategy: if you can’t catch ‘em, why not grow your own?

My younger brother used to capture butterflies and watch them die, sending my sensitive heart into a tailspin at the thought of God’s beautiful creatures succumbing to my brother’s demonic Collection of Doom.

It is a long process to grow your own butterflies. The day after Christmas, we sent out our request for caterpillars and were promised they would be delivered in 2-6 weeks.

Then we waited…and waited…and waited.

When our larvae finally arrived in a plastic case it took them another 10 days to evolve into chrysalides. Add two weeks more to that formula as we waited for them to emerge.

Hadley was wonderfully patient. Every day, she would report on their progress. We read books, watched YouTube videos and she prophesied what colors they would be.

The night before we were supposed to leave for a ski trip, It happened: the first butterfly started its metamorphosis.

You know. Because they couldn’t have had worse timing.

We called in reinforcements: our 8-year-old neighbor Sadie became our cat-turned-butterfly-sitter. When we arrived home three days later, nine more butterflies had emerged. Hadley was ecstatic and became a fantastic caregiver.

Until she announced 48 hours later when that she wanted to release them.

Outside.

I patiently explained it was still winter and they would not survive the chilly temperatures. Our mother-daughter game of begging and refusing lasted all day. Exasperated, she finally blurted out,

“Mommy, you don’t understand!”
“What?”

And in that moment, something changed in her countenance.

“I’ve had my butterflies long enough. THEY MUST DIE TODAY.”

Remind me to always stay on her good side.

-From the archives