Now’s your chance to get out of a rut and explore the local arts scene. October is Arts Month in the Pikes Peak Region, coinciding with National Arts and Humanities Month, and the fall calendar is full of creative opportunities to try something new. It’s perfect timing to embrace the Arts Month mantra of trying at least one new cultural experience with family and friends.
It’s always a highlight to kick things off with Artini, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region’s free party at the Mining Exchange Hotel and Gold Room. Beyond that, you can explore from the orchestra pit with the Philharmonic’s Brahms 4 to the stage, where Theatreworks has Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia. Go big with the Ent Center’s Take Me to the River celebration of New Orleans sounds, featuring the Dirty Dozen Brass Band—or enjoy an intimate performance, such as By the Bog of Cats at the Springs Ensemble Theatre. Catch local installations of ArtPOP around town or the international Russian Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake at the Pikes Peak Center. Laugh at the comedic David Sedaris at the Pikes Peak Center or celebrate the meaningful Fannie Mae Duncan sculpture dedication.
Our don’t-miss pick? Ballet Hispánico’s graceful and athletic celebration of Latino culture at the Ent Center. “Ballet Hispánico is such an exciting dance company because they have stayed true to their balletic heritage while embracing traditions from throughout the Latin-American world,” says Aisha Ahmad-Post, director of the Ent Center. “They’re one of the rare companies that are truly high art and accessible all at the same time.”
Here’s a list of even more ways to experience Arts Month (and a little beyond) with friends and family. Still not enough? Find more arts happenings on our Events page and at peakradar.com/artsmonth.
PPCC Art Faculty Show
Oct. 4
Explore the talents of Pikes Peak Community College’s faculty as staff members exhibit works in watercolor, oil painting, ceramics and more .
10 a.m.-4 p.m., PPCC Downtown Studio Campus Gallery, peakradar.com
Menopause the Musical
Oct. 4
A performance by women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change,” celebrating female empowerment.
Fri., 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, pikespeakcenter.com
First Friday
Oct. 4
Hop on the free First Friday Shuttle Bus and explore the galleries and opening exhibits in the arts districts of Downtown, Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs.
Fri., 5-8 p.m., Downtown, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, downtowncs.com
A Conversation With Carmen Maria Machado
Oct. 4
The Converge Lecture Series features the short story author, essayist and critic, whose Her Body and Other Parties was a National Book Award finalist.
Fri., 7 p.m., Ent Center for the Arts, uccspresents.org
UV: Ultravision Art Experience
Oct. 4
This immersive, interactive nighttime gallery, hosted by the Smokebrush Foundation, is full of imaginative, aesthetic and intellectual exhibits. Ikebana, gastronomy, video, dance, paint, ultraviolet 3D and other art forms will be a one-of-a-kind experience.
Fri., 8 p.m., Marmalade at Smokebrush, smokebrush.org
Silent Disco
Oct. 4
Dancers wear wireless headphones and find their own groove to music curated by DJs, including SoundDown. Plus, play life-size games of ladder golf and inflatable bowling.
Fri., 8 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, ppld.org
ArtPOP
Oct. 4-29
A series of 20 performances from local artists that pop up throughout the Pikes Peak region. The artists create their own performances in public places around town. Celebrate Arts Month with performances like Pageant Answers, Stitch Meditation, Weird Art with Disembodied Heads, Patty Tomsky’s Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo, Chris Bullock’s Asian Experience and more.
Find the complete list of performances, times and locations at pikespeakartscouncil.org
Tactile
Oct. 5
Mix and mingle with live fiber animals — sheep, alpaca, angora rabbits and a Tibetan yak. Watch textile arts demonstrations or make your own.
Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Manitou Art Center, textileswest.org
Colum McCann Readings and Book Signings
Oct. 7-8
Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, the best-selling author has received numerous international honors, including the National Book Award. He presents from his novel TransAtlantic, the featured selection of All Pikes Peak Reads.
Mon., 7 p.m., Library 21c, ppld.org
Tues., 5 p.m., South Hall Commons, Colorado College, coloradocollege.edu
Business & Arts Lunch
Oct. 10
Celebrate the intersection of business and arts. Honorees are awarded for furthering the arts. Live performances include an orchestra, ballet, poetry readings and more on multiple stages.
Thurs., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., The Antlers Hotel, business.coloradospringschamberedc.com
Arcadia
Oct. 10-27
Only Tom Stoppard could combine love, landscape and the Second Law of Thermodynamics with such sparkling results. Theatreworks performs the insightful and comedic play.
7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. plus 2:30 matinees Sat., Ent Center for the Arts, uccspresents.org
Take Me to the River
Oct. 11-13
Celebrating the New Orleans sound with a blend of funk, R&B, soul and jazz from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Ivan Nevile, Ian Neville, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and more.
Fri., 7 p.m., Ent Center for the Arts, uccspresents.org
Colorado Springs Jazz Party
Oct. 11-13
World-class musicians and local performers gather for a weekend of performances, master classes and events.
Fri.-Sun., times vary, The Antler’s Hotel, csjazzparty.com
Broadmoor Art Academy 100th Birthday
Oct. 12
Celebrate the BAA’s official birthday and open the FAC Legacy Series Exhibition: The Broadmoor Art Academy and Its Legacy, 1919-1970, featuring hundreds of works.
Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, fac.coloradocollege.edu
Russian Ballet Theatre: Swan Lake
Oct. 12
The Russian Ballet Theatre makes its first local appearance, bringing gorgeous choreography to Tchaikovsky’s classic.
Sat., 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center for Performing Arts, pikespeakcenter.com
Poetry719 Festival Kick Off Show
Oct. 16
Celebrate as Poetry 719 launches its We Do Stuff Festival, 15 spoken word events in five days around town.
Wed., 7 p.m., The Gold Room, poetry719info.wixsite.com
Brahms 4
Oct. 19-20
Josep Caballé Domenech conducts as the Philharmonic performs Brahms’ Symphony No. 4.
Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, csphilharmonic.org
Nicholas Payton & The Philharmonic
Oct. 25
In a collaboration of Colorado College and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, trumpet master Nicholas Payton brings rare works to the concert hall: Sketches of Spain and the U.S. premiere of his full orchestral work Black American Symphony. Both works highlight the contribution of Black American music to the world.
Fri., 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, csphilharmonic.org
Cass McCombs
Oct. 25
The eclectic, jammy singer-songwriter brings his haunting voice and emotional awareness to Manitou.
Fri., 8 p.m., Lulu’s Downstairs, lulusdownstairs.com
Charles Busch
Oct. 26
Cabaret returns to the Ent Center as the multitalented actor, writer, Tony Award-nominated playwright and cabaret performer brings charm, wit and bold theatricality to the stage.
Sat., 8 p.m., Ent Center for the Arts, uccspresents.org
David Sedaris
Oct. 27
The humorist and best-selling author turns his sardonic wit on the human condition.
Sun., 4 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, pikespeakcenter.com
Ballet Hispánico
Nov. 1
The New York-based company celebrates traditional Latin dance styles, blending them with classical and contemporary choreography to create theatrical, passionate movement.
Fri., 7 p.m., Ent Center for the Arts, uccspresents.org
Disney Pixar’s Coco Live Cinema Experience
Nov. 1-2
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with the family as the Philharmonic performs live as the entire Coco film shows the story of Miguel who discovers music, love and strength.
Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Pikes Peak Center, csphilharmonic.org
Detour
Through Dec. 8
The Denver-based painter, muralist and installation artist exhibits touchable, interactive paintings inspired by break dance and hip-hop.
Sun. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College fac.coloradocollege.edu
Tiny Beautiful Things
Nov. 8 – Dec. 1
Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, this play deals with reaching when you’re stuck, healing when you’re broken, and finding courage to tackle questions that have no answers..
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, fac.coloradocollege.edu
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival
Nov. 15-17
The longest-running women’s film festival in North America showcases documentary, narrative shorts and animated films. Celebrate at the opening gala, and enjoy thought-provoking, enriching screenings, filmmaker forums and more.
Fri.-Sun., times vary, Cornerstone Arts Center, rmwfilminstitute.org
