The arts are not just for artists. And every October since 2014, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region has encouraged everyone to have at least one new cultural experience during Arts Month. Through coordinated weeks, that could be within the visual arts; theater and film; poetry, prose and comedy; or music and dance. “As we enter our fifth year, Arts Month has grown to be the largest collaborative initiative in our creative community,” says Andy Vick, executive director at the Cultural Office. “It’s a real joy to be able to celebrate the diversity, quality and impact of local arts and culture.” Even if your crude stick figures never hang in The Louvre, here are 21 ideas to inspire your Arts Month adventures.

Experience Something New

1. Kickoff at Artini.

Sept. 28
The Mining Exchange, Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region
The hottest (free) party of the year features live music, dancing, a fashion show, a martini showdown by top, local mixologists, and more.
peakradar.com/artsmonth

2. Join other art enthusiasts at the 2018 Business & Arts Lunch. 

Oct. 5
Antlers Hotel, Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region and Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
When is the last time you had this much fun at a business lunch? Enjoy live performances on multiple stages, local art for sale and a community of creative minds.
culturaloffice.org/programs/business-arts-lunch

3. Play Arts Month Bingo.

Throughout October
Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region
Fill your card by attending Artini, meeting a local artist and more for the chance to win prizes. Download your card online or drop by the Cultural Office.
peakradar.com/winartsmonth

4. Shiver with antici…pation.

Oct. 5 – Nov. 3
Butte Theater, Cripple Creek
Join Frank-N-Furter, Riff Raff, Magenta and the rest of the gang at The Butte Theater for this live performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
buttetheater.com

5. Learn a thing or two at the Fine Arts Center.

Oct. 5
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, Deco Lounge
TGI-First Friday! Start off your weekend at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center as they host artist talks, demonstrations, live music and giveaways. Fall in love with a piece of local art, and you might just go home with it.
csfineartscenter.org

6. Gather your closest friends for a crafty home party.

COCO Crafted
Don’t worry about collecting project supplies or following ambiguous directions on Pinterest. Coco Crafted will bring the party to you with 20 DIY projects to choose from!
cococrafted.com

See Something New

7. Catch ArtPOP.

Throughout October
All over town. Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region and the Pikes Peak Arts Council
Find 20 eclectic, pop-up art events in public spaces around Colorado Springs, thanks to this collaboration between the Cultural Office and Pikes Peak Arts Council.
peakradar.com/artpop

8. Fall in love with Shakespeare.

Sept. 27  –  Oct. 21
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
The ’90s brought us some of the greatest romantic comedies to ever grace the big screen, including Shakespeare in Love. Now catch it on stage this fall.
csfineartscenter.org

9. Celebrate #girlpower at Lysistrata.

Oct. 25-28
Ent Center for the Arts, Chapman Foundations Recital Hall
What if you could end a war just by withholding sex? Will it bring peace or inflame the battles of the sexes? Gather your squad and head to the theater for this witty comedic play.
uccspresents.org

10. Be captivated by Jessica Weaver’s The Last Rabbit.

Oct. 11-28
Springs Ensemble Theatre
What would you do if you woke up alone in the middle of the dessert? You’ll grapple between risky reality and fearsome fantasy alongside Alice in the world premiere of The Last Rabbit.
springsensembletheatre.org

11. Experience modern dance.

Oct. 6
Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, Pueblo
The Hannah Kahn Dance Company, one of Denver’s finest professional modern dance troupes, will perform alongside the Sangre de Cristo School of Dance.
sdc-arts.org

12. Take in fine art, for free.

Oct. 13, 19
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Every second Saturday and third Friday of the month, the Fine Arts Center opens its doors, giving all of us the chance to explore brilliant works of art at no cost. Free never looked so good.
csfineartscenter.org

Hear Something New

13. Live out your Glee fantasies with Face Vocal Band.

Oct. 6
Stargazers Theatre
This all-vocal rock band has graced the Paramount Theatre, Pepsi Center and Sports Authority Field at Mile High and opened for legends including Jon Bon Jovi, Barenaked Ladies and Robin Thicke.
stargazerstheatre.com

14. Take in the classics of Stravinsky’s Petrushka.

Oct. 13-14
Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts
There’s a reason they are considered classics! Enjoy breathtaking performances of favorites, such as Debussy’s Petite Suite, Wang Jie’s The Death of Socrates and, of course, Stravinsky’s Petrushka by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.
pikespeakcenter.com

15. Watch your first poetry slam.

Oct. 6
Hear, Here! Poetry Slam hosted by The Social
Held four times a year, Hear, Here!’s Poetry Slam features top poets from around the Front Range as they compete for a cash prize—not to mention ultimate bragging rights.
hearherepoetry.org 

Try Something New

Sometimes the most memorable experiences come from finding your own creativity. Explore outside your comfort zone this October.

16. Write your own play, memoir or script. 

Tuesdays, Oct. 9, 16, 23
Cottonwood Center for the Arts
Spend four weeks crafting your story, detailing your plot, sinking your hook and developing characters worth rooting for.
cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com/hollywood-story

17. Take dance lessons. 

Ormao Dance Company
Tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop. You’re never too old to learn something new! Whether you’ve been hitting the dance floor for years or you’re just starting out, Ormao will help you find your groove.
ormaodance.org

18. Throw pottery. 

Bemis School of Art
Get your hands dirty with a wheel-throwing or hand-building pottery class.
artschool.csfineartscenter.org

19. Play with watercolor.

Cottonwood Center for the Arts
For a forgiving medium, try painting with watercolor at Cottonwood Center for the Arts. Coloring outside the lines encouraged.
cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com

20. Belt your first ballad.

Groh Music
Whether it’s singing in the car or on a stage, Groh Music will help you hit the high notes.
sarahgroh.com

21. Write drunk; edit sober. 

Oct. 10
Bar K, Pikes Peak Writers
Join fellow scribes for improv writing and discussion about techniques to sharpen your craft.
pikespeakwriters.com

Find more ways to experience the arts at peakradar.com/artsmonth