We love our Mile High Fathers. 

Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers and singers of song. -Pam Brown

A good father is one of the most underpraised, unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. -Billy Graham

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.- Jim Valvano

I’ve said it before, but it’s absolutely true: My mother gave me my drive, but my father gave me my dreams. Thanks to him, I could see a future.- Liza Minnelli

It is admirable for a man to take his son fishing, but there is a special place in heaven for the father who takes his daughter shopping.- John Sinor

An almost perfect relationship with his father was the earthly root of all his wisdom. – C.S. Lewis

Happy Father’s Day!

Pandemic parenting’s no joke. But there’s still little bits of gold in this dark mineshaft that COVID has forced us into.

That mineshaft – our world – is smaller now. With less in the outside, we’ve turned inward, toward the people we live with.

It can be as intense as an overstuffed oven. I’ve had a parent-kid conversation that started talking about koalas that ended in a screaming match that might’ve set off the Richter scale.

And there is no “new normal.” One “new normal” would’ve been great. We’re on like our fourth or fifth “new normal” at this point.

I still remember March when our daughter came home with her entire bag stuffed with all her schoolbooks. Not lots of school books. Not most schoolbooks. All her schoolbooks. Watching her nearly buckle under that enormous load was all the sign I needed that we’d all be struggling for a while.

The other day my younger daughter got in a fight with her sister, went to her room, slammed the door. Annoyed at the racket, I followed her in.

 Matt Cavanaugh, CPR

1. Talk it out. Ideally, BEFORE the situation arises you two have a plan. You both should be on the same page with some behaviors you agree are OK and NOT OK, and you both should know where the line is and what the action will be when the line is crossed. The key to this is to listen to each other. If one of you says, “I want to spank” and the other says “absolutely NOT!” the missing question is – WHY? Listen to understand why certain ways of parenting are important to your partner. 
2. If you find yourselves in the heat of the moment in front of your kids ready to snap on each other over parenting issues here are some things to do:

• • Whatever you do, DON’T discuss the issue in front of your kids. Pause the conversation, and find time alone with zero distractions to discuss. Our biggest trick: have a piece of paper (we call it The Issues) where we write down things in the moment that happen but is not the perfect time to discuss. We then meet weekly to talk about whats on that paper. 
  • Resolve your differences. Remember you are on the SAME TEAM! You both want the best for your children and invested in the type of people they become. It’s easy in the heat of the moment to see your partner as the enemy but they are not. If your parenting styles are in complete disagreement, you’ll need to compromise our biggest trick to this: brainstorm 5 ways to fix the behavior then agree on ONE to try. (The rest are not off the table, they are just there if the first one doesn’t work.)
  • Be UNITED. The security that being on the same team provides to your kids is more important than which discipline strategy you use. If your kids ask you to do something – when possible- don’t give an answer until you have talked with each other first. This will send the message that you two are united and working together. 
  • Revisit your plan weekly! Behaviors come and go. We have sat down one week discussing how to get our daughter to stop throwing her bowl of food on the ground and then the next week it’s hitting. When you sit down, discuss if what you wanted to try is working. If not, this is your chance to say- okay scratch that…on to the next idea!
  • Ask for help. Parenting is NOT something anyone should be expected to do on their own. It truly does take a village. If you have done the things above and feel like you and your partner have hit a brick wall- well that’s where WE come in! An outside pair of eyes, some extra brains thinking, and just knowing you are not alone can be a lifesaver for a relationship. Side note, you don’t have to be drowning before you get help either – you can simply get help because you want it. 

My sister and I took my mom to the Art Museum last week for her birthday. The museum has a great exhibit, Paris to Hollywood that features the fashion and influence of Veronique and Gregory Peck. The dresses were spectacular and what was more fun was that my mom said she had some dresses like the ones that were featured. The fashions span the 1950s to 1990s – really showing how not only fashion evolved but so did the roles of women in society. I wanted to reach out and touch some of the dresses and my sister said she wanted to try some on. But it was a great time and something that everyone should go see before it is gone on June 20, 2021! 

Also, be sure to check out the new Sloth exhibit at the Denver Zoo, our Colorado Family Vacation Guide 2021 and Denver Summer Activity Guide (200+ ideas).

Father’s Day. Time to celebrate dad on June 20. We have found some of the best deals in town!

·         Grand Hyatt Vail. Celebrate Dad at Grand Hyatt Vail’s Father’s Day BBQ. Dads will have the opportunity to enjoy a whiskey tasting while casting on Gore Creek with fly fishing tips and tricks from valley-favorite outfitter, Vail Valley Anglers. Culinary offerings from Executive Chef Pierson Shields will feature a modern twist on the classic American BBQ. Snack Creekside on grilled oysters with chorizo brown butter, pulled jerk chicken, mango salsa, crispy onion River Bear Burger, River Bear Texas Hot Links and specialty chipotle mango ribs. Grand Hyatt Vail’s Father’s Day BBQ will be open to all June 20^th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Accommodations can be booked through grandhyattvail.com or by calling 970-479-7014. To secure Father’s Day BBQ reservations, visit www.opentable.com/r/gessner-vail.

·         Boyer’s Coffee. Is your dad a coffee aficionado? Treat him to coffee and score yourself 15% off when you use DAD15 at checkout at Boyers.com. Boyers is a Colorado company roasted right here in the Denver area!

·         Boulder Spirits Whiskey Tasting.  Boulder Spirits, makers of award-winning American single malt whiskey, bourbon, gin and vodka, has a new Boulder Spirits Adventure Kit, a whiskey tasting “experience in a box” containing 50 ml bottles of six different Boulder Spirits whiskeys. Kits will are available for $29.99 at all Colorado liquor stores and at Vapor Distillery in Boulder. The kit also includes a tasting sheet and QR code that brings tasters to a 30-minute video filmed at Vapor Distillery inviting them on a sampling tour of each whiskey. 

·         Firehouse Subs. Celebrate dad with a free Firehouse Sub! Dads, guests and families get a free medium sub with purchase of a medium or large sub, chips and a drink on Father’s Day. To access the coupon, click HERE

·         Keystone Bacon and Bourbon Festival. If your dad would like a little getaway – consider one of my favorite festivals in the state…the Bacon and Bourbon Festival in Keystone on June 26 & 27. Bourbon, Bacon and bands what is not to love?

Amazon Prime Day. Amazon held Prime Day in October last year, but this year the day of savings is set for June 21 & 22. Best deals will be on Amazon products like the Fire Tablet and smart products (speakers and streaming sticks). While we don’t have a lot of detail on it yet – Walmart and Target are intending to host similar competing deals prior to Amazon Prime Day.

 Summer Reading. When we were little my sister and I got our picture in the Steamboat Pilot for winning the summer reading program. But my love of a good book in the summer didn’t end there. Douglas County Libraries and Arapahoe County Libraries and most Denver libraries have some awesome summer reading programs – where you can win cool stuff, including a new book!

 Taco Bell Rockies Promotion. About once a week, my family and I head over to a Taco Bell to take advantage of the tacos promotion. Whenever the Rockies score seven or more runs (win or lose), the next day between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. you can get 4 tacos for just $2. You can also multiply that (get 8 tacos for $4).

 Wells Fargo Rockies Tickets. If you bank at Wells Fargo, you can get two for one special in the Club Level for Rockies Tickets! On a hot day – having that air-conditioned space is fantastic. And this is a great way to take dad out to the ball game.

 Dairy Block Hosting FREE Fit + Rock again. Through June on each Tuesday (June 8, 15, 22, & 29), The FIIT Co. classes in the Alley at the Dairy Block, are just $9 – with proceeds benefitting March of Dimes Colorado. You will experience high-energy, high-intensity, high-focus to push yourself to new levels while training for a life of adventure. To register, please visit https://dairyblock.com/events

Harkins Theatres. For just $5, see some of the best Blockbusters of the past. They have great movies left – as these specials go through June 25. For the line-up and to get tickets and showtimes visit Harkins.com.

Mile High Flea Market. Admission is free on the last Friday of each month this summer June 25, July 30 and August 27. Enjoy farmer’s market, stalls, shops, food and drinks as well as music. This might be a fun way for you and the family to enjoy a fun kickoff of a weekend!

 Tiny House Festival. Have you always wanted to see what all they can pack into a 500-square-foot home? A Lot! The Colorado Tiny House Festival will be July 10 & 11 in Brighton at the Riverdale Regional Park. Get your tickets now before June 15 for early bird pricing.

Denver Free Days. Don’t miss our Denver Free Days for 2021 that includes your favorites like the Denver Zoo and Denver Museum of Nature and Science. This week: Enjoy a free day at Four Mile Historic Park. 

After the year we have had, wonderful dads need to be celebrated more than ever. As a head’s up, Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20, 2021 and Denver has so many awesome things Dad–and the whole family–will love. Visit Denver has some awesome ideas including ‘The Shining’ at Film on the Rocks and checking out the new sloth exhibit at the Denver Zoo…and we’ve shared a few favorites of our own. 

Happy Father’s Day!

FATHER’S DAY IN DENVER 2021

TRAVEL

Colorado Road Trip – 26 scenic byways and small towns to visit and Colorado Family Vacation Guide 2021.

Fishing– 20 great fishing holes in Denver  

Funny Colorado – 15 Fun and Quirky Roadside Attractions in Colorado

Best of Summer – Visit Leadville and Twin Lakes 

Hikes – Best Hikes for Kids in the Denver area and 10 of Colorado’s most scenic waterfall hikes

Biking –See why Denver is a paradise for cyclists by going for a ride on the vast network of paved paths. Don’t miss Denver’s best biking for kids.  

Water – Cool Off This Summer at Colorado’s Best Beaches and Guide to Denver’s Splash Parks and Spray Fountains

OUTDOOR FUN

Denver Zoo – With more than 3,500 animals on 84 gorgeous acres, Denver Zoo is an amazing experience year-round. Check out the new sloth habitat! 

Denver Botanic Gardens – One of the top five botanic gardens in the nation, Denver Botanic Gardens is an oasis in the city. Meanwhile, Chatfield Farms, located in nearby Littleton, takes pride in its exemplary nature preserve and gardens.

Hudson Gardens – Enjoy thirty acres of natural beauty offering recreational, educational, and social opportunities for all ages.

Denver Street Art – Denver street artists have been busy brightening (and enlightening) the urban landscape for decades by making canvases of the city’s alleyways, building exteriors, warehouses, garage doors and storefronts.

Museum of Outdoor Arts – Despite the name, MOA’s Englewood collection includes both outdoor sculptures as well as indoor exhibits, including the always-popular Cabinet of Curiosities.

Farmers’ Markets – Pick up fresh produce, meat, eggs, breads and more, plus chef demos.

Outdoor Movies – From classic drive-in theaters to movies in the park.

City Parks – Head for the green space at the city’s many public parks.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre – Carved from towering red rock monuments, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison is one of the world’s most renowned concert venues. The surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks.

SPECIAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS

BLACK LOVE MURAL FESTIVAL

May 27–Aug. 2, 2021
Watch artists paint colorful murals in Denver’s Civic Center Park! Every weekend leading up to Juneteenth, the group will host live paintings, workshops and activations.

JUNETEENTH MUSIC FESTIVAL

June 18–20, 2021
Each year, Five Points — a historic district is formerly known as the “Harlem of the West” — hosts Juneteenth, a celebration of African-American culture. Listen to the sounds of hip-hop, R&B, blues, soul and jazz.

FRIDAY NIGHT BAZAAR

June 18, 2021
WHERE: Friday Night BAZAAR
Enjoy an evening of shopping, sipping and mingling in the River North Art District! The Friday Night BAZAAR features more than 40 local vendors, food trucks, craft beer and cocktails, and live music. Entry is free and everyone is welcome!

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

COLORADO ROCKIES V. MILWAUKEE BREWERS
June 17–20, 2021
Grab dad and head to Coors Field to cheer on the Colorado Rockies as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers!

MUSIC, FILM & PERFORMING ARTS

UMPHREY’S MCGEE

June 18–20, 2021
Jam out for three nights with Umphrey’s McGee at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison.

FILM ON THE ROCKS DRIVE-IN: ‘INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK’

June 18, 2021
Watch the adventures of everyone’s favorite archaeologist from the comfort of your car in the Lower South parking lot of Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. All tickets include a bag of CityPop Popcorn, a theater-size box of plain M&M’s, Twizzlers and two Coke products (choice of Coke, Diet Coke or Sprite; Dasani bottled water upon availability).

DAIRY DRIVE-IN: SANS SOUCI FESTIVAL OF DANCE CINEMA (ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE)

June 18–19, 2021
All the World’s a Stage at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder where you’ll see a collection of films featuring exquisite performances and stunning cinematography. It opens with three shorts, two of which won the Audience Choice Awards in 2020. The anchor of the program is a feature-length film that chronicles the making of a one-night-only performance by three local artists performing different ancient art forms and weaving into the fabric of the Colorado community.

FILM ON THE ROCKS DRIVE-IN: ‘INDEPENDENCE DAY’

June 19, 2021
Watch Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum attempt to save the planet from an alien invasion from the comfort of your car in the Lower South parking lot of Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. All tickets include a bag of CityPop Popcorn, a theatre-size box of plain M&M’s, Twizzlers and two Coke products (choice of Coke, Diet Coke or Sprite; Dasani bottled water upon availability).

SHALLOU

June 19, 2021
Enjoy an evening of music during Shallou’s Magical Thinking Tour at The Ogden Theatre.

FILM ON THE ROCKS DRIVE-IN: ‘THE SHINING’

June 20, 2021
It’ll be a night of terror, but you’ll be safe in the comfort of your car in the Lower South parking lot of Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre. All tickets include a bag of CityPop Popcorn, a theatre-size box of plain M&M’s, Twizzlers and two Coke products (choice of Coke, Diet Coke or Sprite; Dasani bottled water upon availability).

SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL

May 21–23, May 26–30, June 2–6, June 10–13 and June 16–20, 2021
The Denver Comedy Lounge at Colorado Sake Co. features the best local and national comedy talent with two shows back to back every Friday. Enjoy full-service dining from Denver Sushi House and Colorado Sake!

COMEDY SHOWCASE

Thru June 25, 2021 (Fridays)
The Denver Comedy Lounge at Colorado Sake Co. features the best local and national comedy talent with two shows back to back every Friday. Enjoy full-service dining from Denver Sushi House and Colorado Sake!

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

FUTURE SELF STORAGE

Thru June 19, 2021
The disembodied plaster, clay and fiber figures in Laura Shill’s sculptural installation reach, tumble and spill throughout Leon Gallery, resisting the vessels that try to contain them.

MILE HIGH NATIONAL PASTEL EXHIBITION

May 10–June 25, 2021
This show at the Curtis Center for the Arts in Greenwood Village is a wonderful representation of diverse methods, styles and visions! The medium of pastel is brilliantly luminous in the hands of different artists. Enjoy the bold colors, subtle rendering and expressive mark-making employed in this collection of artworks.

CHANGING LANDSCAPE

May 13–June 26, 2021
On view at the Colorado Photographic Arts Center, this collection of photographs from bodies of work by Adriene Hughes, Stephan Jahanshahi and Brad Temkin explores the natural landscape and opens our view to the adaptations of a place.

TENSION & RELEASE

May 15–July 10, 2021
The conflict of tension and release is at the heart of the creative process; the interplay of these opposing elements adds intrigue and energy to the works of art. The six artist’s techniques in this exhibition at Walker Fine Art vary in medium and style, but synonymously address this idea of tension through natural, digital, mental and emotional realms.

RADIANT SEASON: PAINTINGS BY KEVIN SLOAN

Thru July 11, 2021
Sloan’s paintings elevate the often-overlooked plants, animals and discarded objects inhabiting the edges of the urban landscape: thistles, traffic cones, sparrows and the like. See it at Denver Botanic Gardens.

ARTEMESIA PRESENTS: MEETING WITH THE GODDESS

Thru July 18, 2021
Who or what is the Goddess? This show asks the artists directly about their own intimate encounters with the divine feminine within themselves or throughout the world as we know it. See it at Artemesia Galerie.

ENDURING IMPRESSIONS: DEGAS, MONET, PISSARRO, AND THEIR PRINTMAKER GEORGE WILLIAM THORNLEY

Thru July 18, 2021
Impressionism is one of the most well-known movements in the history of art. This unique exhibit at Longmont Museum features original paintings, charcoal illustrations and prints by iconic impressionists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro. All three painters produced copious amounts of stunning lithographs in collaboration with printmaker George William Thornley. This exhibition is among the first to examine these remarkable relationships and to showcase the works that emerged from this influential moment in time.

PARIS TO HOLLYWOOD: THE FASHION AND INFLUENCE OF VÉRONIQUE AND GREGORY PECK

Thru July 18, 2021
A selection of haute couture, fashion sketches, photographs, film clips, family snapshots and documents will be exhibited publicly for the first time, providing a unique look into the style of one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples. Through more than four decades of material from the 1950s to the 1990s, the presentation provides an overview of how fashion changed as the roles of women in society evolved in the 20th century. In conjunction with the exhibition, Véronique and Gregory’s daughter, Cecilia Peck Voll, has gifted the Denver Art Museum 20 of her mother’s iconic looks for the museum’s collection.

GREGG DEAL: PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE

Thru July 31, 2021
What does America mean to a person whose ancestors were insulted in its founding document? Gregg Deal of the Pyramid Lake Paiute leads an Indigenous exploration of what democracy means in Indian Country through his unique, dynamic works at History Colorado Center.

SOMOS

Thru July 31, 2021
Domestic violence is an issue that affects everyone in our community. Museo de las Americas is joining forces with the Latina Safehouse and Art + Color to show a full exhibition about domestic violence, resilience and healing.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: WORKS FROM THE SBAI

May 29–Aug. 15, 2021
From daffodils to daisies and buttercups to bananas, discover a world of yellow growing all around you through illustrations created by students and faculty of Denver Botanic Gardens’ School of Botanical Art & Illustration (SBAI).

THE ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION: SELECTIONS FROM THE MOA COLLECTION

Thru Aug. 20, 2021
Founded in 1981, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Museum of Outdoor Arts! To celebrate this milestone anniversary, MOA has acquired a single artwork from several of the exhibitions it has hosted over the years to create an eclectic, one-of-a-kind collection that tells the story of the museum’s past.

EACH/OTHER: MARIE WATT AND CANNUPA HANSKA LUGER

May 23–Aug. 22, 2021
This is the first exhibition to present together the work of Watt and Luger, two leading Indigenous contemporary artists whose processes focus on collaborative artmaking. The exhibition will feature 24 mixed-media sculptures, wall hangings and large-scale installation works, along with a monumental artist-guided community artwork. Although each artist’s practice is rooted in collaboration, they have never before worked together or been exhibited alongside one another in a way that allows audiences to see both the similarities and contrasts in their work. See it at Denver Art Museum.

COLORADO IN THE PRESENT TENSE: NARKITA GOLD, RICK GRIFFITH, NATHAN HALL, AND MAIA RUTH LEE

Thru Aug. 22, 2021
This exhibition of site-specific responses, large-scale projects, photography, sculpture, sonic movements and works that may live beyond the four walls of a museum centers on how artists in Colorado are absorbing, responding to, grappling with and reimagining the upended world in which we presently find ourselves, from COVID-19 to Black Lives Matter, climate change and beyond. See it at MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.

JAIME CARREJO: WAITING

Thru Aug. 22, 2021
This new installation by the Denver-based artist explores the relationship between confinement and duration. Through a layering of Southwestern symbolism, mid-century design and objects from his own domestic space, Carrejo offers an environment reminiscent of an interior waiting room and exterior courtyard. These settings intend to prompt reflection on various physical and psychological barriers experienced during the pandemic as well as also pose the question of what will come after this extended period of waiting. See it at MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.

KEITH HARING: GRACE HOUSE MURAL

Thru Aug. 22, 2021
Recently excavated from its original site, this site-specific mural that Haring executed in 1983/84 for those living at Grace House, a Catholic youth center in Manhattan, now exists as a series of 13 panels and additional ephemera, including the original plaque, mailbox and two doors that Haring integrated into his design. See it at MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver.

SALVADOR DALÍ: GARDENS OF THE MIND

Thru Aug. 22, 2021
Salvador Dalí: Gardens of the Mind features two rarely seen series of fanciful color lithographs of flowers and fruits on loan from The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla. Mixing flora with the artist’s signature motifs, these works underscore Dalí’s ongoing infatuation with his native landscape of Catalonia and the intriguing images of his Surrealist works. See it at Denver Botanic Gardens.

BUILDING DENVER: VISIONS OF THE CAPITAL CITY

May 29–Aug. 31, 2021
This exhibition at History Colorado Center shares the many visions for and stories of the growth, urban development and architecture of Denver from 1860 to today. It explores how civic leaders, designers and residents have steadily worked to bring their own visions of Denver to life by engaging the city’s natural landscape, navigating the movement of people across the city and responding to a boom-and-bust economy.

EXPLORATION OF FIVE POINTS

June 1–Sept. 1, 2021
In this exhibition, students and architects from the University of Colorado-Denver will explore the historic neighborhood of Five Points through the lens of the built environment. The project will culminate with a large installation in the atrium and on the front porch of the History Colorado Center and a Museum of Memory project showcasing the human stories and collective memory of this important neighborhood.

ANSEL ADAMS: MASTERWORKS

May 29–Sept. 4, 2021
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is pleased to present 48 works from renowned photographer Ansel Adams.

STONEHENGE: ANCIENT MYSTERIES AND MODERN DISCOVERIES

Thru Sept. 6, 2021
After centuries of speculation, experts are finally starting to understand the mysteries of Stonehenge, thanks to archaeological excavations and advances in scientific techniques. Explore where, when, why, and perhaps most intriguing, how Stonehenge was built. See it at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

SIMPHIWE NDZUBE: ORACLES OF THE PINK UNIVERSE

June 13–Sept. 12, 2021
A genre first conceptualized in Latin America, magical realism infuses reality with elements of the fantastical. In the first U.S. solo museum exhibition for South African contemporary artist Simphiwe Ndzube, Oracles of the Pink Universe presents seven new immersive works exploring the interplay between magical realism and history. See it at Denver Art Museum.

ALL THE COSMOS A CANVAS

Thru Sept. 15, 2021
Drift deep into space and experience the majesty and wonder of our universe purely through images in this contemplative, aesthetic and introspective exhibition at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.

NUMBERS IN NATURE: A MIRROR MAZE

June 4–Sept. 19, 2021
This immersive experience at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is hardly by the numbers. It beautifully illustrates how patterns surround us in nature, from the veins in a leaf to the spiral of a nautilus to the spots on a giraffe. Enjoy, fun hands-on activities to spot patterns in music, art, architecture and even your own body.

LOOKING FORWARD/LOOKING BACK

Thru Sept. 19, 2021
Celebrate Historic Denver’s 50th anniversary! Looking Forward/Looking Back relives the early days as Historic Denver began restoring the home of the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown and the beginnings of the Molly Brown House Museum, which for the first time allowed the public to enter Brown’s Denver residence and learn about the mark she left on the world.

STORIES WE TELL: THE COLLECTION TWO WAYS

Thru Oct. 10, 2021
This exhibition digs deep into the Clyfford Still Museum’s vaults to present the collection in two complementary but alternate ways as a means to understand how artworks and their meaning can change based upon curatorial strategy. It begins with a new chronological presentation in the first five galleries. In the remaining four rooms, the artworks are grouped into specific thematic categories regardless of their chronology.

THE CIVIL WAR MONUMENT ‘ON GUARD’

Thru Oct. 15, 2021
This monument stood in front of Colorado’s State Capitol until it was toppled in June 2020 during protests for Black lives. Installed in 1909 to memorialize Colorado’s role in the Civil War, the monument holds multiple meanings for viewers today: a tribute to those who’ve served and sacrificed in the nation’s armed forces, a reminder of atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples, a symbol of white supremacy and injustice, a casualty of destructive lawlessness, and more. Lonnie Bunch, the first African American and first historian to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, said, “What you really want to do is use the statues as teachable moments. Some of these need to go. But others need to be taken into a park, into a museum, into a warehouse, and interpreted for people, because they’re part of our history.” See it at History Colorado Center.

SHIKI DREAMS BY PRISMAJIC

Thru Dec. 19, 2021
Shiki Dreams is the latest immersive adventure from Prismajic, the creators of 2019’s smash hit Natura Obscura. The multi-sensory immersive experience leads guests on a fun and mystical journey of exploration and discovery that combines art and technology in beautiful and amazing ways.

MUSEUM FOR BLACK GIRLS

Thru Dec. 31, 2021
“Black Girl Magic” is more than a buzzword or trend. It’s the essence of Black women. The Museum for Black Girls is a space to celebrate this essence, as well as educate about the journey to their present state and liberation. Finally and most importantly, the museum serves as a love letter to Black women and their experiences. This interactive pop-up gallery features multiple, vibrant exhibits. Visit at 1421 26th Street in Denver.

EARTH ILLUMINATED

Thru Dec. 31, 2021
Earth Illuminated is an immersive experience where the natural world and digital media merge to take you on an ethereal journey. Wander through a 13,000-square-foot space showcasing our planet’s beauty from air, land and sea. Explore a series of immersive environments and large-scale interactive art installations that change the way you experience art and nature at Denver Pavilions.

FORTY YEARS ON THE ’FAX

Thru Dec. 31, 2021
Take a nostalgic ride down Colfax, with stops at the quirky and memorable places that gave the street its worldwide reputation. See it at History Colorado Center.

BLACK IN DENVER

Thru Mar. 5, 2022
Narkita Gold is a Denver-based artist who’s been honing her skills in digital photography since 2009. Her exhibition, Black in Denver, is a portrait and interview series that takes delves into Black life in Denver. See it at History Colorado Center.

STATE HISTORICAL FUND RETROSPECTIVE

Thru Apr. 30, 2022
This exhibit explores the rich contributions of History Colorado’s State Historical Fund. Through the preservation of the built environment, the SHF has enhanced vibrant communities across the state for more than three decades.

NIGHT LIGHTS DENVER

Night Lights Denver features rotating content designed by local artists and the community and projected on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower every Thursday through Saturday evening.

MUSIC & THEATER

COLORADO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’
June 18–20, June 25–26, July 2–3, July 11, July 14–15, July 18, July 23–24, July 29–30, Aug. 4, Aug. 6–7, Aug. 11–12 and Aug. 15, 2021
Lift your spirits with a summer-long party! In this glam run of Shakespeare’s electric comedy, the paths of four young lovers, some feuding fairies, a mischievous sprite and a troupe of bumbling actors collide. Join them in the forest as enchanting and peculiar schemes unfold across one unforgettable midsummer night. See it at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre in Boulder.

DISTORTIONS MONSTER WORLD

Thru Dec. 31, 2021
Ready to get up close and personal with the things that go bump in the night? Come to Distortions Monster World (if you dare) at Denver Pavilions, where surprises will greet you around every corner on an out-of-this-world interactive adventure. This series of cinematic environments featuring immersive installations and infamous creatures and characters will truly transport you to another place!

VIRTUAL FUN

TINY TOTS – EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS

Thru July 1, 2021
Your kiddos will delight in the Tiny Tots virtual performances, musical online games and activity books for screen-free fun. They’ll sing, dance and imagine along with the music performed by instruments of the orchestra and special guest artists.

BINH DAHN: C.A.R.S ONLINE

Thru Aug. 25, 2021
The artist-curated C.A.R.S. Online series features past participants in the long-running Critic & Artist Residency Series at Colorado State University. In this virtual exhibition, Binh Danh investigates his Vietnamese heritage and our collective memory of war. His technique incorporates his invention of the chlorophyll printing process, in which photographic images appear embedded in leaves through the action of photosynthesis.

JESS T. DUGAN: C.A.R.S ONLINE

Thru Sept. 30, 2021
The artist-curated C.A.R.S. Online series features past participants in the long-running Critic & Artist Residency Series at Colorado State University. In this virtual exhibition, Jess T. Dugan explores issues of identity through photographic portraiture.

​CMC PRESENTS: BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR

Thru Oct. 24, 2021
Get stoked for the 2021 presentation of the most outrageous, adventure-packed films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Follow along as some of the world’s best adventurers and filmmakers hike tough trails, paddle wild waters and ski steep slopes.

‘UNTIL THE FLOOD’

Thru Apr. 22, 2023
After the death of Michael Brown, The Ferguson Unrest shook the nation to its core and put a spotlight on police brutality and discrimination. Using extensive interviews she conducted herself, Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Dael Orlandersmith created eight fictional characters to represent the broad spectrum of perspectives that continue to define and divide our country at large.

You remember the first time a baby photo from your good friends popped up on Facebook. Wow. They made the leap. They had become grown-ups. Good for them, but definitely not something for you and the wife.

Of course, after a while, it became a regular occurrence. Every other post was a new little alien or tiny old man posing as a baby. “What was the big deal anyway?” you wondered. So what if little Noah ate a full meal and had a bowel movement? You did those things every day! No need to let the world know.

After a while, more and more of your couples friends started talking about baby topics when you got together. Sophia can sit up on her own now. (yawn) Emma can eat pears and bananas with her own hands! (amazing) Liam won’t stop pulling on his privates! He’s gonna rip them off! (WTF?)

Of course, once the conversation turned to baby gear you really tuned out. The ErgoBaby Four Position 360 didn’t put as much pressure on precious Mason’s tooshie as the Baby Bjorn One. (well thank God for that) The Baby Jogger Summit has better suspension and handling than the BOB. (does this thing come in candy apple red?) The Simple Wishes Hands-Free Pumping Bra is really a little miracle in the form of two D-cups. (WOAH NELLIE – TMI)

 It was at about that time that you were really feeling done with the whole baby thing. Enough already! What happened to hanging with the guys, watching the latest Game of Thrones episodes together and talking about last week’s game? All your friends seemed to be lost in babyland. Of course, that’s when it happened. That’s when she came home from work that Tuesday and said the unthinkable: “great news honey – you’re going to be a dad.”

In that moment you didn’t know what you felt. Confused. Scared maybe. Suddenly overwhelmed and feeling the urge to buy every baby book known to man because you only had nine months to become a parent. But then you saw just about the biggest smile you’d ever seen gracing your wife’s sweet face and something changed inside you. And you knew it would be alright.

 In the next few months, you didn’t think about it much. You went to work and out to eat and life went on. You went to the first doctor’s appointment with your wife because you said you would and it was on your calendar. The appointment was pretty boring really and just about over when she pulled out a little machine and started rubbing it across your wife’s belly. “Hear that. That’s the heart.” It sounded like a cross between an oscillating fan and a dishwasher – woosh, woosh, woosh. You jumped out of your seat. There was a heartbeat. There was actually a little living creature inside there. This wasn’t just theoretical anymore. This was happening. And it made you excited.

 That visit put you in research mode. It was time to figure out just what the heck a Maxi Cosi Mico was and why European crash testing was important. You visited baby stores and online forums and learned what a DS, DD and SAHM was, among other acronyms. You felt proud when you and your wife found the perfect glider and even a little excited when you pictured yourself rocking your LO while humming a little tune – something manly, of course.

 Then the big day came. Everything had been leading up to it. You watched as your wife transformed from the woman you had always known into a bona fide superhero, right before your eyes. You witnessed her endure more pain than you thought possible and come out stronger on the other side. And then they did the unimaginable; they placed a brand new, tiny human in your arms. You were amazed at how complete and perfect and wonderful this new little being was. And you felt something you had never felt before: a little bit of awe, mixed with a dash of tenderness and a whole lot of love.

In the following weeks, you learned some things. You discovered just how good your wife was at being mom, how natural it came to her and how happy it made her. You found out that you actually could change a diaper and that it wasn’t quite as horrible as you thought it would be. You learned that it was actually kind of fun, getting to take care of someone so completely. In fact, somewhere amidst the endless feedings and changings, you realized that this new little person needed you; like really needed you. More than anyone had ever needed you before. And it felt good to be needed like that.

Then one day, your perfect, tiny human stared right into your eyes and decided to smile for the first time. In that moment, your heart melted fully and your transformation was complete. You picked up your phone, snapped a pic and said “ah, what the hell” to yourself as you uploaded it and clicked on post.

 —

Ethan Ruzzano

Happy Father’s Day! This is a full week for me as both my dad’s birthday as well as Father’s Day land on the same week. I intend to do some grilling with him – and maybe go fishing as well. What do you do to celebrate your dad? We have rounded up some AWESOME dad’s day deals here for you.

Amazon Prime Day. Amazon held Prime Day in October last year, but this year the day of savings is set for June 21 & 22. Best deals will be on Amazon products like the Fire Tablet and smart products (speakers and streaming sticks). While we don’t have a lot of detail on it yet – Walmart and Target are intending to host similar competing deals.

 Bath and Body Works. The semi-annual sale at Bath and Body Works is on! Score up to 75% off some of your favorites. Some of the best stuff sells out right away – so hustle on over for great deals. I love to stock up on favorites or get some extras to have for little gifts at the ready.

 Taco Bell Rockies Promotion. About once a week, my family and I head over to a Taco Bell to take advantage of the tacos promotion. Whenever the Rockies score seven or more runs (win or lose), the next day between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. you can get 4 tacos for just $2. You can also multiply that (get 8 tacos for $4).

 Wells Fargo Rockies Tickets. If you bank at Wells Fargo, you can get two for one special in the Club Level for Rockies Tickets! On a hot day – having that air-conditioned space is fantastic. And this is a great way to take dad out to the ball game.

 Dairy Block Hosting FREE Fit + Rock again. Through June on each Tuesday (June 15, 22, & 29), The FIIT Co. classes in the Alley at the Dairy Block, are just $9 – with proceeds benefitting March of Dimes Colorado. You will experience high-energy, high-intensity, high-focus to push yourself to new levels while training for a life of adventure. To register, please visit https://dairyblock.com/events

Father’s Day. The time to celebrate dad is June 20. We have found some of the best deals in town!

• Grand Hyatt Vail. Celebrate Dad at Grand Hyatt Vail’s Father’s Day BBQ. Dads will have the opportunity to enjoy a whiskey tasting while casting on Gore Creek with fly fishing tips and tricks from valley-favorite outfitter, Vail Valley Anglers. Culinary offerings from Executive Chef Pierson Shields will feature a modern twist on the classic American BBQ. Snack Creekside on grilled oysters with chorizo brown butter, pulled jerk chicken, mango salsa, crispy onion River Bear Burger, River Bear Texas Hot Links and specialty chipotle mango ribs. Grand Hyatt Vail’s Father’s Day BBQ will be open to all June 20^th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Accommodations can be booked through grandhyattvail.com or by calling 970-479-7014. To secure Father’s Day BBQ reservations, visit www.opentable.com/r/gessner-vail.
• YMCA of the Rockies. Celebrate Dad this Father’s Day at YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park Center! Spacious lodge rooms are still available at $159/night (including two free breakfasts per night!) with common areas perfect for families and friends traveling together. Special Father’s Day activities include kickball and whiffle ball games, knots lessons, trivia, campfires and cookouts, and more. Activities are included with lodging fees. 

Harkins Theatres. For just $5, see some of the best Blockbusters of the past. There great movies left – as these specials go through June 25. For the line-up and to get tickets and showtimes visit Harkins.com.

Mile High Flea Market. Admission is free on the last Friday of each month this summer June 25, July 30 and August 27. Enjoy farmers market, stalls, shops, food and drinks as well as music. This might be a fun way for you and the family to enjoy a fun kickoff of a weekend!

 Tiny House Festival. Have you always wanted to see what all they can pack into a 50- square-foot home? A Lot! The Colorado Tiny House Festival will be July 10 & 11 in Brighton at the Riverdale Regional Park. Get your tickets now before June 15 for early bird pricing 

Denver dad Chris Sekirnjak is a longtime contributor for Mile High Mamas and the author of Denver Playgrounds & Parks: A guide to the best play areas in metro Denver. In honor of Father’s Day, we asked him how he got started.

Tell us a bit about your family.

My wife and I met in California and moved to Denver in 2004 to be near the mountains. We have since moved closer to the foothills and have no plans of ever leaving Colorado! Our family has always preferred to spend our time outdoors rather than indoors. Oftentimes, you could find us hiking, skiing, trail running, swimming, boating, or gardening.

How did you get started on the playground project? What is your ‘why?’

My first book “Run, Stroll, Hike” (a guide to family-friendly trails in & around Denver) was born out of our need to find stroller-friendly routes among the hundreds of trails in the greater Denver area. During my research for that book, I stumbled upon many playgrounds at the beginning or end of trails. At that time, my own kids were outgrowing the toddler phase and had begun to truly appreciate the variety of play structures in our local parks. I started to wonder if someone had assembled a list of all Denver area playgrounds. It turned out that nobody had a comprehensive list; some municipalities I contacted had not even completed an inventory of their playgrounds in years. So I set out to compile an overview of all those play areas and rate each on specific criteria, my two kids in tow. And once we had started, we found it impossible to stop before we had visited every single playground at least once, a project that eventually included around 800 parks in over 15 metro Denver municipalities and districts.

What are some of your favorite memories you’ve made with your kids while touring these playgrounds?

Both kids have long gotten used to the idea of visiting playgrounds on most weekends. In the early phase of the project, we had a long list of parks to explore. I remember my kids complaining when there were “only” 5 or 6 parks to see during a single trip (“Where is the next one, dad?”) Nowadays I feel like I’m still spoiling them because we only get to visit the newest additions to the metro park system, all with shiny, brand-new, state-of-the-art play structures. Even though they are slowly outgrowing the typical playground age, I can always count on at least one of them to come along and test out new equipment or give ratings and review suggestions. Also, my son has struggled with motor coordination and has profited hugely from these 8 years of “playgrounding”: balance beams, climbing structures, boulders, and monkey bars make great tools for improving gross motor skills!

What are some of your other favorite places to play in Denver?

Season passes to Elitch Gardens are a must for the four of us, pretty much every year. In the summer we love to play in the water: kayaking and paddleboarding on a lake, visiting water slides and water parks, or tubing on a river. We also spend a lot of our time in our backyard, where I’ve built zip lines, a treehouse, a sledding hill, and a trampoline for the kids.

Denver’s Best Playgrounds & Family Fun

• Denver’s Best New Playgrounds
• Denver Summer Activity Guide 2022 (with 250+ activities)
• Spring Fun in Denver: 100+ Activities
• Denver’s best hikes for families
• Denver’s Best New Playgrounds for 2019
• 5 Amazing Denver Playgrounds You Didn’t Know About
• Playground adventures: The tallest slides in Denver
• 7 fun Denver playgrounds with themes
• The newest playgrounds in Metro Denver
• Top 5 Playgrounds in the Denver area
• New Denver playgrounds for 2017
• Denver’s best playgrounds then and now
• Denver’s most insanely unique playground equipment

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 post This Denver dad shares his love of Denver’s best playgrounds first appeared on Mile High Mamas.

“I went through a real transformation from anger to really more love,” Comedian and Actor Rob Delaney says of writing his new memoir, A Heart That Works, which shares an intimate look at life after losing his 1-year-old son Henry to a brain tumor.

This visceral and deeply personal memoir by the star of the Amazon Prime series Catastrophe shares their journey about love, loss and fatherhood. The family had moved from Los Angeles to London with their two young boys when Rob’s wife was pregnant with Henry, their third. The move was an adventure and a challenge that would bind them even more tightly together as they navigated the novelty of London, the culture clashes, and the funhouse experience of Rob’s fame—thanks to his role as co-creator and co-star of the hit series Catastrophe.

Henry’s illness was a cataclysm that changed everything about their lives. Amid the hospital routine, surgeries, and brutal treatments, they found a newfound community of nurses, aides, caregivers, and fellow parents contending with the unthinkable. Two years later, Henry died, and his family watched their world fall away to reveal the things that matter most. He says hearing honest reactions to his story is “like water…in the desert.”

Delaney is donating his profits from A Heart That Works to children’s hospices. 

Grief Resources

Judi’s House is dedicated to improving outcomes for bereaved Denver families by strengthening grief education.

Surviving my son’s suicide: A Denver mom’s story

Dealing with Holiday Grief: How One Widow Learned to Appreciate Christmas

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 post Fatherhood and Grief: A Heart That Works first appeared on Mile High Mamas.

Dear Mama Drama:

My two-year-old won’t eat anything, but macaroni and cheese. I’m afraid to give him other things because if he doesn’t eat it he’ll be hungry. I see other children, even younger than him, eating a wide variety of foods. I am amazed that they will eat things like tofu and vegetables.

How can I get my son to eat a wider variety of foods?

~Scared of starving

Dear Scared:

Many children have difficulty expanding their food choices once they have found a favorite food. Macaroni and cheese, PB & J, and mashed potatoes are common favorites. They may like the texture, smell, or associate a positive experience with that food. However, we have to offer them other foods on a regular basis if we want them to make other choices. Our job as parents is to provide healthy options for our children to eat, not to force them to eat it.

Children may need to try a new food several times before they develop a preference for it. Having a family rule that everyone tastes each type of food offered at a meal is a good way to start. Varying the ways that you prepare food can also make a difference. You don’t have to be a short-order cook, but cooking foods in a way that your child is more likely to eat them ensures a better chance of success. If your child doesn’t like slimy foods, don’t offer cooked spinach. Instead, offer him spinach salad with yummy cranberries or mandarin oranges and a sweet vinaigrette dressing. As parents, it is important to model trying foods we previously disliked as well.

Sometimes children are more willing to try new foods if they can dip them in something familiar. Barbeque sauce, salad dressings, and honey are just a few choices that may make a new food more appealing for your child.

Some children (and adults) don’t like their food mixed or touching. To those of us whom this does not bother, it doesn’t always make sense. But rather than forcing the issue, simply use plates that have sections in them to separate the foods. It’s an easy fix that eliminates an unnecessary battle.

If your child misses a meal or two, he will be hungry but will not starve. If you have provided healthy, kid-friendly food to eat and he has refused to eat, then you have done your job. Be sure you refrain from rescuing your child on these occasions by giving him the mac and cheese after he’s refused to eat other foods you’ve provided.

There are times when extenuating circumstances may be impacting your child’s willingness or ability to eat other foods. Some children have sensory processing issues that make eating different food textures almost unbearable. Others have very sensitive senses of smell that may cause them to avoid foods. Subtle reactions to unknown food sensitivities or allergies may also be an underlying reason. If you have concerns in any of these areas, please consult your pediatrician.  

-Lisa Vratny-Smith

The post How can I expand my picky eater’s palate? first appeared on Mile High Mamas.