Copper introduces the $39 Swinger’s Pass!

Copper Mountain is here to end mountain monogamy, so come get some. There’s no question of loyalty here, it’s just a day riding a mountain with easier access, free parking and fewer crowds – Copper Mountain. Just grab your season pass from that “other” mountain, sneak over to Copper and pick up the Swinger’s Pass…one day at Copper for only $39.

Fun Details: One ticket for the day the guest is showing their pass. This is available to anyone with a valid and current 2009-10 picture season pass, including a Copper Season Pass. Just go to any Guest Service or ticket window and show the pass. Blackout dates: 3/12-3/27/10 and 4/5-4/9/10. Full payment due upon purchase, which is non-refundable. Not for resale. Limit 1 per customer. Limited quantities and subject to change. Other restrictions may apply.

To see what we’re the excitement is about, check out the YouTube video!

10TH ANNUAL SUNSATION EVENT

Make sure to check out the 10th annual Sunsation end-of-the-season bash. The snow is deep, the sun is bright and there’s no better way to celebrate springtime than at Copper. Sunsation celebrates its 10th year with Pepper, Los Lonely Boys, Pato Banton and Perpetual Groove all set to appear April 10-11 and 17-18. The stage isn’t the only must-see. Red Bull 1976 Games is back for a 2nd year with teams throwing down at snowblade cross and old school air, and The Collegiate Alt Games slopestyle comp rounds out the on-hill competition. Book a room, starting at $67 pp/pn, to party all weekend, and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Don’t have a season pass to anywhere? Check out the High Four Lift Ticket Deal - 4 tickets for $219 to ride the slopes of Copper Mountain with whoever and however you feel like. For more information, visit the Copper Mountain website. Restrictions apply.

Boulder Chamber Orchestras "Sounds of the Countryside" is this weekend

"Sounds of the Countryside"
Friday, February 26 – 7:30 PM
First Congregation Church of Boulder
1128 Pine Street, Boulder

and

Saturday, February 27 – 7:30 PM
Broomfield Auditorium
3 Community Park Road, Broomfield

Tickets: $15.00 Students/Seniors, $20.00 General Admission, FREE for children under 12
Box Office: Call (303) 583-1278 or visit the Boulder Chamber Orchestra website for tickets.

The Boulder Chamber Orchestra (BCO), featuring Jerome Fleg, Clarinet will present “Sounds of the Countryside” on Friday February 26th, 7:30 pm at the First Congregational Church, Boulder and on Saturday February 27th, 7:30 pm at the Broomfield Auditorium in Broomfield, Colorado.

“Sounds of the Countryside” is a celebration of exquisite music by: Komitas, Five Armenian Songs and Dances; Finzi, Clarinet Concerto; Parry, An English Suite.

Mr. Fleg is currently on the faculty of the University of Wyoming. He has presented master-classes and clinics throughout the country and abroad at places such as the University of Kansas, Iowa State University, Archipelago Summer Festival and Carleton College. Jerome has been featured as an adjudicator in competitions such as the National MTNA Competition, Aurora Symphony Concerto Competition, and Colorado Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in clarinet performance and music education from the Peabody Conservatory and a Master's degree in clarinet performance from the University of Northern Colorado.

General admission tickets are $20.00, $15.00 Students/Seniors and admission for children under 12 is free. For more about concert locations, information and tickets please call: (303) 583-1278 or visit the Boulder Chamber Orchestra website.

About the Boulder Chamber Orchestra

The Boulder Chamber Orchestra (BCO) is a non-profit organization committed to providing exceptional chamber music programming, education, and outreach, as well as an outlet for talented local artists in the Boulder community.

News from the Future :: The Day that Google Died

The DaVinci Institute
PO Box 270315
Louisville, CO 80027

It was a frenzy of activity as workers scurried from office to office, making their final checks, gathering books, papers, and personal belongings. Many were still stunned over the announcement that Google was closing its doors. The final minutes before the deadline were reserved for tearful hugs and remorseful goodbyes, but for the people of the world these brief moments of stunned silence would soon be replaced with long term anger and outrage.

A mere three weeks earlier this one-time tiny search engine company that overnight had grown into a goliath on Wall Street had appeared to be an invincible force on the global business stage. But now after wave upon wave of well-orchestrated attacks, the giant corporation had fallen to its knees, and in true medieval form, endured the equivalent of a public beheading of its data, its once stellar revenue streams, and its corporate integrity.

Teams of their best data-smiths and strategy people worked around the clock to plug the holes in their sinking ship, but were woefully unprepared for this kind of assault. After weeks of sleepless nights, witnessing one crippling blow after another, a grim new reality began to take hold. In the end, all data had become mangled to the point where it was irretrievable, and all backup systems suffering a similar fate.

TV cameras from around the world watched in horror as a single hand reached up and turned off the final power switch.

With the power turned off, an eerie silence filled the room.

The former giant of global business had breathed its last breath. This was the day that Google died.

Continue reading...

Live Music and Dance of Bali, Indonesia

An Evening in Bali
at DecorAsian, Denver

Saturday, February 27
Concert at 7:30pm, Pre-concert at 6:45pm
DecorAsian, 1787 South Broadway, Denver, CO

Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Bali, Indonesia when Gamelan Tunas Mekar, under the direction of I Made Lasmawan, brings to DecorAsian's magical atmosphere authentic music and dance from the island of Bali. Enjoy the unique, tropical sounds of shimmering compositions and dynamic flurries of percussion performed on the exotic bronze instruments of the Balinese gamelan.

Balinese dancers Ni Ketut Marni and Luh Made Didik Dwi Wahyuni will perform the dances Taman Sari (Flower in the Garden), a contemporary welcome dance; and Margapati (Hungry Tiger), the popular dance-drama depicting the life of the ruler of the forest. Full costumes and world-class dancing give American audiences a true glimpse of this beautifully refined art form.

FINE THINGS ASIAN

Arrive early to enjoy DecorAsian's stunning collection of "Fine Things Asian". The "Asian" aesthetic embodied in DecorAsian's collection and sense of style adds peace and harmony to our individual lives and through that, in a small way, to peace and harmony within the world.

DecorAsian will kindly donate 10% of any purchases made during the evening of the performance to Tunas Mekar. You are encouraged to visit their showroom the week before the event so that you may finalize your purchase that night, and thereby facilitate a further donation to Tunas Mekar. DecorAsian is open every day, from 10:30am-6:00pm. Call 303-998-5632 for more information.

PRE- AND POST-CONCERT EVENTS

Pre-concert music will be performed on the sublime gender wayang by the quartet Catur Eka Santi. Gender wayang is an ensemble of instruments that traditionally accompany the shadow puppet plays (wayang kulit) of Bali.

Doors open at 6:45pm, music and dance performance starts at 7:30pm. A light reception will follow the concert, with an opportunity to meet the performers and see the intricately carved instruments up close.

TICKETS

Tickets are $15; $10 students, seniors & children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased in advance at either the Denver or Boulder DecorAsian location, or online at Tunas Mekar's website.

DecorAsian is located at 1787 South Broadway in Denver. Visit their website to view their collection online and for more information: www.DecorAsianStyle.com

Photos: Top:Ni Ketut Marni performs Taman Sari welcome dance. Photo by Marc Sabatella. Above: Gamelan Tunas Mekar performs on the traditional gamelan angklung instruments at the Denver School of the Arts, Denver, Colorado.

Three Great Events Tonight...Make That Four...No, Make That....

There are so many great events happening this weekend, including Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year and good 'old fun to enjoy with your sweetie, a friend...or maybe where you'll meet someone new.

Here are a few highlights just for TONIGHT! Remember to visit our Daily Events Calendar pages for a complete list of events in Boulder County and Denver; or visit the Holidays page on GetBoulder.com/Things To Do specifically for Valentine's and Chinese New Year events.



Embrace! Art Friday Nights at the Denver Art Museum
February 12, 19 & 26

Say “I embrace art” at the Hamilton Building’s welcome desk and receive a special date-night-done-right package. Bring a special friend to the Denver Art Museum after 5 pm on any Friday night in February, and you can buy 2-for-1 tickets and receive a coupon for 2-for-1 glasses of wine at Palettes restaurant. Want some more love? Buy two matching Embrace! t-shirts at the Museum Shop and receive a complimentary boxed set of the two-volume Embrace! catalog (a $30 value). No reservations needed. Fridays, February 5, 12, 19 & 26, from 5-10pm. The Denver Museum of Art is located at 100 W. 14th Ave Parkway, Denver. 720-865-5000.

Boulder International Film Festival, February 11-14

Voted one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals” by MovieMaker Magazine, BIFF is held annually on Presidents’ Day weekend. From Feb. 11-14, attend screenings of new-but-unknown feature films, shorts and documentaries at multiple venues around Boulder. Visit the website to see the complete schedule.

BALLET NOUVEAU COLORADO: Love. An Internal Affair, February 12-14

Ballet Nouveau Colorado, under the direction of Garrett Ammon and Dawn Fay, presents a full season of performances in Denver and also gives dance classes in Broomfield. This year’s Valentine’s Day show features five new love-themed works created by BNC’s own company members and artistic staff. Internal affairs have never been so delicious. The performance will include a world premiere by BNC's Artistic Director Garrett Ammon, as well as four new works by BNC company members: David Barbour, Jason Franklin, Damien Patterson, Sarah Tallman. AND - Stay after the performance to listen to the choreographers discuss their creative processes. Performances are at Pinnacle Performing Arts Center, 1001 W. 84th Ave. in Denver. 303-430-3985.

Acoustic Eidolon's Valentine's Concert
Feb 12, 13, & 14

Still looking for a fun Valentine's Day Weekend outing? Come join us! AE presents the perfect Valentine's concert, "Couples in Love and Music: a Night of Pure Musical Passion." Share an intimate evening with three couples who have dedicated their lives to making music together and sharing their stories. Special guests Grammy Award winning guitarist Al Pettaway & Amy White and Joe Ebel & Annie Lalley join Joe & Hannah to trade songs and stories of life as partners and musicians. Concerts are Feb 12, 8pm at The Rialto Theater (228 E. 4th St, Loveland), Feb 13, 7:30pm at Armstrong Hall at Colorado College (14 E Cache La Poudre, Colorado Springs) and Feb 14, 7pm at Swallow Hill Music Association (71 E Yale Ave, Denver).

Zivanai Masango with Pachedu, CBC Drafthouse

One of our favorite local Afro-beat musicians performs with his band Pachedu at the Colorado Brewing Company Drafthouse. This band rocks it, and Zivanai's smile will go a mile to lighten your heart. Formally the Redfish, the Drafthouse serves "familiar and globally inspired" foods along with handcrafted beers. 2027 13th St. 303-440-5858.

Theater Review: Eventide

Their Town

By Rebecca Jessup

Mark Twain wrote in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, “When one writes a novel about grown people, he knows exactly where to stop—that is, with a marriage; but when he writes of juveniles, he must stop where he best can.” Eventide is about juveniles, adults and a community; it starts, continues and stops where it best can. Like real life, it is not entirely tidy, and not all issues are resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.


Eventide, adapted from the novel by Kent Haruf, continues the stories of several characters from the author’s earlier work, Plainsong, and is set in the same place—Holt, a fictional small town on the eastern plains of Colorado. The main two characters in the opening scene are the McPheron brothers, Harold and Raymond, senior citizens who live on their cattle ranch with a young woman named Victoria and her very young daughter. Victoria occupies the position of a daughter to the two brothers, although she is not related by blood. Their nearest neighbor is a mile and a half away. Neither of the brothers has ever married, or lived anywhere else than the ranch that was homesteaded by their grandparents, but they encourage Victoria to go off to college in Fort Collins.

The voices, speech patterns and dialogue, especially of the two brothers, are brilliantly authentic. The life of a small farming and ranching town is duplicated in the spare scenery and furniture, the costumes, the painted backdrop, and the rat-a-tat patter of a cattle auctioneer, the whine of country music at a dance in the Legion hall. The profound connection of the two brothers is immediately evident, even to someone unfamiliar with Haruf’s novels. The haunting music by Gary Grundei evokes the West. The action is drawn forward by cast members who stand on the stage but not in the scene and narrate, like the narrator in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Their voices add to the impression of small-town life, of events flowing through and connecting the lives of the people. Because the Stage Theatre is in the round, characters enter and exit by walking down the aisles past the audience, enhancing the sense of immediacy.



The play revolves around the precariousness of life and the struggles of a small community in the vast, flat land. Harold dies, and Raymond grieves and adjusts with the help of Victoria and two friends, Tom and Maggie. Other residents of the town include Luther and Betty June Wallace, a good-hearted but mentally challenged couple who are ultimately unable to protect their two beloved children from Hoyt Raines, the most menacing presence in the town. Other characters include Betty June’s older daughter, who has run away from foster care; Rose Tyler, a kind and intelligent social worker who helps the Wallaces; Linda Mae, a nurse who has lived in Holt for less than a year, and who makes a falsely positive first impression; and DJ Kephart, a hyper-responsible 11-year-old orphan who takes care of his sickly grandfather. DJ does his homework in the local bar, watched over by the barmaid, when his grandfather has cashed his monthly check.

The lives of these people and families touch or fail to touch, intertwine, and sometimes unravel in truthful and affecting ways. In the end, some things resolve and some do not; some glad things come to pass, and some sad ones. We come to care about these people, and we leave them as best we can.

• The Denver Center Theatre Company’s Eventide, by Eric Schmiedl, based on the novel by Kent Haruf, directed by Kent Thompson. Starring Philip Pleasants and Mike Hartman as Harold and Raymond McPheron, David Ivers and Leslie O’Carroll as Luther and Betty June Wallace, William Zilinski as Hoyt Raines, Lauren Klein as Rose Tyler, and Augustus Lane Filholm as DJ Kephart. Through Feb. 27 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Rebecca Jessup (jessupr@comcast.net) is a freelance writer and Latin teacher.

Best-selling author Jennifer Weiner to headline Choices 2010 Luncheon, Feb. 17

On February 17, 2010, the Jewish Women’s Philanthropy Center of the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado will host best-selling author Jennifer Weiner, featured guest speaker at CHOICES 2010.

CHOICES 2010, the Federation’s largest annual fundraising and outreach event for Jewish women and the single largest gathering of Jewish women in Colorado, will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the new Sheraton Hotel (formerly the Adam’s Mark) in downtown Denver. Chairs for the event are Sheryl Feiler, Marnie Miller, and Lori Weintraub. Federation’s Jewish Women’s Philanthropy Center and 2010 Women’s Campaign are chaired by Amy Toltz-Miller.

Jennifer Weiner made her sensational literary debut in 2001 with The New York Times best-seller Good in Bed. She is also the author of subsequent international best-sellers In Her Shoes, which was later made into a full-length feature film starring Cameron Diaz, Shirley Maclaine, and Toni Collette, Little Earthquakes, Goodnight Nobody, The Guy Not Taken (a collection of short stories), Certain Girls, and the newly-released Best Friends Forever. More than 11 million copies of her books have been published in 36 countries.

Prior to becoming an accomplished novelist, Weiner worked as a journalist for 10 years, most notably as a staff writer and columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where her stories ranged from profiles of Wendy the Snapple Lady and Adam Sandler to long Sunday stories about teenage drug abuse, sex and college students, and her grandmother's gefilte fish. Her work has also been published in Seventeen, Glamour, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Elle, TV Guide, YM, and Salon.com.

A summa cum laude graduate of Princeton University, Weiner lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Adam, their daughters, Lucy Jane and Phoebe Pearl, and their beloved rat terrier, Wendell. Additional information about Jennifer Weiner can be found at www.jenniferweiner.com.

“We are so excited that Jennifer Weiner has agreed to be our featured speaker this year," said CHOICES 2010 Co-Chair Sheryl Feiler. "Jennifer is smart, funny, articulate, and entertaining as both a public speaker and a writer. In fact, after hearing her speak, everyone at CHOICES will feel as though they just had lunch with a fabulous new girlfriend.”

“CHOICES is one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year. It truly fosters a sense of community for Jewish women in the Denver area and even beyond, while supporting the very important work of the Allied Jewish Federation," said co-chair Lori Weintraub. "I strongly encourage any woman who hasn’t attended to come and enjoy the day, meet other like-minded women, and help us sustain Jewish life here in Colorado, Israel and around the world. You can make a huge difference, especially this year.”

Jewish Women’s Philanthropy Center/Women’s Campaign Chair Amy Toltz-Miller says, “On one day every year, approximately 1000 Jewish women from across the Denver/Boulder area come together over lunch to fulfill the mitzvah of tzedakah and make a difference in the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of people in need—here in Colorado and around the world. Through this sisterhood and their collective generosity, not only do they enrich the lives of others, but their lives are, in turn, enriched as well. If you are a Jewish woman living in the Denver/Boulder area, I invite you to join us for this incredible event to experience it for yourself. It is something that is simply not to be missed.”

CHOICES 2010 is open to all women across the Denver/Boulder Jewish community. Thanks to the generosity of perennial CHOICES underwriters Sue Allon and Andrea Pollack, there is no cost to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to make their gifts to the community’s 2010 Annual Campaign, however, and a minimum gift of $200 is requested (reduced giving levels for teens, young professionals, and seniors are also available).

For more information, please call 303.316.6466 or email events@ajfcolorado.org. Information can also be found on the web at www.jewishcolorado.org/choices2010.


About the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado

For more than 60 years, the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado has been building and sustaining Jewish life across Colorado, in Israel, and around the world. Each year the Federation mobilizes the Jewish community to raise the crucial funds required to provide food, refuge, comfort, education, and emergency assistance to millions of people in-need. Last year, the Federation raised more than $11.3 million that benefited dozens of charitable agencies, both locally and worldwide.

Share the Passion - Boulder Internation Film Festival

Voted one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals” by MovieMaker Magazine, BIFF is held annually on Presidents’ Day weekend. From Feb. 11-14, attend screenings of new-but-unknown feature films, shorts and documentaries at multiple venues around Boulder.

Below are some BIFF news briefs. Visit BIFF online to sign up for their newsletter, get the complete schedule of events, and to catch the passion for independent film.



A FEW OF THE GREAT FILMS OF BIFF-2010!
(More information on all films are available at the BIFF Online Program)

I Am Love (Program 7) - In every sense, I Am Love is a stunning achievement. " – Variety. This sumptuous drama is about the irresistible heat of forbidden passion within the constrained upper- class mores of a wealthy, cultivated Italian family.

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (Program 32) - Nominated for an Academy Award. It was Nixon's obsession with destroying Daniel Ellsberg that led to the Watergate burglary, Nixon's resignation and the end of the Vietnam War. A thrillling documentary.

Mother (Program 5) - "A dazzling murder mystery." Cannes Film Festival. How far would a fiercely maternal single mother go to protect her mentally challenged 27-year-old son who was framed for a heinous murder?

Icons of Jazz (Program 9) - Capturing scores of great performances (sometimes guerrilla-style) throughout America and Europe, this film shows that jazz in the 21st century has never been more alive, vibrant or popular.

Waking Sleeping Beauty (Program 11) - A juicy, scathing, behind-the-scenes tell-all about the turmoil at Walt Disney Studios released by, well, Walt Disney Studios. Magic, it seems, like sausage, is not always pretty to watch being made.

The Misfortunates (Program 27)- Belgium's entry to the 2010 Academy Awards. "Visually robust and hilarious" –Variety. Originally titled The Shittiness of Things, this high-energy film is a semi-affectionate reminiscence of the author's own bawdy, chaotic adolescence as the youngest generation of a line of proud (and often drunk) Strobbe men.

THE INAUGURAL DiMe CONFERENCE AT BIFF!

DiMe is the short name for Digital Media Convergence Symposium, which is presented during BIFF by the new Governor's Office of Film Television Media and The Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau. It's a dynamic forum to stimulate, inspire, and solidify the new media and video-game community in Colorado and to establish Colorado's hotspot as a hub for international innovation.

Colorado is already home to a considerable workforce of digital/film artists, technicians and trades on the cutting edge of new media. The DiMe symposium is a way to bring these players together during the Boulder International Film Festival 2010, when thousands of film lovers converge on downtown Boulder from the nearby hills and abroad, to magnetize even more creative energy to Colorado.

A PANEL of visionary leaders in the film, media and gaming industries will discuss their commonalities and the potential for collaboration as well as the evolution and applications of new technology and distribution, and how to engage in this profitable arena. A RECEPTION In the true spirit of the word symposium, DiMe's reception at the St. Julien Hotel and Spa brings the players together for lively discussions over cocktails. It's a chance to interact and trade ideas, business cards, and build community. Hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks. Cash bar.

A FEATURE FILM. Here's a rare treat: to have Disney wunderkind, director Don Hahn present for the screening of his documentary, Waking Sleeping Beauty, which reveals the perfect storm behind the scenes at Disney during the renaissance of animation. Go to biff1.com/dime for more information!

DiMe
Friday, February 12, 2010
Cost: $35
St Julien Hotel Spa
3:00 - 6:30pm with film to follow at BIFF's newest venue, the FUMC Church

GET A ROOM!

Check out the special BIFF Valentine's packages at the Hotel Boulderado and the St Julien Hotel and Spa.


FIVE FILMS SHOWING AT BIFF 2010 NOMINATED FOR AN ACADEMY AWARD!

• Animated Feature Film: "The Secret of Kells"
• Documentary Film: "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers"
• Foreign Language Film: "Ajami"
• Short Film (Live Action): "Instead of Abracadabra" AND "Miracle Fish"

Congratulations to the filmmakers and the BIFF Selection Committee for having the prescience to select these films over two months ago! Academy Awards

GET MORE!

• Follow BIFF on Twitter
• Become a fan of BIFF on Facebook

Metro Denver Community Guide available online February 10!

The Metro Denver Community Guide, published by Brock Media in partnership with your Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau, is a new quarterly publication designed to inform consumers about the many services offered by the BBB, and also to provide available offers from BBB accredited businesses to consumers across the metro area. You can find the complete magazine online February 10 at DenverCommunityGuide.com

BIG BANG BOOK - a “terrific idea with great timing!”

Some of Boulder County’s top businesses are signing on to get the BIG marketing clout offered by the BIG BANG BOOK, Boulder County’s first quality coupon book.

The Big Bang Book expects to offer tons of GREAT promotional offers that SAVE you money. Remember the web site – GetBoulder.com/BigBang – with ALL discounts and coupons available ON LINE! Watch for more news, as our launch in at the end of March gets closer.

For advertising info email info@brockpub.com or call 303-443-0600

Tickled Pink

By Rebecca Jessup

Legally Blonde, the hit Broadway musical now playing at the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, is an exuberant, hilarious funfest. The story follows the film starring Reese Witherspoon in its broad outline, although not in all details.



A Malibu Barbie/Valley Girl named Elle Woods, supported by her stereotypically cute sorority sisters, is preparing for her imminent engagement to Warner Huntington III in the opening number, “Omigod You Guys!” Elle is devastated when her Ken-doll guy not only fails to propose but actually breaks up with her. It seems he has ambitious plans that don’t include a fashionista mall surfer, and he’s off to Harvard Law School.

Elle, who is nothing if not plucky, comes up with the brilliant solution: She’ll follow him to Harvard! She crams and gets in, in an absurdly improbable scene with the admissions committee. After sashaying into her first class in a giddy haze of pink, she gets her first-ever leash correction: She’s humiliated and kicked out of class by the villain of the piece, a Harvard law professor named Callahan, portrayed in all his oily glory by Ken Land, supported by super-WASP Vivienne (Megan Lewis), Warner’s new girlfriend. Elle comes close to failing, and is turned around by recent graduate and professor’s assistant Emmett (D.B. Bonds) in the song “Chip on My Shoulder” (“But with the chance you've been given / Why are you not driven as hell?”) By the end, Elle has grown from the bouncy “Omigod” teeny-bopper of the opening number to an older, wiser but still effervescent version of herself, and she transforms that OMG into a heartfelt “Oh, my God.”

Paulette the hairdresser, winningly played by Natalie Joy Johnson, is the new advisor and friend Elle meets at a beauty salon in Boston. Ven Daniel plays the UPS man, Kyle, who has a package for Paulette. Colleen Sexton plays Brooke Wyndham, the intimidatingly fit workout-industry diva who hires Callahan and his young assistants to defend her in a high-profile murder case. Elle is backed up regularly by her Delta Nu sorority sisters, who become a “Greek chorus” inside her head when she moves from Malibu to Harvard.

The Buell was packed even on a Tuesday night, with hardly an empty seat. The crowd was rewarded with two hours of airtight performances, wonderful dancing, music and lyrics, and an intelligent script that makes fun of, among other things, blondes who have more fun, New Age music, lawyers, seduction, and American provincialism (“Is he gay or European?”). The strong voices of the cast were backed up by a tiny but well-amplified pit band. The scenery changed often, swiftly, with seamless choreography and stage direction that made it all look easy and inevitable.

Becky Gulsvig, as Elle, pumps the part full of all the passion and emerging compassion, heart, guts and strength that make Elle an appealing character. Her singing is strong and true, although overshadowed slightly at the very end by Vivienne’s. There’s nary a weak line or a false note in the show. Even Elle’s chihuahua mix and Paulette’s bulldog turned in flawless performances—but this show is such a powerhouse that the dogs just can’t steal it.

Rebecca Jessup (jessupr@comcast.net) is a freelance writer and Latin teacher.

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Legally Blonde the Musical, presented by Denver Center Attractions, runs through Feb. 14. For ticket information visit www.denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100.
Director/choreographer, Jerry Mitchell; lyrics and music, Nell Benjamin and Laurence O’Keefe; book, CU-Boulder grad Heather Hach; music director/conductor, James Sampliner.

It Takes Two (and More) to Tango

Watch and dance the sinuous, sensuous tango on Feb. 13 at a milonga — Argentine tango dance party — at the Avalon Ballroom. Hosted by Deb Sclar and Brian Dunn (pictured at right) of Dance of the Heart, the exclusive event features the Argentine tango couple they call the best in the world, Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne.

“It’s our privilege to host these extraordinary artists—our esteemed maestros—right here in Boulder, at the marvelous, expansive Avalon Ballroom,” Sklar says. “They will perform at 10pm, mas o menos, as our centerpiece Valentine of the evening.”

The party starts with dancing for all at 8:30pm, and the DJ is Gustavo, who brings decades of experience as a host, teacher and performer in the milongas of Buenos Aires and Europe. After the stars’ performance at 10, open dancing continues into the wee hours. Nondancing guests are welcome.

The Avalon Ballroom, at 6185 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, has plenty of free parking.

For more information about the Feb. 13 dance party, Gustavo and Giselle’s tango workshops later in February, and Dance of the Heart’s other offerings, call 303-938-0716 or see Dance of the Heart's website.

Give Kids A Smile Friday TODAY, February 5

Pacific Dental Services is participating in the American Dental Association's Give Kids a Smile program TODAY, February 5.

This is a day of free dentistry provided to children in need (who might not have access to dental care) from organizations around the Denver & Colorado Springs area.

Together, doctors and staff will perform dental exams, digital x-rays, cleanings, fillings, sealants, and extractions to numerous children in need of dental work. For more information please call the Office Manager at any one of the participating offices listed below.

• Cornerstar Dental Group and Orthodontics, 6730 S. Cornerstar Way, Suite A, Aurora, (303)400-4500
• Orchard Dental Group and Orthodontics, 14422 Orchard Parkway, Suite 200, Westminster, (303)452-0811
• Walnut Creek Dental Group and Orthodontics, 10442 Town Center Drive, Suite 100, Westminster, (303)410-4950
• Marketplace Dental Group and Orthodontics, 306 Center Drive, Superior, (303)499-9555
• River Point Dental Group and Orthodontics, 3960 River Point Pkwy, Unit A, Sheridan, (303)781-2340
• Southglenn Modern Dentistry, 2330 E. Arapahoe Road, Suite 900, Centennial, (303)730-3910
• Prominent Point Dental Group and Orthodontics, 9625 Prominent Point, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, (719)495-5748
• Crestline Dental Group and Orthodontics, 5392 South Wadsworth Blvd., Unit 103, Lakewood, (303)979-4277
• Arvada Modern Dentistry, 14807 W. 64th Avenue, Suite C, Arvada, (303)456-4095
• Falcon Park Dental Group, 9579 South University Blvd., Suite 400 A, Highlands Ranch, (303)683-5091

Visit the ADA's Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) web page for more information about the program including FAQs and detailed instructions for signing up.

Learn more about Pacific Dental Services on their website, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Embrace! Art Friday Nights at the Denver Art Museum

Embrace! Art Friday Nights
Denver Art Museum
100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver
Fridays, February 5, 12, 19 & 26
5-10 pm



Say “I embrace art” at the Hamilton Building’s welcome desk and receive a special date-night-done-right package. Bring a special friend to the DAM after 5 pm on any Friday night in February, and you can buy 2-for-1 tickets and receive a coupon for 2-for-1 glasses of wine at Palettes restaurant.

Want some more love? Buy two matching Embrace! t-shirts at the Museum Shop and receive a complimentary boxed set of the two-volume Embrace! catalog (a $30 value).

No reservations needed.

Embrace! artist Charles Sandison says his installation Chamber is “a little bit like a metaphor of a fireplace.” Come sit by his fireplace with someone you love!

Photo credit: Charles Sandison, Chamber, 2009. Video installation; dimensions variable. © The artist; courtesy Denver Art Museum. Photo by Jeff Wells.

Congratulations BMoCA! Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art Receives a Denver Foundation Community Grant

$12,000 grant award to fund BMoCA’s 2010 on-going contemporary art programs

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) will receive funding from the Community Grants Program at the Denver Foundation in the amount of $12,000. The selection process for this grant is highly competitive and will contribute to the exhibition, programming and operating needs of the museum. BMoCA actively seeks to provide an inclusive forum for all community members to participate in art education, exhibitions, programming and volunteerism. The Denver Foundation is a community foundation dedicated to improving life in Metro Denver through philanthropy, leadership, and strengthening the community. Community foundations are endowments, permanent pools of money contributed by donors to benefit a specific geographic area.

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is dedicated to the presentation and exploration of significant art of our time. Through innovative exhibitions and educational programming featuring regional, national and international artists, the museum strives to engage its communities and visitors with the forefront and evolution of contemporary art. The museum is based in a historic landmark building in downtown Boulder.

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is located at 1750 13th Street in downtown Boulder, Colorado. The museum’s winter hours (January-April) are Tuesday–Saturday, 11am to 5pm; Sunday, noon to 3pm; closed Monday.

The museum’s summer hours (May-October) are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 11am to 5pm; Wednesday, 11am to 8pm; Saturday, 9am to 4pm; Sunday, noon to 3pm; closed Monday.

Regular museum admission is $5 for adults; $4 for students, seniors, and educators. Free admission to the museum is offered to members, children under 12, and during the Boulder County Farmers’ Market—Saturdays from 9am-4:00pm and Wednesdays from 4:00-8:00pm—generously sponsored by Xcel Energy.

Call for Artists!

CALLING ALL CREATIVE SOULS!

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Announces 3rd Annual Commemorative Poster Competition



Coloradoans can resolve to be more creative in the new year by participating in the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival's (CDBF's) Third Annual Commemorative Poster design competition. Trade your paddle for a palette and show your imagination and artistic skill! The winning poster will be featured as part of the annual festival, which will be held July 24 -25, 2010 at Sloan's Lake Park in northwest Denver.

Celebrating its 10th year, the CDBF is a free family-friendly festival highlighting Colorado's rich Asian Pacific American heritage. The two day celebration showcases an array of traditional and contemporary performing arts, cultural customs, cuisine and a marketplace of unique and hard-to-find arts, crafts and vendors, in addition to two days of action packed dragon boat races.

The submission deadline is Tuesday, March 31, 2010 and winners will be announced Monday, May 1, 2010. The winning design will primarily be used for collectible merchandise. Cash awards are as follows: The First place winner will receive $300, Second place $200, and Third place $100. Go to www.cdbf.org for more details, or read on below.

HOW TO ENTER:

* Any individual may participate, regardless of age, experience, technical skill, or other indicators. One entry per person.

* Complete the online application at www.cdbf.org and mail $10.00 entry fee (payable by check or money order to CDBF) with your contact information.

* Entries must be submitted digitally in PDF format or JPG/TIFF format - images should be 300 dpi with a minimum size of 8x11.

* Entries can be emailed to Allison@cdbf.org or mailed to: CDBF at 11049 W. 44th Avenue, Suite 110, Wheat Ridge CO, 80033 - postmarked no later than March 31, 2010.

* All designs must include the following text copy, in any format or order:
10th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, July 24-25, 2010, Denver, Colorado.

The Fine Print:

Digitally reproduced images of the artists' original pieces supplemented with required text copy additions are encouraged, acceptable and standard. Upon the request of CDBF, the artist will alter or remove any and all signature, logo, company stamp, or similar identifying marks. Entries will be evaluated based on appeal, content and marketability. The judges panel will include members of the Denver art community and CDBF Board of Directors. The decision of the judges is final. CDBF reserves the right to use the winning image on miscellaneous advertisement mediums, T-shirts and other CDBF related items. The winning entry will become full property of CDBF, with all rights and privileges inherent thereto. CDBF reserves the right to resize or otherwise alter the winning entry before using it in promotional and merchandising materials, or to not use any submitted competition materials.


The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival draws more than 100,000 attendees to the event over the weekend. If you or your company is interested in being a 2010 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival sponsor, please contact Creative Strategies Group at (303) 469-7500 for more information.

Founded in 2001 to celebrate Colorado's diverse Asian Pacific American (APA) communities, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CBDF), a 501© 3 non-profit organization, has become the region's fastest growing, family-friendly summer festival. CDBF offers festival-goers the opportunity to explore APA culture through performances, educational programs, arts and crafts, shopping, dining and the exciting athletic competition of dragon boat racing.