Boulder Author Elaine Pease Weaves Magic with History in "Ghost Over Boulder Creek"

“Elaine Pease has written an excellent novel full of ghostly spirits of the past, filled with mystery and Cheyenne trails.”
-Gordon Yellowman, Cheyenne Indian Chief


“When I received this manuscript I just couldn't put it down- it is stories like this that turn kids into readers.”
-Cathy Morrison, illustrator

Author Elaine Pease, a Boulder, Colorado-based author and publisher of children’s fiction educational picture books and middle grade novels recently released Ghost Over Boulder Creek, (Filter Press; October, 2010) an exciting Native American history mystery. It follows a half-Cheyenne, half-white boy, Run Through Fire on his journey with Buffalo Bill to find his father. But ghostly images haunt him and Run Through fears for his life.

Filled with the colorful characters that made up the Westward Movement, Ghost Over Boulder Creek takes young readers back to 1868, when cultures clashed and Manifest Destiny ruled. But one boy defies the odds to save his mother, his people, and prove his bravery as a Cheyenne.

“After Father taken away, the Cheyenne pushed from reservation to reservation. He would not know Tsitsistas in Oklahoma Territory on the Washita.” He wanted to smile confidence but something caught his attention, something that swirled in the dusty sunbeam behind the two men. Was it his spirit guide? Was it a ghost? Then, it disappeared, with a sudden tent rattling breeze, and a moan that could have been the wind but still raised bumps on Run Through Fire’s arms.”

When Run Through Fire’s white father is accused of stealing horses and taken away by white men, Run Through Fire knows he must protect his Cheyenne mother. Though both survive the terrible Washita River Massacre upon their Cheyenne people, they are captured and his mother is sent to prison. General Custer believes Run Through Fire is a captive white boy raised by the Cheyenne. Run Through Fire pretends it’s true to stay alive in the white man’s world and he and Buffalo Bill journey across the Oklahoma plains toward newly settled Boulder in Colorado Territory, to find Run Through Fire’s father. After he arrives in Boulder, ghostly images that have haunted Run Through Fire during his journey, prove to be more than warnings.

Author Elaine Pease is passionate about western history. She wanted to bring it to life for young readers. How, she wondered, could she write about history and also make it an exciting story? When she researched her local Boulder newspaper’s archives, she stumbled upon a real find. In 1867, the local sheriff and deputy reported seeing a ghost by Boulder Creek. The story tied in nicely with the timing of the Washita River Massacre and other important events and people. Weaving fact and fiction, Elaine created a survivor from that massacre—half Cheyenne, half white boy, Run Through Fire.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elaine Pease is the author of two picture books, the sweet and vibrant I’ll Never Leave and her more recent, Even Sharks Need Friends. I’ll Never Leave is the story of Little Leaf, a leaf in springtime that loves her work on the tree, so much, she’s fearful of leaving. Children learn about photosynthesis and nature’s cycle.

Even Sharks Need Friends is the funny and zany story of a hammerhead shark looking for a friend. Hammy the hammerhead is teased and bullied because he’s a big guy. When he meets a little sea urchin, he rejects her because she’s little and wears ugly eyeglasses. Through the adventure, Hammy finally learns good friends can come in small packages. Ms. Pease wrote and illustrated this sparkly, 3-D undersea world. Toddlers through third graders love these bright and boldly illustrated books, filled with fun, educational games.

AREA BOOK SIGNINGS

Sat. Oct. 30, 2010, 12-2pm
GHOST OVER BOULDER CREEK Launch and Uni-Hill Boo'k Fair
Barnes & Noble
2999 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 303-444-1066

Sun. Oct. 31, 12-1pm
GHOST OVER BOULDER CREEK signing with ghostly treats
Borders
Flatiron Crossing, Broomfield
303-466-4044

Ghost Over Boulder Creek releases October 30, 2010.

All books can be ordered through Books West, 800-378-4188, Baker & Taylor 908-541-7862 or online at www.peasepodbooks.com. “Ghost Over Boulder Creek” can be ordered directly through the publisher Filter Press, 888-570-2663.

MARCH OF DIMES SIGNATURE CHEFS AUCTION OFFERS CHANCE TO SUPPORT HEALTHY MOMS AND BABIES

Tickets on sale for gourmet food tasting and auction

In an average year in Colorado, 70,772 babies are born. Of these, 10,403 are born to moms who receive inadequate prenatal care; 8,580 are born too soon (premature); 6,292 are born too small (low birthweight); and, 416 will die before their first birthday. Improving the odds for moms and babies and helping them be healthy is the mission of the March of Dimes. Right now, Boulder residents can make a delicious difference.

Tickets are on sale for the annual March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, an evening of gourmet food sampling featuring the area’s top toques as well as music, an inspiring program and an auction of dining, travel, recreation and other packages. On the menu also is a special opportunity to further the cause through Fund the Mission. Signature Chefs Auction will be held on Thursday, October 21 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Omni Interlocken Resort (500 Interlocken Boulevard in Broomfield). Individual seats are $150 and corporate tables (which include ten seats) may be purchased for $2,500. Reservations may be made by calling the March of Dimes at 303-692-0011 or by visiting the website.

Featured chefs are: Samir Aniba–Magnolia; Michael Drazsnzak–Colterra; Fabio Flagiello–Bácaro Venetian Taverna; Chris Hansen–Tahona Tequila Bistro; David Harker–Meritage; Tony Hessel–Brasserie Ten Ten; Matthew Jansen–Radda and Mateo; Eric Johnson–The Greenbriar Inn; Kevin Kidd–Salt; Jaime Martinez–Aji; Marcus McCoy–Restaurant 4580; Laurent Mechin–Jill’s; and, Alexander Porter–Flatz.

Event sponsors include Jackson National Life Insurance Company, the Omni Interlocken Resort; Frederic Printing and the Daily Camera.

Signature Chefs Auction (which has a $150,000 fundraising goal in Boulder) benefits the March of Dimes and its ongoing efforts to help moms and babies be healthy. Through research, services, education and advocacy, the March of Dimes works to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. This year in Colorado, the March of Dimes will fund $2 million in programs. Of every dollar raised by the March of Dimes in Colorado, 87 cents goes toward mission programs.

Three other Colorado communities also are hosting Signature Chefs Auction events in 2010: Colorado Springs (Thursday, October 14), Grand Junction (Saturday, October 23) and Denver (Tuesday, November 9).

About the March of Dimes

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. Learn more about programs and activities in Colorado and get valuable health information by visiting the website.

Cavalia: The New Big Top in Denver?

A Slow Start with a Strong Finish


As I headed toward the white, big top-style tents easily spotted from I-25 in Denver, my curiosity about Cavalia was piqued, to say the least. With its myriad of international performers and more than 60 horses—a good number of them stallions—the show has been touted as “Cirque de Soleil with horses.” The magnificent imagery enveloping the entrance and the enchanting melodies being piped through the tents set the stage for a stunning performance.

To open the show, a solo cellist played as images of spring were projected onto a 70-foot-long screen. The audience was primed to be wowed, yet the first few numbers left much to be desired, despite the rich colors and textures of the set, costumes and projections. Slow moving and with no real cohesiveness, the disjointed acts felt more like vignettes using the horses as props. The show itself felt as if it was holding back.

Things improved after intermission, as if the first half of the show had been a bit of a hustle before the big revelation. Even the simpler numbers, in which the horses almost seemed to be roaming freely, had a completely different feel. Witnessing some of the most spectacular horse breeds, including a variety of Arabians, calmly and naturally interacting on stage with no apparent cues from a trainer, was poetry at its very essence. The magnificence and beauty of the fantastical creatures revealed itself in even the most subtle movements and gestures. Imagine stepping into the enchanted forest of a fairy tale and you will get a sense of this simple yet breathtaking performance. This is what the audience was waiting for, with plenty of aerials and acrobatics coupled with expert lighting and consistently high-quality live music performed behind a scrim. The energy stayed high during what felt like an hour-long (yet very welcome) finale. Horse after horse charged across the stage, and the performers displayed endless energy while doing some truly jaw-dropping tricks. “Cavalia” ended with a bang that kept going for nearly the entire second half of the show.


Even amidst these heart-pumping theatrics, the favorite of the crowd was far and away the “Grande Liberté.” Both the performer and her horses put on a show that was not only artistically innovative but also so highly technical and well-executed that I could have watched an entire program of just her on stage, handling these horses with grace and precision, and the horses' reciprocal elegance and dexterity.


With a running time well over two hours, beginning at 8pm (earlier for the weekend matinees), and fairly high ticket prices (adult tickets range from $34.50 to $189.50), “Cavalia” is definitely an investment. While the higher-priced tickets include extras such as a visit to the stables after the show, going with a more economical ticket might be your best option. For the horses' well-being, no audience member visiting the stables is allowed to pet them. So, although seeing some absolutely beautiful horses is a nice extra, you can still get the full experience while saving a bit of cash.

In a time when movies often miss the mark and live shows repeat permutations of the same old thing, “Cavalia,” even with its slow start, injects much-needed energy into the entertainment scene.

“Cavalia” runs through Sunday, Oct. 17, at the Pepsi Center in Denver. For tickets, visit cavalia.net or call 1-866-999-8111.

New Bosom Buddies Calendar Honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A unique and beautiful calendar, featuring 11 breast cancer survivors baring nearly all, is now available at the HealthLinks Foundation website, HealthLinks Clinic and other outlets throughout Boulder.

“We want to raise awareness about breast cancer and celebrate our health, happiness, and hope for the future,” says Valerie Gillon Griffiths, who had the idea to create the Bosom Buddies calendar and is Ms. January.

Every month features a stunning portrait of a survivor naked from the waist up, strategically holding an item that was significant to her during her cancer treatment. Each calendar girl has written or quoted a message of inspiration for the month.

“We hope that the calendar will reassure people currently going through cancer treatment that it is possible to emerge from it all with a healthy body and a healthy sense of fun,” Griffiths says.

Local photographer David Schlatter donated many hours of his time to create the calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales will support HealthLinks Foundation, providing grants to people at HealthLinks Clinic in Boulder who have cancer, Parkinson’s disease or other chronic illnesses.

Founded in 1999 and directed by Trudy Turvey, MSPT, HealthLinks Clinic offers comprehensive services including physical and exercise therapies, nutritional guidance, psychological counseling, massage, yoga and Pilates. The clinic is staffed by five highly trained therapists who provide compassionate, supportive care to many Boulder county residents.

For further information visit the HealthLinks Foundation website, or call 303-443-1937.

"Fall Family Portrait Days" benefit The Community Foundation of Boulder

Need a family portrait? Fall Family Portrait Days are a wonderful opportunity for stunning family portraits, and they benefit The Community Foundation serving Boulder County! Offered by Boulder-based photographer Michelle Maloy Dillon, the donation days are Saturday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 17, at outdoor locations in the Boulder area.

Session fees are $65 for 20 minutes and include a customized photo session and a private website of the photos, so that families can place their order for prints or for holiday cards. Session fees will be 100 percent donated to The Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life in Boulder County and to build a culture of giving.



"I have worked in the Boulder community for many years taking photos of special events and portraits of kids and families," Dillon says. "I feel honored to have the opportunity to use my photography talent to help such a wonderful nonprofit organization. The Community Foundation is an organization that addresses hundreds of needs throughout Boulder County in the arts, health and human services, the environment and education. Boulder is my home and where I chose to raise my family. It’s important to me to give back to my community.”

Reprints are available after sessions from a set of four wallets for $19 to an 8x10 for $65 and a 20x24 for $219. Custom cards, books and framing are also available. To make an appointment, e-mail michelle@mmdphotography.com or call 303.499.0787.

About Michelle Maloy Dillon Photography

Specializing in people photography in an unobtrusive and photojournalistic style



For nearly 20 years, Michelle Maloy Dillon has been documenting the moments and events of people's lives through the meticulous craft and creative art of photography. Based in Colorado, Michelle is a photojournalistic event and portrait photographer, working in a candid and unobtrusive documentary style. Versatile and experienced at her craft, Michelle is very active in the Boulder and Denver area, shooting portraits on location and in environments where her clients feel comfortable. Although she has shot in the digital format for years, she worked for more than a decade in traditional fine art, black and white film photography, and brings that experience to the pictures she takes.

She has traveled all around the state of Colorado and beyond to photograph weddings, bar mitzvahs, parties and special events and has been awarded The Knot Best of Weddings for the last three years.

Clients include Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper and family, former presidential candidate Howard Dean, University of Colorado, BSW Wealth Partners, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, KGNU Public Radio, Heart Center of the Rockies, National Business Officers Association, Arapahoe/Douglas County Mental Health Network, Starz Entertainment and Sunflower Preschool. For more information and a portfolio visit Michelle Maloy Dillon Photography's website.



About The Community Foundation

The Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Boulder County and to build a culture of giving. The Foundation is the place where giving is informed and inspired to have the greatest impact on the vision of a better Boulder County. To learn more or make a gift, please visit The Community Foundation’s website or call 303-442-0436.

"Reflections on Cultural Identity" art show opens at the Muse Gallery, October 8

Traditional transforms into Contemporary in Reflections on Cultural Identities

The Muse Gallery, 356 Main Street, in downtown Longmont will feature Reflections on Cultural Identities by Denver artist Kanako Uno in the WESTend exhibit space, and all new work by resident artists in the Main Gallery.

Uno’s work is a biographical travelogue of sorts, exploring the journey of one woman whose roots and origin are in Japan, but who now lives in the American West of Denver, Colorado. Her paintings employ traditional Japanese imagery and media, while incorporating her own unique, signature contemporary style.

“Our ideas and identities are shaped by cultural and social environments. I have learned how much identity means to us. As such, my experiences in the U.S. have shown me the values of identity and cultures. My focus in this series aims to share the stages of emotional development that individuals discover through time, space, and self-recognition. My goal is to stimulate ideas of identity and cultures through visual dialogues to help my viewer look into themselves so that they may become aware of greatness within their own cultures, origins, and identities.” - Kanako Uno

Kanako Uno was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. Uno began her formal education at the University of Colorado Denver in 2003. Uno’s work has been exhibited at the Emmanuel Gallery, University of Colorado Denver (UCD) student juried shows in 2003 and 2009, the invitational student group show Fiesta at Courtyard Marriott, Downtown Denver in 2006, and at the College of Art and Media Advising Office in UCD in 2006. Uno currently has her work displayed at the UCD Writing Center and at the College of Art and Media Advising Office.

OPENING RECEPTION

Meet the artists on Friday October 8, 2010 at the opening reception from 6-9pm. The reception will feature appetizers by Sakura, wine provided by Fox Creek Wine, Beer & Spirits, and Beer from Left Hand Brewing Company. The exhibition runs through November 6, 2010. For more information contact the Muse at 303-678-7869. The exhibition is sponsored by the Boulder County Arts Alliance and the Kanemoto Families.

THE MUSE GALLERY

The Muse Gallery is a collaborative artist gallery in downtown Longmont where local artists display and sell their work. For the community, it is the Gallery where they can view and buy local art ranging from jewelry to abstract paintings. While the Muse is a member gallery, not all members show at the same time, so each exhibition is fresh and new.

The WESTend exhibit space
T The WESTend is a dedicated space within the Muse Gallery created to provide a space for diverse well-known to emerging artists with a variety of themes and are local to national and international artists. It was created for shows just like this – ones that challenge or engage Longmont with a message to share and art to enjoy.

The Main Gallery
The Main Gallery will feature new work by our resident artists. The Muse Gallery’s resident artists for this exhibition are Ana Maria Botero, Jon Clarke, Katherine Ware-Wolniewicz, Susan Strok, Angelo Ambrosia, Linda Sole Faul, Lora Becker, Carolyn Bradley, Caron Ellis, Scott Mohr, Ani Espriella, Lisa Pentz, Dan Hollingshead, Janet Aitken, Marcy Davis, and new Muse artists Kathleen Reilly, Barbara Hegy, Debra Rocchi and Doug Beall. Each month the Muse features student art from Front Range Community College. Our featured artist is jewelry artist Liz Giles. Our resident artists bring a variety of styles and mediums including hand blown glass and ceramics to jewelry, painting and photography.

Muse Community Space
Japanese Art Scrolls by Rocky Mountain Elementary 3rd Graders. Rocky Mountain students have been studying Japanese art and created their own Art Scrolls. A special student reception will be held on Sat, Oct 16 at 2pm at the Muse. During the reception student ambassadors from the Longmont Sister Cities will share their experience of their summer travels.

Gallery Hours
Tuesday - Friday, 11am -5pm
Saturday, 10am -4pm

Exhibition sponsored by the Boulder County Arts Alliance & the Kanemoto Families

Mamma Mia! Walks down the aisle at the Buell Theatre Nov. 2-7

Tour cast includes Denver actor Christopher Sergeeff

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to the Buell Theatre November 2-7 only. Single tickets went on sale Sunday, September 12 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts website or by phone and walk-up Monday, September 13 at 10am.

Leading the cast of 30 in this national touring production is Kaye Tuckerman as “Donna Sheridan,” the independent single mother whose carefree past catches up with her on the eve of her daughter’s wedding. Bride-to-be “Sophie Sheridan” is played by Chloe Tucker; her fiancé “Sky” is played by Happy Mahaney.

Mary Callanan and Alison Ewing play Donna’s best friends and former back-up band, “Rosie” and “Tanya,” (respectively) who reunite with their best friend on the island for Sophie’s wedding. The three men from Donna’s past and Sophie’s possible dads are John Bisom (“Sam Carmichael”), John-Michael Zuerlein (“Bill Austin”), and Paul DeBoy (“Harry Bright”). Sophie’s & Sky’s best friends are played by Stephanie Barnum (“Ali”), Elena Marisa Flores (“Lisa”), Ethan LePhong (“Pepper”) and James Michael Lambert (“Eddie”).


MAMMA MIA!’s ensemble features Jeff Applegate, Amy Biedel, Julius Chase, Thomasina E. Gross, Sean Hayden, Carole Denise Jones, Alison Luff, Marlene Martinez, Mario Matthews, Brian Ray Norris, Merrill Peiffer, Christopher Sergeeff, Jennifer Swinderski and Travis Taber.

An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she’s raised alone. For Sophie’s wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends—practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya - from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.

On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna’s past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.

Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA’s songs from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me,” MAMMA MIA! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.

Seen by over 42 million people around the world, MAMMA MIA!, is celebrating over 3,650 performances in its ninth smash hit year on Broadway at The Winter Garden Theatre and remains one of Broadway’s top selling musicals. The original West End production of MAMMA MIA! is celebrating 10 years and over 4,000 performances in London, an international tour has visited more than 50 foreign cities, and the blockbuster feature film adaptation is the most successful movie musical of all time grossing over $600 million worldwide. With a worldwide gross of over $2 billion, the global smash hit musical is acclaimed by the Associated Press as “quite simply, a phenomenon.”


Produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, the creative team responsible for bringing MAMMA MIA! to theatrical life includes some of the most gifted and celebrated talents of musical theatre and opera. With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. MAMMA MIA! has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.

Single tickets for MAMMA MIA! start at just $25. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Groups of 15 or more, please call 303.446.4829. Tickets may also be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex Lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

MAMMA MIA! is an added attraction in the Denver Center Attractions 2010 season, and is sponsored in Denver by The Four Seasons. The 2010 DCA season is generously supported by United Airlines and Vectra Bank. Media sponsorship for DCA is provided by The Denver Post, CBS4 and Denver Magazine. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

For information about MAMMA MIA! around the world, please visit the Mamma Mia! website.

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PERFORMANCE DATES

November 2-7

Tuesday– Saturday, 8pm
Saturday & Sunday, 2pm
Sunday, 7:30pm

Children's Concert Oct. 2: "Nature music" with Jeff Kagan and Paige Doughty

Children's Concert: Jeff Kagan and Paige Doughty
Date: Saturday, October 2
Time: 10:30AM, doors open at 10:15AM
Venue: Louisville Center for the Arts, 801 Grant Avenue
Cost: $3 Children/Adults/Seniors

Boulder Naturalists/Children's Musicians Jeff Kagan and Paige Doughty head east for their first ever appearance in Louisville. Join them for an hour of live nature music for kids (ages 3-8), educational skits/stories, audience participation, quick costume changes and unexpected surprises. Their music explores the realm of ecological cycles, life in the alpine ecosystem, pollination, bear and mountain lion safety, symbiosis, water purification, water and electricity conservation, alternative transportation and so much more. Now if this sounds a little lofty for the kiddie set, then think again. Each song is instructive, but never preachy. And the messages are delivered in a playful manner with memorable musical hooks designed to captivate children and adults alike.

Web site: louisvillearts.org
Facebook: LCC on Facebook

It's October - It's Time for Open Studios Fall Artist Tour!

“One of the best [tours] in the nation”

(source: John Villani, “The Best 100 Art Towns in America”)

October 2 & 3 and 9 & 10, noon – 6pm, free and open to the public
October 1, 6-8pm – Public Reception, Canyon Gallery Boulder Public Library

The annual Open Studios Fall Artist Tour of 128 artist studios in and around Boulder, CO. On the first two weekends of October, 128 artists reveal the secrets of their creations to the public. Tour their studio, watch them create, talk to them about their process, try your hand at it and maybe leave with a new piece of art. Open Studios is a free event averaging 5000 visitors and over 70,000 individual studio visits. September 11 – Oct. 10, one piece from each artist will be on display at the Canyon Gallery of the Boulder Public Library.

OpenArts believes that Art must be accessible to everyone and Open Studios strives to make that happen through events that are relaxed, unintimidating, educational and free. Local artists are some of our most treasured resources that often go unappreciated. Boulder has one of the highest per capita resident artists in the country and Open Studios celebrates their valuable contribution to our lives by revealing their gifts to all.



New this year: The Guidebook has gone online! Now, everyone can easily access information about the tour, the artists and even the map online at Open Studios website. A full color Map with artist images will also be for sale throughout the Front Range for $6 + tax. Visit the Open Studios website for locations. Purchase is not required but makes the tour easier and support Open Studios, a not-for-profit organization.

Open Studios signs and the Map will direct visitors to the studios around Boulder. The Map will note wheelchair accessibility, new artists, bike routes and studios hosting special activities for children.

For more information visit the OpenArts Boulder or the Open Studios websites.