Theater Review: For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf

AfterThought Theatre Company
at Dayton Street Theatre, 1648 Dayton St., Aurora

Plays through Aug. 6
Fri. & Sat., 7:30pm, Sun. 5:30pm
Tickets online or at 303-856-3797

When I think back to the wonderful production of FOR COLORED GIRLS . . . , a lot of "S" words come to mind: sinuous, sexy, slithering, sophisticated, scintillating. Seven beautiful African-American women take the stage confidentally and speak the words that make Ntozake Shange's poetry come to life. They walk the walk, tell the stories, dance the dance, and live the life of Shange's women. In their slinky (another "S" word) black gowns, each adorned with an identifying color accessory, they explore the world of the contemporary black woman. Although the show was written in 1975 and originally performed on Broadway in 1977, its stories and emotions are as real today as they were 35 years ago.

The amazing ensemble consists of Juannean Young (Orange), Ebony Booth (Red), Devonne-Lee (Purple), Stephanie Hancock (Brown), Kenya Pollard (Green) and Joi Phillips-Daniels (Blue), with Renelda Snell, the artistic direcor of Afterthoughts, as the Lady in Yellow. They work together like a finely tuned machine, supporting one other in the telling of the stories, and sharing the moments of each woman's experience. There are short poems and longer essays; there are stories set to music and stories set to the stark color of life. There are funny stories about losing your virginity in the back seat of a car, and finding a playmate that has the same name as your hero, Toussaint. There are poems about strength—like the woman who chastises her man for walking off with all her “stuff” and how she wants her personal “stuff” back so she can continue life as a free, independent sister. And the group poem about women who are tired of hearing “Sorry” from their men. And the heartbreaking story of "A Nite with Beau Willie Brown," a tale of extreme spousal abuse that comes to a tragic end. From beginning to end, it's a stupendous, shattering evening (see what I mean? More “S's”).

This show has a very short run, so you've only got two more weekends to catch it. For all you Boulderites, it's worth the drive, and one of the best Mexican restaurants in town—La Cueva—is across the alley. Make a date night of it!

A wow factor of 8 1/2 for COLORED GIRLS!

Golden Oldy Cyclery Open Houses to tie in with the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and the Golden Fine Arts Fair

Golden Oldy Cyclery Open Houses
17224 West 17th Place, Golden, Colorado
720-497-1100
August 20, 21 & 27, 2011



With a focus on the role of the bicycle in a Sustainable Lifestyle, this year's Golden Oldy Cyclery Open Houses offer a timely message from the Victorian Cycling Culture and Early Cycling Racing. Museum Sustainability will also be discussed at these events which include art, photography, poetry, the technology which early cycling inspired, and the social change which it precipitated.

Saturday, August 20 from 2pm - 6pm
The museum will be open to visitors 8 years old and up for viewing of the Victorian Bicycles and Ladies Victorian Tricycles as a part of the broader issue of Sustainable Transportation. The special focus of the day will be the Art and Photography associated with the Victorian Cycling Culture. The photo gallery from Colorado Cycling in the Victorian Period will be highlighted. Museum Sustainability will also be discussed and highlighted and the bike will be considered as a part of a Sustainable Lifestyle.

Sunday, August 21 from 2pm - 6pm
The museum will be open to visitors 8 years old and up for viewing of the Victorian Bicycles and Ladies Victorian Tricycles as well as the photo gallery from Colorado Cycling in that period. The special focus of the day will be the Poetry associated with the Victorian Cycling Culture which manifested in 16 sub-genres of Victorian Cycling Poetry.

Saturday, August 27 from 2pm - 6pm
The museum will be open to visitors 8 years old and up for viewing of the Victorian Bicycles and Ladies Victorian Tricycles as well as the photo gallery from Colorado Cycling in that period. Early Cycle Racing in Colorado will be highlighted. Additionally, Museum Sustainability will be discussed and highlighted, and the bike will be considered as a part of a Sustainable Lifestyle.

The museum is a smoke free and shoe free environment. Learn more at the Golden Oldy Cyclery website.

Sunrise Anglers Named Orvis Guide Service of the Year

Owned by Thomas Schneider, Sunrise Anglers of Boulder is the successor to Kinsley Outfitters, the Orvis Company store that served Boulder for 60 years. Schneider "got addicted" to South Boulder Creek as a CU student, and says that because of the profusion and diversity of its hatches, it would still be his choice if he could only fish one river.

Most of Schneider's 14 guides are also CU-Boulder graduates, long familiar with the waters of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Western Slope and the Front Range, as well as private water. Their mission is to bring clients from experts to beginners great fishing in beautiful locations around Colorado and beyond. Their gourmet riverside meals leave clients begging for the recipes.

"While there are many great places you can go to fish," Schneider says, "there is no better place than Colorado."

Photo: Thomas Schneider, owner of Sunrise Anglers. The local fishing-guide service won the coveted title of 2011 Guide Service of the Year in the Orvis Company’s national competition.