A Langston Hughes music tribute and Casa Bonita art
Hello weekend warriors!
In true Colorado fashion, the weather this weekend is forecast to be sunny and clear with highs near 60 — so I guess we’ll pretend we didn’t just get pummeled with snow on Wednesday.
— Peyton Garcia, City Cast Denver Newsletter Writer
🎶 SOMETHING TO TAP YOUR TOES TO
Daybreak in Alabama: The Langston Hughes Project
Saturday evening at Dazzle (Denver’s jazz club darling), bluesman Jack Hadley will take the stage to play an original performance honoring Langston Hughes, a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, novelist, activist, and poet. Tickets are $20.
“I wrote nine songs based on some of his poems that truly spoke to me, changing his poetry into lyrics. Make no mistake. Hughes wrote about his American experience as a Black man. These are poems based on universal themes. God, History, Love, Redemption, and, yes, Racism. I wanted to amplify his message through music.” — Jack Hadley
- 👉 Want more? You can also check out this list from Denverite for more ways to celebrate Black history this month and all year round.
🐏 SOMETHING FOR THE NATURE ENTHUSIASTS
Bighorn Sheep Day
Learn everything there is to know about our official state mammal, the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. A little drive down to Colorado Springs’ Garden of the Gods Nature Center will reward you with nature walks, games, educational talks, and of course, sweet views of the center’s majestic herd of bighorn sheep! The festivities are free to attend and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Find more info and the full day’s schedule here.
FROM OUR SPONSORS, THE DEMOCRACY GROUP
Listen to podcasts to save democracy!
Denver, are you worried about our democracy in America? If you read the City Cast newsletter then you’re most likely a very engaged citizen. Democracy is in danger and needs your help now more than ever. That’s why The Democracy Group has created a community and network of 16 podcasts united around the goal of helping listeners understand what’s broken in our democracy, and how people are working together to fix it. Subscribe to their newsletter for podcast recommendations, deep dives, and information about how to become an engaged citizen in saving our democracy.
🇲🇽 SOMETHING TO SCRATCH YOUR CASA BONITA ITCH
“Mi Casa es Su Casa”
Today kicks off NEXT Gallery’s fifth annual Casa Bonita Art Show, “Mi Casa es Su Casa.” After a nail-biting two years of uncertainty for the beloved Pink Palace, we have more reason than ever to celebrate its continued presence within the fabric of our community and history. At this CB-dedicated art show, you can expect paintings, sculptures, photography, and textiles laden with sopapillas, waterfalls, and gorillas. The show opens tonight at 6 p.m. and runs through March 20.
💡 SOMETHING FOR THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS
New Thinkers
This weekend, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance will host the New Thinkers, a group for people seeking to create change and solve world problems. A free community screening of the docuseries “Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union” will take place tonight and Saturday at 6 p.m. The weekend will culminate in a panel discussion hosted by activist and policymaker Ruthe Farmer and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. Learn more about New Thinkers and check out this weekend’s event schedule.
🛼 SOMETHING FOR THE AQUARIUS’
Rainbow Dome
Rainbow Dome, the collaborative brainchild of local artists Therin Zimmerman and Frankie Toan, combines the nostalgia of roller skating and the magic of experiential art to create something entirely new. This spring, Rainbow Dome brings Denver “Oh My Stars!”, a four-month pop-up series where guests can free-skate through immersive art installations themed to match the corresponding astrology sign each month. The series kicks off tonight celebrating Aquarius, followed by Pisces in March, Aries in April, and Taurus in May. Each event will also feature photo booths, vendors, swag, and live local DJs. Lace up!
🔎 SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON
- The Douglas County school board has announced a swift timeline for finding a new superintendent. As many as 2,800 people tuned in to the board’s Wednesday night meeting.
- With COVID cases on the decline, Colorado has deactivated all “crisis standards” for hospitals and EMS agencies.
- Gov. Jared Polis kicked off his re-election campaign tour this week, which includes stops in 22 cities and towns across the state. Here’s what he’s saying.
🎙️ SOMETHING YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
A look back at our shows of the week
TODAY: City Cast Denver’s Chicken Chowdown
THU: What Police Chief Pazen is doing about Denver’s “dramatic increase” in crime
WED: Is this a moment of optimism in Colorado’s housing crisis?
TUE: From Comedy Works to America’s Got Talent: How Denver made Josh Blue
MON: We asked, you answered! Your Denver love stories
👉 Find all our shows at denver.citycast.fm.