Tiny homes, big potential

Th ere’s a certain cliché about big things coming in small packages, but over the years that has become increasingly true with regards to tiny houses and the culture around them. e COVID-19 pandemic and a ordable housing crisis have both contributed to more people investigating the myriad uses of tiny homes, and all signs point to that number rising.

For those who are already fans of tiny homes or are eager to learn more, the Colorado Tiny House Festival is back for the sixth year to provide all the information and exploration anyone could want.

“We’ll have more than 30 structures available to check out this year and a bunch of new builders coming in,” said Art Laubach, organizer of the festival. “We have a lot of variety and new stu for people to see, especially with how much our industry has grown since COVID.” e Colorado Tiny House Festi-

Coming Attractions

val will be held at Riverdale Regional Park , 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton, on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25.

e festival is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

According to provided information, the festival is the largest tiny house and alternative living event in the region and allows attendees to explore some of the di erent tiny home options, chat with experts in the elds of homebuilding, sustainable living and long-time tiny home residents, and sample the wares of vendors and local eateries.

While tiny homes are designed to be used as more permanent residences, there are plenty of options on the recreational side of things for travelers to explore.

“Tiny homes are built more like foundation homes and are built as four-season structures with typical home materials,” Laubach said. “But there is the camper van side, which is something we’re seeing more people interested in, especially with the work-from-home options that followed COVID-19.”

Young people are particularly getting interested in recreational vehicles like teardrop campers and camper vans, as well as converting old vans or school buses into something they can take out on the road.

“With camper vans, it’s much easier to be o the grid and there are so many opportunities for travel,” Laubach said. ese small structures are great because they allow people to do many of the same things they’d do at home without investing in another vehicle.”

Regardless of if you’re looking to invest in a tiny home or camper van or just want to see what kind of vehicles people have built for themselves, there’s plenty to enlighten at the festival.

“We want people to see how livable these structures are and see them as viable living solutions,” Laubach said. “People are also encouraged to think outside the box in terms of recreation — there are more options than huge RVs.”

Tickets and information can be found at https://coloradotinyhousefestival.com/.

Pop culture HQ arrives in Denver

Fan Expo Denver provides hardcore nerds, pop culture obsessives and casual fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in all things fandom. Over years, the event has grown in scope and reputation to the point where massive celebrities like Hayden Christensen, Danny Trejo and Neve Campbell will be on hand, as will artists, cosplayers and vendors of all kinds. It’s one of the most fun weekends of the entire year and it’s back at the Colorado Convention Center , 700 14th St. in Denver, from Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2.

Find all the details at https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpodenver/.

Walker Fine Art reforges connection with nature

Humans have found creative ways to explore their connection to nature for as long as we’ve made art. Our relationship to the natural world is constantly evolving and as we’ve seen over the last few years, it’s a fragile relationship we need to do everything we can to protect.

In Coalescing Connections , the latest exhibition at Walker Fine Art , 300 W. 11th Ave., No. A, in Denver, seven artists —Julie Anderson, Mark Penner Howell, Sara Sanderson, Brian Comber, Cara Enteles, Sharon Strasburg and Norman Epp— have the opportunity to explore their connection with nature.

Get all the details about the show at www.walker neart.com/coalescing-connections.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Zach Bryan at Red Rocks ere are few things a musician can do that is as powerful as taking the stage at Rocks and commanding the stage. As you can hear on last year’s excellent live recording, “All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster,” Zach Bryan is just that kind of musician. e Oklahoma-based country star has made a huge name for himself in short order and he’s truly one of the most exciting artists working in the genre.

Bryan and his band will be returning to Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in, Morrison, for two nights — 8 p.m. on Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27. He’ll be joined by opener Jonathan Peyton. Find ticket at www.axs.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.