Washington Park Profile August 2023

From Norway to Denver

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Scandinavian choreographer collaborate. Page 10 Rx

of RVs

Wellness Winnies to expand city fleet. Page 6

Summer Art Market

Three decades of fun continues. Page 4

The Colorado Symphony is turning 100. Page 5

Dogdrop Denver

A new doggie daycare has opened in Denver’s Hale neighborhood.

Dogdrop is a women-founded business that got its start in downtown Los Angeles. Dina Silverman will be the company’s rst franchisee with the opening of Dogdrop Denver, 985 Albion St.

Dogdrop focuses on socialization, play and positive reinforcement for dogs. e Denver location boasts three playrooms tailored for each dog’s energy level, ranging from high to medium to low, states a news release. It will o er curbside drop o and pick up and exible memberships beginning at $60/month and $10 per hour.

To learn more, visit dogdrop.co/locations/denver-location-page.

Photo by Dina Silverman via press kit from Dogdrop.

Peak Health Direct Primary Care

A new healthprovider has recently opened on South Pearl

Peak Health Direct Primary Care uses the direct primary care model.

e direct primary care model is a payment model in which patients pay their provider directly in the form of a monthly or annual fee, replacing the traditional system of third-party insurance coverage for primary care services. Membership covers the cost of many primary care services, including preventative, wellness and chronic care services.

“I started Peak Health Direct Primary Care to spread the mission of improving health in Denver via a holistic approach,” said Peter Yu, the o ce’s founder who is a

Casey Jones

Denver’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed pizza joint, called Casey Jones, has closed.

Located at 24 N. Broadway, Casey Jones was a 21+ venue describing itself as an “elevated dive bar.” It was a concept of the Denver-based Handsome Boys Hospitality, which boasts about 20 nightlife concepts in the Denver area.

To learn more about Handsome Boys Hospitality, visit handsomeboys.com.

Denver Black Reparations Council

Fifteen Denver-based Black-led and Black-serving organizations received grants from the Denver Black Reparations Council (DBRC) in the rst half of 2023, totaling $123,200.

“ rough these grants, we aim to address historical inequities and create a more just society for all,” said Arthur McFarlane II, co-chair of the Denver Black Reparations Council, in a news release.

“We extend our own heartfelt gratitude to the grant recipients for their impactful work and commitment to empowering Black individuals

Basic Cash Assistance Program

A new program will provide eligible Denver residents who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or its aftermath with a direct cash assistance payment from the American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Called the Basic Cash Assistance Program, it is a program of the Denver Agency for Human Rights & Community Partnerships and its Denver O ce of Immigrant & Refugee A airs, and Impact Charitable, which is a nonpro t organization.

Denver’s plan includes direct distribution of $308 million in ARPA Local Relief Funds, which was recently approved by Denver City Council.

e program allows for eligible Denver residents to receive $1,000 or $1,500, which is meant to improve nancial security and support families in meeting basic needs.

Applications for the assistance will open soon. To learn about eligibility requirements and more about the program, visit tinyurl.com/BasicCashAssistanceProgram.

Courtesy logo.

Denver Public Library

e Denver Public Library has announced that it will be open for additional hours at several of its locations, and the reopening of the BlairCaldwell African American Research Library.

e following locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays: Green Valley Ranch Branch Library, Sam Gary Branch Library, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library, Hadley Branch Library and Hampden Branch Library.

Each of those libraries will also have one day each week during which it will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. To nd out which weekday each of the locations will be open until 8 p.m., visit denverlibrary.org/locations.

Plans are in the works to add hours at other locations as well.

e extended hours are thanks to the Strong Library, Strong Denver supported by the Denver Public Library Fund, which voters passed in November 2022. Learn more at denlib.org/ stronglibrary.

Native American Bank/Denver Indian Center

e Denver Indian Center’s Honoring Fatherhood Program was the recipient of 25 bicycles gifted by Native American Bank through the Wish for Wheels organization.

e bikes were assembled by Native American Bank employees as part of an employee team project.

“We had a lot of fun building these bikes,” said Tom Ogaard, Native American Bank president, in

High 5 Cares

High 5 Cares, which is a charitable program of High 5 Plumbing, celebrated its ve-year anniversary in July. e High 5 Cares program spotlights a di erent Denver-area nonpro t through the use of social media, and supports them through monetary donations. During the spotlight period for each nonpro t, High 5 Plumbing donates a dedicated amount of $3,000, plus

SEE COUNCIL, P3

SEE CENTER, P3

PRIMARY CARE

Denver resident. “We are dedicated to hearing about your goals and helping you achieve them. We strive for great outcomes so you can live the life you were meant to without the burdens of healthcare holding you back. Peak Health DPC is bringing medicine back to what it was meant to be but with updated technology, providing you with easy access to primary care services and optimizing your health to reach your peak health.”

Peak Health Direct Primary Care o ers both monthly and yearly membership packages — with both individual and group plans available — which provides

COUNCIL

FROM PAGE 2

and communities. Together, we can build a future that embraces healing, resilience and lasting change.”

To nd a list of all 15 nonpro ts, including links to each of their websites, visit washparkpro le.com/ businessmatters or lifeoncaphill. com/businessmatters.

e “Denver Black Reparations

CENTER

FROM PAGE 2

a news release. “We have a real commitment to invest in our communities and giving these bikes to fathers and kids is just one of the ways we are able to do that and have a positive impact.”

e Denver Indian Center is a nonpro t that serves the American Indian and Alaska Native community of Denver metro area through a variety of programming. It is located in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood. To learn more, visit denverindiancenter.org.

patients with nearly an unlimited number of visits with their primary care physician per year. If or when additional labs are needed, Peak Health Direct Primary Care works directly with the lab to o er these at or near cost.

e o ce o ers both in-person and video visits, convenient appointment times — including during evenings and weekends — and can typically accommodate sameor next- day appointments.

Peak Health Direct Primary Care is located at1855 S. Pearl St. Unit 4, which is located in Denver’s Platt Park neighborhood. Learn more at peakhealthDPC.com.

Peter Yu is the founder of Peak Health Direct Primary Care in Denver. Photo courtesy of Peak Health Direct Primary Care.

Council prioritizes funding for organizations that focus on remedying societal and institutional acts that continue to negatively impact the economic and social progress of African Americans residing in Colorado,” states its website. Learn more at denverblackreparationscouncil.org.

On June 28, a number of local nonpro ts hosted a celebration to thank the Denver Black Reparations Council for its grant donations.

the wellbeing of kids, families and communities through the gift of a brand new bike and helmet,” states its website. Learn more at wishforwheels.org.

Native American Bank is the only national American Indian-owned CDFI bank in the country. It is owned by Tribal and Alaska Native Corporations in 19 states along with four collaborative partners. Its Colorado location is at 201 Broadway, which is on the border of Denver’s Baker and Speer neighborhoods. For more information about Native American Bank, visit nabna.com.

LIBRARY

FROM PAGE 2

e Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St. in the Five Points neighborhood, reopened on Aug. 7, following its May 2022 closure for renovations.

It is now open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and ursdays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

e renovations are part of the Elevate Denver Bond that voters passed in 2017. Renovations include a redesigned rst oor, a new teen space, new study rooms, refreshed community meetings rooms and cosmetic improvements on the second and third oors.

e Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library is a full-service branch library and is one of ve African American research libraries part of a public library system in the United States. It houses collection archives and has a museum dedicated to Denver’s African American community.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the community is invited to a reopening ribbon cutting ceremony from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 12. e event will include refreshments, entertainment and programming.

To learn more about Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, visit history.denverlibrary.org/about-blair.

Logo courtesy of the Denver Public Library.

Wish for Wheels is a nonpro t that serves communities across the nation with a mission to “empower

HIGH 5 CARES

FROM PAGE 2

A child enjoys the rst ride on a new bike. Native American Bank employees assembled 25 bikes for the Denver Indian Center. Photo courtesy of Native American Bank. any additional funds generated from employee donations and profits from the High 5 clothing line.

Since its inception, nearly $82,000 has been donated to more than 40 di erent nonpro ts.

Being spotlighted in July and August is Clothes To Kids of Denver, a nonpro t based in Denver’s University Hills neighborhood. Learn more at clothestokidsdenver.org.

High 5 Plumbing is a familyowned and operated business co-owned by Levi and Cassi Torres founded in 2012. e small business serves customers across the greater metro area out of its main location in north Denver, 850 E. 73rd Ave. Unit 4, and its Littleton location at 8000 S. Lincoln St. Unit 3. To learn more about High 5 Plumbing, visit high5plumbing.com.

e Colorado Chapter of HopeKids was the May and June 2023 recipient of the High 5 Cares program. Photo courtesy of High 5 Plumbing.

Photo by Sylvia Lambe.

Page 5.

PHOTO BY AMANDA TIPTON/COURTESY OF THE COLORADO SYMPHONY

Three decades of community art markets

Art Students League of Denver’s Summer Art Market returns for 30th year

BY BRUCE GOLDBERG SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

It took two decades for Jill Campbell to decide to start working with clay again.

Campbell, who is now 44, earned an arts degree in college, but for 14 years, she made a living working in the restaurant industry and “didn’t do anything with art,” she said, admitting to a battle with alcoholism at the time. She moved to Denver in fall 2015 “in hopes of rejoining the real world,” she said. In July 2017, Campbell chose to get sober for good.

Campbell got involved with the Art Students League of Denver, and eventually received a $10,000 grant from Studio Potter Magazine. So she quit her job at Trader Joe’s to focus on ceramics.

“Coming back to clay for me has been a direct result of my sobriety —

The Art Student League of Denver’s 30th Summer Art Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 26-27 in the Washington Park West neighborhood. The event will be bordered by East First Avenue, Sherman Street, East Fourth Avenue and Logan Street. Tickets cost $5 per person and are free for children age 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the ASLD website or the day of at any entrance to the event. Cash purchases are encouraged. Learn more at asld.org.

and coming back to myself and getting back to what does inspire me and excite me,” Campbell said.

Today, Campbell is in the midst of a year-long ceramics apprenticeship under the supervision of John Hamilton, who runs ASLD’s ceramics department. e two will share a booth at this year’s Summer Art Market, which is hosted annually by the ASLD. e 30th Summer Art Market — also known as SAM — takes place Aug. 26-27. e works of about 150 artists will be on display at this year’s event. It’s far beyond drawing and painting

— the SAM showcases all the mediums that people can take a course on at the ASLD. In addition to drawing and painting, these include ceramics, digital art, mixed media, photography, printmaking, ber art, jewelry, sculpture and more.

ere also will be free educational opportunities at SAM, such as artist demonstrations; a KidArt area with activities; and food and drink vendors.

Another great attraction to the annual SAM is that it’s community-focused — all the artists have a tie to ASLD, whether they are a student, volunteer, member, serve on the board, instructor or other sta er. Some local teens will also gain exposure and show o their creations by sharing booth space with an ASLD faculty member.

Cristian Mora teaches two classes weekly at ASLD, titled Intro to Still Life and Intro to Figure Painting.

“I love it,” he said. “I get to test myself and my knowledge and I get to pass that on to other people. e students love the classes. Some completely change the way they paint. You see a light go on over their heads.”

is will be the second time Mora will have work on display at SAM.

“I like to paint what I see … but cre-

ate a di erent work from what I’m seeing,” Mora said. “ e other thing I like to do is create from my imagination. at’s a little darker, a little weirder.”

Along with providing the opportunity for local, community artists to showcase and sell their work, the SAM is an annual fundraiser for ASLD. Proceeds go toward funding the ASLD’s classes, scholarships, free or low-cost community engagement programs and general operations.

e ASLD was founded in 1987, and it’s been a long road since its founding, starting out with only two studios for artists. Today, the nonpro t arts organization connects with 55,000 people in the community each year. Membership is about 3,000.

“We hear many people saying Denver is changing these days,” said Tessa Crisman, director of communication and development at ASLD.

Crisman added that as the city grows and changes, so does the ASLD.

“It’s adapting to the way Denver is changing, and (knowing) our role in a changing city,” Crisman said. “I don’t think people thought of Denver as an arts hub, and we’re really growing into that as the city grows. We’re becoming an arts center.”

Artist Behnaz Ahmadian at the Art Student League of Denver’s Summer Art Market last year. Ahmadian will also have a booth at this year’s market, which takes place Aug. 26-27. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE OF DENVER

Colorado Symphony readies for centennial season

Tickets on sale now for more than 150 performances

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

On Sept. 12, 2001, legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma was scheduled to perform Antonín Dvo ák’s Cello Concerto with the Denver Symphony. e day prior to the performance, the United States was shaken by the events of 9/11, one of the most tragic losses of life in American history.

Colorado Symphony cellist, Margaret Hoeppner, vividly remembers Ma’s performance that night. Instead of playing the planned Dvo ák piece, Yo-Yo Ma decided to play Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, a composition written in the aftermath of World War I. As the Colorado Symphony’s longest tenured member with 62 seasons under her belt, the performance after 9/11 is Hoeppner’s most powerful, moving memory as a part of the orchestra.

“Ma’s performance brought the audience and the orchestra a sense of solace and some comfort during that terribly di cult time. For me it was a sense that life will go on and that we will recover from this horrible tragedy,” said Hoeppner. “Because of the beauty of his performance, it gave us all hope. It gave me hope that we would survive and that this is something we would recover from.”

For the 2023-2024 Centennial Season of the Colorado Symphony, Yo-Yo Ma will return to Denver to play Elgar’s Cello Concerto, the same piece that brought comfort to concert-goers in the wake of 9/11. Ma will perform along with the Colorado Symphony at 7 p.m. on May 5 at Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. is is one of more than 150 performances o ered by the Colorado Symphony throughout the season.

e Colorado Symphony is celebrating 100 years of symphonic music in Colorado. e 2023-2024 season is highlighted by a trio of must-see performances featuring Audra McDonald, Renée Fleming and, of course, the legendary Yo-Yo Ma. Led by Principal Conductor Peter Oundjian, Colorado Symphony patrons will be treated to a schedule teeming with incredible programming, renowned guest artists and revered symphonic works all season long. To kick o the Centennial Season, the Colorado Symphony will perform Beethoven’s Fifth along with several other works on Sept. 15-17.

“ is centennial season will highlight the best of the Colorado Symphony,” said Oundjian. “We’re doing some really huge projects. We will keep doing programs that I think will engage people enormously. We are going to keep people excited with every performance.”

History of the Colorado Symphony

e Colorado Symphony has a rich history that dates back to 1922 when its predecessor, the Civic Symphony Orchestra, formed in Denver. Prior to 1922, there were several semi-professional music acts scattered across Denver, but no formal orchestra. At the height of the Great Depression, Helen Marie Black, publicist for the Civic Symphony Orchestra, helped form the Denver Symphony Orchestra in 1934. Her goal was to consolidate the local musicians, boost audience attendance and guarantee union wages. e orchestra held its rst concert at the Broadway eater in Denver on Nov. 30, 1934, led by Conductor Horace Tureman.

After a 55-year run, the Denver Symphony Orchestra disbanded in 1989 as the result of nancial hardship. It led for bankruptcy on Oct. 4 of that year. Musicians left the Denver Symphony Orchestra for the newly-formed Colorado Symphony, which played its rst concert on Oct. 27, 1989. e following year, the two groups merged to form one organization.

Since its inception in 1989, the Colorado Symphony has had ve recorded principal conductors, beginning with Marin Alsop in 1993. e current principal conductor, Oundjian, has served in the role since 2022.

One hundred years ago, the symphony in Colorado was di erent than it is today. From a small group of semi-professional local musicians, the Colorado Symphony has grown in size and in the diversity of its members. e Symphony currently has 80 full-time musicians, representing more than a dozen countries around the world.

The Colorado Symphony today

Denver is a vibrant city full of people who yearn to experience the arts. From taking in contemporary paintings at the Denver Art Museum to seeing hip hop concerts at Red Rocks, and from watching classic works performed by the Colorado Ballet to laughing at stand-up acts at Comedy Works, locals love to get out and experience the best of Colorado arts.

“Twenty years ago, people said Colorado was just a great place for the mountains — a great place for sport. at is what people were interested in. I feel there has been a huge shift in what people in Denver want,” Oundjian said. “We had the biggest crowds ever at Boettcher Concert Hall last year. Nobody moves to Denver to just sit inside and watch TV. Colorado is all about getting out there.”

roughout the 100 years of symphonic music in Colorado, performances and o erings have shifted and grown to meet the needs and wants of the changing audience. e Colorado Symphony not only performs classical works from composers like Mozart, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, but it also performs contemporary pieces, pop songs and soundtracks from fan-favorite lms.

is year the Colorado Symphony will have several performances outside of the classical genre. ese include “Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert,” “Disney in Concert: Time Burton’s e Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Home Alone in Concert.” ere will also be performances for children like the “Halloween Spooktacular,” “Elf in Concert” and “Peter and e Wolf & e Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.”

“In the last 10 years, there has been a tremendous shift from the Colorado Symphony. It is one of the great leaders in the evolution of programming. ey collaborate with musicians from every possible musical genre and from lm,” said Oundjian. “We have absolutely cutting-edge music, world premieres and also the beautiful performances of the great classics. Sometimes we perform these classics juxtaposed to a contemporary piece. We try to keep the program very alive so that the people are attracted to as much of it as possible. You’re not going to appeal to every person in Denver, every night. We try to present, over the course of the season, all of the great elements of the musical art form.”

Oundjian said the Colorado Symphony’s milestone could not have been reached without the longstanding and overwhelming support of the community.

“ is season carries special signi cance as we celebrate 100 years of music and look ahead to the next century of music making in Colorado,” said Oundjian. “ is celebration belongs as much to you and our state as it does to our orchestra, and we can’t wait to share the excitement with you all season long.”

Principal Conductor Peter Oundjian addresses the crowed at a performance of the Colorado Symphony.

PHOTOS BY AMANDA TIPTON / COURTESY OF THE COLORADO SYMPHONY

The Colorado Symphony and Chorus performs under the direction of Principal Conductor Peter Oundjian.

Denver’s Wellness Winnie program adding vehicles, services

and appropriate for people that are wanting those services.”

bringing the people to us, we are coming to the people.”

BY NATALIE KERR SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e demand for behavioral health services is massively outpacing supply, to the tune of more than 40% of Denver residents not being able to receive care, despite attempting to obtain it, according to a 2023 report from the Denver O ce for Public Health and Environment.

It’s a situation caused by myriad factors — overworked sta , nancial barriers for patients and complicated, time-consuming processes that block people from ultimately receiving treatment.

“ ere’s just not enough behavioral health services for folks to access,” said Kalyn Horst, administrator for DPHE Substance Use and Prevention. “And of those that exist, they may not be o ered in a way that feels culturally competent, and approachable

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e city’s bright purple eet of RV buses and vans is on a mission to change these statistics for the better, by bringing straightforward, e ective care directly to the people who need it.

e Wellnesss Winnie program is adding two Mini Winnies and a larger Super Winnie medical RV to its eet this fall. ey will be stationed around the city at least once per week. e Winnies will also have expanded services provided by an advanced practitioner and registered nurse who can provide clinical services like wound care and medically assisted treatment to those who need it.

e Mini Winnies will also be available upon request for community events and gatherings where organizers believe the services could be bene cial. e vans are highly mobile, so they can go where a need exists, reducing transportation barriers to care.

“Our response now is, people are needing help, and they’re already there,” Horst said. “By Wellness Winnie being there, it’s not that we’re

Additionally, the Wellness Winnie program is partnering with Denver Public Schools to o er services at six community hubs connected to local elementary schools in higher-needs neighborhoods within all of Denver’s regions, Horst said. e six hubs are Place Bridge Academy in the Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood, Colfax Elementary in the West Colfax neighborhood, Smith Elementary in Northeast Park Hill, Focus Points Family Resource Center in Elyria Swansea, John H. Amesse Elementary in Montbello and Johnson Elementary in the Mar Lee neighborhood.

Because the schools are known, trusted places in the community, people will hopefully feel more comfortable approaching the Wellness Winnies, Horst said. Once they do, they will nd that they do not need to provide insurance, have U.S. documentation or speak English to successfully access care, Horst added.

“ ere continues to be disparities and a lot of stigma that certain communities within Denver really struggle with, even more than just your baseline population,” Horst said. “So with that in mind, we’re excited to have these kinds of services where the idea is that we have the lowest barriers possible.”

DPHE partnered with community organizations like Street Fraternity, Heart and Hand Center and Struggle of Love Foundation to better understand community needs and build trust with residents, Horst said.

Struggle of Love is a nonpro t based in Denver’s Montbello neighborhood that provides underprivileged youth and families with year-round access to various services and programs, including a food pantry, annual toy giveaways and sports and mentorship programs.

e Wellness Winnie parks in Struggle of Love’s parking lot every Tuesday to conduct educational programs like Narcan training, hand out

hygiene bags and assist clients with their personal needs. is helps the sta at Struggle of Love easily connect clients to services without having to ask clients to travel o site or search throughout the city for resources, said Ashley Smith, director of mental health services at Struggle of Love.  People at Struggle of Love have come to know and trust the sta , and feel comfortable approaching the purple vans, Smith said.

“We walk them down personally, and we talk to them to establish those connections right there on the spot, so if they already trust Struggle of Love, then they’ll trust Wellness Winnie because we trust Wellness Winnie,” Smith said.

Each vehicle will generally provide the same services while out in the community, with the medical RV Super Winnie more focused on clinical care, and the other vehicles more focused on behavioral and mental health care and education such as overdose prevention and reversal, Horst said.

e Wellness Winnie team also offers taxi vouchers, so that if they refer someone to seek treatment at another site, they can provide the transportation means to get there.

e Mini Winnies are a permanent expansion, and the medical services currently have a three-year funding allocation that could be renewed in the future, Horst said. e team is optimistic that the new services will make a big di erence in caring for the Denver community.

“It’s been in the works for a while, and to see some of this come to fruition is super exciting,” Horst said. “It just continues to be a very humbling, rewarding experience to be able to serve the city and county of Denver in this way with our Wellness Winnie team.”

To learn more about the Wellness Winnie, visit tinyurl.com/WellnessWinnie-Denver.

Neighborhoods that need it most will have more access to medical care

Porter Adventist Hospital AdventHealth Porter. is now

At AdventHealth Porter, you’ll experience world-class health care designed to heal the whole person — body, mind and spirit. Guided by a special mission — to Extend the Healing Ministry of Christ — we’re committed to fulfilling the needs of our community, team members and partners across the region. It’s a whole new level of care for every age and every stage of life. Discover the di erence that faith-based whole-person care can make. Learn more at AdventHealth.com/Colorado.

Spending time with your pooch during Denver’s dog days of summer

The dog days of summer are here and there’s a lot of fun to be had in Denver, especially if you have a dog.

FROM THE EDITOR

But before we get to the fun, it’s important to remind ourselves just how hot it is outside. is time of year is typically the hottest in the city and already we’ve had a few scorchers. So, we must ensure that our furry friends are safe so that they have as much fun as we humans do.

Play in one of Denver’s beautiful parks Denver has some lovely parks, and both humans and dogs love visiting them. Remember to keep your dog on a leash at all times, as those who fail to do so are subject to a ne. It’s also a good idea to bring extra water and a bowl for your pet. And don’t forget your poop bags (although many parks have them available if you forget).

indoor pools speci cally for dogs. Canine Fitness & Fun Center, which is located on Evans Avenue bordering Denver’s Virginia Village and Goldsmith neighborhoods, o ers a 4-foot-deep pool with an on-duty lifeguard and a viewing area for the dog parent. It costs $18 for one group swim and $32 for one private swim, with packages for multiple swims available.

Go window shopping and dining with your pooch

Christy Steadman

Too much time in the hot sun can lead to heat stroke for dogs, which can be life-threatening. is goes for being in a hot car as well. So even a quick errand while your dog is left in the car is unsafe because temperatures inside a vehicle can rise to dangerous levels in minutes. Additionally, if you leave a pet inside a hot car you may be subject to a summons for animal cruelty, which carries a ne of up to $999 and/or 300 days in jail, according to Denver Animal Protection.

Bottom line is that it is best to leave your pooch at home if at any point you would subject them to an unattended stay in a hot vehicle.

Now for the fun adventures you can both have this summer.

ere are also many dog-speci c parks where dogs can run about without a leash. Denver Parks & Recreation operates 12 o -leash parks throughout the city. Find a nearby dog park online at tinyurl.com/DogParksDenver.

Take your dog swimming

Just outside of Denver, two nearby state parks boast o -leash areas where dogs can also play in water. South of the city, Chat eld State Park’s dog o -leash area o ers 69 acres of fenced open space and two ponds. East of Denver, Cherry Creek State Park’s dog o -leash area o ers 107 acres of fenced open space with the creek owing through it. Remember that these o -leash areas require a pass for entrance in addition to the per-vehicle entrance fee or regular annual state parks pass. Learn more about the state parks or buy passes at cpw.state.co.us.

And, there are other places dogs can swim. Some rec centers o er a doggie swim day at the end of the season, but there are some commercial

Although many shops do not allow pets inside the store, window shopping and strolling along 16th Street Mall, Cherry Creek North and/or South Pearl Street can make for a fun outing. Something to keep in mind, though, is that hot pavement can burn your dog’s paws. Denver Animal Protection suggests doing a test with your bare hands: “If you can’t hold your bare hand on (the) pavement for 10 seconds, then it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.”

Denver is a dog-friendly city, so many restaurants, breweries and other similar venues all across the city allow leashed, well-behaved dogs on their patios. Some even have doggie treats and dog bowls for water to keep your pet happy while you dine. If you’re unsure if the place you want to go allows dogs on their patio, call the location ahead of time to check.

Have fun in Denver on these dog days summer with your pooch.

Tips to stay safe in Colorado’s hot summer months

Yes, Colorado has had an unusually long stretch of damp, cloudy weather in a state that typically enjoys soaring temperatures and plenty of sunshine. But the sunshine is back and temps are rising which, as always, means more time relaxing, exercising and playing in Colorado’s great outdoors.

On the heels of Denver’s third hottest summer in recorded history in 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting 2023 could likely be one of the Top 10 warmest years on record in much of the U.S., and could possibly approach the Top 5, according to scientists.

For people of all ages — and especially older adults — the risks associated with high temperatures and increased UV rays are very real, from small bouts of dehydration to a full-blown, life-threatening medical emergency. A combination of factors make the preparation for higher temps and more time in the sun that much more important.

According to the National Institute on Aging,

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To subscribe call 303-566-4100 or visit www.washparkprofile.com/subscribe

people age 65 years and older are more prone to heat-related problems, as our bodies do not adjust as well to sudden changes in temperature like they did when we were younger. In addition, older adults are more likely to have chronic medical conditions and/or more likely to be taking prescription medications that can a ect the body’s ability to control its temperature or sweat.

Being overheated for too long or exposed to the sun without protection can cause many health problems including:

• Heat syncope: sudden dizziness that can occur when active in hot weather.

• Heat cramps: painful tightening or spasms of muscles in the stomach, arms or legs.

• Heat edema: swelling in ankles and feet when you get hot.

• Heat rash: skin irritation from heavy sweating that causes red clusters of small blisters that look similar to pimples on the skin.

• Heat exhaustion: a warning that your body can no longer keep itself cool. You might feel thirsty, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated and nauseated. You may sweat a lot. Your body temperature may stay normal, but your skin may feel cold and clammy. Some people with heat exhaustion have a rapid

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com

CHRISTY STEADMAN Editor csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com

ERIN ADDENBROOKE Marketing Consultant eaddenbrooke@coloradocommunitymedia.com

AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager abrooks@coloradocommunitymedia.com

pulse. Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke. If you or someone you are with begin to show any signs of heat exhaustion, move to a cooler environment as quickly as possible — preferably a well air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing, sponge o or bathe with cool water, lie down and rest.

• Heat stroke: a medical emergency in which the body’s temperature rises above 104°F. Signs of heat stroke are fainting; confusion or acting strangely; not sweating even when it’s hot; dry, ushed skin; strong, rapid pulse; or a slow, weak pulse. When a person has any of these symptoms, they should seek medical help right away and immediately move to a cooler place, such as under shade or indoors. ey should also take action to lower their body temperature with cool clothes, a cool bath or shower, and fans.

But the added risks don’t mean you have to stop doing the things you love. It just means taking the time to prepare for your outdoor fun.

Some of the most e ective preventive measures include:

• Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher).

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose tting,

SEE SUMMER, P9

Columnists & Guest Commentaries

Columnist opinions are not necessarily those of the Profile. We welcome letters to the editor. Please include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone. Email letters to csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com

Deadline 5 p.m. on the 20th of each month for the following month’s paper.

Stacey Johnson

SUMMER

cotton clothing, including long sleeves and a breathable hat.

• Take frequent rest periods.

• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.

• Drink plenty of liquids. Try a measured water bottle to track your progress — some water bottles are connected to an app on your smart phone to remind you to drink. Water, fruit or vegetable juices, or drinks that include electrolytes are best. Avoid alcohol and ca einated drinks.

• Get outside earlier in the day and try to avoid outdoor activities during the heat of the day, which is

MAZING DENVER WITH WARREN STOKES

typically mid to late afternoon.

• Don’t rely on perspiration to cool you down, some people just don’t sweat as much as they age. Getting outdoors and enjoying the sun and warmer temps should stay on everyone’s to-do list. However, a few basic precautions and awareness of what to look for and when to shut things down will help deliver a fun, safe summer for Coloradans of all ages.

Stacey Johnson, RN, NHA, is the area director of Clinical Services for Ascent Living Communities, which includes Carillon at Belleview Station in Greenwood Village, Hilltop Reserve in Denver, the Village at Belmar in Lakewood and Roaring Fork Senior Living in Glenwood Springs.

Do you see us?

This maze art is meant to bring attention to an event that is designed to provide African American teens with an opportunity to have their voices heard through sharing collective experiences and community building. The 2023 African American Teen Summit, which is being put on by the local nonprofit Our Mindful Kingdom, takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Pavilion at Central Park, 8801 M.L.K. Jr. Blvd., Denver. It is free to attend and will include a Teen Talk session, a Parents Pavilion, panel discussions, networking, and an art expo and party that will include teen entrepreneurs and creatives. A box lunch will be provided. To learn more about the summit, visit ourmindfulkingdom.org. To solve this maze, start at any S — located on both pinky fingers and both palms of the hands — and maze-out to the W for win where the index fingers connect.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance partners with Scandinavian choreographer for September performance

To learn more about Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, or to purchase tickets for the upcoming “Firebird” performances, visit cleoparkerdance. org.

To learn more about the Tabanka Dance Ensemble, visit tabankadance. com.

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Cleo Parker Robinson grew up in the historic Rossonian Hotel in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, the Rossonian Hotel catered to touring Black musicians during segregation. Parker Robinson lived in an apartment at the hotel, above a jazz lounge that hosted legendary Black musicians like Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. She would go to sleep every night hearing music being performed by artists from around the country and the globe, taking in their energy and dreaming about how she would one day make her mark on the world.

“As a child, it felt worldly to me. I was always hearing

classical music, jazz music and music from all over the world,” Parker Robinson said. “It just made me want to bring the world together all the time. I always felt like I wanted to be in the world. Growing up there was destiny.”

Parker Robinson has certainly made her mark on the world, particularly through her founding of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD). Based in Denver, it is one of the world’s most wellknown, reputable dance companies. With her company, she aims to honor the African Diaspora, explore the human condition, champion social justice, unite people of all ages and races, and ultimately celebrate the complexity of life through movement. As part of her mission, CPRD each year hosts an International Summer Dance Institute for dancers of all ages and ability levels. e Children’s Global Camp teaches students more than a dozen dance genres through cultural movement. Past genres have included hip hop, capoeira, Celtic, Polynesian, West African, jazz, hula, modern, South Korean, amenco, ballet, Mexican folklorico and East

For more advanced dancers, CPRD o ers intensive master classes with some of dance’s most in uential artists. Guest choreographers come from all over the world to work with CPRD dancers during the International Summer Dance Institute. is year, CPRD welcomes omas

Talawa Prestø, founder and artistic director of the Tabanka Dance Ensemble based in Oslo, Norway. He is visiting as a guest choreographer and teacher of his Talawa technique of dance.

“ omas Prestø and I discovered that we have this connection, this powerful connection,” said Parker Robinson. “I’d been curious about Norway for a while. When I previously visited Iceland, I only met one Black person. When I met omas and he said he was from Norway, I said, ‘no way, I didn’t think there are any Black folks in Norway.’ When I met him at the International Association of Blacks in Dance, he was so hungry and so present. I connected with him immediately.”

Prestø said he felt the same about meeting Parker Robinson.

“Cleo Parker Robinson has

been a lighthouse and inspiration to us across the Atlantic,” said Prestø. “Fate, God and the ancestors have brought the opportunity for us to work together. Together we will a rm dance as a catalyst for social justice and a refuge for the oppressed. rough movement yesterday arrives today, and brings tomorrow.”

Prestø’s Tabanka Dance Ensemble was founded in order to promote and represent the existence of Black personhood and identity in Norway and Scandinavia. As one of the leading institutions of African Diaspora dance in Europe and the Nordic countries, Tabanka seeks to advance the sector through sharing knowledge, practices and advocating for equity within the European and Nordic art sectors, as well as society at large.

Tabanka Dance Ensemble dancers specialize in African and Caribbean dance practices. ey are Scandinavian pioneers, carving a space for Black and Brown dance artists and challenging the normativity of the northern European dance and arts eld. Each dancer is also trained as a youth and community worker, and is highly committed to equity and inclusion, and work to ensure that economy, race, ethnicity and culture are not a barrier to participation.

‘Firebird’ and ‘Catch a Fire’ e Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble will be performing on Sept. 16-17 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, along with select members of the Tabanka Dance Ensemble. e program will include three performances: “Firebird,” choreo-

Samiyah Lynnice and others part of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble rehearse Thomas Prestø’s choreography during an open rehearsal on July 19. PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

Jasmine Francisco rehearses a routine part of Thomas Prestø’s “Catch a Fire.” PHOTO BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON

graphed by Parker Robinson; “Catch a Fire,” choreographed by Prestø; and the third performance was yet to be announced as of Colorado Community Media’s press deadline.

“To see this combination of what we’re doing with the Tabanka dancers from another culture is real education,” said Parker Robinson. “People get to embrace this beautiful thing of music and dance that we’re all a part of.”

Parker Robinson’s performance of “Firebird” will be set amid the enchanting Hawaiian islands, presenting an unconventional concept that departs from the traditional Slavic versions of the ballet. e essence of Pelé — the powerful Goddess of the Volcano — permeates the performance and introduces the presence of historical gures like King Kamehameha and Queen Lili’uokalani, paying homage to their signi cant contributions to Hawaiian history.

“I was invited to teach on the big island in Hawaii,” Parker Robinson said. “I didn’t know much about the culture at the time. Once I started working there, they invited me to dance on the edge of a volcano. I was terri ed (but) it was of the most invigorating, close-to-death experiences I’ve ever had. en I started

teaching there, at the volcano, every year for 10 years. Hawaiian culture on the Big Island is just so alive.”

is experience inspired Parker Robinson, and in 1997, she choreographed “Firebird” for the Colorado Symphony, working with Marin Alsop, who was the principal conductor at the time.

“ e dancers I have now never did that version of ‘Firebird’ with me, so I’ve reconstructed it” for the September performances, said Parker Robinson.

In addition to Parker Robinson’s “Firebird,” Prestø will present his original work, “Catch a Fire.” Inspired by both Parker Robinson and Bob Marley lyrics, the piece will be perfectly juxtaposed to “Firebird.”

“Bob Marley’s lyrics are all about consequence. ey’re about anyone in power catching the consequences of their actions. So all of the songs in the piece kind of have this commonality,” said Prestø. “‘Catch a Fire’ is also about catching the re that Cleo (Parker Robinson) has created. It’s about carrying on the torch to the next generation.”

Black representation in dance

For both Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and the Tabanka Dance Ensemble, Black representation in dance is of critical importance.

“Growing up, we didn’t see enough of ourselves in any of the media. I think it is very important to read

about — and to understand — our culture from a deeper and broader perspective,” said Parker Robinson. “Growing up, what we were seeing in the media was pretty degrading and it wasn’t very realistic of who we were. We had a tremendous desire to know more about our culture. In Denver, we began to build a place for ourselves. Most of our young people didn’t have opportunities to work, to create, to be paid, to develop. I think for young people, this has become an opportunity to continue to evolve.”

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Prestø mirrors Parker Robinson’s sentiment.

“ ere is a weird paradox of this idea that Blacks naturally and inherently sing, and that we have natural rhythm. But at the same time, (that) we don’t have culture and our dance is just at a body level — it’s not cerebral, it’s not intelligent. It is something we do by instinct, something we’re born with,” said Prestø. “Black dance is important because it reclaims intelligence and reclaims culture. It a rms it for the Black body. at is an aspect that we don’t talk about enough. We have to counter that image that is still there.”

Both Parker Robinson and Prestø are looking forward to sharing their work with the community this September.

“We all have that re energy that helped us survive the pandemic. We all had that re saying, ‘I want to live, I want to be alive, I want to dance, I

want to sing, I want to nd my passion,’” Parker Robinson said. “You’ll nd that re in the work. I think that kind of re empowers people and helps build community.”

Add ltered water. Cook with love.

If your home is enrolled in the Lead Reduction Program, be sure to use the water pitcher and lter provided for drinking, cooking and preparing infant formula. Boiling water does not remove lead, so lter rst.

Samuel Gaines Jr. dances during a July 19 open rehearsal at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance for Thomas Prestø’s “Catch a Fire.”

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

Mile High Happenings is a monthly column featuring community events in Denver, highlighting events in the central and central-south neighborhoods covered by the Washington Park Profile and Life on Capitol Hill newspapers.

Event submissions from community members and local organizations are welcome. Submissions should include brief details about the

event and a photo or event logo. Deadline is the 20th of each month for the event to be listed the following month. Submissions can be emailed to Christy Steadman at csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com.

For more Mile High Happenings, visit lifeoncaphill.com or washparkprofile.com.

August and September

Denver Municipal Band: free concerts in the park

Time: Varies.

Location: Multiple.

Cost: Free.

Bright Nights at Four Mile

Time: 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday; and 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Location: Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St., Denver.

Cost: non-member: $25 adult and $15 child (3-12 years); member: $22 adult and $13 child.

Co-produced by Four Mile Historic Park and Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., Bright Nights at Four Mile o ers an opportunity to experience an enormous interactive exhibit with larger-than-life sculptures that illuminate the grounds of the park’s 12 acres. Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. is a national Chinese lantern festival producer, and according to a press release, its 10week run at Four Mile Historic Park in Denver will be the only opportunity to experience a Tianyu festival in the mountain west.

More information/reservations: fourmilepark. org/brightnights

Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon

Time: O ered daily at 4:15 p.m.; and Friday nights at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 8 p.m.

Location: Gates Planetarium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.

Cost: Museum admission plus special ticket to the planetarium. is planetarium experience will take attendees on a tour of the solar system while celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s album, “ e Dark Side Of e Moon.” It features state-of-the-art technology for the music and visuals, with nods to the band’s iconic imagery. Appropriate for all ages but recommended for 8 years and older.

More information/reservations: dmns.org

Photo credit: NSC Creative and Pink Floyd.

e Denver Municipal Band is putting on many free concerts in the park throughout Denver this summer. ese are the August and September concerts:

Aug. 12: Cranmer Park, 7-8:30 p.m. (DMB Concert Band and neighborhood celebration)

Aug. 17: Central Park North Green, 6-8 p.m. (DMB Concert Band)

Aug. 18: Bates & Hobart Park, 7-8:30 p.m. (DMB Jazz Band)

Aug. 19: Platt Park, 6:30-8 p.m. (DMB Brass

International Rescue Committee’s Welcome Home fundraising gala

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Washington Park Boathouse, 701 S. Franklin St., Denver.

Cost: Tickets start at $75.

e International Rescue Committee’s second annual Welcome Home fundraising gala will raise funds for IRC’s refugee resettlement programs for its Denver clients. IRC is a not-

Meow Wolf’s Monster Battle

Time: 4-9 p.m.

Location: The Pavilion at Cheesman Park, 1900 E. 11th Ave., Denver.

Cost: Free. is all-ages event will provide attendees an opportunity to dance and showcase your best monster costume — whether it be cute, scary, silly or serious. ere will be games and a costume contest. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Snaggy and more TBA. No tickets or RSVPs required. Getting its start in 2008 in Santa Fe, this is the rst time for Denver to host a Meow Wolf Monster Battle. A Monster Battle Makers Workshop will take place from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 5 at Factory Fashion

Quintet and Family Movie Night)

Aug. 26: Mayfair Park, 6-7:30 p.m. (DMB Jazz Band)

Sept. 2: Central Park South 6-7:15 p.m. (DMB Jazz Band)

Sept. 9: Pulaski Park 6:30-8 p.m. (DMB Jazz Band)

More information/reservations: denvermunicipalband.org

Photo courtesy of the Denver Municipal Band.

for-pro t that is internationally headquartered in New York with its Denver o ce located in Denver’s Virginia Village neighborhood. Entertainment for the Welcome Home event will be provided by Bella Diva World Dance, attendees will have the opportunity to browse artist Tim Wood’s latest photography series, and a full dinner will be catered by King of Shawarma & Kabob. More information/reservations: tinyurl. com/IRCDenver-WelcomeHome

Logo courtesy of the International Rescue Committee’s website.

in the Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., in Aurora. Recycled materials for monstermaking will be provided. Tickets cost $7 per person and children age 12 and younger are free. One adult ticket must be purchased for every two children. Proceeds support the Sun Valley Youth Center.

More information/reservations: tickets. meowwolf.com/events/denver/monsterbattle

Photo by Shayla Blatchford/Meow Wolf.

Photo by Bobbi Sheridan/courtesy of Four Mile Historic Park.

Aug.

Denver Public Library: An Evening with Author Jasmine Guillory

Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Location: Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1385 Curtis St.

Cost: Free.

e Denver Public Library’s Strong Library, Strong Denver program, in partnership with Denver Arts & Venues, is hosting New York Times bestselling novelist Jasmine Guillory. A few of Guillory’s books include “ e Wedding Date,” “ e

Aug. 19

South by Southeast festival

Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Bible Park, 6802 E. Yale Ave., Denver.

Cost: Free.

is annual certi ably green event will feature food trucks, a beer garden, live music, vendors, kid’s activities, a giant solar-powered bubble tower, lawn games and more. It kicks o at 11 a.m. with a community bike parade around the park, during which community members are encouraged to decorate

Aug. 27

La Raza Park Day and Cruise

Time: 1-5 p.m.

Proposal” and “Drunk on Love,” and her work has appeared in e Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appetit and Time. e event will include a presentation and book signing by Guillory. Book sales will be available at the event.

More information/reservations: denverlibrary.org/event/love-air-eveningauthor-jasmine-guillory (Registration is optional but encouraged.)

Photo courtesy of an online media kit on Jasmine Guillory’s website: jasmineguillory.com.

Aug. 10-13

Denver Film: CinemaQ Film Festival

Time: Varies. Location: Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver.

Cost: Festival passes: $60 for Denver Film members/$70 non-member. Individual film tickets: $12 for Denver Film members/$15 nonmember.

Denver Film’s CinemaQ Film Festival celebrates the vibrate and diverse LGBTQ+ stories, providing an opportunity for everyone to enjoy a curated movies and programs that entertain, educate and empower. is year’s festival includes about a dozen full length lms plus shorts, panels and discussions, an opening night reception, and a marketplace and ice cream social.

their bike, scooter, stroller, wheelchair or other non-motorized wheels and participate in the parade.

More information/reservations: tinyurl.com/SouthBySoutheastFestivalDenver

Photo courtesy of Denver City Council District 4.

Location: La Raza Park, 1501 W. 38th Ave., Denver.

Cost: Free.

is local lowrider event — put on by Warm Cookies of the Revolution and Denver Arts & Venues — will o er an opportunity to view low rider vehicles, lucha libre wrestlers, breakdancing and Aztec dancers. ere will also be music, food and vendors.

More information/reservations: warmcookiesoftherevolution.org (select calendar) Photo courtesy of Warm Cookies of the Revolution.

Aug. 19

ElevAsian Night Market Fundraiser

Time: 4-10 p.m.

Location: Tivoli Turnhalle on Auraria Campus, 900 Auraria Pkwy., Denver.

Cost: $24.99 child access, $64.99 adult ages 13 and up general access, $129.99 ages 21 and up premium access.

e second annual ElevAsian Night Market Fundraiser will o er an opportunity to eat, drink and shop AAPI women-owned restaurants and businesses, as well as enjoy entertainment by AAPI women and AAPI women-led groups. is event is a fundraiser for Asian Girls Ignite, a nonpro t that exists to build a strong community of AAPI girls to celebrate their individual and collective power. More information/reservations: asiangirlsignite.org/elevasian

Photo courtesy of Jas K Productions.

More information/reservations: denver lm.org

“Bottoms” is the CinemaQ Film Festival’s opening night presentation. Image courtesy of Denver Film.

Sept. 2-3

Rocky Mountain Dreams

Time: Varies.

Location: Various venues at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Cost: Varies, see below.

e Rocky Mountain Dreams Pride Bands Conference will o er three public performances featuring about 350 musicians from Pride Bands Alliance organizations around the world. Denver’s Mile High Freedom Bands will be participating, and will be kicking o its 40th anniversary season. e concerts are:

e Centennial Pep Band: 11 a.m. Sept. 2 at e Galleria at Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1101 13th St. Free and no tickets required.

e Fourteeners Jazz Band: 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at e Galleria at Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Free and no tickets required.

e Longs Peak and Pikes Peak Symphonic Bands: is nale event will showcase musicians with the Pride Bands Alliance. 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1385 Curtis St. Tickets begin at $25 according to axs.com.

More information/reservations: dreamers2023.org/publicevents

Logo courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Dreams website.

BROTHERS OF BRASS BREATHE LIFE INTO COLORADO

THE FLAVOR OF THE CRESCENT CITY TO THE MILE HIGH CITY

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

ey proudly call themselves the B.O.B. from the 303, bringing the Big Easy up to high altitudes with their soul-gripping blend of music stylings with New Orleans jazz.

Known for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings is the French Quarter. e French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans, and jazz is its heartbeat.

Breathing life into Bourbon Street are the sounds of brass instruments and drums continuously owing out of numerous jazz clubs.

With just a trumpet, clarinet, berry sax, alto sax, trombone, snare, bass drum and tuba, the Brothers of Brass are bringing that one and only soulful heartbeat to Colorado.

“It’s a cultural tradition that most of the country doesn’t have,” said

Armando Lopez, a member of the Brothers of Brass.

e group’s repertoire is a simmering mix of slow and angsty tunes and fast-paced tempos with a kick of familiar melodies. e Brothers of Brass blend of other genres like R&B, hip hop and psychedelic jam rock into each set.

A day after a tornado hit Highlands Ranch in late June, the Brothers of Brass dished out a much-needed evening of fun for the community. Soon, everyone went from clapping to full-out dancing, allowing concertgoers a chance to relax.

“It was nice to see so many kids, like, actually getting up out of their seats and the older people getting up and dancing and enjoying the music,” said Khalil Simon, who is originally from New Orleans. “It’s not so often that we get to play like New Orleans brass music for a crowd like

this and appreciate it, that’s pretty unique.”

Not only did the band members interact with one another on stage throughout the night, they got the crowd involved by singing along and repeating after them. Although it was an outdoor concert, there was no excuse for the crowd not being loud enough.

Among some crowd favorites were “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr., and “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. And of course, they couldn’t call themselves a brass band without playing the beloved spiritual hymn “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

In true New Orleans fashion, each band member was called out to do a solo, each one emoting a di erent feeling.

As the music continued and the sun began to set, the crowd let the good times roll as more children and

adults came to the front of the stage, dancing as if it were Mardi Gras.

Just when the sun went behind the buildings, the Brothers of Brass were kind enough to strap on their instruments for an encore, playing “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child.

e strong, powerful notes of brass instruments and the beautiful harmonizing of the members’ voices encapsulated the feeling of the Crescent City.

“ ey say a lot with very little,” said Lopez. “When you play the horn, there’s a lot of emotional information in your tone quality — you can literally play one note and instantly captivate somebody and that is not always taught.”

When two street performers collide

Just like their voices, the members

The Brothers of Brass perform in the 2020 Denver Days parade near Civic Center Park.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

SEE BROTHERS, P15

of the Brother of Brass is a blended group.

On the streets of Atlanta, Georgia in 2014, Simon and a couple of his friends were busking — playing music on a public street for voluntary donations.

When the groups of friends rst started playing, they were sharing horns until they had saved up enough money to get horns for each member. ey called themselves the Brothers of Brass.

e group quickly learned that busking at event egresses was a better way of making money, so they began playing with baseball egresses but expanded to playing outside of concerts and events that drew large crowds.

When baseball season came to a close, the group decided to travel across the country in search of other venues to perform.

Lopez continued to share his love for music after moving to Denver from Los Angeles. Having received a music education in jazz, Lopez brought that in uence into street music.

Once in Denver, Lopez played the saxophone on 16th Street Mall and, in 2013, Jake Herman joined in on drums and a small funk and jazz band ensemble was formed called

Nimbus.

e group busked on 16th Street Mall, Boulder’s Pearl St. Mall and the First Friday Art Walks in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe, often including a rotating lineup of local musicians to play with them.

On a random day in April 2015, Lopez heard the deep bass of a tuba while playing on 16th Street

Mall. He followed the sound to nd Simon playing the tuba. e two groups ended up playing together at the nearby Denver Center for the

“ ey showed us a new way of

Until Simon moved to Denver in 2016, the two groups continued to collaborate whenever the Brothers of Brass were in Denver, eventually transforming into a full sized brassband and bringing the New Orleans

“You don’t really see a lot of actual brass-bands outside of only there (New Orleans),” said Simon. “So I gured I’d bring it here and to see people receiving it so well, it feels so

Social justice through music

With aspirations to become a nonpro t organization, the Brothers of Brass began the Black Brass Initiative a few years ago, calling it a “de facto” cultural exchange program between the deep south and the Denver metro area.

e inspiration of the initiative goes back to when Simon began to travel while busking the streets. e initiative is responsible for the housing, transportation and food of black musicians from Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana.

“It’s nice to spread that culture here in Colorado, it’s kind of why I moved here, cause eventually places like New Orleans are not gonna exist

anymore due to climate change and that’s where all this stu (music) came from and it’s mostly only there right now,” said Simon.

e band has been using the wealth generated by performing to reinvest in the black communities in the south, where these musical traditions originated.

As stated on their website: “ e hope is that bringing gems of this culture to e Colorado Front Range will create a pipeline for cultural and educational enrichment for both the people of Colorado and the lineage of these musicians.”

Looking toward the future

From performing at a Mardi Gras party at Meow Wolf to playing the Red Rocks Amphitheater, the Brothers of Brass have no intention of slowing down.

For the rest of the summer, the Brothers of Brass will be playing at various locations throughout the metro area, including Cly ord Still Museum’s Lawn Concert, History Colorado Museum and the Bluebird eater.

ey can also be heard on the streets of Denver as they liven up the crowds.

e band will be releasing an upcoming album and can be followed on social media.

“By making this music, I’ve gotten farther and seen more of the world and people than doing anything else,” Simon said.

Armando Lopez playing two instruments. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA

Building ‘the world’s most beautiful ant farm’

Ant Life prompts human pondering in Denver

BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

While Jacob Lemanski was circling the globe on his bicycle, the only thing he missed was his ant farm. It was one of the few possessions he’d kept before setting out on his adventure. He built it himself, using scrap sheets of plastic and he set a dim light behind it to illuminate the ant tunnels.

Lemanski’s cycling adventure entailed circling the world twice — a feat that took him 999 days,

almost three years. Nearly all of his time was solitary, aside from the friendly waves and saying a casual hello to the thousands of people along his route, which consisted of traversing six continents.

During the long stretches of pedaling, Lemanski had a lot of time to re ect. He often thought about his ant farm. So, when he returned home, Lemanski, who has a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering, set out to build the “world’s most beautiful ant farm.”

Lemanski created a living habitat with a colorful backdrop of nebulae and stars that reacts to the color-changing lights built within the frame.

Once built, Lemanski spent many hours looking at it — observing the ants as they tunneled and watching the roots of various plants as they grew in the soil.

Watching the ant farm became meditation for him.

“Every time I looked, it was different, and I was mesmerized,” Lemanski said. “Watching it become

something is the fun of it.”

Lemanski then built a second ant farm, then a third. Eventually, it became a collection of eight. Lemanski got a patent on them, and in June last year, opened a space to publicly display them at 2150 Market St. in downtown Denver.

Today, he has 11 illuminated ant farms for everyone to enjoy. Filling a couple of the walls inside the larger Ant Life venue, Lemanski calls the display “the Ant Space.”

Wall art called Space Screens cover the walls at Jacob Lemanski’s Ant Life in Denver.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN

A BIG PASSION FOR SMALL THINGS

Meet metro Denver’s active miniaturist community

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Several years ago, someone walking into Barbara Pontarelli’s home for the rst time may have gotten the feeling that they’d become a giant.

Hanging on the walls of her kitchen, small scenes exhibited the culinary décor of di erent eras. In one display box, tiny countertops of a retro 1950s kitchen popped with color. In another, little stainless steel appliances lled the space.

Miniature tables and chairs were laid out in parlor scenes in the house’s living room, and Pontarelli’s bathrooms were dentist-themed. Since her husband was a dentist, she honored his career with small recliners and minuscule toothbrushes on display.

“When I didn’t have enough space to display stu , I would empty closets,” said the Wheat Ridge resident, who now lives part-time in California.

Of the countless miniature scenes on display in her home, Pontarelli collected about a quarter of them. e rest, she made herself.

“It’s, you know, how I express my artistic side,” she said. “I can’t explain the draw, but it’s de nitely a passion … I just nd this so satisfying — to produce something small to be as close as it can be to its full-size counterpart.”

Pontarelli is part of a passionate community of miniaturists, or people who enjoy the art, hobby or collection of miniature objects.

In the metro Denver area, it doesn’t

take a magnifying glass to see that the miniaturist community is thriving — from meetup groups to classes, to a museum, the love of tiny things is big in the hearts of many.

A museum of tiny things

Pontarelli is a board member at the institution at the epicenter of the Denver metro miniaturist community: the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys. In addition to its miniature collection, the museum displays and teaches visitors about antique toys and special dolls from over the decades.

e museum recently moved to 830 Kipling St. in Lakewood after spending almost 40 years in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood.

In its new location, Executive Director Wendy Littlepage said the museum welcomes about 5,000 visitors per year,

“( e museum) is so many di erent things to di erent people,” she said. “We have people that come in that love just the exactitude of the small scale, and then we have people that love the whimsy of the small scale. We have a lot of people that come for nostalgia … And then I think some people just like that it’s a bit of a mental break.”

One of her favorite things about miniatures is that they are for everyone. Some people come into the museum thinking that the collection, which includes several intricate dollhouses and other cases of miniature

objects and artwork, is mainly for kids.

But the houses are full of detailed — and sometimes even functional — replicas of what one would see in a normal house, including cupboards, dressers, paintings, beds, sinks, animals and food.

Considering the familiarity and intricacies of the pieces, Littlepage said some of the collection’s biggest fans tend to be craftsmen.

“We had a nish carpenter come through, and he just said over and over, ‘ is is all insane! How did they get that nish?’” she said. “ ere’s one house where the plumbing is really exposed – and it’s not functional plumbing – but we had a plumber come through and he was just like, ‘ at’s what every house needs.’”

In one display case, tiny handmade food is almost microscopically detailed — including an orange that can be peeled to show the segments underneath and an onion with all of its layers. Other displays show miniature artwork by Indigenous artists that represent Indigenous homes.

For many miniature items, artists use the materials that the regularsized objects would be made of, like wood and fabric. Paintings are painted, embroidered things are embroidered and knit clothing is knit with small thread.

But for other mini details, artists get more creative, using paper to make owers and polymer clay to construct food items.

While many miniatures are created by hobbyists and artisan creators, others are mass-produced. Just like with real furniture, Wendy said, collectors will determine which types to buy based on their speci c needs.

High-end artisan miniature pieces can sell for thousands of dollars, Littlepage said. e miniature art gallery in the museum was appraised at $18,000 about 15 years ago, so it’s likely worth even more now, she added.

Crafting classes

For those who like to make miniatures, there are clubs and classes to teach di erent skills. For a long time, Pontarelli was the president of one of these clubs, called Wee Wonders of Arvada.

e longstanding miniature group meets monthly at the museum to work on projects together or teach and learn new skills from each other, like how to make stained glass windows or create stucco.

“We have people at every level,” Pontarelli said. “I love getting together with these people and hearing what they’ve gured out and what they’re doing and always learning something new.”

In addition to crafting by hand, miniaturists also use new tools and technologies to create their artwork.

“I’ve noticed a change in the level of expertise over the years,” Pontarelli

Tuskegee ‘Top Gun’ James Harvey turns 100

Former fighter pilot who served in the once-segregated U.S. military talks missions, a missing trophy and which ‘Top Gun’ movie he prefers

BY DEBORAH GRIGSBY DGRIGSBY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

James Harvey remembers when there were two Air Forces.

“One comprised us, and the other was for the Whites,” explained the centenarian from his home in Lakewood, Colorado.

Harvey knows this as fact because he’s one of just a handful of remaining Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black military pilots and airmen who fought not only against enemy aircraft but against overt racism in the same Air Force they pledged to serve.

Born July 13, 1923, in Montclair, New Jersey, James H. Harvey III was the oldest of four children born to James and Cornelia Harvey. He

attended high school in Pennsylvania, where he was an outstanding student, the captain of the basketball team, class president, and graduated as valedictorian.

Harvey said he never encountered much racism until he raised his right hand, swore an oath to serve and protect his country — and entered the segregated U.S. Army.

Drafted in 1943, he was soon reassigned to the Army Air Corps., the predecessor of today’s modern U.S. Air Force.

Harvey will tell you in great detail that things in the military were di erent back then.

Very di erent — especially if you were a Black man.

“You just go with the ow,” said

Harvey of how he coped. “You just go with the ow or something happens — something mysteriously happens. So, I just went with the ow.”

When asked why he did, he replied, “Because I wanted to live.”

Harvey settled into military service, classi ed as an engineer. As the war

in the Paci c raged, engineers were needed to build and maintain the many makeshift jungle runways used by American forces. But Harvey was more interested in ying planes than building places for them to land. So,

Retired Lt. Col. James Harvey III recently celebrated his 100th birthday. The former fighter pilot and Tuskegee “Top Gun” says when it comes to the Tom Cruise “Top Gun” movies, “I liked the first one better.”

PHOTO BY JOHN LEYBA

SEE TOP GUN, P19

TOP GUN

he applied to the Aviation Cadet Training Program in hopes of being accepted into the Tuskegee Flight Training Program in Alabama, a separate school designated for Black pilots.

In 1925 the U.S. Army War College released a report called “ e Use of Negro Manpower in War.” Many say this report “set the overall tone” for how the military viewed Black men.

e report stated they “lacked intelligence and were cowardly under combat conditions” and lacked the “ability to operate complex machinery.”

To prove this, the U.S. Army set up an “experiment” in 1941 to prove the ndings of the War College report.

Tuskegee was an experiment that was designed to fail — to prove that Black men didn’t have the capacity to y.

But instead, the program produced some of the nation’s most pro cient ghter pilots.

“I applied. I was accepted,” said Harvey. “However, I had to take an examination rst, and there were 10 of us that reported to Bolling Field to take this test — nine Whites and myself.”

Both Black and White candidates took the same preliminary tests to get into the Aviation Cadet Program. Black pilots, however, would be trained at a segregated eld in Alabama.

Testing for this program was known among servicemembers to be notoriously rigorous and particularly unforgiving.

“Well, we took the examination, did everything they wanted us to do, and when the dust cleared, there were only two of us standing — this White guy and myself,” Harvey said.

Long were the hours and challenging were the tasks for Harvey, a self-described perfectionist.

“If everything is perfect, there’s no challenge after that,” he said. “I never dreamed or thought about

washing out in ying school. I knew I was gonna make it because I did everything right.”

Because, as a Black man, he had to.

“You only had so many hours or days to learn something and if you didn’t, you were out. It’s that simple,” Harvey said. “You only had a certain amount of time to learn something and if you exceeded that time, you were gone.”

When asked if he’s still a perfectionist, he grins.

“Well, I’m back at it,” he laughs. “I got married, so that was kind of the end of the perfectionism, but my wife passed, so I’m back at it again.” Perfectionism.

“I’ve always been that way,” Harvey said. “Like Disney, when I was growing up … the Disney characters, I’d sit down and draw them — they were better than what Disney put out!”

His favorite?

“Mickey Mouse, of course … I don’t think Minnie was on the scene yet.”

So, what should we call you?

Harvey earned his wings at Tuskegee Army Air Field on Oct. 16, 1944, near the end of the war. A graduate of Class 44-4, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and began his career as a ghter pilot.

While many Tuskegee Airmen were already ying in Europe, protecting heavy bomber aircraft on their way to strategic targets, Harvey did not get that opportunity.

“ at’s because Hitler knew I was coming and he gave up the following month,” he joked. “I was supposed to ship in April 1945. And I had my bags packed, ready to catch the train, and I got a message the war was over and they expected the wind-up of the whole European theater.”

On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order

9981, creating the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services and banning segregation in the Armed Forces.

Harvey says the order was a step in the right direction, but it also meant his unit would be disbanded and its personnel integrated into other units that would “have” them.

Harvey explains how that became complicated for Black pilots.

Prior to his departure, he, and another Tuskegee Airman, Eddie Drummond, were to be transferred from Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio to a base in Japan. However, before they arrived, their personnel les — which included their o cial photos — were forwarded to the gaining military unit.

“So, you see, the wing commander had our picture,” Harvey said. “So, Eddie and I report to Misawa, Japan, and before we got there, he had all the pilots report to the base theater and he told them, ‘We have these two Negro pilots coming in and they will be assigned to one of the squadrons.’ e pilots said, ‘No way are we going to y with them. No way.’”

Harvey said he and Drummond were told about the meeting by the pilots themselves.

Regardless of the sentiment, Harvey and Drummond were there to stay and were assigned to a unit ying the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star.

As they wrapped up their initial meeting, Harvey said the man who would be their new wing commander casually asked, “So, what do you want us to call you?”

An uncomfortable moment of silence ensued.

“I said, ‘Well, I’m a rst lieutenant and Eddie Drummond is a second lieutenant … how about lieutenants Harvey and Drummond?’”

First ‘Top Gun’

In January 1949, the newly-recognized Air Force, thanks to the National Security Act of 1947, issued a directive to all ghter squadrons about an intramural weapons competition.

Lakewood resident James Harvey III,

who grew up in Pennsylvania, said he never encountered much racism until he raised his right hand, swore an oath to serve and protect his country — and entered the segregated U.S. Army. Harvey is one of a handful of remaining Tuskegee Airmen and is celebrating his 100th birthday. A self-described perfectionist, he encourages “young folks” to accept “nothing less than excellence.”

PHOTO BY JOHN LEYBA

TOP GUN

Each unit was to select its top three pilots to represent their ghter group at the rst-ever aerial gunnery meet to be held at Las Vegas Air Force Base, Nevada.

It was o cially called the United States Continental Gunnery Meet, which would later evolve into the USAF William Tell Competition. Other derivatives would include Gunsmoke and Red Flag.

Harvey’s unit, the 332nd Fighter Group, selected 1st Lt. Harvey III, 1st Lt. Harry Stewart Jr., and Capt. Alva Temple. ey were all Black pilots, including the alternate pilot, 1st Lt. Halbert Alexander.

“We met with Col. Davis (Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.), prior to leaving for the competition,” Harvey said. “We chit-chatted, and his nal remark was, ‘If you don’t win, don’t come back.’ And with those words of encouragement, o we went.”

It was May 1949.

e competition for “Top Gun” would prove formidable in the conventional piston category, ying the North American P-51 Mustang and the North American F-82 Twin

Mustang.

ese were some of the best pilots and aircraft maintenance teams in the country ying some of the most advanced aircraft in inventory.

“And we’re ying the obsolete P-47 underbolt,” Harvey said “It was big, clumsy — and heavy.”

e lineup consisted of two mis-sions of aerial gunnery at 12,000 feet,

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Each year, the Air Force Association publishes an almanac citing overall force strength, statistics and such — including all winners of the weapons meet from 1949 through the present day.

“But, each year when that almanac came out, the winner of the 1949 weapons meet was mysteriously listed as ‘unknown,’” Harvey points out. “We didn’t nd out, we, meaning us, the Tuskegee Airmen, didn’t nd out about this magazine until 1995.”

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It was only by chance that Harvey’s

‘That trophy will never be on display’

As winners of the rst Air Force “Top Gun” competition in the piston-engine division, Harvey and his team were brought into a hotel ballroom where the almost 3-foottall stainless steel victory cup sat on a table. at was in 1949.

ey had a photo made with the trophy and it was the last day any of them would see it until more than half a century later.

In 1999, Zellie Rainey-Orr got

James Harvey III earned his wings at Tuskegee Army Air Field on Oct. 16, 1944, the year before World War II ended. A graduate of Class 44-4, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and began his career as a fighter pilot. COURTESY PHOTO

SEE TOP GUN, P21

You’ll rarely find Tuskegee “Top Gun” James Harvey III without his wings, trademark red coat and “Top Gun” hat. The hat and the coat not only represent his incredible accomplishments in a once-segregated military but an invitation to talk about — and with — history.

PHOTO BY JOHN LEYBA

TOP GUN

involved with the Tuskegee Airmen as the result of a Tuskegee Airman pilot from her Mississippi hometown who died in combat — 1st Lt. Quitman Walker.

Rainey-Orr confesses, until that day, she never knew much about the Tuskegee Airmen.

She was about to get a rsthand lesson from the men who were there.

“I thought I was just gonna go and put a ower on the grave of Quitman Walker,” she said. “I assumed he was buried here in Indianola, Mississippi and that’s when I would learn that no one knew where he was buried.”

Rainey-Orr reached out to the Walker family in an attempt to help locate the airman’s remains.

rough her quest to help, she would eventually meet Alva Temple, the captain of the 1949 “Top Gun” team, at a 2004 event to award Walker’s medals posthumously at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

It was there that she learned of the missing trophy.

“I just felt a connection,” RaineyOrr said.

Unable to resist, she began a quest to locate it.

Not knowing what the trophy looked like, and with Temple, at that

time, in failing health, she reached out to the family in hopes of nding more details.

Someone in Temple’s family mentioned that there was a newspaper story covering the event, dated May 12, 1949, on a bedroom dresser. at clipping provided RaineyOrr with enough information to start contacting military bases and museums.

Within a week, she received a response from the National Museum of the United States Air Force, in Dayton, Ohio.

“ ey said they had the trophy and attached a photo,” she said.

Rainey-Orr called Temple’s family on Sunday, Aug. 29 to share the good news, but was told Temple had passed the day before.

“It was almost like his spirit guided me,” she said. “I didn’t know the story or the impact. I was just looking for a trophy.”

Oddly, while it took Rainey-Orr less than a week to locate a trophy that had been missing for more than 50 years, it would take her much longer to get the U.S. Air Force to agree to bring it out of mothballs.

“I was talking to the historian at the Air Force Museum, the one who sent the photo, and I said I’d love to come see it,” she recalled. “And he (the historian) said, ‘It’s not on display — and it will never be on display.’”

Rainey-Orr was confused.

She thought that this was an

important piece of Air Force history. It was the rst nationwide gunnery competition since the end of the war and it was the rst time that Black pilots had participated.

Why wouldn’t they want the trophy displayed?

After a lot of back-and-forth negotiations, the Air Force agreed to let the trophy be shown.

In December of the same year, Air Force Museum representatives took the trophy out of storage and delivered it to Detroit, Michigan, the home of another Tuskegee Top Gun, Harry Stewart, for its rst unveiling at the National Museum of the Tuskegee Airmen’s annual banquet.

After the banquet, the trophy was returned to the museum where it went on permanent display in early 2006.

Harvey was unable to attend the 2004 banquet in Detroit, but Rainey-Orr, who is now an author and Tuskegee Airman historian, prompted him to make the journey to Ohio in 2006.

When asked how he felt upon seeing the trophy on display, Harvey smiled and said, “Feels good. Feels very good — very, very good. Mission accomplished.”

About that 100th birthday

Harvey celebrated his 100th birthday with true ghter pilot air.

About 270 friends, family and guests from around the country, many of them “military brass,”

joined him for a private gala celebration in Centennial, Colorado.

And what does 100 years feel like?

Harvey will tell you.

“It doesn’t feel any di erent than the rst year,” he joked. “ Actually, I don’t remember the rst year, but I do remember the second — that’s when I got measles.”

His secret to longevity?

“I try to be a nice person to everybody — until they prove otherwise,” he said. “Just be nice to people. My motto has always been, ‘Do unto others as you have them do unto you.’ I live by that one and it works.”

Rainey-Orr agrees, and describes Harvey, whom she rst met in 2005 as “caring and compassionate.”

“I just like to say he is a real example of what we sow, we get to reap,” she said. “He is a rst in many areas, including becoming the rst Black pilot to y jets in Korea — and often unless he told the stories, they were forgotten.”

Rainey-Orr is happy for her friend.

“I’m just so happy he got to live long enough to see the day, and to understand that people really do appreciate his sacri ces in the service of our country,” she said, “because he had comrades who did not. ey survived the war, but didn’t get to see the respect.”

But the big question is, what does the rst “Top Gun” think of the new “Top Gun: Maverick” movie?

“I liked the rst one better,” Harvey said.

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said. “Before, we used mini scroll saws and mini table saws and Dremel tools — we still use the Dremel quite a bit — but now that we can get laser-cut wood or 3D-printed items, it’s sort of changing the face of the miniature world.”

e museum also hosts classes for kids.

“ ere’s a whole in ux of young people into the hobby and for those of us who are in it, that’s kind

of exciting, because, you know, we don’t want to see it disappear,” Pontarelli said.

For her, miniatures are a great way for kids to explore their creativity.

“We’re just trying to nd any avenue to trigger their creativity, that’s really what it’s all about,” she said. “In this tech world, we need to foster any outside creativity activities that we can, because it’s really important that these kids exercise that part of their brain.”

To learn and wonder e dedication and ambition

within the community of miniaturists is special, Littlepage said.

“My favorite thing about the miniature community is they’re such learners,” she said. “Like I have one of my volunteers who has been retired for a while … and she bought a laser cutter and has taught herself to program it.”

She said that problem-solving attitude, plus the childlike wonder of enjoying cute things, make miniaturists special.

Littlepage encouraged people to take a break from their busy lives to check out the museum, where tickets for adults are $5 and children

and seniors are $4.

“It’s a great space because you have to slow down,” she said. “You come in fast, you miss a lot. So being able to come in, take a few breaths and just sort of nd the most ridiculous tiny thing you can nd.”

For those who have their interest piqued in the world of miniatures, Pontarelli said it’s never too late to start. Creating and collecting can be for anyone at any time and any age, she said.

And for those who don’t know where to begin, just remember — it’s OK to start small.

ANT LIFE

Each of these framed ant farms is unique, and will be di erent with every visit. It’s living wall art, Lemanski said.

“It only exists in the present because it’s constantly changing,” he added.

Additional original artwork displayed inside Ant Life is what Lemanski calls Space Screens. ese are close-up images –some are photographs of plants and other objects that Lemanski took on his cycling adventure – on dyed velvet that are hung from a light bar to create a dynamic, psychedelic wall hanging. He o ers Ant Life guests a pair of 3D glasses to enhance the viewing experience.

“Whenever I am at Ant Life, I feel a sense of peace staring into the art as the lights pulsate colors and shift my perception of what I see,” said Kelsey Armeni, who visits Ant Life on a regular basis. “I know that in the midst of an event, I can take a break from socializing to go and stare

erything in it is available for purchase — but the space soon found its calling as an events venue.

Since its opening, Lemanski has hosted a variety of corporate and private events there — from birthdays and weddings to gaming and movie nights. e Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies even hosted one of its events at Ant Life when the association was in Denver in June for its Psychedelic Science conference. And about once a month, Ant Life hosts the popup market, Magic Makers Market.

“ is venue has been the biggest blessing to the event promoters here in Denver,” said Anthony Sabia, founder of Shroomski Magazine, who hosts events at Ant Life. “It’s designed with the intention to give you something fascinating to look at. e decorating has already been done, and any guest that comes in there is practically left speechless.”

Lemanski enjoys the variety of events that take place at Ant Life. And he happily schedules free, private tours of the space for anyone who wants to see it. He’ll

Jacob Lemanski inside his space called Ant Life in downtown Denver.

PHOTO BY CHRISTY STEADMAN