Friday Magazine - November 11, 2022

inside track

TODAY COMEDY

America’s Got Talent veterans and working stand-up comics Aiko Tanaka and Taylor Williamson supply the laughs at 7 p.m. Friday at Nissi’s, 1455 Coal Creek Drive, Lafayette; $25-$30; nissis.com.

FILM

With the metaphorical ground beneath us ever shifting, Warren Miller’s latest ski/snowboard film “Daymaker” seeks to remind us the steadfast mountains have seen it all before. The film screens at 7:30 p m Friday, then at 3, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St , Boulder; $18-$26; axs.com.

STAGE

Four young lovers convene for conniving in the English countryside in Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners “The Importance of Being Earnest,” staged by CU’s theater department at 7:30 p.m. Friday On stage through Nov 20, it will run at 7:30 p.m.

WEEKEND

On the cover

Paul Campbell / Courtesy photo

entertainment wisdom for more events, visit dailycamera/events and timescall.com/events

weekend

Wednesdays through Saturdays, with 2 p.m. matinees Sundays at the Old Main Chapel on the CU campus in Boulder; $19; cupresents org

MUSIC

Award-winning Zimbabwe-American singer Zivanai Masango brings a modern vibe to traditional music, and

FILM

Longmont Museum will screen “Pure Grit” as part of its Native American Documentary Film Series. The film, followed by an audience Q&A, chronicles the life of a young bareback horse racer and her girlfriend who face toxic challenges surrounding their relationship in the Wyoming wilderness of the Wind River reservation; 3 p.m. Sunday, Longmont Museum’s Stewart Auditorium, 400 Quail Road, Longmont; Free; longmontcolorado.gov.

Theater Company of Lafayette’s “Tut Uncommon” brings seven original plays to the stage inspired by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922

FUTURE BENEFIT

Help support Boulder Public Library’s programming at the Boulder Library Foundation Fundraising Gala that will feature music by Cultural Caravan, an appearance by the Boulder BeeChicas and an emcee performance from LeeLee James, aka the Twirling Tech Goddess Tickets include drinks and appetizers; 6-9 p.m. Thursday; Boulder Public Library, Canyon Theater, 1001 Arapahoe Ave , Boulder; $75; boulderlibraryfoundation org

FREE

MUSIC

he and his band play at 8 p m Friday at the Chautauqua Community House, 301 Morning Glory Drive, Boulder; $17-$20; chautauqua com

MUSIC

The 20th Annual Soul Rebel Festival, featuring musical acts playing reggae, Afropop, world and roots music, takes place at 6:30 p m Saturday at the Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder; $25; axs.com.

The Corbus/Medina band performs jazzy compositions that cross traditions from Brazil, Spain, Africa and elsewhere, and will get the room swaying at 7 p m Saturday at the Muse, 200 E South Boulder Road, Lafayette; $10-$20; museperformancespace.com.

Editor’s note

Gilpin County’s own moonshine-happy bluegrass outfit the NoGo Gilbillies play at 7 p m Saturday at the Gold Hill Inn, 401 Main St , Gold Hill; free; goldhillinn.com.

KIDS STAGE

Holiday songs and characters fill the stage during the family-friendly “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer Jr.,” playing at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Saturday through Nov 20, at the Longmont Theatre, 513 Main St., Longmont; $12-$13; longmonttheatre org

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we recommend reaching out to individual organizations to ensure events are still scheduled to take place

Courtesy photo

Aiko Tanaka, pictured, and Taylor Williamson perform stand-up at Nissi’s in Lafayette Friday.

Courtesy photo

Catch a screening of "Pure Grit" at Stewart Auditorium on Sunday as part of Longmont Museum's Native American Documentary Film Series

WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Boulder Mountain Handmade Market: This fair returns for the first time since COVID and will roll in more than 60 artist vendors and food purveyors. There will be a bake sale, fire truck tours and a mosaic make-and-take station, with proceeds benefiting Boulder Mountain Fire Department; 10 a m -4 p m Saturday and Sunday; Boulder Elks Lodge 566, 3975 28th St , Boulder; bouldermountainhandmade com

BMoCA hires new curator: BMoCA is welcoming Jane Burke, a CU Boulder alum who previously worked at the Denver Art Museum, as its new curator Monday She will oversee BMoCA’s exhibition programs the more than 20 shows at eight locations across the state Currently on display in Boulder: “Just As I Am,” large-scale works by Kristopher Wright; “A Home In Between,” works by Erin Hyunhee Kang that explore her Marshall Fire-damaged home; both up through Jan 22; “Plane of Action,” artists Kevin Hoth and George P Perez alter and rebuild photographs, through Feb. 19; 1750 13th St , Boulder; bmoca org

Canyon theater and Gallery: “Lived Experience,” that opens Wednesday, is an analog photography project telling stories of the unhoused community, who were given single-use cameras to explore their creativity through photography, on display through Jan 14 Also on exhibit: “Quantity of Life: Nature/Supernature,” work from seven artists that celebrate the natural world, through Nov 27; Main Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave , Boulder; boulderlibrary org/ exhibits

Dairy Arts Center turns 30: Celebrate the community arts hub’s birthday with a party that will also recognize “30 Under 30” individuals who contribute to the arts community in exceptional ways; 7 p m Friday; Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St ,

Boulder; $15; dariyarts org

Firefly Handmade Boulder Holiday Market: This holiday artisan market will have more than 80 artisans from artists and makers to designers and crafters There will be live music and local fare, too; 11-6 p m Saturday and Sunday; Pearl Street Mall, 1942 Broadway St , Boulder; free; fireflyhandmade com

the Great Frame Up: The Holiday Art Show and Bazaar, featuring art from 15 local artists, will open with a reception at 5-8 p m Friday and will be on display through Dec 30; 430 Main St , Longmont; longmont thegreatframeup c om

Holiday Gallery at the Village: Open weekends through November and open daily in December, this new pop-up market and gift gallery for the holidays will feature gifts from local artists, like paintings, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, ornaments, cards and more; 11 – 5 p m Saturday; The Village Shopping Center, 2525 Arapahoe Ave , Boulder; 303-579-6777

Lincoln Gallery: Launching its annual National Photography Show, the gallery will host a reception 6-8 p.m. Friday. The exhibit will be up through Dec 1; 429 Lincoln Ave , Loveland; lincolngallery com

Louisville Art Association: Head to the museum, once a red brick school house, for the association’s annual Fall Member Fine Arts and Crafts Show, Thursday through Nov 20; Louisville Center for the Arts, 801 Grant Ave , Louisville; louisvilleartassociation org

Particulars Art Gallery: A reception for the 6×6 Community Show will be on Friday from 4:30-8 p m where refreshments will be served; 401 S Public Road, Lafayette; particularsart com

BOULDER AREA

Ana’s Art Gallery: Art from local, African and Caribbean artists; noon-5 p m TuesdaySunday; 1100 Spruce St , Boulder; anasartgallery com See Arts, 5

Kristopher Wright / Courtesy photo

"Dark Was The Night," by Kristopher Wright See Wright's work on display at BMoCA

ON STAGE

Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story: Musical that chronicles the life and tragic death of the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, through Jan 28, 2023, BDT Stage, 5501 Arapahoe Road, Boulder; bdtstage com

The Drowsy Chaperone: Loving homage to musicals from the Jazz Age, through Nov 13, CU College of Music, Music Theatre, 1020 18th St , Boulder; $23-$35; cupresents org

The Importance of Being

Earnest: Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of manners, Nov 11-20, CU Department of Theatre, Old Main Chapel, CU campus; $19; cupresents org

Little Red A New Musical: Family-friendly musical telling of the Little Red Riding Hood story, through

Dec 18, Denver Center Theatre for New Audiences, 13th and Curtis streets, Denver; $16-$30; denvercenter org

Of Mice and Men: Classic tale of friendship during the Great Depression, through Nov 12, Coal Creek Theater of Louisville, Louisville Center for the Arts, 801 Grant Ave , Louisville; $23$25; cctlouisville org

Mary Poppins: Musical about a charming nanny, through Nov 20, The Spark Theatre, 4847 Pearl St , B4, Boulder; $18-$34; thesparkcreates org

The Royale: An AfricanAmerican boxer is set to make history amid personal cost, through Nov 17, Butterfly Effect Theatre, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St , Boulder; $15$35; betc org

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr : Family-

friendly musical featuring beloved holiday songs and characters, Saturday through Nov 20, Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St , Longmont; $12-$13; longmonttheatre org

Tut Uncommon: New short plays that celebrate 100 years since discovering King Tut’s Tomb, through Nov 19, Theater Company of Lafayette, Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson St., Lafayette; $18-$23; tclstage org

COMING SOON

A 1940s Radio Christmas

Carol: A theater troupe prepares for a Christmas radio broadcast in this musical comedy, Nov 25Dec. 4, Longmont Theatre Company, 513 Main St , Longmont; $32-$33; longmonttheatre org

Bury the Dead: Anti-war play

from 1936 at the onset of World War II, Nov 25-Dec 4, Upstart Crow Theatre Company, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St , Boulder; $21-$25; thedairy org

A Christmas Carol: Annual spectacle-laden production of the Scrooge story, Nov 18-Dec 24, Denver Center Theatre Company, Wolf Theatre, 14th and Curtis streets, Denver; $10-$92; denvercenter.org.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Romantic musical about a young woman and the beast who loves her, Nov 25-Dec 31, Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd , Arvada; $56; arvadacenter org

Harvey: Pulitzer Prize-winning play about an eccentric fellow and his best friend, an invisible rabbit, performed as a live radio broadcast, Nov 25-Dec 3,

VIVA Theater, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St , Boulder; $20-$25; thedairy org

Tales from the Tipping Point: Play with music and puppetry about climate change, Nov 18, Now or Never Theatre Company, BookCliff Vineyards, 1501 Lee Hill Drive, Boulder; $35 (includes one drink); bookcliffvineyards com/

Tales on the Trails The Nutcracker: The Nutcracker story performed outdoors during a brief walk, Dec 3-10; Spark Theater, Downtown Niwot (details emailed 48 hours prior to event); thesparkcreates org

ZOTTO: Immersive supernatural Japanese folktale, Nov 18-Dec 11, Japanese Arts Network, Sakura Square, 1905 Lawrence St , Denver; $45; zottofolk com

ARTs from Page 3

The Crowd Collective: “Portals,” nature and wildlife works by Boulder artists Andrew Barker and Dani Loujo, through Nov 19; 4939 N Broadway #58, Boulder; thecrowdboulder com

Dairy Arts Center: “Water is Life,” artists examine access to clean water, through Nov. 19; “Homelands,” works by Arapahoe, Cheyenne and Ute artists in the new Creative Nations Sacred Space, through Nov 26; 2590 Walnut St , Boulder; thedairy org

East Window: “Photographs,” by Denver-based artist Yvens Alex Saintil who is known for his diverse works centered around police reform and accountability, veteran mental healthcare, gun violence and activism, through Jan 29; 4550 Broadway, Suite C-3B2, Boulder; eastwindow org

Museum of Boulder: “Pikas, Prairies, and the Climate Crisis” features field photography and video of shortgrass prairies and the American Pika, through Jan 8; “Voces Vivas,” explores county’s Latino heritage, through Feb 26; 2205 Broadway, Boulder; museumofboulder org

SmithKlein Gallery: New works by French artist Gerard Mortier and New England artist Craig Mooney, both up through Nov 18; 1116 Pearl St , Boulder; smithklein com

CU Art Museum: “Onward and Upward: Shark’s Ink” celebrates the “Sharkive,” a collection that CU acquired from Shark’s Ink, a print publisher and lithography studio directed by Bud Shark in Lyons, through July 2023; “Lasting Impressions,” the museum’s collection of American prints from the 1940s, open through June 2023; 1085 18th St., Boulder; cuartmuseum colorado edu University of Colorado Museum of Natural History: “Unearthed: Ancient Life in Boulder Valley,” “Frozen in Time” and

“Horses in the North American West” in the Anthropology Hall; “Antarctica: More than Meets the Eye,” “Hungry Birds” and “Ross Sea: The Last Ocean” in BioLounge; CU Boulder Henderson Building, 15th and Broadway, Boulder; colorado edu/cumuseum

LONGMONT AREA

Longmont Museum: “Tipi to Tiny House: Hands-on Homebuilding,” familyfriendly exhibit looks at Colorado’s history of homes, through Jan 8; 400 Quail Road, Longmont; longmontmuseum org

Osmosis Gallery: “A Splash of Color,” a fall exhibit of new works by Bill Enyart and Cha Cha, through December; 290 Second Ave , Niwot; osmosisartgallery com

Walnut Gallery: Features work from more than 50 artists in a wide range of media; 364 Main St , Longmont; thewalnutgallery com

NORTHERN COLORADO

Artworks Center for Contemporary Art: “Transcending the West,” traditional Western subjects with a modern twist, including that of BIPOC, AAPI and LGBTQ+ artists; “Intuitive Cartographies,” large-scale fabric collage works by Eleanor Anderson; both up through Dec 23; 310 N Railroad Ave , Loveland; artworksloveland org

Loveland Museum: “Legacy,” landscape paintings and photographs by James Disney; “Double Vision,” paintings by James Disney paired with photography by Erik Stensland, both up through Sunday; “Nurture: Bird Houses & Feeders as Sculpture,” group show; “Beneath the Bird Feeder,” bird photography by Carla Rhodes, both up through Nov 27; 503 N Lincoln Ave , Loveland; lovelandmuseum gallery org

Avanti plates up Costa Rican cuisine

‘Top Chef’ Season 18 contestant Byron Gomez opens Pollo Tico

By Lily O’Neill Denver Post

After competing on season 18 of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” Byron Gomez got plenty of offers from would-be financial partners to open a restaurant But he wanted to do it on his own.

“’Top Chef’ definitely

changed my life, opportunity-wise, but it’s also what you do with those opportunities that matters,” Gomez said “Many people have gone and done great, and many winners have taken home the money and that’s it For me, it’s given me the confidence to say who I am as a person, as a chef and share the food I want to cook.”

Last week, the Costa Rica native opened his first concept, Pollo Tico, inside Avanti Boulder, the twoyear-old food hall at 1401

Chef Byron Gomez previously worked at restaurant 7908 in Aspen and was a “Top Chef” season 18 contestant

ing his mom’s recipe for arroz con pollo and dad’s recipe for gallo pinto The menu is also centered around half and quarter rotisserie chicken with house-made dipping sauces, plus Costa Rican dishes with Gomez’s own twist, such as chicken patacon, maduros and chayote escabeche.

“So the idea was, ‘how do I introduce Costa Rican cuisine to a town like Boulder or a state like Colorado?’” Gomez said. “Mexican cuisine has been such a stronghold here, so I thought a fast-casual concept would be the best way.

“Avanti is giving me the support and exposure I need to do this on my own,” Gomez said. “If I was to open a brick-and-mortar business, it would cost me close to half-a-million dollars from scratch nowadays. Avanti has set up the pieces, so I can plug and play That will help me become financially independent after this so I can do something else ”

Gomez grew up in Costa Rica until he was eight years old and his family moved to Long Island, New York

See DiNiNg, 7

Courtesy photo

Pearl St Pollo Tico offers Costa

Rican cuisine, reminiscent of Gomez’s childhood, includ-

Dining from Page 6

His first job was at a Burger King at age 15, and despite the lack of any formal training as a chef, Gomez moved up and onward in the restaurant industry. He eventually landed roles at Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Café Boulud, Atera and Eleven Madison Park

In 2019, Gomez moved from New York to Aspen and began working for the fine-dining restaurant 7908 He appeared on “Top Chef: Portland” last year, but was eliminated after episode 10

He moved to Boulder in May with plans to take some time off. But after having lunch at Avanti Boulder and meeting with co-founder Tyler Hinckley, he decided to get back to work

“I used to think of food

halls like the food courts in the mall, but Avanti is the complete opposite,” Gomez said. “The fact that it’s a food incubator, and they’ve had so much success growing businesses, it was a no-brainer.”

Pollo Tico replaced Quiero Arepas, and this is part of the the first tenant changeover at Avanti It joins concepts like Boychik, New Yorkese, Pig and Tiger, Rooted Craft Kitchen and Rye Society.

Eventually, Gomez hopes to expand the business throughout Colorado and elsewhere in the U S And he’s currently building a mobile dining room, where he hopes to host omakase, fine-dining dinners using Costa Rican ingredients.

“Why can’t Pollo Tico become the next Shake Shack?” Gomez said.

Byron Gomez / Courtesy photoS

Above: "Top Chef" contestant Byron Gomez uses tweezers to place edible flowers on a dish Below: Octopus prepared by Gomez

mad mum

dcap mmy

Theater Company of Lafayette stages quirky ‘Tut Uncommon’ with seven original short plays

By Kalene McCort

Staff Writer

Theater Company of Lafayette (TCL) an organization with a long history of hosting or gina works kicked off a fresh play fest va inspired by Egyptian royalty last week

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb by archaeologist Howard Carter, playwright

C P Stanc ch suggested the local theater company pay homage to the pharaoh who enjoyed hunting ostr ches so much that he was bur ed w th a fan made of their smooth feathers

Stancich s one of seven playwrights who crafted an or gina product on loosely inspired by the unearthing of the famous “boy king” who took the throne at age 9. In his product on “Pledge Drive,” about a PBS pledge dr ve gone awry,

King Tut is dep cted as a temperamental teen

TCL s previous festivals have consistent y featured inventive product ons inspired by a wide range of top cs and this one certain y fol ows suit with playwrights del vering p enty of quirky theatrics

‘tut uncommon’

Theater Company of Lafaye te Mary Mi er Thea er, 300 E S mpson St., Lafayette; tclstage org

Fr day, 7:30 p m

Saturday, 7:30 p m

Sunday, 2 p m

Nov 17, 7:30 p m (pay-whatyou-can n ght)

Nov 18, 7:30 p m

Nov 19, 7:30 p.m.

*Masks and proof of vacc nation s requ red. TCL w l provide masks to hose who need one

“We ve done severa themed p ay fest vals over the years ” said Madge Montgomery artistic director of TCL who spearheaded the latest project

“Previous top cs inc ude Frankenstein Edvard Munch s iconic painting The Scream and Sputnik (the satel ite) We love being a hub of innovation and new voices, and we embrace our ident ty as the litt e theater that could ”

Per ormances run through Nov. 19 at TCL s home base, the histor c Mary Mil er Theater located at 300 E Simpson St in Lafayette

T ckets for the cleverly named “Tut Uncommon” play

festival are $18-$23 On Nov 17, folks are inv ted to attend at a pay-what-you-can rate Montgomery recalls her fascinat on with Egypt starting at a young age

“I remember study ng the top c of Ancient Egypt in ourth grade and spend ng hours creating a model of the Great Sphinx of Giza out of

paper mache,” Montgomery said “It wasn’t a particularly accurate representation but it sparked my lifelong passion for Egypto ogy ”

Her love of obelisks, mummies and the Nile was further gnited by what she saw on the big screen and at a museum exhibit decades ago

“As a fan of the monster mov es from Hollywood s Golden Era, I was mesmerized by Bor s Kar off’s ‘The Mummy ’ which is both strange and terrifying,” Montgomery said “And in 1978 I lined up w th everyone else to see ‘Treasures of Tutankhamun’ in Seattle and was awestruck by the exhibit ”

One of the p ays by Emily Golden, “Work Death Balance ” ol ows the ruler as he steps out of the pyramid and into modern-day corporate America on a quest to secure employment.

“I am delighted to be directing a play by one of my favorite playwrights, Emily Golden ” said Vonalda Utterback “It s cleverly wr tten, topical and just a whole lot of fun I ve been involved n many of Theater Company of Lafayette s play fest vals over the years as a director, actor or both ”

Utterback s particularly enthused about TCL’s latest fest va that creatively brings to the stage a mix of stor es

“The aud ences can expect great variety ” Utterback said “With seven plays we have someth ng for everyone ”

Years ago, Utterback ventured to the exotic land of Egypt

“I ve always been fascinated w th all things Egyptian and was so fortunate to have traveled to Egypt back in 2013,” Utterback said “It was mag ca to have finally experienced, n person something you have read about and watched on TV your entire life. I love this concept for a p ay festival even the name is clever, Tut Uncommon ’”

In addition to directing a play, Utterback is also part of the cast of “Desert Dreams,” a production about a film buff who breathes new l fe into an old mummy movie by encouraging patrons n l ne to act it out while wait ng to see the s lver-screen feature “Desert Dreams” was written by Nora Douglass and d rected by Montgomery “I love how ambient it is ” said Hannah R chards, TCL’s soc al media manager who s also part of the cast of “Desert Dreams ” “It really shows storytel ing at its finest, and Madge Montgomery did a fantastic ob of help ng to make the characters rea , despite some o them hav ng few l nes ”

With so many plays, audiences can experience a never-boring curation of tales See 'tut', 10

Amr Nab l / AP Pho o

Tu ankhamun's mummy s seen in h s omb chamber n the Va ey of he

Pau Campbel / Cour esy pho o Mad son F ewe ing, Co e Johnson and Georgia Nelson star in “Pledge Dr ve” by C P Stanc ch, d rected by Jeremy Denn ng The short play s one of seven or g na s tak ng the stage at Mary M er Theater as part o La ayette Theater Company’s “Tut Uncommon” p ay festival Runn ng through Nov 19 he fes iva features works oose y nsp red by the 100th ann versary of the d scovery of K ng Tut s tomb

Amr Nabi / AP Photo K ng Tu ’s tomb was d scovered 100 years ago

Pau Campbel / Cour esy pho o

Mad son Flewe l ng, Judy Car son and Georg a Ne son star n “P edge Drive” by C P Stancich d rected by Je emy Denn ng The short p ay s one of seven or g na s tak ng the s age at Ma y M e Theater as part of La ayette Theater Company’s “Tut Uncommon” play festival

In “King Tut’s Bar and Grill,” by David Golden, directed by Don Thumim, an ancient hex finds its way to a lonely spot in Egypt, Idaho

“My favorite is probably Ian Gerber’s ‘He Gave His Life For Tourism,’” Richards said “I love that this script is so touching and funny all in one. It also really highlights real-life couple (and actors)

Omar Garces and Brett Landis’ love for each other onstage and off (Actor) Jeremy Denning is also hilarious and loveable as Mohamed ”

“He Gave his Life for Tourism” follows a couple vacationing in Egypt who discover an unexpected twist to King Tut’s curse.

The legacy of Tutankhamun was thought to have been lost to the sands prior to archaeologist Carter’s 1922 discovery Inside Tut’s tomb was his stone sarcophagus, that held multiple cof-

fins encasing the body, which was built like a Russian doll.

The ruler was laid to rest with over 5,000 possessions He was buried with 130 walking sticks to help with his clubfoot He often wore orthopedic sandals to help with his medical condition. The footwear had images of his enemies on his soles, so that he would always be metaphorically stomping his foes

“Though King Tut was a minor king in Egyptian history, the discovery of his intact tomb in 1922 gave us great insight into Egyptian culture,” Montgomery said. “Tut also became a cultural phenomenon, sparking books, songs, movies and even fashion ”

To this day it isn’t entirely clear what caused Tut to lose his life at the age of 19.

“The story of the discov-

While viewers will see some mummies as part of Theater Company

Uncommon” play festival, there are plenty of other wide-ranging productions

King Tut’s tomb

ery of the tomb is filled with mystery and intrigue, including tales of an ancient curse,”

Montgomery said “With such a rich topic, I expected that the playwrights would be inspired to create unique and imaginative plays, and they delivered.”

Over the years, many folks who visited the tomb have died in what’s considering strange or untimely ways

See

Paul Campbell / Courtesy photo

of Lafayette’s “Tut

loosely inspired by the discovery of

Paul Campbell / Courtesy photo

Vonalda Utterback stars in “Desert Dreams,” by Nora Douglass, directed by Madge Montgomery, as part of Theater Company of Lafayette’s “Tut Uncommon” play festival

from Page 10

One alleged victim was Egypt aristocrat Prince Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey, who was fatally shot by his wife in 1923 Sir Archibald Douglas Reid, who purportedly X-rayed the mummy, died mysteriously in 1924. Even the archaeologist Carter passed away from Hodgkin’s disease at age 64 He was said to have lived a life of isolation at the end

“All the plays grapple with the famous curse of Tutankhamun which was said to bring bad luck to all who were involved in unearthing the tomb,” Montgomery said “Each playwright weaves the curse into their plays in very different ways. Spoiler alert curses aren’t always bad.”

After “Tut Uncommon” wraps, audiences can look forward to another TCL play festival perfect for the season of mistletoe and mayhem.

“Our next production is a freewheeling play festival called ‘Holidazed and Confused,’” Montgomery said “Six local authors are each writing a short holidaythemed play which will be presented one weekend only

on Dec 16, 17 and 18 ”

This will be the third-annual holiday play festival TCL has staged

“It’s a lot of fun, and this year we have superheroes, elves and even ‘Little Women’ remakes inside,” Richards said

Also coming to the stage will be “The Odd Couple,” by Neil Simon, from March 3-18

“This play is done a lot around Colorado, but we hope to bring a unique spin to it,” Richards said.

But first, theatergoers can revel in an eclectic production sure to coax out a few laughs

While fitting seven plays into one night may seem like a daunting task, Montgomery and crew have accomplished that feat with the result being a highly entertaining ride

“I love the humor, compassion and creativity that each of the playwrights has brought to this festival,” Montgomery said. “I encouraged the writers to unleash their imaginations King Tutankhamun was the starting point, but the plays are all unique The scripts allow us to enter many different worlds.”

Vonalda Utterback / Courtesy photos

From left, Georgia Melson, as Employee, and Susanne Neswadi, as the CEO of Very Important Corporation, LLC, rehearse in a scene for the short play “Work Death Balance.”

Max Tomas stars as King Tut in “Work Death Balance,” written by Emily Golden and directed by Vonalda Utterback

Ethereal equines shine on canvas

Wildlife, Western art inspires Lyonsbased painter Malena Hirschfeld

By Kalene Mccort Staff Writer

The western United States has always provided vivid fodder for creatives

From enchanting mesas captured by photographer Ansel Adams on black-andwhite film to the burnt-orange cliffs brought to life by painter Georgia O’Keeffe, endless inspiration seeps from intriguing vistas and lonely homesteads

Lyons-based artist Malena Hirschfeld who grew up in Charlotte, NC takes the tradition of wildlife and landscape art to another realm

In her work, viewers can marvel at majestic deer, curious bears, pensive mountain lions and regal horses a creature that emerges often in her captivating paintings. But the background is often abstract

From crimson suns to oversized moons made luminous with the careful placement of copper leaf, the details always culminate into an alluring scene.

The juxtaposition of lifelike animals amid a setting tinged with gold leaf makes for an ethereal finish, a dream-like locale viewers will certainly want to linger in A number of her pieces, that often sell fast, can be found in Western Stars Gallery and Studio, a Lyons shop that among an abundance of original artwork boasts a curation of antiques, jewelry, home décor and more. We caught up with Hirschfeld to find out about her artistic process, what she hopes her work brings to the homes of buyers and where collectors can purchase her sought-out pieces next.

See hirschfeld, 13

Malena hirschfeld / Courtesy photos

"Midnight Sun," oil, gold and copper leaf on canvas, by Malena Hirschfeld The Lyons-based artist brings landscape and wildlife paintings to new realms with her luminous and charming pieces that can be found at Western Stars Gallery, located 160 E Main St in Lyons

“Mountain Ghost," oil on canvas, by Malena Hirschfeld

hirschfeld from Page 12

Kalene Mccort: I love the mix of realism and abstract styles found in your work. Had you always known your career path would be steeped in creative expression?

Malena hirschfeld: I have loved art since I was a child and majored in fine art at Colorado State, but it was always very difficult for me to imagine that something I enjoyed so much could be my career I received a master’s degree in education and spent some time teaching elementary school and then raising my own children all the while painting abstract pieces and decorating the homes of my family and friends Only recently did I make the decision to pursue this passion as my full-time profession. This is when my love of abstraction and appreciation of Western art merged, and I found my own style.

KM: What’s your process like? Do you often work from photographs or simply pull from your imagination?

Mh: I do a little of both. I usually find a photograph that inspires me with inter-

esting factors, such as lighting and composition I then sketch out the image and add shapes and lines to create an interesting composition I then transfer the sketch onto canvas and See hirschfeld, 16

• 5 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms

• 4,381 Square Feet

• Unbeatable Boulder Location for this upper Chautauqua home tucked back at the end of a VERY PRIVATE & SECLUDED cul-de-sac

• Offered at $3,550,000

Malena hirschfeld / Courtesy photos

"Peace," oil and copper leaf on canvas, by Malena Hirschfeld

Chorus gives ‘A Spark’ of support

Coal Creek Community Chorus’ original song will premiere at Monday’s benefit concert for fire victims

By Kalene Mccort Staff Writer

Next month will mark the one-year anniversary of the

Marshall Fire, a blaze that destroyed over 1,000 homes in Colorado and caused property damages to the tune of an estimated $513,212,589.

Stephen Ross member of renowned a cappella group Face Vocal Band and director of Coal Creek Community Chorus was evacuated from his Louisville home last year during the inferno. Upon returning, he was overwhelmed with gratitude to find his house still standing, but felt the call to help surrounding neighbors who suffered tragic losses.

ERIKA T. WURTH

Wednesday,

WILL BETKE-BRUNSWICK

Tuesday,

attend: $5, purchase at BetkeBrunswickBBS.eventbrite.com

“My family chipped in the best we could, participating in some fundraising through T-shirt and sticker sales, donating clothing, furniture and appliances,” Ross said “But beyond that, as the director of a choir based in the very community that was so affected, I felt like I was in a unique position to have a musical response to play a small roll in processing everything we had witnessed and were feeling ”

Coal Creek Community Chorus, a talented and inclusive group of adult singers, has been entertaining audiences since 2017

See

Veronica Lee / Courtesy photo

Coal Creek Community Chorus will perform a fall concert featuring a world premiere of "A Spark," a song dedicated to those impacted by the Marshall Fire, written by chorus director Stephen Ross. The concert will take place Monday, at 7 p m , at Ascent Community Church, 550 McCaslin Blvd in Louisville

our community together, even under the toughest conditions,” Horowitz said.

In 2015, Ross resigned from choir director at Skyline High School in Longmont a position he truly loved.

“It was bittersweet stepping away from teaching to sing full-time with Face Vocal Band, but ultimately it was the right decision,” Ross said. “Directing the Coal Creek Community Chorus definitely scratches my choir-directing itch, and it’s a huge honor that all of these singers gather week to week to sing with me.”

possible, and is so innate to our humanity I really enjoy making music with, and for, large groups of people. I think that’s kind of my thing ”

CCCC is hopeful about securing a spot in the Louisville Parade of Lights, held on the first Friday in December Ross is also gearing up for CCCC’s winter/spring session that is

slated to start on Jan. 23. Ross is directing a high school honor choir in Adams County and the Colorado Middle School All State Treble Bass Choir in 2023

“More than anything, I want to continue working to create a positive, uplifting musical experience for my cherished singers,” Ross said.

music from Page 14

Motivated by the outpouring of support after the fire, Ross crafted “A Spark” a composition dedicated to those impacted by the disaster that will anchor CCCC’s next showcase on Monday, at 7 p m , at Ascent Community Church in Louisville

The heartfelt piece will premiere at CCCC’s fall concert where over 100 voices will join together to create a tapestry of unforgettable sound.

“I was so inspired and moved by the empathy and outreach from folks in the community, that the broad strokes of ‘A Spark’ just kind of spilled out of me from that,” Ross said Attendees can also look forward to a diverse mix of tunes

“Every choir session, I tell the singers I want to be musical decathletes, able to sing music from many genres, languages, time periods, etcetera,” Ross said. “We’re planning on a wide variety of music, including an old and a modern folksong, a classic spiritual, some rousing musical theater and even a bit of Italian ”

Rehearsals have been underway, and choral members are enthused to take the stage next week

“The singers and I have had a blast putting it all together, and we can’t wait

to share it with the community,” Ross said.

Ellen Horowitz joined CCCC a few years back after her interest was piqued due to the song selection Ross chose.

“Stephen (Ross) had an all-Beatles lineup planned for the summer of 2018, which was the perfect ‘ticket to ride’ at that moment in my life,” Horowitz said “Stephen’s musical talent, welcoming approach and ever-ready humor create a fun and fulfilling environment within this mutually dedicated group. Joining CCCC is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made ”

She’s excited to be a part of a production that both honors those who have given so much to neighbors in need and applauds the resiliency of Front Range residents.

“I’m looking forward to being part of a performance that truly comes from the heart,” Horowitz said. “We all want to capture the essence of Stephen’s vision in premiering ‘A Spark’ and singing several other very lovely, life-affirming pieces ”

A voluntary admission of $5 for individuals and $10 for families will be collected at the door

“I hope the audience feels the uplifting emotion, true affection and sense of joy that bind this chorus and

On Tuesday, Ross will join members of Face Vocal Band for a concert at Nissi’s in Lafayette The group has a packed schedule with other performances scheduled on Nov 25 at The Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Nov 28 and 29 at BDT Stage and Dec 7 at Boulder Theater

While Ross still enjoys belting out holiday tunes and more with Face, he relishes in spearheading projects with big groups to create captivating one-of-a-kind shows

“Working with and directing a group of singers and hearing their growth rehearsal to rehearsal, concert to concert, year to year, it’s such a thrill,” Ross said “I think singing in a group is one of the purest, joyful and rewarding experiences

Mary Ann Greco / Courtesy photo Stephen Ross, director of Coal Creek Community Chorus and member of Face Vocal Band, leads CCCC in song in July 2022

hirschfeld from Page 13

begin painting with my oil paints.

Lately, I have been especially drawn to using circles to further connect the animals in my pieces. It is important to me that the anatomy/proportions are correct on the animal I am painting. I use abstraction in the color, texture and backgrounds of my work

KM: Horses seem to be a big muse for you. What’s your connection to these

majestic creatures?

MH: Horses have been both a fascination and a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. They’ve played a role in teaching me independence, patience, responsibility and creative escape The individuality, intelligence, grace and beauty of horses is what I hope to capture in my work

KM: What do you hope your pieces add to the interior spaces of buyers?

MH: When someone walks into a space where my painting is displayed, I hope they can appreciate the beauty of the wildlife and horses through a less-traditional lens My ultimate goal is to showcase the natural beauty of the subjects through my love of bright color and varied textures I want to provide colorful, bold and expressionistic qualities that aren’t often present in Western art

KM: What are you currently working on, and are there any upcoming shows or holi-

day markets you plan to be a part of?

MH: At the moment, I am working on a series of paintings that includes groups of animals with abstract backgrounds using shapes, lines, color and copper or gold leaf. I have not quite decided what to call the series I just finished one of the paintings It is called “Leisure.” I plan on creating a few more pieces similar to this one with elk, deer and bears

Currently, most of my available work is at Western

Stars Gallery in Lyons. I have one piece in the show “Nocturnal” at Main Street Gallery in Lyons until Nov. 19. I attended Loveland’s Art in the Park last summer and plan to again this summer, along with a few more art festivals. I have also applied to a few shows that will notify me on acceptance next month Fingers crossed My website and Instagram will be updated with details when I have them

To learn more about Hirschfeld’s art, visit malena hirschfeldart.com.

NOVEMBER 12TH & 13TH

INDIE ARTISANS * LIVE MUSIC BAKED GOODS * FAMILY ACTIVITIES

A BENEFIT FOR BOULDER MOUNTAIN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT