Watch the Symphony’s Ode to Joy This Weekend!

March 11, 2021

Almost a year ago, the Colorado Symphony posted their virtual Ode to Joy concert as we all wondered how the pandemic would affect our lives. The uplifting video is worth watching again, since it ended up being a great example of how people would come together. This weekend, you can watch another inspiring online concert by the Symphony—this one recorded last fall at the naturally acoustic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Fittingly, it includes Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. 

TODAY/TONIGHT, March 11

BRAZIL ONLINE
Brazil is such colorful country that it’s hard to limit an online discussion to just an hour! So this Active Minds presentation about the largest South American nation centers around the recent volatile politics of the emerging country. 

How did the immense optimism and growth of the country in the early 2000s under the leadership of Presidents Luiz Inácio da Silva and his successor Dilma Rousseff erupt in the scandals that led to Lula’s imprisonment in 2018? What other factors paved the way for the sharp shift to the right under Jair Bolsonaro? Find out about all the political complexities facing the country in this intriguing webinar!

Active Minds Online
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Register: FREE

VIRTUAL APERTIVO TASTING
Check out the trendy new beverage that bridges the gap between a fine wine and a craft spirit! This online tasting event is hosted by atōst, a local business known for their American Aperitivos.

Join the FREE virtual tasting that introduces you to three different flavors of apertivos! Roots are earthy and full of herbs, Bloom is delicate with floral notes, and Citrus is bright and fresh! You’ll learn how to make some delicious cocktails from them as well! Don’t forget to purchase your aperitivos in advance!

Pick-up location for apertivo purchase: The Cube, 8371 E. Northfield Blvd., Aurora
Pick-up hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Virtual tasting: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Register: FREE (plus purchase of apertivos)

Thursday-Saturday, March 11-13

GET WILD WITH DIXIE!
The wildly popular drag queen, Dixie Longate, is back—with a raucous show that streams right into your living room! She won’t be selling Tupperware this time around but will be showing you how to mix a proper cocktail. The four basic food groups will be covered: gin, rum, vodka, and tequila.

If you were lucky enough to catch one of Dixie’s Off-Broadway performances at DCPA in the before times, you know what a riot she is! Her virtual show is no different—it’s an uplifting story that challenges the audience to search for their personal happy hours by looking for the good in even the most complicated situations. As always, Dixie will inspire you with her Alabama wisdom!

DCPA Online/StreamAlley
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35

Thursday-Sunday, March 11-14

COLORADO SYMPHONY’S VIRTUAL CONCERT
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is an audience favorite, and although they won’t be playing it live from Boettcher Concert Hall, the Colorado Symphony will still be performing this uplifting piece (and more) in their virtual spring concert. 

Filmed last fall for a limited audience at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the concert is dazzling both visually and acoustically. With re-mastered sound and intimate close-up camera angles, you’ll feel like you are part of the orchestra! The program includes Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3, and Copland’s Hoe Down from Rodeo, in addition to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

Colorado Symphony Online
Link: $10

WHISKEY THEATRE EXTENDED!
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this engaging interactive virtual theatre that’s also a real whiskey-tasting event! Safe from your own home, you’ll embark on a journey through the history of whiskey with a virtual bartender who will lead you in sharing all kinds of  stories. 

DCPA/The Whiskey Tasting Online
Thurs./Fri., 5:00, 6:45 or 8:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 1:00, 2:45, 4:30, 6:15, 8:00, or 9:45 p.m.
Tickets: $45 – $55

Saturday, March 13

NEW GARDENER BOOT CAMP
It’s that time of year again! Imagining your own beautiful garden can be more than just a spring dream—make your dream come true this year by enrolling in online Gardener Boot Camp!

The experts at Denver Botanic Gardens will walk you through a variety of virtual informational sessions, like Garden Planning 101 which covers everything from garden location to sun requirements to raised beds versus in-ground planting. Soil Preparation, Vegetable Gardens, and Floral Gardens are also topics that will be covered. Best of all, you can tune in for a live Q&A session on Zoom after watching the program video!

Online Denver Botanic Gardens
Program video starting at 9:00 a.m.; Live Q&A: 2:30 p.m.
Register: $42-$46
Phone: 720-865-3500

REPTILES ON THE PRAIRIE
Amidst the tall and short grasses of the prairie, all kinds of creatures make their homes! In this Family Workshop, you’ll learn about the reptiles that inhabit the prairie and meet some real live snakes and turtles! 

Kids ages 4-10, along with their parents, will enjoy a day out in nature. Workshops include a guided exploration about reptiles and a project for adults and children to create together. Class sizes will be reduced to follow social distancing protocols.

Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Register: $12 per person
Phone: 303-326-8380

IRISH DANCE PERFORMANCE
Get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with a fun performance of Irish dancing from the Wick School of Irish Dance! The FREE shows will be held outside so there’s plenty of air and space for social distancing!Do wear your mask, however, since masks are required both indoors and outdoors at Stanley Marketplace.

Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Suite 148, Aurora
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Information: FREE

Sunday, March 14

YOUNG NATURALISTS ON THE PRAIRIE
Older kids will love delving more deeply into nature and learning about the environments right in their backyard. Denver Botanic Gardens’ Junior Naturalist programs are designed for ages 9-12 and include hands-on time out in nature, guided by an expert who will teach them all about the short-grass prairie and how it came to be.

Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Register: $10
Phone: 303-326-8380

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS CONCERT!
Moving your clock forward this weekend is not only a step closer to spring and summer, but also leaves the past year a little further behind! To celebrate, head over to a FREE outdoor concert at Stanley Marketplace, where there will be plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the music! 

The funky musical duo, Swiss & Yilli, will be playing some fresh grooves with lush harmonies and sporting some stylish hats! Get in the mood for spring as you listen to some of your favorite tunes!

Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Suite 148, Aurora
‍3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Information: FREE

Let it Snow! Be Happy in Southshore!

With predictions of a snow-apocalypse this weekend, there’s no better place to be than hunkered down in one of the amazing new homes in the master-planned community of Southshore! The community combines the tranquility of lakeside living with easy access to shopping and amenities. When the weather lifts, stop by and see for yourself how great Life at the Lake can be! With beautiful model homes from Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison, and Richmond American Homes, these new homes are priced from the upper $400s to the $700s.