Community Announcements

The Nutcracker, With a Salsa Twist

On Dec. 20, the Park Hill Dance Academy presents the Nutcracker at the Smiley School Campus. Under the direction of owner Karlyn Griswold, the production will include two major innovations. For the first time a dance from the Western Hemisphere – a Salsa – will be included in the classic Christmas ballet. Second, the Sugar Plum Fairy will have two cavaliers instead of one. The production, at the Smiley Campus at 26th Avenue and Holly Street, includes 16 dancers in Griswold’s youth company (ages seven and up), four male dancers, and Madison Oleson, a professional ballet dancer who studied at The Dancer’s Advantage – which was the previous name of the Park Hill Dance Academy at 4638 E. 23rd Ave. In addition, students and instructors from the Edie the Salsa Freak’s studio in Littleton will perform. Tickets for the Nutcracker are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. They may be purchased online at brownpapertickets.com/event917575. Griswold recently purchased the dance studio from Brian Bender, for whom she was primary teacher for three years, In addition to changing the name to the Park Hill Dance Academy, Griswold has added modern dance to the traditional ballet repertoire. She is continuing a seniors program started by Bender, which meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The number of the academy is 303- 975-6111.

Let There Be Latkes

Temple Micah’s 7th Top Latke Taste-off & Hanukkah Party will sizzle your senses at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5209 Montview Blvd. The temple also kicks off its first Top Dreidl-spinning Contest (bring your own dreidl) and a return of the balloon clown. Be a latke chef or simply a taster. Then light your menorah and sing or hum along with the Shabbat Jam Band. Visit http://www.micahdenver.org, and click the latke links for pricing for tables, member, individual and senior admission. Proceeds benefit Temple Micah, an inclusive Reform Jewish congregation. Find out more from Alice Alban, Top Latke Lady, or Elaine Lee, staffing the Top Latke Hotline, 303-388-4239 x1. Latke chef entry deadline is Monday, Dec. 1. Amateur cooks of any age can sign up for the chance to win culinary praise and prizes. RSVPs for the taste-off are a must by Tuesday, Dec. 2 for non-cooking participants. Expectant parents or families with kids younger than 5 may be eligible for a MazelTot.org discount to cover a household’s full cost for the evening.

Deck It Out At the Governor’s Mansion

The Colorado Governor’s Mansion is decorated for the holidays, and will be open to the public for free tours beginning Saturday, Dec. 13 through Friday, Dec. 19. The tours will run from10 a.m. until 2 p.m. daily so that all may enjoy the history and beauty of the governor’s residence, also known as the Boettcher Mansion, at 400 E. 8th Avenue. All guests are admitted on a first come, first served basis and large groups are encouraged to email info@grpfund.org in advance. For the second year, interior designers competed for the opportunity to provide holiday decorations for the Governor’s Mansion. The creative inspiration for this year’s decor is “Colorado’s Holiday Lifestyles” and will feature themes representing ways that Coloradans live and celebrate, including urban, ranching, mountain, skiing and artistic lifestyles. The theme breakdowns for several of the main rooms include: 1. Grand Drawing Room: Urban Lifestyle
2. Elegant State Dining Room: Artistic Lifestyle
3. Palm Room’s Main Area: Skiing Lifestyle
4. Palm Room Well Room: Skiing Lifestyle
5. Intimate Governor’s Room: Mountain Lifestyle
6. Stately Library:  Ranching Lifestyle

Art At Montview Presbyterian Church

The Montview Visual Arts Guild of Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church presents more than 40 works by local artists in the Gallery Room (across from Fellowship Hall).  The Gallery Room is open daily during regular church hours. The show runs now through Jan. 4. The church is at 1980 Dahlia Street, on the corner of Montview and Dahlia.

Potters & Artists Featured In Annual Holiday Show & Sale

The Denver Potters Association Holiday Show will bring together more than 40 top local artists. In addition to one-of-a-kind functional and sculptural ceramics, the show and sale will feature jewelry, glass and wood creations.  The show opens Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Sixth Avenue United Church, 3250 East Sixth Avenue (corner of 6th & Adams) in Denver. Admission is free. Sale hours are Thursday, Dec. 4, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact press@castleclayartists.com or (303) 377-5535 or www.denverpotters.com.

Glitter with Free DAM Programs In December

The Denver Art Museum’s Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration 2014 begins Dec. 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and offers free tours, as well as performances by Dancing

Across Cultures, Grupo Tláloc Danza Azteca, Danza Matachina Guadalupana and others. During the celebration (Dec. 14–Jan. 4), enjoy free general

admission with voucher and free tours in Spanish on Dec. 14, 21, 28 and Jan. 4, all at 2 p.m. For details, e-mail cricciardi@denverartmuseum.org or call

720-913-0072. Sponsored by DAM’s Latino Outreach Committee. Also, on Dec. 6, Denver families can enjoy Free First Saturday at the DAM. From 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month, enjoy the museum’s art collections and non-ticketed exhibitions without spending a dime. Free general admission tickets are available on-site starting at 10 a.m. Check out some of the museum’s many family and kid-friendly activities. A Collection Highlights tour in Spanish is offered at 2 p.m. The Denver Art Museum is downtown at 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. For more, call 720-865-5000 or online at denverartmuseum.org.

Share Denver’s Fairfax Holiday Market

Share Denver is hosting its annual Fairfax Holiday Market on Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2829 Fairfax St. Admission is free, and local artisans, makers, and crafters will display their work with the Park Hill & Denver community. Featured artists include Mercer & Jayne, Tactile Studios Ltd., {anne franklin designs}, Cedar & Sage, Ink Lounge, Wilderness Romance, Spinster Sisters Co., Sedula, The Peacock Shop, French Miss, Hip Violet, Borage & Berry, Wild Mae, Kurious Koncepts, Zshanna, Horns Up Knits, Helliemae’s, Bella Calla, Full Snow Moon and Craft Boner.

To learn more contact Becky Hensley at 720-608-0623 or sharedenver@gmail.com.

Flex Your Cultural Muscle

Applications are now being accepted to fill a vacancy on the Denver County Cultural Council. Ideal applicants are active in the community at the neighborhood professional level, and have experience in an art, cultural, scientific or historical organization. Applicants should have a citywide perspective and be willing to commit at least 15 to 20 hours per month to the cultural council. Applicants must be a resident of the City and County of Denver, at least 21 years of age, not be a current board member or paid staff of any organization applying for Tier III funding, and be willing to disclose any conflict of interest. The Denver County Cultural Council is comprised of 11 voting members. Three represent citywide organizations, and eight are community representatives selected from interested applicants. The vacancy is for a 2-, 3-, or 4-year term, renewable for an additional term. An application form and details are available on the cultural council page at ArtsandVenues.com. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. For additional information, contact Tariana Navas-Nieves, Denver Arts & Venues Director of Cultural Affairs, at tariana.navas@denvergov.org or 720-865-4312.