January Happenings
Stock Show Kicks Off Jan. 9
Denver’s National Western Stock Show kicks off on Jan. 9 with the annual parade of 30 longhorn cattle being driven through the heart of downtown Denver. Trailing the cattle will be horses, wagons, and marching bands. This year’s National Western parade Grand Marshal is 9NEWS Chief Meteorologist Kathy Sabine. The parade starts at noon at Union Station and proceeds up 17th Street.
The Stock Show itself runs Jan. 11-26 at the National Western Complex, about four miles northwest of the heart of Park Hill. The event features dozens of rodeos, livestock judging competitions, dancing horse shows, auctions, exhibitions and booths. People from 40 states and 30 countries converge on the Mile High City for the annual event. Specialty rodeos include the “Colorado versus The World” rodeo, the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, PBR bull riding and the MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo.
For the full schedule and ticket info check out nationalwestern.com.
Jewish Film Fest Running Jan. 23-Feb. 2 At The JCC
The 29th annual Denver Jewish Film Festival kicks off Thursday, Jan. 23, with the film Running on Sand and concludes on Sunday, Feb. 2, with the film Centered: Joe Lieberman.
The festival is at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center at the Jewish Community Center south of Park Hill at 350 S. Dahlia St.
The festival features more than 20 entertaining and educational films, including documentaries, comedies, narratives and shorts from newly released Israeli and Jewish cinema, actors and producers.
For a complete list of films and events happening during the festival, visit jccdenver.org/macc/djff.
Tickets to the films are sold individually or can be purchased as festival passes.
DSA To Perform Mahler’s Fourth Symphony
The Denver School of the Arts Full Orchestra will perform Mahler’s Fourth Symphony on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church at 1980 Dahlia St. The Fourth Symphony – often referred to as The Ode to Heavenly Joy — is a complex piece that was composed in 1900 and illustrates a human’s heroic suffering as well as a child’s view of heaven.
The concert will be conducted by Dr. Enrique Lasansky, director of orchestras for DSA. Proceeds from the concert support the Orchestra/Band Performance Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to music students at DSA. Doors open at noon, and the performance begins at 1 p.m. A reception follows.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors (65 and over) and $15 for students 18 and under. Tickets to stream the concert are also available for $20. Tickets can be obtained online at givebutter.com/c/huwsdD.
Order Free And Low-Cost Trees Now For Summer
Applications open in January to order free or low-cost trees from Denver Digs Trees, the organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and advocating for Denver’s urban forest. This year’s tree selection includes the following: Bur Oak, Western Catalpa, Western Hackberry, Autumn Gold Ginko, Espresso Kentucky Coffeetree, Chinkapin Oak, Golden Raintree, Ft. McNair Horsechestnut, Honeycrisp Apple, Purple Prince Crabapple and Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac. The trees cost just $10 if you live in Northeast Park Hill, which is a target area for planting more trees, and $35 for other parts of the neighborhood. Applications are due Feb. 15 and tree pick-up is April 24- 26. Check out theparkpeople.org for applications.
MLK, Jr. Marade Is Jan. 20
Denver’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20 — a day that coincides this year with the presidential inauguration in Washington, DC.
The Denver Marade (march + parade) is one of the largest celebrations commemorating the birthday of the civil rights leader. Tens of thousands of participants gather at the MLK, Jr. statue in the southwest area of City Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. After a series of speeches by local politicos and dignitaries, participants march down the Esplanade in front of East High School to Colfax, then west up Colfax to the Colorado State Capitol. Check the website drmartinlkingjrchc.org and the group’s Facebook page DrMLKJrColoradoHolidayCommission for updates.
Everyone is welcome.