STARTING MONDAY
Have an ice time
U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships
daily, Monday through Saturday, Sun Microsystems Ice Centre, Westminster Promenade. Schedule details: .
Catch a glimpse of the future of figure skating this week when about 450 top skaters under age 14 from around the country show up for the 2006 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships. There’s plenty of local talent to watch in freeskate, pairs and dance, and if you go, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to say, “I saw her when …” four years from now, when the 2010 Olympic team is selected. Also, consider that this is a value prospect. If you can wait until February to get your skating fix, you’ll spend $345 for a seat in the arena for early rounds of pairs ice dancing at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Here at home, you can chill at the finals and awards at the juniors for a cool $25, or buy an all-event pass for $45.
NEXT WEEKEND
FRIDAY – Faces of Sudan: Portraits of Forgiveness and Strength | Opening reception for the exhibition of Barbara Vogel’s stunning photos from southern Sudan and the Darfur region, which hangs at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library through Dec. 31. Free. 4-6 p.m. | 2401 Welton St., Denver | Info: 303-399-4500
– ArtDistrict Santa Fe First Friday | Wander around 30 galleries in the growing Denver arts district. This month, the free “Connect the Dots” shuttle runs from the Osage Light Rail Station to Santa Fe Drive, which means there’s no need to troll for parking. Free. 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Santa Fe Drive, between Fifth and Ninth avenues | Info: artdistrictonsantafe.com
– Outdoor concert | Cherry Creek High School wind musicians perform the music of the season for an hour, outside the Virgin Megastore at the Denver Pavilions, Friday and again Dec. 10. Free. 6 p.m. | 16th and Welton streets, Denver | Info: milehighholidays.com
FRIDAY & SATURDAY – Traditional holiday celebration | The yuletide spirit wakes at Bent’s Old Fort with candlelight tours from 6:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday night, and then with 1840s-style wagon rides, games, frontier cooking, storytelling and toymaking on Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $3 adults; $2 kids 6-12 | Bent’s Old Fort, 6 miles northeast of LaJunta on Colorado 194 | 719-383-5010, or 719-383-5010 for tour and living history activity reservations.
SATURDAY- Breakfast with Santa | Santa Claus and robotic dinosaurs at the Dinosaur Journey. What kid could ask for more? $8, reservations required. 9 a.m. | 550 Jurassic Court, Fruita | Info: 970-242-0971
– Parker Christmas Carriage Parade | Dozens of horse-drawn carriages, wagons and stagecoaches from across Colorado parade down Mainstreet in historic downtown Parker, leading to an afternoon of live music, a petting zoo, pony rides and a chance to peek at a baby reindeer. Free. 2 p.m. | East Mainstreet, Parker | Info: parkeronline.org
– Outdoor concert | The Cherry Creek High German Choir performs the music of the season for an hour, outside the Virgin Megastore at the Denver Pavilions, Saturday and again Dec. 10. Free. 7 p.m. | 16th and Welton streets, Denver | Info: milehighholidays.com
SATURDAY & SUNDAY – 46th annual Georgetown Christmas Market | A charming outdoor European marketplace is a backdrop for the daily procession of the Santa Lucia and carolers in Victorian costume. St. Nicholas visits daily at 3 p.m., though his reindeer will be around noon-4 p.m. Weekends through Dec. 11. Free. | Downtown Georgetown | Info: clearcreekcounty.org
– Historic Boulder’s Holiday Home Tour | Visit six homes in the charming Highland Lawn Historic District plus the Solar Decathlon house at CU. $20. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Tickets at the Highland Building, 884 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder | Info: historicboulder.org
COMING THIS WEEK
MONDAY – Live Celtic Harp and Holiday Tea | Listen to the magical harp music of Star Edwards, and learn the ins and outs of tea from Pam Hertzog at the Smoky Hill Library, 7 p.m. Free, but make a reservation. | 5430 S. Biscay Circle, Aurora | Info: 303-693-7449
WEDNESDAY – Pendulum: New music at CU concert | Hear music composed and performed by University of Colorado students, including works for piano, solo horn, saxophone quartet and woodwind/brass quintet in Grusin Music Hall. BYO instrument and participate in a rare performance of Terry Riley’s “In C,” a piece for an unlimited number of musicians. Free. | Imig Music, 18th Street and Euclid Avenue, Boulder | Info: 303-492-8008
THURSDAY – Learn to ski for free | Free introduction to skate skiing at the Crested Butte Nordic Center Ski School. 1 p.m. Bring your own equipment or rent. | 620 Second St., Big Mine Park, Crested Butte | Info: 970-349-1707
– Cookie-decorating workshop | Beloved local pastry chef Amy DeWitt teaches kids 10 and older, and their participating parents, how to make a Christmas cookie look good. Free, but make a reservation. 4-6 p.m. | St. Julien Hotel, Ninth and Walnut streets, Boulder | Info: 720-406-9696
– Outdoor concert | Sixty musicians from the Cherry Creek High School German Choir, brass, winds and strings perform the music of the season for an hour, outside the Virgin Megastore at the Denver Pavilions. Free. 11:15 a.m. | 16th and Welton streets, Denver | Info: milehighholidays.com
