ARCHITECTURE
The local chapters of the American Institute of Architects have dubbed April “Colorado Architecture Month.” And the AIAs have put together an A+ month of happenings to get people interested in the topic.
Highlights include the April 17-18 weekend of Doors Open Denver — and the chance to try some highly designed desserts, the creations of local chefs and designers.
Here are a few from the list. There’s more at
Friday-April 16: University of Colorado at Boulder, College of Architecture and Planning’s Recent Work Exhibit. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. Friday.
April 6:”Boulder Architecture, Art and Appetizers, 10 Speakers Present for 10 Minutes Each,” 6-8:30 p.m., Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder; free.
April 13: “PechaKucha Night Denver,” 10 speakers present 20 images for 20 seconds each, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Flower Garage, 15th and Delgany streets, Denver. The event also features a charity silent auction of architectural birdhouses designed by University of Colorado at Denver architecture students.
April 17: Denver Box City for Kids, a popular event where children experience the design and construction industry firsthand by requesting permits, ordering materials and constructing a cardboard city. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wellington Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax, free. Reservations are requested to ensure entry (call 303-446-2266, or e-mail nicolle@aiacolorado.org).
Thursday-April 30: Delicious Designs: Chefs and designers collaborate on desserts at the following eateries.
Happy Cakes, Denver, Thursday-April 30 with Studio H:T
dbar, Denver, Thursday-April 30, with Studio H:T
Luca d’Italia, Denver, Thursday-April 30, with Rowland + Broughton Architecture and Urban Design
Nosh, Colorado Springs, Thursday-April 10, with Janitell Childs Design Group
The Blue Star,Colorado Springs, April 11-18, with Janitell Childs.
The Margarita,Colorado Springs, Thursday-April 18, with Fisher Architecture
Amuze Bistro, Palmer Lake, Thursday-April 30, with Fisher.
Black Bear Restaurant,Colorado Springs, April 17-24, with Tehama. Ray Mark Rinaldi
ART
For artists, a rare chance to sketch the figure
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is giving new meaning to the phrase “still life” as it invites artists to stop by its visually stunning “Body Worlds” exhibit for a trio of artists-only sketch nights.
“Body Worlds & the Story of the Heart,” which runs through July 18, is a dream for sketch artists, with more than 200 human specimens — preserved through a process called plastination — twisting, hanging and intermingling throughout the exhibit.
Outside of medical school, there are few chances to get this close to the real anatomical deals.
The artist-only nights run 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on March 30, April 20 and May 18. Bring your sketch pad and suitable media (no easels or liquid media) and keep in mind that if you’re already a member of the museum, you get a discount. For nonmembers it’s $25.50 for adults, $16 for students and $19 seniors.
Call 303-370-6000 or visit for reservations. John Wenzel
DANCE
Ballet Nouveau serves up lunch
Who said there was no such thing as a free lunch?
Broomfield’s Ballet Nouveau Colorado, one of the region’s biggest ballet companies, will spring for lunch at its seventh annual “Dance from the Heart” on April 9 at Denver’s McElwain Elementary School. A panel of guest speakers, including teachers, students and Ballet Nouveau staff, will talk about the company’s outreach programs, followed by a performance from Malley Drive Elementary’s second-year ballet students.
“The entire event is structured like attendees are going ‘back to school’ — so they’ll be served a sack lunch (but it’s really quite gourmet), and they’ll hear speakers who have been directly impacted by BNC’s community programs,” ballet communications manager Eleni Grove said via e-mail.
More than 70 percent of the students at the company’s elementary school partnership programs — which offer free dance classes and performances to under-served kids — fall below the poverty line. Participating schools for 2010 are McElwain, Malley Drive, Rose Hill and Leroy Drive elementary schools. This seventh annual event doubles as a fundraiser for the programs and takes place in McElwain’s gymnasium.
And yes — chocolate milk will be provided. John Wenzel
