TIO DENVER: LOVERS LEAP!

06 Feb TIO DENVER: LOVERS LEAP!

Facing a fast foot of snow, February’s First Friday found us in front of the fireplace. Now Denver’s 20 minutes of cabin fever has worn off and the rest of the month looks fast and furious.

Dance and multi-media collide in Ballet Nouveau Colorado’s latest, “Love in the Digital Age.” BNC Artistic Director/Choreographer, Garrett Ammon takes the plunge into cyber-love in collaboration with digital phenom, Kris Collins… Does this troupe ever deliver less than spectacular? Tickets available for February 10-12 performances.

The Colorado New Play Summit takes stage at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Friday-Sunday with five staged readings of works by some of America’s hottest playwrights. This year brings a delightful array of contrasting fare with “Ed, downloaded,” by Michael Mitnick, Richard Dresser’s biting comedy, “The Hand of God,” the Laura Feldman drama “Grace, Or the Art of Climbing,” a musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Sense & Sensibility,” by Jeffrey Haddow, and Neal Hampton and Lisa Loomer’s latest, “Homefree. ”

Ms. Loomer was the runaway hit of the 2011 Summit with her biting, satirical take on the Arab/Israeli conflict, “Two Things You Don’t Talk About at Dinner,” now receiving its world premiere at the Denver Center Theatre and starring Mimi Lieber. “Two Things” takes place at a Seder table where Brentwood social worker, Myriam, has gathered her global family in celebration of Passover. No one could tackle this material better than Loomer. With her sharp insight and sharper wit, she manages to skewer all sides with heart and humor.

Paragon Theatre christens their new and much improved theatre space in the RiNo Arts District with their season opener, “Miss Julie”. The amazingly honest actress, Barbra Andrews, steps into the title role in August Strindberg’s seductive tale of the fall of the aristocracy; a kind of 19th century “Real Housewives of Stockholm”. Opens February 24.

Up-scale-dive-bar, the Skylark Lounge, brings red-hot Rockabilly to town with the Danny B Harvey Trio. I had a blast there last night and if you missed them, be sure to mark your calendar for their return March 2.

And though this one comes in April, I’d be remiss if I didn’t urge you to get your tickets to DAM Uncorked now. Denver Art Museum’s premiere fundraiser always sells out with a wine tasting fete on Friday and a sumptuous Dinner & Auction on Saturday. The 2012 event ups the ante with the inclusion of the Salon du Musee. Art lovers and collectors can bid on works by DAM exhibited artists, hand selected by DAM curators.

If you’re looking for the hearts and flowers, Woodhouse Day Spa will butter you up and smother you in chocolate with their luxurious Hot Chocolate mani/pedi.

For the rest of the Valentine’s folly, well friends, you’re on your own.