Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

AURORACREATES

Arts & History Worth Discovering

AURORACREATES

December 2018 | January 2019

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Ballet is a full experience

Aurora Dance Arts and the Aurora Symphony Orchestra are once again taking on the biennial tradition of bringing Tchaikovksy’s “The Nutcracker Ballet” to life Dec. 7 to 9.

This year’s production is expected to be bigger and better than ever! With one of the strongest casts in recent memory, the Aurora Dance Arts dancers are up for the challenge of dancing to live music.

These performers have even been able to rehearse the ballet with recordings of the Aurora Symphony Orchestra from 2016 for more enhanced preparation. Aurora Symphony Orchestra artists have had access to the musical score of “Nutcracker” since 2016. With the growth of Aurora Dance Arts and Aurora Symphony Orchestra in the two years since the inception of the partnership, each organization has a better grasp of the demands and rewards of a large-scale endeavor such as this, and clearly, each organization has the passion and dedication to elevate this year’s show.

“The partnership with Aurora Symphony Orchestra is an opportunity to showcase how much each organization is continually striving to enhance the arts experience in Aurora while still respecting time-honored traditions,” said Aurora Dance Arts Director Maggie Chapman.

Aurora Symphony Orchestra Conductor Norman Gamboa adds, “The dance brings a different layer to the music…and seeing dancers interpret this great Tchaikovsky score is just breathtaking.”

From the 2016 performance, one of the dancers recalls: “One of my favorite sounds is listening to the orchestra warm up, so getting to hear that right before my performance is really exciting!”

Still wondering why you should attend this particular “Nutcracker” performance? The ticket cost of $16 is affordable and includes a photo booth for capturing “Nutcracker” memories, a meet and greet with the entire cast, a choir providing pre-show and intermission entertainment, silent auction items, free parking and more. This is more than just a show, it’s an experience, and everyone involved is working diligently to ensure that this experience will be nothing short of magical.

There will be only three performances.Get your tickets soon at AuroraGov.org/Dance.

MESSAGEfrom the Editors

THE NUTCRACKER

Congratulations to the staff of the Cultural Services Division. Because of their passion and tireless efforts, 2018 has truly been an award-winning year! In January, Cultural Arts Supervisor Lisa Mumpton, was honored by Aurora Public Schools when they recruited her to help develop their gifted and talented program for theatre students. Also in January, Helen R. Murray took over the Executive Producer role at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, and in June, the Aurora Fox Arts Center was nominated for nine Henry Awards for its 33rd season, including “outstanding season for a theatre company.”

In March, the Art in Public Places Program, led by Roberta Bloom, was honored along with RTD by the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts for their outstanding partnership commissioning public art at every stop along the R-Line. The Aurora History Museum, led by Director Scott Williams, was also honored in March by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce for its achievements representing Aurora’s diverse communities.

All of us who work for the Cultural Services Division take our responsibility to honor Aurora’s diversity very seriously. This past year we have told stories from a wide variety of cultures so it struck us as fitting that this holiday season, as we offer to our audiences the family classic “Nutcracker Ballet” along with the irreverent and naughty “Twist Your Dickens” by former “Colbert Report” writers Peter Gwinn and Bobby Mort, we are also addressing the “naughty and nice” spectrum of diversity!

Finally, our thanks and best wishes to Kay Clymer, supervisor of the city of Aurora Graphics and Print Division, who is retiring. We will miss you and your creativity!

From all of us to all of you…a very creative holiday season!

With the Aurora Municipal Center lights as their backdrop, a dancer holding a nutcracker and Ebenezer Scrooge invite you to experience all of Aurora’s exciting holiday activities.

ON THE COVER

December 2018-January 2019 | 2

TThe Aurora Fox Arts Center is offering holiday spirit like nothing you’ve seen before. Audiences are in for something completely different from your traditional holiday fare this season with the hilarious regional premiere of The Second City’s holiday send up, “Twist Your Dickens.” A perfect blend of scripted dialogue, sketch comedy and improvisational acting, The Second City’s “Twist Your Dickens” by former “Colbert Report” writers Peter Gwinn and Bobby Mort features some of Colorado’s fiercest and funniest comedians, under the direction of nationally recognized director, fight choreographer and commedia dell’arte expert, Matthew R. Wilson.

Seven actors play absolutely everyone in this naughty, bawdy and irreverent spin on the holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol,” from the classic Dickensian characters you’ve come to expect and George Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the three wise men from the Nativity story and a wide array of outrageous, wacky characters from across the decades!

The elements of improvisational acting and audience participation that this show include promise that no two performances of “Twist Your Dickens” will ever be the same. But be forewarned: this isn’t your granny’s “Christmas Carol.” So leave the kiddos all snug in their beds, and while visions of sugar-plums dance in their heads, get yourself

down to the Aurora Fox Arts Center for some not-so-family-friendly holiday fun. The Second City’s “Twist Your Dickens” runs now through Dec. 23.

Liven up New Year’s with The Aurora Fox Cabaret Series, this time with the original cabaret “Blues to Broadway,” featuring Kenny Moten, Mary Louise Lee, Leonard Barrett Jr. and Traci Kern. Close out 2018 with these amazing Colorado-based artists who bring together their exciting and diverse songbooks to create a unique and uplifting evening for any fan of great music. Their musical selections will range from Broadway to jazz and everything in between. Each of these performers has forged a career path spanning an array of genres and stages across the country.

As we move further into winter and Black History Month, the Aurora Fox is proud to give “Hooded or Being Black for Dummies” its regional premiere. This timely, relevant and biting dark comedy explores everything from micro-aggressions to outright racism that people of color still face more than 50 years after the civil rights moment.

Marquis, a young black man being raised by an adoptive, upper-middle class, liberal-leaning white family, finds himself sharing a jail cell with Tru, a street-smart teen who is concerned that Marquis has lost his “blackness.” Marquis’ mother comes to the rescue, springing both

teens from jail and putting in motion a friendship that asks these young men to navigate a world of high school cheerleaders, Black Lives Matter, 2Pac, Nietzsche and the Greek Gods, Apollo and Dionysus. The intelligent, and at times, bizarre script written by Tearrance Arvelle Chisholms not only challenges stereotypes, but also shines a big, bright light on them, asking his characters and the audience watching them to come face to face with their own prejudices and ideas about what it means to grow up black in today’s America.

Betty Hart directs a cast of outstanding Colorado-based actors in a piece that promises to be enlightening, challenging and entertaining, all at once. “Hooded Or Being Black for Dummies” runs Jan. 18 through Feb. 10.

Consider celebrating the holidays with the Aurora Fox. To purchase tickets or get more information, visit AuroraFox.org or call the Box Office at 303.739.1970.

for the Holidays at The Aurora FoxNEW PERSPECTIVES

Cast from “Twist Your Dickens”

The Nutcracker

Ballet

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01 “Oops!” $ 2 p.m. (Workshop for children at

11 a.m.) Theatre Artibus The People’s Building

Theatre Showcase 7 p.m. Community College of Aurora Fine Arts Building 16000 E. CentreTech Parkway

01– 02 “Holiday Extravaganza” $ Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Aurora Singers East Middle School 1275 Fraser St.

04 Tree Lighting Ceremony 5 – 7 p.m. Aurora Municipal Center

06 Opening Reception: “Wonders” Holiday Show and Sale Original art by DAVA youth 4 – 7 p.m. DAVA

07 Opening night: 1 Night, 6 Plays $ 7:30 p.m. 5280 Artist CoOp ACAD

07–09 “The Nutcracker Ballet” $ Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. Aurora Dance Arts and Aurora Symphony Orchestra Robert L. Troutman Theater Aurora Central High School 11700 E. 11th Ave.

08– 09 Holidays on the Farm 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. DeLaney Farm Historic District

12 “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum” with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Noon Metropolitan State University of

Denver and Colorado Folks Arts Council

Aurora Fox Arts Center

Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Dec. 4 5-7p.m.

‘Tis the season to be merry and bright! Come and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the holidays!

We’ll have musical and dance performances, live reindeer, face painting, FREE hot chocolate and snacks, storytelling with Mrs. Claus

and pictures with the one and only Santa Claus!

#AuroraHolidayTraditionsAuroraGov.org/Events • 303.739.7182

DEC. 28-31 | $22AURORA FOX ARTS CENTER9900 East Colfax Ave., Aurora, CO 80010AuroraFox.org • Box Office 303.739.1970

City of Aurora Cultural Program

Presents “Blues to Broadway”An evening with Kenny Moten, Mary Louise Lee, Leonard Barrett, Jr. and Traci Kern

Aurora Dance Arts and the Aurora Symphony Orchestra

Tchaikovsky’s

City of Aurora Cultural Program

15 Holiday Open Day 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Centennial House

15 Ukulele and Hula Lessons 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Aurora History Museum

19 Lecture: Norman Rockwell $ Noon – 12:45 p.m. Aurora History Museum

23 Closing Performance: “Twist Your Dickens” $ 2 p.m. Aurora Fox Arts Center

28 Exhibit Opening: Wa Shonaji Quilt Show Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aurora Municipal Center 2nd Floor Mezzanine

28 – 31 Aurora Fox Cabaret Series: “Blues to Broadway” $ Friday, Saturday and Monday

(New Year’s Eve), 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. Aurora Fox Arts Center

Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

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16 Lecture: Beer Archaeology $ Noon – 12:45 p.m. Aurora History Museum

18 Opening Night: “Hooded or Being Black for Dummies” $

7:30 p.m. Aurora Fox Arts Center

House of Poetry $ 7 –10 p.m. 5280 Artist CoOp ACAD

19 Music Lab: Concert $ 7 – 10 p.m. 5280 Artist CoOp ACAD

Ukulele and Hula Lessons 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Aurora History Museum

23 “A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and Grand Design

Noon Metropolitan State University of

Denver and Colorado Folks Arts Council

Aurora Fox Arts Center

Festival of WreathsAurora History MuseumThrough Dec. 7

“Twist Your Dickens” $ Aurora Fox Arts CenterThrough Dec. 23

“A Christmas Carol – The Radio Show” $Vintage TheatreThrough Dec. 23

Sin Fronteras Presenta: Luis Eades. Exhibition by Museo De Las AméricasMartin Luther King Jr. LibraryThrough Dec. 31

“Mary Poppins” $Vintage Theatre Through Jan. 6

“Wonders,” Holiday Show and Sale DAVADec. 6 – Jan. 16

“1 Night, 6 Plays” $5280 Artist CoOpDec. 7 – 23

Wa Shonaji Quilt ShowAurora Municipal Center 2nd Floor MezzanineDec. 28 – Jan. 17

“Hooded or Being Black for Dummies” $Aurora Fox Arts CenterJan. 18 – Feb. 10

Cultivating Community: Hoery Family PhotosAurora History MuseumThrough March 10

“Drink Local: Aurora’s Craft Beer Scene”Aurora History MuseumThrough April 7

Drink Local Craft Brew PassportAurora History Museum and participating companiesThrough April 7

Art 2C on Havana StreetThrough September

Programs at ACAD• Zumba with Acenet & Paty $Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 11 a.m.• Mexican Folklore Dance Class $ Tuesday and Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.• Martial Arts Meet-up $Wednesday and Thursday 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.

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The eighth annual Art 2C on Havana Street exhibition, a partnership between the city of Aurora Art in Public Places Program and the Havana Business Improvement District, brings 13 new sculptures to Havana Street. The artists selected for this year’s exhibition are from as near as Denver and as far as Pine Valley, Utah and Ribera, New Mexico. The exhibition spans the section of Havana Street from Concorde Career College to Havana Exchange. While all of the sculptures will be best appreciated up close, about half of the sculptures can be spotted from your car.

Aurora’s Art in Public Places Program organized the art selection panel which was comprised of Havana Street business owners, Aurora artists, city council members and Art in Public Places commissioners. Once the sculptures were selected, the artists were notified and the installations began in late September. After all of the pieces were installed, Aurora Art in Public Places commissioners visited each sculpture and voted for the first, second and third place winners: First place went to “Time & Space” by Dale Montagne, second place to “La Catrina #4” by Victoria Patti and third place to “Lyric” by John Wilbar. Cash awards were provided by the Havana Business Improvement District.

The next time you take a trip to Havana Street, please take some time to enjoy this unique exhibition! And if you’re looking for that special 2019 holiday gift for that special someone (or yourself), all the artworks are available for purchase (and can be picked up next fall).

For details, visit AuroraGov.org/PublicArt.

Sculptures and Locations

“Petite Couleur” by Charlotte Zink Concorde Career College 111 N. Havana St.

“Traditions” by Robert Henderson Havana Machine 800 S. Havana St.

“Lyric” by John Wilbar The Gardens on Havana (in front of Dickey’s BBQ) 10551 E. Garden Drive

“Outrigger” by Andrew Libertone Shortline Buick GMC 1301 S. Havana St.

“Time & Space” by Dale Montagne Havana Tower 1450 S. Havana St.

“Abundance” by Charlotte Zink Bella Vita Senior Living 1470 S. Havana St.

“Last Love” by Patrick Sullivan Mark Vissering - State Farm Insurance, 1852 S. Havana St.

“La Catrina #4” by Victoria Patti Molcajete Mexican Restaurant 1911 S. Havana St.

“Nature” by Jodie Bliss M-Mart, 2000 S. Havana St.

“Spiral Dancer” by Harold Linke Autawash 2291 S. Havana St.

“Spirit Set Free” by Jodie Bliss Stampede, 2430 S. Havana St.

“Fiddlesticks” by Justin Deister Yale Avenue and Havana Street 2700 S. Havana St.

“Visioning #1” by Christopher Thomson Havana Exchange 2802 S. Havana St.

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CITY PROGRAMS

Arts in Public Places Multiple locations303.739.6747AuroraGov.org/PublicArt

Aurora Dance Arts Multiple locations303.326.8308AuroraGov.org/Dance

Aurora Fox Arts Center9900 E. Colfax Ave.303.739.1970AuroraFox.org

Aurora History Museum15051 E. Alameda Parkway303.739.6660AuroraMuseum.org

Aurora Municipal Center15151 E. Alameda Parkway303.739.7000AuroraGov.org

Aurora Public Library-Central14949 E. Alameda Parkway303.739.6600AuroraLibrary.org

Aurora Rhythms – Concerts on the LawnAurora Municipal Center Great Lawn15151 E Alameda Parkway303.739.6520AuroraGov.org/Concerts

Bicentennial Art Center - Pottery13655 E. Alameda Ave.303.344.1776AuroraGov.org/Pottery

Centennial House (Historic Site)1671 Galena St.303.739.6661AuroraGov.org/HistoricSites

City of Aurora Cultural Services DivisionTheatre, music and visual arts classes at multiple locations303.326.8650 AuroraGov.org/Arts

DeLaney Farm Historic District170 S. Chambers Road303.739.6661AuroraGov.org/HistoricSites

Fletcher Plaza 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

The People’s Building9995 E. Colfax Ave.Rental Inquiries: 303.739.7310

OTHER ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS AND VENUES

5280 Artist CoOp1400 Dallas St.303.432.9162 • 5280ArtistCoOp.com

Academia de Ballet Folklórico Nezahualcoyotl(Mexican Folklore Dance Classes)ACAD, 1400 Dallas St. Aurora Artists’ GuildAuroraArtistsGuild.com

Aurora Cultural Arts District (ACAD)1400 Dallas St.303.913.7508 • AuroraCulture.org

Aurora Singers303.343.3377 • AuroraSingers.org

Aurora Symphony Orchestra303.873.6622 • AuroraSymphony.org

Community College of AuroraArts and Communication Dept.303.340.7335 • CCAurora.edu

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA)1405 Florence St. 303.367.5886 • DavArts.org

Grand Design Inc.303.955.2724 • GrandByDesign.org

Inside the Orchestra9995 E. Colfax Ave.303.355.7855info@insidetheorchestra.org

Kim Robards Dance, Inc.303.825.4847KimRobardsDance.org

Mushin Martial Arts ACAD, 1400 Dallas St.

Nueva Escuela de Música9995 E. Colfax Ave.720.500.3306NuevaEscuelaDeMusica.org

Red Delicious Press9901 E. 16th Ave303.366.2922RedDeliciousPress.com

Roshni, Voice of the VoicelessMultiple locations720.427.0404 • RoshniIsLight.org

Theatre Esprit AsiaACAD, 1400 Dallas St.303.370.6014 • TeaTheatre.org

Vintage Theatre Productions Inc.1468 Dayton St.303.856.7830 • VintageTheatre.com

Visions Performing Arts720.620.2316VisionsPerformingArtsCompany.org

Coloradans love their craft beer. So much so that breweries within the state produce 11.4 gallons of beer for every resident over 21 years of age on an annual basis. This trade has ballooned into a $76.2 billion dollar industry countrywide. Coloradans also have choices. There are currently over 350 breweries for consumers to choose from within the Centennial State. With so many producers–the Aurora History Museum invites you to get to know Aurora’s breweries and encourage you to drink local.

The “Drink Local: Aurora’s Craft Beer Scene” exhibition showcases the history of craft beer, the passion Coloradans hold for the brewing industry, how beer and other brews are produced and introduces the patron to the fine craft beer establishments right here in Aurora.

The exhibit profiles eight breweries, a cidery and a meadery – all calling Aurora home. These companies have very unique backgrounds and differing business models – from Dry Dock Brewing Company, the largest and first brewery in Aurora, to Bent Barley Brewing Company, Aurora’s newest brewery just that just opened in November. Beyond brewing tasty beer, cider and mead – these companies have real impact on our community. This can be seen in businesses such as Two22 Brew, which has built a model around charity and giving back, or Pilothouse Brewing Company, which invites amateur brewers to test their craft on their professional brewing systems. This exhibition has something to offer both craft beer aficionados and non-drinkers alike.

The exhibit includes special programs such as Brown Bag lunch lectures on beer archeology by University of Colorado Lecturer Travis Rupp on Jan. 16 and Cider in Aurora with Haykin Family Cider on Feb. 20. In addition, a craft brew passport tour where participants who collect at least six stamps can receive a commemorative pint glass.

The exhibition will culminate with an April 6 tasting event, Last Call: Drink Local at the Aurora History Museum, where, for a fee, participants will get unlimited beverage tastings, exclusive drink releases and a commemorative tasting glass.

“Drink Local: Aurora’s Craft Beer Scene” will be on display at the Aurora History Museum through April 7, 2019. Regular admission is always free.

ARTS CULTURE IN AURORA

AND

December 2018-January 2019 | 6

CELEBRATE Aurora’s Craft Brew Scene

Aurora Dance Arts and theAurora Symphony Orchestra Present

Tchaikovsky’s

The Nutcracker

Ballet

Robert L. Troutman Theater Aurora Central High School 11700 East 11th Ave.

Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

The Aurora Fox Arts Center Presents

Nov. 23 – Dec. 23Written by Peter Gwinn & Bobby Mort

Bah%#*&!@gHumbug!

Naughty NiceOR

Which one are you?

City of Aurora Cultural Programs