Reviews and Blog Posts: Denver

Are you guilty of filling your fridge crisper with veggies and then ignoring them until they’re well-past their use-by date? Our Chef Shellie Kark, from KitchenCue, has teamed up with our friends at Whole Foods Market and the dedicated farmers from Grant Family Farms for a cooking demo series to inspire you to seek out the best produce for your table.

 Since 2004, Fresh City Life events and programs have offered many ways to become acquainted with Denver's vibrant and intellectual organizations, groups and individuals. One of the comments that I hear most often from people after attending an event is (and I'm paraphrasing), "Thanks for giving me the opportunity to spend time with my community." 

In my mind, the Westword Music Showcase kicks off summer and the season for outdoor music events. This year it will feature over 100 local bands playing in various venues including Bar Standard (1037 Broadway), City Hall (1144 Broadway) and Curious Theater (1080 Acoma). In addition, there is the Main Stage located at 12th and Acoma that will house the exciting national acts slated to perform. Chromeo, Yo La Tengo (I can't wait to see them!), The Sword and Del the Funky Homosapien are just a few of the bands that will play to the over 10,000 people expected to attend.

stag/stag/

Adverb: Without a partner at a social gathering: "a lot of boys went stag."

stag·nant/ˈstagnənt/

It turns out that making granny squares can be a little addictive. They're fast and fun to crochet -- so the squares start to pile up quickly. There are endless color and yarn weight combinations -- so they can be simple or complex, and can incorporate easy or challenging color combinations. And crocheting is very portable -- so it's easy to throw a project in a bag and head out the door.

In March of this year, stage director and producer, Brenda Cook Ritenour, launched OFF THE SHELF, a play-reading series designed to breathe life into plays that are produced rarely, if ever, in Denver. This month, Ritenour teams up with ArtSkool, (Fresh City Life's newest community event centered on the visual and performing arts of Denver) to bring you two exciting events!

Our Country's Good

by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center
Monday, June 6, 6-8 p.m.

Smart singles will be heading down to MadWine & Novo Coffee tonight for our singles night: STAG. This social club is guided by Denver's enchanting author, burlesque artist and hostess -- Vivienne VaVoom. STAG offers Denver singles a chance to connect with other interesting people in a relaxed setting. Vivienne always brings a little magic to each gathering and tonight will be no exception. One drink minimum please. Time and info.

KitchenCue's Chef Shellie Kark is presenting a selection of Jewish regional cuisines and recipes in the month of May. Past weeks have included Eastern European and New York specialties. 

This Sunday 5/15 at 1:30 p.m., Chef Kark will explore the cuisine of the Sephardic Jews -- the foods that sprang from the region of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).

pri·mor·di·al,  adjective

1. Existing at or from the beginning of time, primeval -- the primordial oceans

2. (esp. of a state or quality) Basic and fundamental -- the primordial needs of the masses

While it's unlikely that the first sea creature to give land a try looked back at its tracks and noted the artistic pattern they made in the mud -- clay was and remains one of our primordial materials for making art.

 Yo-yo quilting is a humble craft -- developed by creative Depression-era homemakers to use up bits of fabric for practical objects -- usually quilts and coverlets. (The top photo is a good example of this kind of quilting.) The product is homey, sensible and, in the right hands, can have a wonderful sense of design and movement.