Things are about to get ‘Wild’ in Denver | John Moore | Arts & Entertainment
We have been waiting for a year to get “Wild,” and the wild wait is, wildly, widely almost over.
On Oct. 13, the Denver Art Museum will (finally) welcome “Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak” in the museum’s Hamilton Building.
Sendak is best known, of course, for “Where the Wild Things Are,” but he was also one of the most versatile artists of the 20th century. He designed theater sets and collaborated on films while publishing other celebrated picture books including “In the Night Kitchen,” “Outside Over There” and “Nutshell Library.”
A full exhibit dedicated to “Where the Wild Things Are” creator Maurice Sendak will come to the Denver Art Museum next month. The image above, from 1963, is watercolor, ink and graphite on paper.
But for every kid of a certain age, “Where the Wild Things Are” was a cultural touchstone of growing up. It’s the story of a mischievous boy who sails off to a land filled with monsters – none more wild than he is.
The exhibit, running through next Feb. 17, will include an array of 400 objects, drawings, paintings and mockups at 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. denverartmuseum.org
Last week. we offered up 10 upcoming live theater productions that are new to Denver. This week we offer you 10 intriguing upcoming events offered in other varying arts disciplines, listed in chronological order:
“From Me, All Things Proceed and to Me, They Must Return,” by Hollis Sigler (1991) is part of the “Better Days” exhibition now open at the CU Art Museum.
• “Better Days” and “Myths and Migrations,” Sept. 12-Oct. 26, CU Art Museum, Boulder: Is it possible to transform polarization into creative inspiration – even making room for reflection, healing and metamorphosis? Well, it doesn’t hurt to dream. With the nation hurtling toward the latest most divisive presidential election of our lifetimes, the CU Art Museum looks back at how artists have responded to historical moments “when our social connections have frayed.” 1085 18th St. on the CU-Boulder campus. colorado.edu/cuartmuseum “From Me, All Things Proceed and to Me, They Must Return,” by Hollis Sigler (1991) is part of the “Better Days” exhibition now open at the CU Art Museum.
• “Sleeping Beauty,” Colorado Ballet, Sept. 12-Oct. 13, Ellie Caulkins Opera House: In this age of consent, it’s hard to find much grace for the fractured fairytale of “Sleeping Beauty.” But in the dreamland of ballet, you can be sure these creators will be leaning fully into the element of romance that culminates in the power of true love’s kiss (whether our literally unwoke heroine agrees to it or not). For those not wanting to overthink it, you will be treated no doubt to sumptuous sets and costumes, as well as Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. (Public service: Ignore the website where it says this production runs all the way through March 2026. You only have a month!) Denver Performing Arts Complex. coloradoballet.org
“Divinities,” one of the two pieces that make up Cleo Parker Robinson Dance’s “Black Orpheus,” performing Sept. 14-15 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
• “Black Orpheus,” Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Sept. 14-15, Ellie Caulkins Opera House: Denver’s famed inclusive dance company opens its 54th season by celebrating Brazilian culture through two distinct pieces titled “Divinities” and “Orfeo Negro.” Both are inspired by the timeless myth of Orpheus and his descent into the spirit world in search of his beloved Eurydice. Here, the tale is told through the historic lens of enslaved Africans who were taken across the Atlantic to Brazil. Denver Performing Arts Complex. cleoparkerdance.org.
From left: Josh Blue, Beth Stelling and Hayden Kristal at the 2023 High Plains Comedy Festival.
• High Plains Comedy Festival, Sept. 19-21: More than 100 local and national comedians will descend upon the Baker neighborhood, mics in hand, for Denver’s largest and longest-running standup comedy festival, founded 11 years ago by Adam Cayton-Holland. While the meat of the action will take place at the Skylark and HQ on South Broadway, the headlining event is Bob the Drag Queen on Sept. 21 at the Paramount Theater, 1621 Glenarm Place. highplainscomedyfestival.com
• “Movements Toward Freedom,” Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Sept. 20-Feb. 2, 2025: Discover how the power, possibility and vulnerability of bodily movement in contemporary life intersect with art. The exhibit will fuse performance, sculpture, video, painting and installation to show how physical movement can be a means for community-building, civic change and liberation in 2024. “Emerging from the disconnectedness of the pandemic era,” curator Leilani Lynch said, “this exhibition aims to ground museum visitors in their physical bodies – while also inviting active participation.” Many physical activities will coincide with the exhibit, starting with dancer Brendan Fernandes performing “Within Seeing” at 6 p.m. Sept 20. 1485 Delgany St. mcadenver.org
Here’s what the audience sees when they attend a live screening of a popular film, set against a live, orchestrated music.
• “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert,” Colorado Symphony, Sept. 21-22, Boettcher Concert Hall: How better to honor the memory of the recently passed James Earl Jones? The perfect introduction to the glories of a live symphony orchestra are these special crossover nights. Watch the battle for the galaxy play out in the fifth episode of the unfolding “Star Wars” saga on huge projection screens while your Colorado Symphony performs every note from the original film score. Denver Performing Arts Complex. coloradosymphony.org
Podcaster Alex Cooper is Denver-bound.
• Alex Cooper, Sept. 25, Bellco Theatre: If you’ve not heard of the controversial Alex Cooper, you have not heard of the second-highest-paid podcaster on Spotify (behind only Joe Rogan). Cooper makes $20 million a year hosting the comedy-advice podcast “Call Her Daddy,” which just last week put Cooper in the headlines for her interview with Katy Perry talking for the first time about her return to music-making after a four-year break. The Denver stop of Cooper’s “Unwell Tour” promises interviews, a musical performance and surprise celebrity guest. 1100 Stout St. axs.com
• Denver Silent Film Festival, Sept. 27-29, Sie FilmCenter: For the 11th year, Denver Film will showcase groundbreaking works from the silent-film era – all with live musical accompaniment by local musicians including the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, Hank Troy, Tenia Nelson, the Dollhouse Thieves and Rodney Sauer. The featured opening film (7 p.m. Sept. 27) is “Beggars of Life,” directed by William A. Wellman. It’s about a young girl dressed as a boy who flees town after killing her abusive stepfather. And it will be scored by Mont Alto, a five piece chamber ensemble from Colorado dedicated to the revival of silent-film orchestras. Another session will be a retrospective of Buster Keaton shorts. Three of the eight featured screenings will be “pay what you can” to encourage audience access. One of those is D.W. Griffith’s 1916 historical epic “Intolerance.” “The Denver Silent Film Festival is such a special and unique jewel to add to the crown of Denver Film,” said Keith Garcia, artistic director of the Sie FilmCenter. 2510 E. Colfax Ave. denverfilm.org
• “Daughter of the Regiment,” Opera Colorado, Nov. 9-17, Ellie Caulkins Opera House: In what is being called “a winking salute to love,” the orphaned Marie is raised in the camaraderie of the French regiment until a wealthy woman, claiming to be her aunt, takes her away to become a proper lady. This is the first show in the final season for Artistic Director Greg Carpenter. Denver Performing Arts Complex. operacolorado.org
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