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Join Denver’s Celebrated Cherry Creek Arts Festival on July 4th Weekend

June 30, 2010 By

The 2010 Cherry Creek Arts Festival celebrates the visual, culinary and performing arts this 4th of July weekend in North Cherry Creek, starting Friday evening with the Artist Preview Event. The free, three-day event features a wealth of activities, from talking with the juried artists at their booths to chef demos and live musical performances.

Event Highlights

Artists –The 230 juried visual artists exhibit their original, handcrafted work throughout the weekend. Eleven of them are artistic award winners from the 2009 show. Nearly half of the visual artists are exhibiting at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival for the first time.

Artist Preview Event – The free, public event offers a sneak peek at the art of 29 visual artist exhibitors accompanied by folk rock and jazz performed by Barry Shapiro and The Fazz Band.

Artivity Avenue

– This full block of interactive activities for the entire family includes the Kulinary Kidz food court, interactive chalk art, and the opportunity to participate in the creation of the Mosaic Mural. At Creation Station, kids can make paper flowers, seed art, paper plate maracas, Chinese Lanterns and lots more.

Culinary Demonstrations – Chefs give entertaining and informative demonstrations several times a day.

Cultural Pavilion – The pavilion showcases Hispanic and African dance, art education and Japanese music, theater and traditions

Festival Mornings – Demonstrations related to the art of fitness include Tai chi, Chinese yoga and Zumba. On July 4, the festival will try for the American record for the largest Tai chi demonstration.

Live Music – From soul music to rock, bands will be performing every day at two stages. Opie Gone Bad plays their funk rock Saturday night on Fillmore Plaza.

Be a VIP

VIP status adds to the enjoyment and ease of participating in a cultural event attended by 350,000 people. The $175 Opening Gala VIP package includes the exclusive Opening Gala reception, art preview and purchase opportunity on July 2, “The Art of Gourmet Dining” plated and seated dinner program at the JW Marriott, and free parking.

The package also includes these VIP amenities throughout the festival weekend: VIP hospitality center credential access including lunch and beverages, complimentary tickets to the Artist Awards Reception on July 3, complimentary valet parking at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, and a complimentary framed, signed and numbered limited number of the 2010 Cherry Creek Arts Festival Commemorative Poster.

Just the Facts

Location: Cherry Creek North Shopping District, from 2nd to 3rd Avenues, on the six streets between Clayton and Steele Streets.

Festival Hours:

Friday, July 2  – 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Free Artist Preview Event on Clayton Street only

Saturday, July 3 – 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Festival Nights on Fillmore Plaza, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 4 – 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Monday, July 5 – 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Accessibility Hour from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

More information: Visit http://www.cherryarts.org

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment Tagged With: ,

Luxury Home Sales Jump 62% in Denver Area

June 28, 2010 By

Sales in the Denver area of homes priced at $1 million or more jumped 61.8 percent in May from a year earlier, the Denver Business Journal reported, based on Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s monthly report on high-end sales. The median price of Denver luxury homes sold in May was $1.28 million.

The Coldwell Banker report also stated the following luxury home comparisons of May 2010 to May 2009:

  • 55 homes priced at $1 million or more sold in the metro area, up from 34
  • Average of 122 days to sell, down from 131
  • Average 93 percent of seller’s asking price, up from 83 percent

“The increase in million-dollar sales in the Denver area is an encouraging sign that the mid- and upper-end of the local housing market continues to recover from last year’s sharp downturn,” Chris Mygatt, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Colorado, said in a statement.

The federal homebuyer tax credit deadline probably helped boost sales of luxury homes last month, he said. The improving U.S. economy, rising consumer confidence and mortgage rates at historic lows also seem to be encouraging many buyers to get into the market.

Filed Under: Denver Real Estate

Cherry Creek Undergoes Makeover

June 26, 2010 By

Last year, the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District completed its sale of $18.5 million in district bonds for the neighborhood’s first big makeover in two decades. Workers for contractor Weitz & Co. began the first phase of the project this spring. Notable changes include attractive new signs, upgraded pedestrian lighting and improved intersections. The project plans to add high-tech, pay-by-phone parking meters. And the city will repave the streets.

“It’s a very impressive project and well overdue.” Wayne New, Cherry Creek North Neighborhood Association president.

The major developments in Cherry Creek are 150 S. Madison, greenHOUSE, the Marquis Estate of Cherry Creek and NorthCreek. Consisting of 29 condos, 150 S. Madison is a residential project developed by Madison Bayaud Partnership LLC.  The first phase of Zeppelin Development’s greenHOUSE condo project includes 58 units of about 65,000 total square feet. Still in the design stage, phase two includes 160 units, a café, exercise room and pool, early childhood center, patio and walkways.

The Marquis Estate of Cherry Creek, built by Site 7 in 2006 at 278 St. Paul Street, is currently listed at $4,695,000. The residence first went on the market in January for more than $7 million. Along with its stylish and sophisticated contemporary architecture, the home features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a formal dining room, hot tub, media room, master suite, pool and attached garage.

NorthCreek, built by Western Development Group LLC, is a mixed-use, block-sized project bounded by Detroit Street, Fillmore Plaza, Second Avenue and First Avenue. Its commercial square footage and 49 residential units total 40,000 square feet. The third phase was completed in the fall of 2009 as reported by ColoradoBiz.

Filed Under: News & Events Tagged With: ,

Denver’s Summer Traditions

June 21, 2010 By

The folks in the Mile High City know how to enjoy the summer. Once they emerge from the cold and icy darkness of winter, they just pack activity after activity into this amazing city. Hardly a weekend goes by between May and September when you can’t find some sort of activity. From the arts to dining to sports to entertainment, Denver’s summer traditions offer something for everyone and they do it with a truly unique Denver flair.

Here are some of Denver’s favorite summertime traditions:

Capitol Hill People’s Fair

This is one of Denver’s most famous summer festivals. What started out decades ago as a gathering of hippies today features corporate sponsorship and an amazing depth of art and exhibits. The Capitol Hill People’s Fair takes place in June

A Taste of Colorado

Each September, more than half a million people enjoy this four-day Labor Day Weekend festival. More than 50 restaurants, as well as over 250 artisans and vendors, participate in A Taste of Colorado. There are also seven stages for speakers and concerts, and even a few educational programs thrown in here and there for good measure.

Colorado Renaissance Festival

All through the month of July, Denverites can travel just 30 minutes south to Larkspur. There, they take a trip back in time for the Colorado Renaissance Festival. Jousts, Jesters and Honey Mead are just some of the characteristic attractions.

Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival

Chatfield State Park is the host to this festival, which takes place around the end of August. Literally hundreds of hot air balloons will launch. You’ll also find plenty of exhibits, activities and live music. The coolest thing about the festival has to be the Lites in the Nite Balloon Illumination.

Cherry Creek North Food & Wine

This is one of Denver’s newest summer traditions. The Cherry Creek North shopping district is home to more than 40 restaurants, which makes it ideal for this kind of event. During this event, you’ll find culinary classes, VIP parties, wine and food tastings, and plenty of culinary opportunities.

Downtown Denver Arts Festival

One of the earliest festivals in the summer season, you can enjoy the Downtown Denver Arts Festival over Memorial Day weekend. It takes place at the Denver Pavilions Mall, and showcases the best of Denver’s vibrant arts community.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment

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