Day Three -- Around Denver CO, 2 February 2018: The weather in Denver was lovely with virtually no snow anywhere -- including the mountains. That's not necessarily a good thing since snow pack in winter prevents fires in summer.
Sixteenth Street Mall -- Denver has done an amazing job with city planning, making the city wonderful for walking and living. The main thoroughfare downtown -- 16th Street -- is a walking mall from Confluence Park on the North Platte River north of Union Station south to within two blocks of the Capitol building and Civic Center Park -- about a mile and a half long.
We set out to the conveniently located Whole Foods Market to stock our little hotel kitchen. We were happy to find Tanka Bars made by our friends at Native American Natural Foods on Pine Ridge, back in South Dakota.
The city runs free buses up and down the Mall so, loaded with provisions, we caught one back to Glenarm Place, the cross street for our hotel.
Sixteenth Street Mall By Night, Denver CO
Tanka Bars at Whole Foods Market
Downtown Denver -- From our aerie on the 21st floor, we took in spectacular views of the city. The buildings, old and new, comprised an architectural showcase. The rising sun glowed in the background; the setting sun reflected off the myriad glass windows. Many photo opportunities! The Denver skyline.
Early evening building scapes.
The rosy pink of evening light on Trinity United Methodist Church and the aptly named Brown Palace Hotel.
Evening light on distant spires of the
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
Sundown on Holland and Hart law firm, where one of our good friends in Denver worked before becoming a judge.
Denver Performing Arts Complex -- One of the highlights of a visit to Denver is the Denver Performing Arts Complex, owned and operated by the city and county of Denver.
Just three and a half blocks from our Hyatt House front door, the complex has spaces for many activities: the Boettcher Concert Hall, home of the Colorado Symphony; the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, home of Broadway productions such as Hamilton; the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, home of the Colorado Opera and the Colorado Ballet, the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex, the Garner Galleria Theatre, and the Jones Theatre, homes for smaller productions; and others.
All under a soaring vaulted clear roof. The park to the west of the DPCA has a Sculpture Park.
Denver Skyline and Clouds Northeast of the Hyatt House
Early Evening Building Scape
Peek at Trinity United Methodist Church next to the Brown Palace Hotel
Evening Light on Spires of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Sundown on Holland and Hart
Denver Performing Arts Complex Interior Courtyard
Denver Performing Arts Complex Layout
American Mariachi -- We attended this play in the evening at the Stage Theater. It was the humorous, heartwarming story about music’s power to heal and connect. The play featured gorgeous live mariachi music played on stage.
The playwright is José Cruz González, a Professor of Theater Arts and California State University, Los Angeles, and prolific author. The WOMEN IN MARIACHI EXHIBIT in the theater lobby highlighted more than a century of women in mariachi. Curated by Dr. Leonor Xóchitl Pérez,
Director and Founder of the Mariachi Women's Festival, the exhibit included historical photos, with a picture of the indomitable Rosa Quirino
And of course, there were beautiful trajes (suits).
We had a wonderful evening! The lights overhead as we were leaving were celestial
American Mariachi Play Poster
American Mariachi Stage at the Stage Theater
Mariachi Costume for a Man
Rosa Quirino, Early Woman in Mariachi
Woman's Mariachi Dress and Cape
Lobby Lights as We Left the Stage Theater
Text by Louise. Photos by Brian. Text and photos copyright Goin Mobyle, LLC, 2018.