July Artwalk to focus on "found art"

Jean Hreno and Phil Bender look through found objects Jan. 25 at The Collection in Aurora. (Photo by Heather L. Smith / Aurora Sentinel). 

Who says trash can't be turned into treasure?
This month's Second Friday artwalk on East Colfax Avenue will feature works from "The Collection," an artistic effort organized in part by Denver artist Phil Bender. Co-headed by the Original Aurora Renewal department, "The Collection" consists of found art pieces assembled by community teams, everyday artists who have morphed discarded objects into artistic statements.
Proceeds from Friday's sales will go toward future projects by the Original Aurora Renewal department, and organizers are encouraging participants to dress in 'recycled' outfits.
The artwalk will take place along the Aurora Arts District on East Colfax Avenue from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 8. The free event is set to feature open galleries, live music by the Andalus Jazz Express, street artists and other events. For more information, log on to auroraartsdistrict.com.

Colorado Theatre Guild announces special Henry Awards

Image courtesy of the Colorado Theatre Guild

The Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Awards banquet is next month, but the organization has revealed the recipients of four special honorees.

OpenStage, based in Northern Colorado, won a Henry Award for outstanding regional theater; Geoffrey Kent received a nod for Outstanding Fight Direction; the Northglenn Youth Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music” won the Guild’s award for Outstanding Children’s Theatre Production; and Rhodes University and Trinity College graduate Joey Wishnia won an award for lifetime achievement.

Nominations for the four awards in these categories were submitted by members of the local theater community and finalized by the CTG Board of Directors.

The rest of the winners of the Colorado Theatre Guild’s awards will be announced during a special ceremony at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 18 at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

For more information, log on to coloradotheatreguild.org.

PACE Center announces collaboration with Aurora Fox for inaugural season

Photo courtesy of the city of Parker.

A new arts complex in Parker will draw creative help from the Aurora Fox theater soon after it opens its doors in October.

Officials from the new Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center, or PACE, announced a collaboration that will see the Fox contributing two theater productions for the coming season. The PACE Center’s 500-seat theater will host productions of “A Christmas Story” in December and “Annie” in April, both co-produced with the Aurora Fox.

“The shows offer very satisfying entertainment, especially for people who aren’t accustomed to going to the theater regularly,” said Aurora Fox Executive Producer Charles Packard. “The primary advantage for me is that I’m finally going to be able to serve citizens of south Aurora who aren’t regularly coming up to the Fox. They’ll come to the PACE Center.”

City's art program looking for sculptures to line Havana Street

The city is looking for new large-scale sculptures, pieces that will greet pedestrians and drivers on Havana Street.

Spokesmen from Aurora’s Art in Public Places Program announced a new search for existing sculptures for an upcoming exhibition titled “ART 2C on Havana.” The sculptures will be displayed along the business district on Havana Street in Aurora, and the deadline for entries is July 6. Artists can apply at www.callforentry.org.

The contest doesn’t only offer recognition as a prize. The AIPP and the Havana Business Improvement District will provide $750 in artist stipends to transport and install artwork along Havana Street. What’s more, winning artists will receive awards of  $1,000 for the People’s Choice title, $750 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place.

Aurora Fox, Shadow Theatre nominated for CTG Awards

Deb Newcomb-Madden, director of "While We Were Bowling," was one of the nominees for the 2010-11 Henry Awards through the Colorado Theatre Guild.

The Aurora Fox theater has received nominations for four regional theater awards for acting, choreography and direction during the 2010-11 season.

The Colorado Theatre Guild announced nominations for its annual Henry awards Friday, prizes that celebrate the best in local theater. The Aurora Fox snagged nominations from two different productions from its most recent season, tying at four total nominations with Denver’s Vintage Theatre company. Aurora Fox Executive Producer Charles Packard also received a nomination for his set design on the production of Caryl Churchill’s “A Number” that just wrapped up its run at the Curious Theatre Company.

Cast and crew announced for Afterthought's production "The Wiz"

Photo courtesy of the Afterthought Theatre Company

The Afterthought Theatre Company has announced the cast and crew list for the upcoming production of “The Wiz,” the young company’s first musical.

The musical by Charlie Smalls and William Brown is based on "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. "The Wiz" will run from Aug. 26 to Sept. 24, with performances on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. The show may be extended, and actors will receive a stipend. Bernie Cardell is set to direct the musical, and Reynelda Snell will produce.

The full cast and crew list follows after the jump.

Tonight: Word of Mouth at the Dayton St. Theatre

(Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Equity, LLC)

The Afterthought Theatre Company's latest bid to expand the offerings at the Dayton Street Theatre is "Word of Mouth," a performance art event that will include poetry, painting, dance, sculpting and a mess of other onstage creative efforts. The Afterthought crew is hoping to make it a regular event, promising a "Word of Mouth" show every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The event comes on top of the theater's recent series of children's book readings and other bids to add more dimensions to the theater space in Original Aurora. The show will start at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Dayton St. Theatre. Admission will be $5 for non-performers. Information: 303-856-3797 or afterthoughttheatre.com.

Top Five Tadoos in Aurora and Beyond -- June 10 to 18

"Footloose" at Stapleton. (Photo courtesy of the Aurora Fox).

The range of events this week is impressive for art lovers, theater lovers and music lovers alike, from open access at two arts districts to the takeover of Havana Street by gearheads next Saturday. A list of the five best bets follows after the jump.