Author: Theresa Woods

Hear ye! Hear ye! King Henry, Queen Anne and their royal court await you in a realm of imagination and fantasy. Willingly suspend disbelief, and don the mantle of the age. Great merriment awaits at the Colorado Renaissance Festival. “I always say the quintessential festival experience is get a beer, get a turkey leg and go watch the joust,” says Kristy Ekiss, artistic director of the Colorado Renaissance Festival, member of the Royal Court for more than a decade and Queen Anne for the past five years. Photo credit: Timothy Gutierrez Eat and Drynk The Lists, or Joust Arena, is…

Seeing a live music performance is a quintessential experience for any music lover. The act is the main ingredient, but a good venue makes the concert much better. Here’s what to expect at the region’s premier small venues. Colorado Springs Black Sheep This venue is a musical institution. You can catch local or national talent here nearly any night of the week. It is a mostly standing-room, intimate, energy-laden, usually full, music-lovers palace that delivers a real experience as evidenced by its decades-long string of “Best Live Music Venue” awards. Put bluntly, it rocks. Hillside Gardens On Wednesday nights in…

Great. Enjoyable. Superb. Moving. Masterful. Virtuoso. Iconic. Sublime. Luminous. Transcendent. The descriptions of Itzhak Perlman’s performances soar ever upward, as does his worldwide reputation as a consummate, technically perfect musician. Perlman has performed on “Sesame Street,” at the White House, as well as at every legendary concert venue on the planet. Now, the violin superstar is appearing at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts for a remarkable one-night-only concert called “Cinema Serenade.” If You Go Itzhak Perlman: “Cinema Serenade” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18 Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts 190 S. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs Tickets:…

Monument Academy announced March 18 that it received a $17 million donation from an anonymous donor, the largest private gift to a K–12 public school in Colorado, according to Ryan Graham, president of the Board of Directors. Monument Academy is a charter school, operating within Lewis-Palmer School District 38, that enrolls over 900 students. The funding will be used to construct a 750-seat performing arts center at the school’s East Campus. The venue will support the school’s orchestra, band, choir and theater programs, be a resource for other schools in the district and also serve as a venue for arts…

A hundred years after a small local ensemble played its first notes, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic’s 80-plus nationally auditioned musicians present an astounding series of concerts for the orchestra’s 100th season. The Centennial Season Chloé Dufresne’s first season as musical director was the Philharmonic’s 99th. Known for her nuanced interpretations, elegant performances and artistic enthusiasm, for the 2026-27 season she curates brilliant musical experiences, taking full advantage of the rich artistry and tradition of the region’s only full-scale professional orchestra. The centennial season is a blend of well-known pieces and musician’s favorites with a touch of romance and French style.…

 You’ll love these anytime, but make the night special with this Margarita flight.The Perfect Margarita1 oz fresh lime juice1 oz agave nectar2 oz Don Julio Tequila Blanco or Reposado0.5 oz CointreauCombine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Pour into a glass with a salted rim* with or without ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.Pomegranate Margarita1 oz fresh lime juice1 oz agave nectar2 oz Don Julio Tequila Blanco or Reposado0.5 oz Cointreau1.25 oz Pama Pomegranate LiqueurCombine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously. Pour into a glass with a sugared rim* with or without…

IF YOU GO: Wine Festival of Colorado Springs Wed., March 4 – Sat., March 7, 2026 Various times and locations. More Info: winefestivalofcoloradosprings.com Whether you are an enthusiast or a connoisseur, there is something to relish at the annual Colorado Springs Wine Festival. This year’s festival will be held at The Broadmoor and features the wines of South America. What sets this festival apart is the collaboration of the arts, music, wine and food, “and how fun it is to really enjoy them together,” says Ashley Greeno, festival organizer and director of development for the Colorado Springs Conservatory, the nonprofit…

Holiday Shopping Guide – SoCo Insider So much of the holiday season is about the little ones in your life. The bright eyes, the expectant looks make this season shine. Early Wonder & Open-Ended Play For the youngest dreamers, these toys grow with each developmental stage while inviting storytelling, pretending and hands-on discovery. The Play Kits Beautiful, enriching toys everyone will love, each Play Kit is targeted to your child’s developmental stage. Order as a subscription or pick and choose, $30-$300. Ages: up to 4 years. Pricing: $80-$120. Available at lovevery.com. Living Puppets Fanciful puppets make special playmates, cuddly friends,…