Cultural Events

The Parker Cultural Commission presents a wide variety of great arts events for the whole family. Listed below is our upcoming season of events:

Missoula Children’s Theatre and Parker Cultural Commission present:
Hansel and Gretel
Auditions: Monday, Nov. 3, 4 p.m.
Performances: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Mainstreet Center
Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet

Times are tough for modern-day Hank and Gretchen, ‘til they find themselves deep in the wondrous Wildwood world of Hansel and Gretel.  The Missoula Children's Theatre proudly presents an original musical adaptation of the Brothers’ Grimm age-old tale of a journey, a secret and a grand adventure. 

Poor Hank and Gretchen!  All of their friends, off to summer camp, have left them behind.  And their Mom, struggling alone to make ends meet, seems to have time for nothing but work.  While waiting for dinner, prepared by eccentric but lovable Uncle Wally, Hank and Gretchen fall asleep and dream their way to times gone by.  They wake with a start!  Their clothes are so strange – and so are their names.  Lost in the deep dark woods, Hansel and Gretel search for the path which will lead them to better times at home.  But as evening approaches and the moon rises above the trees, Hansel and Gretel are not alone!  Nasty Nasties dart from tree to tree as sweet little Wallybirds innocently munch on the cookie crumbs left as a map on the forest floor.  Crafty cooks and Gingerbread Men lead our heroes to a colorful cottage concocted completely of candy and cakes, where Hansel and Gretel unravel the secret of the Wildwood Witch: Is she bad? Or is she good? Is she wicked… Or misunderstood?

There’s music and laughter and thrills and chills.  So join the fun as Hansel and Gretel’s dream is mysteriously blended with real life, and the lessons of one apply to the other.  You’ll learn the secret of the Wildwood --- but, shhh --- don’t tell!

Residency directors from Missoula Children’s Theatre will audition local children in kindergarten through high school on Monday, Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. at the Mainstreet Center. No preparations are necessary—just bring a smile! The cast and crew will work hard all week with daily rehearsals from 4 to 6 and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cast members must be available for all rehearsals in order to participate.

Performances of Hansel and Gretel are Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 for ages 3 and up. Tickets will be on sale at the Parker Recreation Center and online at www.ParkerRec.com beginning Oct. 27.

For more information please call 303.434.1560.

Parker Cultural Commission and Classic Acts present
A Christmas Carol
Auditions: Thursday, Nov. 13, 4 to 6 p.m.
Performances: Friday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m.
Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet

Are you between the ages of seven and 18 with lots of personality and a desire to be part of an exciting production?  Then we want to see you at Mainstreet Center on Nov. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. for the auditions for A Christmas Carol.  You could be the next Tiny Tim, Ebenezer Scrooge or even a Ghost.  If you prefer to show off your talents behind the scenes we have opportunities for sound/ lights, make-up, set design and more.

Participants will work hard every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. rehearsing and learning.  Performances are Dec. 12 and Dec. 14. Tickets, $5 for ages three and older, are available at the Mainstreet Center after Nov. 1.

For more information please call 303.434.1560.

Kidz Kulture 2008: Celebrations around the World
Third Saturday of the month, Sept. through May
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet

Kids and parents are invited to the Parker Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet, the third Saturday of each month from September through May for our free monthly Kidz Kulture event! A schedule of upcoming events is available here.

At each Kidz Kulture presentation, there will be a live stage performance, plus a hands-on art project brought to you by the Parker Artist Guild.  Kidz Kulture is brought to you by the Parker Cultural Commission and is sponsored by Parker Library, the Parker Artist Guild, and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

Kidz Kulture! is free, but pre-registration is requested. For more information, or to register, call 303.805.3263 or email us.

Parker Cultural Commission and Parker Youth Ballet present
"Polar Express" Holiday Dance Production
Performances: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 p.m.
Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet

All aboard! Join the Parker Youth Ballet for its fourth annual holiday dance production. Area dancers have been working hard since their September auditions to bring performances inspired by Chris Van Allsburgs's book, The Polar Express to the Mainstreet stage. Tickets, $6 for ages three and older, are available at Miller Dance Studio or online.

Douglas County Art Encounters Program
Art Encounters, Douglas County’s first countywide public art program and the first in the state to incorporate more than one jurisdictional area, features 14 sculptures and free kick-off events open to the public in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker this June.

Art Encounters is a year-long outdoor sculpture exhibit that showcases a number of sculptures, in various media and styles, displayed in highly visible areas in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker. The project is designed to promote public interest in art, develop community pride and draw visitors to the retail or civic areas where they are displayed. Fourteen Colorado artists are participating in this countywide exhibit from June 2008 to June 2009.

A total of 31 applications were received and reviewed by a countywide committee of representatives that narrowed the applicants down to a total of 14 sculptures.  Featured artists are from all over Colorado – Loveland, Thornton, Colorado Springs, Denver, Littleton, Pueblo, Lyons, Louisville, Fort Collins, Austin and Wheatridge.  Submissions did come from outside of Colorado as far as California and Connecticut, but those pieces were not selected as finalists. 

Four of Parker's five public art pieces are now installed; three are located at O’Brien Park and one at nearby Living Wheel Park. The fifth piece will be placed at the new Skate Park off of Twenty-Mile Road this fall.  Showcased artists for 2008 are Don Orr, Gary Monaco, John King, Christopher Romero and Manton Botsford.

For more information on Art Encounters, please see our Fact Sheet, visit www.douglas.co.us/artencounters or call 303.660.7347.

Mailing List
Stay tuned for more online information about these events. In the meantime, stay informed by signing up for our mailing list by emailing your name and address to us!

For a listing of other community events, please visit our Community Calendar.

These events are supported in part by generous grants from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).