The 14er: An Arts & Entertainment Guide for the Fortnight (12/26-01/08) - Colorado Springs Independent (2025)

The 14er is a curated list of the best events you should experience in Colorado Springs over the next two weeks. Listed in order from “You can’t miss this!” (1) to “Check it out if you have a chance” (14).

For full events listings, click here!

1. PIKES PEAK PYROTECHNICS

Wednesday, Jan. 1, Pikes Peak, midnight.

On the eve of each new year since 1922, a group of mountaineers pack explosives in their bags and climb Pikes Peak. On Dec. 30, they’ll begin their chilly climb up Barr Trail (more like Brr Trail, am I right?), camp overnight and climb to the peak the following day. Their fireworks displays, which can be seen from anywhere with a view of the mountain, occur at 9 p.m. and midnight this New Year’s Eve.

2. HE WAS A SKATER BOY

Thursday, Dec. 26, through Friday, Jan. 31, Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte Ave. Times vary.

It’s the perfect time to slip and slide (while hockey players and figure skaters glide on by) at the outdoor skating rink at Acacia Park. You won’t catch me there, though; I’d get too self-conscious leaning on my upside-down, orange Home Depot bucket while 12-year-olds dance circles around me. Tickets are $13 and include skates.

3. STOMP ALL NIGHT

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Monday, Jan. 6, and Tuesday, Jan. 7, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., 7:30 p.m.

Twenty years before Anna Kendrick cursed elementary school talent shows with “The Cup Song,” “Stomp” had been imagining push brooms, milk cartons, trash cans and other junk as percussion instruments. You may have caught them on “Sesame Street” or “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” in the ’90s or the Olympics closing ceremony in 2012. They’re still dumpster diving for potential new instruments; come and see what inspiration they’ve found.

4. MUSLIM FUTURISM

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Thursday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Jan. 11, Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St. Times vary.

The “Alhamdu” exhibit boasts virtual reality experiences, comedy, fashion, sculptures, paintings and more imagining Muslim futures. The exhibit was curated by MIPSTERZ (Muslim hipsters), an East Coast arts and culture collective, and includes a few pieces by local artists. Intensely moving yet bright and fun (occasionally at the same time), “Alhamdu” is a must-see before it leaves the Fine Arts Center. Read more at csindy.com/mipsterz.

5. SANTA CLAWS

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Thursday, Dec. 26, through Saturday, Jan. 4,
Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Road, 5:30 p.m.

There’s still time to get in your Christmas-light gazing before we leave the holiday season. “Magic of Lights” may be your best bet. Why, you might ask? Well, there are dinosaurs and monster trucks at this light show. You had me at Micropachycephalosaurus. It’s priced per car, so stuff as many friends and family members in your van as possible to save on cash.

6. SEVEN CANDLES

Thursday, Dec. 26, through Tuesday, Dec. 31, In-Balance Wellness Studio, 2820 E. Pikes Peak Ave. 6 p.m.

The cultural holiday of Kwanzaa was created in 1966 as a means for African Americans to celebrate and reconnect with their heritage. Thirteen years later, the Colorado Springs citywide Kwanzaa was celebrated for the first time. This organization grew into the Kuumba Cultural Collective, a local organization dedicated to the promotion of African cultures through events and programming. Their 35th citywide Kwanzaa celebration will include discussions, poetry and African drumming. All are welcome.

7. UNDERSEA PUPPETRY

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Thursday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 29, Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St. Times vary.

If you haven’t had the chance to watch the Fine Arts Center’s production of “The Little Mermaid,” now is your final chance! With its glimmering costumes, dreamy lighting, under-the-sea set design and multitude of over 50 crab, eel and fish puppets, “The Little Mermaid” is a production you won’t want to miss.

8. HAPPY BLUE YEAR

Monday, Dec. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 31, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., 7:30 p.m.

To commemorate the end of 2024, Colorado Springs Philharmonic will be performing George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” 100 years after its premiere. The rhapsody blends classical and jazz music in a composition emblematic of the Roaring ’20s and inspired by America’s musical melting pot. Fun fact: Gershwin conceived the piece while listening to the rhythms and sounds of a train (one of many reasons why trains are cool).

9. LUMINISCENT LIONS

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Thursday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road,
5 p.m.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Electric Safari returns once again, boasting drone shows, sky rides and illuminated inflatable animals (and some real ones, too!). While some animals have strict bedtimes, others, like otters, tigers, lions and hippopotamuses will be awake for demonstrations. You can even buy Secret Santa items for the animals to drop off at the zoo. Time for me to buy a Kong toy for a grizzly bear instead of my rambunctious dogs.

10. BLUEGRASS TRASH

Tuesday, Dec. 31, The Black Sheep, 2106 E. Platte Ave.,
9 p.m.

In an evolution of bluegrass music, Tejon Street Corner Thieves bring you “trashgrass” music. The difference between the two? Bluegrass is prim and proper, almost music recital-esque; trashgrass is a thudding and twanging soundtrack of late-night partying. If that sounds like your thing, you know where to be on New Year’s Eve.

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11. SHOWING THAT MANITOU PRIDE

Thursday, Dec. 26, through Tuesday, Dec. 31, Manitou Springs Heritage Center, 517 Manitou Ave., noon.

Manitou Springs Heritage Center has two exhibits closing at the end of the year, one about the centenary of Manitou Springs High School, the other about Manitou Springs’ railroads. The former features the evolution of prom fashion and many dorky class photos, and the latter brings us back to a time when we didn’t have to worry about car insurance. Ah, the memories …

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12. 113 GOING ON 114

Friday, Jan. 3, Gallery 113, 125 ½ N. Tejon St., 5 p.m.

This January, Gallery 113 celebrates its 14th anniversary (which is, obviously, our favorite number). Among their 17 featured artists, you’ll find stunning mountain landscapes, playful grizzly bears and ornately crafted bowls, pots and knives. Swing by during First Friday ArtWalk to wish them a happy birthday and meet some of the artists. If you can’t make it, they’re open seven days a week.

13. SALTINE OR RITZ?

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Monday, Dec. 30, Lulu’s Downtown, 32 S. Tejon St., 8 p.m.

In the previous issue, we pushed a show by a band called The Toasters. This issue, we’re pushing a band called Cracker. I guess we’re big fans of alternative bands with names related to gluten products. They may be best known for their 1993 hit “Low,” but Cracker’s unique bite of rock, country, grunge, folk and blues is worth experiencing if you haven’t yet.

14. BUBBLE BATH

Tuesday, Dec. 31, Millibo Art Theatre, 1626 S. Tejon St. Times vary.

Millibo Art Theatre co-owner and resident clown Jim Jackson will be donning a big red nose and goofy tie for a night of soap-bubble artistry. Yeah, I know I’m too old for bubbles, but they’re just so whimsical! You might even get the chance to be encased in a giant bubble (if you can stand still enough not to pop it). Who needs a traveling circus when you have one on Tejon Street?

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The 14er: An Arts & Entertainment Guide for the Fortnight (12/26-01/08) - Colorado Springs Independent (2025)
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