Local painter Victoria Kwasinski will lead a workshop, “Abstracted Realism,” for Heritage Fine Arts Guild of Arapahoe County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 6. It will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1609 W. Littleton Blvd. Kwasinski, who counts 30 years of experience as a working artist and teacher, works in a variety of mediums. She attended Colorado Institute of Arts and received her degree from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Pre-registration required. (This would be a fine holiday gift for a local artist!) The cost is $35 for HFAG members and $50 for non-members: heritage-guild.com. A list of materials is found on the website.
New in town
Opera Colorado announced that it has moved its administration and rehearsal spaces to a 1930s industrial warehouse in Englewood at 4121 S. Navajo St. Englewood Mayor Joe Jefferson and other city representatives spoke at an open house celebration on Dec. 14. Performances will continue to be at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in downtown Denver, but this move allows business and artistic activities to be under one roof.
Writers’ Retreat
The Englewood Library will offer a two-day Writer’s Retreat on Jan. 13-14, with authors as speakers. Free, but registration is required: 303-762-2555.
One night film showing
“The Meshuga Nutcracker,” a musical comedy celebrating Chanukah, puts a unique spin on the familiar story. It will debut in theatres nationwide, only on Dec. 19, with eight stories that pay tribute to the celebration of Chanukah, written by Scott Evan Guggenheim, Shannon Guggenheim and Steven Guggenheim. A Klezmerized orchestration of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” accompanies this musical comedy, set in the mythical town of Chelm. Showing at River Point 14 (Sheridan); Meadows 12 (Lone Tree); AMC Highlands Ranch 24; Colorado Mills 16 (Lakewood); Westminster Promenade 24 (Broomfield); Aurora 20; and Denver Pavilions 15.
`The Nutcracker’
The Denver Ballet Theatre presents its classical version of “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 22, 23 at the Newman Center, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. Tickets are $36/$29/$18: Newmantix.com/dbt. 303-871-7720.
Plan ahead
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” based on Hans Christian Anderson’s beloved story, will play Jan. 19 to Feb. 11 at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. Tickets: parkerarts.org.
Elvis sightings
“Elvis Night” at Lone Tree Arts Center starts at 7 p.m. Dec. 28 with a screening of “Viva Las Vegas,” Elvis Presley’s film, followed by cocktail night in the lobby: casino games, drinks, appetizers and a costume contest. Tickets: 720-509-1000, lonetreeartscenter.org.
Sprick film
“Daniel Sprick : Pursuit of Truth and Beauty,” a film produced in conjunction with the Museum Outdoor Arts exhibit of Sprick’s paintings: “Daniel Sprick: Painting Out-of-Doors,” will show at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Dec. 27 on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. (60 minutes.)
Fresquez
“Sangre Colorado” will be a mid-career exhibit of Denver artist and Metropolitan State University professor Carlos Fresquez. It will run Jan. 12 to March 24, 2018 at the Center for Visual Arts, 965 Santa Fe Dr., Denver. Reception: 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 12.
