Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Seven days to live
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23 Thursday
art
Ilya Repin was about the extent of my education in Russian art. And even Repin, painter of such gory classics as "Ivan the Terrible" and "Barge Haulers on the Volga," doesn't get the press he deserves in a genre that's often pigeonholed into the dark realms of Orthodox icons or Soviet propaganda. To help fight that perception, the traditional wing of the Hayden Hays Gallery (1 Lake Circle at The Broadmoor, haydenhaysgallery.com) will open Paintings From Russia today, featuring works by numerous other Russians who capture pleasant landscapes, colorful peasant scenes and bright vignettes of city life. Drop by the opening reception from 4:30 to 8:30 tonight, or see the show anytime through July 24. — Edie Adelstein
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24 Friday
festival
So it's like 5, and you're on Tejon Street, and you're part of the 30,000-plus out to celebrate the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb at Fan Fest (usacracing.com/ppihc/fan_fest), and you're torn as to what to do. You've got your beer garden, live bands, chili cook-off, et cetera ... but what should you really see? "The Red Bull Jumpers," says Megan Leatham, race director of operations. "They are motorcycle jumpers, right in the middle of downtown. There's big ramps [and] these motorcycle jumpers do tricks on 'em, like flips and stuff." So, you know, do all that, and if you're late, don't flip: It'll go 'til 10. — Bryce Crawford
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25 Saturday
sports
Thousands of tourists come to Colorado Springs every year for all kinds of reasons, but for many, the must-see agenda includes the Olympic Training Center. Yet, a huge number of locals never have ventured inside the complex at 1750 E. Boulder St., even though admission is free. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, you have an extra lure, as the U.S. Olympic Committee puts on its Community Appreciation Day. Along with live music and prize giveaways, you can see the visitors center with its historical offerings, tour the various OTC facilities, watch and meet Olympic-hopeful athletes as they demonstrate many sports, and check out booths hosted by sponsors and Olympic sports. Then you can make it a full day of sports by going to the finals of the USA Boxing National Championships, starting at 6 p.m. in the City Auditorium (221 E. Kiowa St., thesportscorp.org) for just $20 a person at the door. — Ralph Routon
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26 Sunday
festival
Come watch some ass chase-down in Cripple Creek. No, not the nightclub kind (do they even have nightclubs in Cripple Creek?) but in the street at Donkey Derby Days, which will upend the gambling town's downtown all weekend long. The free event (visitcripplecreek.com) will feature Cripple Creek's resident herd, which happens to descend from the original donkeys of the Gold Rush era, as well as the quintessential donkey race, family activities and "heritage competitions." Just be on the lookout for nuggets of a different type. — Demetrius Burns
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27 Monday
music
When first told this band's name, I heard "Swingin' Udders." Someone else thought they were the "Swingin' Otters," an entirely different animal. They are, in fact, the $wingin' Utter$, a San Francisco-based punk band reminiscent of Social Distortion and Rancid that has been around since the '80s, which I'm sure all you punk-rock fanatics already knew. They're playing at 7 tonight at the Black Sheep (2106 E. Platte Ave., blacksheeprocks.com) with Continental, Spanish Gamble and Arach Attack. All-ages tickets are $13 in advance or $15 at the door. — Cherise Fantus
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28 Tuesday
film
At age 14, Loretta Lynn was married and pregnant with her first of six kids. She seemed destined to be a housewife, until her husband gave her a guitar. Watch her rags-to-riches story unfold at the screening of Coal Miner's Daughter at 6:30 tonight at Colorado College's Cornerstone Arts Center film screening room (825 N. Cascade Ave., coloradocollege.edu/news_events). This venture into American cinema is free as part of the college's Summer Film Series, so all you need to bring is the popcorn. — Jenny Rackl
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29 Wednesday
food and drink
It's not often that our esteemed Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (30 W. Dale St., csfineartscenter.org) lets its hair down and calls anything "big-ass." (Though that phrase, in particular, would have been a fine descriptor of 2009's Fernando Botero display.) But a "big-ass belt buckle" is what earns you $5 off the $15 entry ($20/non-members) at today's 6 p.m. Whiskey for My Men, Beer for My Horses beer and whiskey tasting. The second annual, live, bluegrass-backdropped drinkfest represents the FAC's contribution to Pikes Peak Western Heritage Days, our city-wide, summertime cultural celebration. Drink up, and have a good-ass time. — Matthew Schniper
