Friday, June 2
4-8 p.m. “John Venezia Retrospective: A Life in Color” Soft opening for a celebration of the life and work of the late artist, marking one year since his death. John was a studio artist at the Manitou Art Center for many years and was very active in Manitou Springs. The exhibit includes pencil, pastels, oils, landscapes, still lifes, portraits and fabric. Pop-up exhibit at 118 N. Nevada Ave. (across from City Hall), Colorado Springs. Formal opening reception and birthday celebration 5 p.m. Friday, June 9. Also open noon-3 p.m. Saturdays, June 10, 17 and 24, or by appointment; contact Kathleen@vintagedev.com.
5-8 p.m. First Friday Artwalk
“Hiraeth – A Longing for Home that Never Was” New work by K8E Orr on exhibit through July 1. Manitou Art Center, 513 Manitou Ave. Information here.
“Portraits of Manitou by Artist C.H. Rockey” The Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum, in collaboration with The Rockey Art Museum, proudly host this exhibit at 517 Manitou Ave. Learn more about Charles Rockey, Manitou’s legendary artist, writer and illustrator, through his paintings, drawings and etchings of town views, significant historical buildings, parks, bridges and neighborhood scenes. Photos and maps alongside the artworks depict locations. The exhibit will run through November 2023. Free admission. Information: 685-1454, ManitouHeritage@gmail.com or visit the website.
“Colorado Colors and Belonging” This Pikes Peak Pastel Society annual exhibit features works in all sizes and subject matter by 17 of the society’s local members. Also, Patti Paiz-Jones shows her ceramic sculptures. Commonwheel Artists Co-op, 102 Cañon Ave. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. every day through July 3. Information: 685-1008 or the website.
Saturday, June 3
9-10 a.m. Yoga in the Garden Class accessible for beginners to experienced yogis each Saturday. Meet at Chuck Wagon Pavilion in Garden of the Gods. For directions, information and to register go to the online calendar and click on the date. $10 per person.
10-11:30 a.m. “Portraits of Manitou by Artist C.H. Rockey” presentation by David Ball The Manitou Springs Heritage Center Museum at 517 Manitou Ave., in collaboration with The Rockey Art Museum, proudly hosts a presentation about Charles Rockey, Manitou’s legendary artist, writer and illustrator, in association with the featured exhibit of the same name. Pre-registration is required for this event; 50 people maximum. Register here. Free admission. Information: 685-1454, ManitouHeritage@gmail.com or the website.
Noon-5 p.m. Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival Featuring Colorado wines celebrating local wineries and vendors in Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., complete with live music artists, food trucks and tasty treats to pair with your wine samples. Tickets required and can be purchased here.
7-9 p.m. Apollo Chamber Players Concert Educational Partnerships Immersive Concerts will present the Houston-based, award-winning string quartet; EPIC’s artistic director, clarinetist Sergei Vassiliev, will jam with them on a couple of numbers. Award-winning Colorado Springs artist Karen Mosbacher will display a painting inspired by the music. Tickets, available here, are $15 for students; $39 for adults, with discounts for students (Promo Code: STUDENT2223) and Manitou residents (Promo Code: MACH23), thanks to support from the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage fund.
Sunday, June 4
4 p.m. Manitou Music Foundation SPA Balcony Concerts Benefitting the historic Spa Building, 934 Manitou Ave. Live music by Tribe! 50 VIPs (by donation/invitation) on the balcony or enjoy the show from Manitou Avenue. Food and drink included in VIP donation. Funded in part by the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage fund. Information: ManitouMusicFoundation@gmail.com.
Monday, June 5
3-4 p.m. Reading Rocks Young explorers ages 2-6 years old and accompanied by an adult are invited to join a new book reading each week with an education specialist. Then, make a hands-on craft in the Red Rocks Room of the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1806 N. 30th St. Space is limited, so registration for the kids is required. For information and to register, call 634-6666 or email programs@gardenofgods.com.
Tuesday, June 6
10:30-11:30 a.m. Kids Storytime Stories and more for young children and their favorite adult in the Manitou Springs Library’s Manitou Classroom. 515 Manitou Ave. Information here.
Noon-1 p.m. Free Groceries Distribution Care and Share and the city of Manitou Springs host free grocery distributions at the city’s Pool and Fitness Center, 202 Manitou Ave.
Wednesday, June 7
6-7:30 p.m. Library Lawn Concert Series Free concerts outside the Manitou Springs Carnegie Library, 701 Manitou Ave. First performer of the 2023 series is Edie Carey. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music al fresco. In case of rain, concerts will move to the Community Congregational Church, 103 Pawnee Ave. Co-sponsored by the Manitou Music Foundation and the Pikes Peak Library District. Funded in part by the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage fund. Information: kswengel@ppld.org or 531-6333, ext. 7004, or ManitouMusicFoundation@gmail.com.
Thursday, June 8
6:30 p.m. Manitou Springs Summer Concert Series Kicking off with Barely Sky Frogs in Soda Springs Park, 1016 Manitou Ave. Thursday concerts feature a variety of local folk, rock, bluegrass, jazz and bluegrass. Come join your neighbors and friends for an evening of fun. Co-sponsored by the Manitou Music Foundation (ManitouMusicFoundation@gmail.com) and the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce (685-5089). Funded in part by the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage fund.
Saturday, June 10
8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mustang Way Trail Volunteer Workday Pikes Peak Trail CATS and Manitou Springs School District 14 have joined forces to build the Mustang Way Trail from the high school to the lower Intemann Trail. This is an all-volunteer project geared for hikers, bikers and nature lovers. Volunteers get a Mustang Way T-shirt, designed by District 14 students and staff. To volunteer, visit the website.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Blue Hands Festival For the third year in the Manitou Art Center’s courtyard, between 513 and 515 Manitou Ave., come join in the fun and dye in indigo vats. $10 for adults; kids are free. Information here.
Noon. “A Tribute to the Vahsholtz Family — Three Generations of Racing” This exhibit features the photography of Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist (and Manitou resident) Bob Jackson and Jim Bensberg in time for the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Both photographers captured the Vahsholtz family during their races up the Pikes Peak Highway to the summit. See the dangerous turns, the wheels churning and the dust flying in this exciting collection of photographs. The Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum, 517 Manitou Ave. Noon-4 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. Free admission Information: 685-1454, ManitouHeritage@gmail.com or the website.
Monday, June 12
7 p.m. Manitou Springs Summer Concert Series Monday concerts will feature Big Band sounds from the Little London Winds. Come join your neighbors and friends for an evening of fun. Co-sponsored by the Manitou Music Foundation (ManitouMusicFoundation@gmail.com) and the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce (685-5089). Funded in part by the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage fund. Soda Springs Park, 1016 Manitou Ave.
Wednesday, June 14
6-7:30 p.m. Library Lawn Concert Series Free concerts outside the Manitou Springs Carnegie Library, 701 Manitou Ave. This week’s featured performer is Jeremy Facknitz. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music al fresco. In case of rain, concerts will move to the Community Congregational Church, 103 Pawnee Ave. Co-sponsored by the Manitou Music Foundation and the Pikes Peak Library District. Funded in part by the Manitou Arts, Culture, and Heritage fund.
Information: kswengel@ppld.org or 531-6333, ext. 7004, or ManitouMusicFoundation@gmail.com