In the mood for a good laugh — or a good cry — and a vibrant art scene among some of the region’s most historic districts? There are musicals, comedy shows, ballets, symphonies and art galleries galore in downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City, an area steeped in colorful history with a walkable art, music and dining scene.
Check out just a few of Colorado Springs’ favorite performance and fine arts experiences below.
First Friday Art Walks
Every first Friday of the month, participating art galleries, bookstores, breweries, cafes and more keep their doors open late from 5-9 p.m. to welcome downtown Colorado Springs strollers year-round. Old Colorado City features its own self-guided First Friday art walk 5-8 p.m. along Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets from April to December.
Head a little farther west on U.S. 24 to explore the studios and eccentric street art in Manitou Springs, which for the third year in a row has been recognized as one of the best small-town art scenes in the nation. That First Friday walk runs 5-9 p.m. from March to November.
Whatever your favorite art style — modern, Western, abstract — something is sure to catch your fancy.
Stay awhile and pair light refreshments, wine tastings and live music with your window shopping experience or a new addition to your own art collection. You may even catch a local creative in action during a live painting or open mic extravaganza.
Pikes Peak Center
Whether you’re new to the Springs or have called it home for decades, the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts offers up an abundance of musicals, ballets, philharmonic performances, concerts and comedy shows that never get old.
Support the local talent of the much-revered Colorado Youth Symphony or Colorado Springs Philharmonic, who bring to life everything from new movie scores to beloved and timeless classics, like “The Nutcracker.” Perhaps catch that touring big-name musician or comedian you’ve been waiting to see in the large hall known for great acoustics.
Hunter-Wolff Gallery
Recently voted Colorado Springs’ top art gallery, the Hunter-Wolff Gallery, 2510 W. Colorado Ave., offers an eclectic exhibition of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery and more at a variety of price ranges and art styles by various artists.
Oxymorons
Do you miss the hilarious and classic TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?”
Look no further than Colorado Springs’ very own five-person troupe that does improv games like those featured on the show, plus it’s all in good, clean fun. Check around a local venue near you to catch a fan-favorite, family-friendly performance by the Christ-following group.
If you’re looking to get out of your shell or put your hidden funny bone to use, another group, Stick Horses in Pants, hosts both an “Improve 101” and an advanced improv class that are open to the public.