Best Bets: Free Lunchtime Concerts at 1801 California

Everyone loves something free—and this month that means a gratis dose of culture during your lunch hour.

On three Tuesdays in April, the lobby of 1801 California (home to offices as well as the steak house Guard and Grace) will be invigorated with the sounds of chamber music from noon to 1 p.m. The public has free access to the performances thanks to a partnership between Arts Brookfield, an international company that creates placemaking opportunities within its properties, and Denver-based group Friends of Chamber Music. “It’s in keeping with our overall mission to create an innovative and animated sense of placemaking in our communities,” says Debra Simon, vice president and artistic director of Arts Brookfield. “We want to help drive audiences to new artists and new art forms. And it prevents public spaces from feeling stale.”

Simon hopes the audience will be a mix of people who had it on their calendar and an “accidental audience” of those who stumbled upon the concerts. “It’s important to people’s day to take time out and experience something new,” she says. “It adds a little extra spice.” And if audiences like it, more free concerts might be in their future.

The lineup:
April 7 — Spinphony, a string quartet that performs classical chamber pieces as well as original, pop-ier works
April 14 — Ivy Street Ensemble, a Denver-based trio (there’s a violin, viola, and flute) made up of Colorado Symphony Orchestra members
April 21 — Lark Duo, a well-regarded violin and viola pair