What We’re Doing in November

Nov. 3: Piano Prodigy

This past June, South Korean pianist Yekwon Sunwoo proved he could make the keys sing more beautifully than any other young musician in the world when he won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. (The intense 17-day clash of musical geniuses ages 18 to 30 is considered the pinnacle of the classical music world.) As part of a multicity tour celebrating his victory, Sunwoo will stop by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Macky Auditorium, so you can hear firsthand the 28-year-old’s brilliant renditions of classical arrangements by Mozart and Schubert.

Nov. 4: Brew It Yourself

As the epicenter of the craft beer world, it’s no surprise that the Centennial State boasts the most homebrewing clubs per capita in the country. Despite the interest level, though, a large barrier to entry still exists—namely, a lack of knowledge about how to acquire quality ingredients.

Enter Fall Back Beer Fest in Estes Park, a one-stop shop for both pro and novice brewers to interact with experts and vendors. Visitors can take advantage of the extra hour daylight saving time provides (hence the name of the event) by chatting with representatives from grain farm and malthouse Root Shoot Malting and learning how yeast affects the brewing process from Inland Island Yeast Laboratories. Numerous local craft breweries, such as the Brew on Broadway, will also discuss how they make their refreshing suds—and welcome you into the club. fallbackbeerfest.com 

 Nov. 11—Dec. 30:  The Lens Of Healing

For veterans returning from the battlefield, post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues can present formidable barriers to a peaceful life. Local organizations, among them the Art of War Project and Task Force ISO, have made it their missions to provide vets with artistic outlets as a way to help them deal with these challenges. Recently, the two groups teamed up with the Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) to give former service members formal training in visual storytelling through nearly four months of free group classes from local artists such as Arvada-based fine art photographer Frank Varney. The program culminates with the Internal Narratives Projects by Veterans, during which the participants will share their projects—which range from portraiture to nature shots—with the public. Swing by CPAC for the opening reception, held, fittingly, on Veterans Day (November 11), to hear the students explain how photography has helped them bring the world back into focus.

 Nov. 18—Jan. 7: Deck The Garden

Dazzle the kids with festive lights in an unexpected setting: an African sculpture garden. Most of Loveland’s 26-acre Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra will be illuminated with string lights and animated displays synchronized to holiday tunes—all set amid 82 stone sculptures by acclaimed Zimbabwean artists. Winter Wonderlights will also feature special weekend events, such as dance performances by local students, live music, and, of course, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Nov. 22: Cookie Monsters

Starting at 2 p.m. on the opening day of ski season at Beaver Creek (November 22), hungry powder-hounds will gobble 5,000 chocolate chip cookies made by the finalists in the World’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition. The winning chef gets $1,000, and you get a happy tummy.

Find more events at 5280.com/events.