6 minute read
Sci-Fi Film series is back for another year of education, entertainment
Sci-Fi films are some of the most innovative and impactful to ever be put on screen — just look at the way films like “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Star Wars, “The Matrix” have inspired and directed popular culture. Few genres capture audiences’ imagination like sci-fi.
This at least partly explains why Denver Film and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’sannual Sci-Fi Film Series has become one of the signature events of the year.
“After 13 years, this is Denver Film’s most popular series,” said said Vincent Piturro, Ph.D., professor of film and media studies at MSU Denver, who co-presents at each screening. “We want audiences to come away with the idea that art and science can work together — they’re not at odds.”
This year’s series kicks off on Wednesday, July 12 with the throwback classic,“THEM!,” then moves to “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” on July 19, followed by“Nope” on July 26, Brendan Fraser’s“The Mummy” on Aug. 2, “Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes” on Aug. 9 and“Little Shop of Horrors” on Aug. 16. Screenings will be held at the Sie Film Center, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s new Infinity Theater, 2001 Colorado Blvd.
“For our series, science fiction is very different than what many people might think,” Piturro said. “Many people hear sci-fi and think aliens and outer space, but we go beyond far beyond that.”
According to provided information, each screening begins at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by a discussion led by Piturro, featuring a range of experts in different fields, including zoology, paleobotany and anthropology.
“The scientists come up with the list of films and we work to get diverse movies from all over the world,” Piturro
Coming Attractions
said. “This year is an eclectic bunch, but what we’ve discovered is that sci-fi films say more about the time period the film was made than when the story is set. So, that always makes for interesting conversa- after classic can be purchased at www. coloradojazz.org/concerts.
Gather ‘round the BCLP campfire wouldn’t be able to tell me anything for the rest of my life. But Green is also the voice beyond relentless classics like “Tired of Being Alone” and “I’m Still in Love With You.” In other words, you can’t have modern soul or pop music without this man.
Take advantage of one of Lakewood’s best resources and get some natural education at the same time.
FROM PAGE 14
As someone who loves trail running, I understand the allure of wedding a love of wild places with the love of adventure and sport. But I’ve also come to see that the ip side of freedom is
ST. JOANOF ARC
Proclaiming Christ from the Mountains to the Plains www.StJoanArvada.org
12735 W 58th Ave · 80002 · 303-420-1232
Daily Masses: 8:30am, Mon-Sat
Confessions: 8am Tue-Fri; 7:30am & 4:00pm Sat
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm
Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 11:30am, 5:30pm
Clarke Reader
Regardless of how familiar an audience member is with any particular film, they’re going to come away from one of these presentations learning something new. And that was the goal when Piturro and the late Brit Withey, Denver Film artistic director, first came up with the idea.
“The essence of this goes back to the original conversation he and I had about presenting science and art together in a digestible package for the audience,” Piturro said. “People can learn science from a movie and a movie can inspire science.”
For full series details and tickets, visit www.denverfilm.org.
CJRO honors queens of soul
There are many things to love about soul music, but one of the best is the leading ladies of the genre are some of the best singers of all time. And the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra is honoring many of these legends with The Ladies of Soul: Celebrating the Music of Aretha Franklin.
The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. The CJRO will be joined by powerhouse vocalist Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield for an evening that will feature covers of songs from Chaka Kahn and Sade and an extended tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.
Tickets for what will be a night of classic restraint, and Wilderness needs our restraint more than ever.
Dana Johnson is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonpro t dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. She is a sta attorney and policy director for Wilderness Watch, a national wilderness nonpro t.
Bear Creek Lake Park, 15600 W. Morrison Road, is hosting a weekly series of camp re Programs on Saturdays through July, each with a di erent theme: on July 8, Habitats of BCLP, on July 15, Bats of Bear Creek, on July 22, Close Encounters and on July 29, Ranger Day.
Each program is free and features roasting marshmallows as part of the evening (as long as there are no re bans). Find all the details at www.lakewood.org.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Al Green at Red Rocks
Al Green is the singer of “Let’s Stay Together.” He did that. If I did that, you e legend is going to be performing at Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, with theColorado Symphonyat 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12. As if this pairing wasn’t enough, blues master Keb’ Mo’will be the opener. I’m pretty sure every week I say the concert I’m writing about is going to be special. And that’s true. But you don’t often get to see foundational gures in person and when those opportunities come around, they shouldn’t be missed. Get tickets at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
June 12, 1946 - June 16, 2023
Judi Langer, 77, of Golden, Colorado, passed away on June 16, 2023. She was born on June 12, 1946, in Long Beach, California to elma Ree Gusse and Bernard Gusse. Judi’s love for her family and friends was unmistakable. Holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings were always special at her house. She had a soft spot for her dogs, Emmy and Rusty, and always made room for them on her lap. Judi’s faith was beyond reproach. She encouraged others to know Jesus, to pray and leave it in God’s hands. She was a member of the Lakewood Church of the Nazarene.
Judi was a graduate of Bountiful High School. She retired from Kaiser Permanente in 2008 after 19 years of service. Judi enjoyed many hobbies, including painting, sewing, photography, baking, camping at her property in the mountains, and keeping up with her grandchildren.
Judi is survived by her husband, John; her children, Andrea (Zachary) Jones, Matthew (Stacey) Langer, and John (Anastacia) Langer; her grandchildren, Cody (Bethany) Langer, Kay (Austin) Ivans, Abby, Maya, Austin, and Ethan; her great-grandchildren, Carter, Ben, Ellie, Blake, and Kollynn; her sister, Valerie Wegert; her brother, Glade En eld; and many loving friends and relatives. She was predeceased by her father, Bernard Gusse, mother, elma Ree En eld, stepfather, Ron En eld, and sister, Cynthe Grace Gusse.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Lakewood Church of the Nazarene,1755 Dover Street, Lakewood, CO 80215 on July 14, 2023 at 10:30 am. Please join us in honoring Judi by wearing her favorite color red.
In lieu of owers, the family requests a donation be made to the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org.
How to take up running, from starting out to marathons
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Roxane Geisler started running in high school as a new challenge — somebody told her she should run cross country.
“I didn’t even know how to run a mile,” said Geisler, who is now president of the Highlands Ranch Running Club.
Getting into running “just gradually happened for me,” said Geisler, who is 54. “Suddenly, I was like, ‘Oh, I really do enjoy it, and I love getting out and seeing the views.’”
For people who are inexperienced at running but want to improve, it’s key not to be intimidated, Geisler said.
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, I can’t join the running club because I’m not a real runner.’ And that’s totally silly,” Geisler said. “If you run, you’re a runner.”
Ryan Marker, an assistant professor who teaches exercise physiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, said it’s important for beginners to start slow. “Setting appropriate expectations, I think, is really important,” Geisler said. “So if someone’s never run before, you’re not going to get o the couch and do a marathon.”
But with the right plan, even beginners can work their way up to a marathon within months. (Here’s a tip: You don’t have to run the whole thing.)
Here’s some advice on how to start running or take your training to the next level.
Part of the group
One thing that can help you get into running: nding a group of runners to keep you moving.
When Geisler moved to Highlands Ranch in 2003, she noted how many people were out running by themselves.
She learned about the Highlands Ranch Race Series, and part of the idea behind starting her running club was to get some runners to train together.
“It makes running so much easier, training so much easier, when you have people to train with,” Geisler said.
And the people she’s met through her club “were a tremendous in uence on me — just people who really push themselves and try to get the best out of themselves,” said Geisler, who has run marathons.
e club provides a communal atmosphere:
