Imagine. In spite of the pandemic, I managed to make it to Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a performance.
For those not in Colorado, maybe Red Rocks needs an introduction. It is a natural open air amphitheater outside of Denver. An amazing setting tucked amongst some enormous red rocks (hence the name) with naturally occurring perfect acoustics. Many artists consider it their favorite place to perform. If you want to know more, click here. The theater seats almost 10,000 people.
The view from the top entrance to the theater.
The Colorado Symphony has been experimenting with small sections of the symphony playing to a limited number of performers. Tickets were procured for the weekday performance of the brass and percussion sections. Maximum number of tickets sold: 175. Which means we pretty much had the place to ourselves. I counted. Somewhere between 150 and 170 people were there the same night we were.
From the top, looking down on the seating and stage.
Pretty amazing set up.
Of course, we needed refreshments and I had my first White Claw which I suspect pretty much makes me a 20something, doesn't it? Only one concession stand was open and our choices were limited- beer, wine, coolers, soft drinks, pretzels and chips. So much for dinner.
My first foray into the land of hard seltzers.
Turns out it was pretty yummy.
Here was the set up for the symphony sections:
17 performers more or less and one conductor
The music obviously could not be full on classical with such a limited orchestra so there was an assortment. Some classical, some Star Wars, a march, it was a nice combination. And the best part? It was all acoustic, NO amplifiers. (Well, the conductor had his amp so we could hear his voice. The instruments needed no amplification.)
The conductor, Christopher Dragon (what a GREAT name) made the evening. There is a reason he is so thin. He never stopped moving, dancing, jumping the entire performance. He even played the drums at one point.
Goodness, he was having fun.
While I don't feel I got the full experience...parking was convenient and just a few steps from the entrance, no crowds hence no combined anticipation of a large group waiting for something to begin...it was very special. And now, I've been.
Me and Friend, appropriately masked, at the end of the night.
And just in case the musical aspect of a Red Rocks performance did not qualify, a second trip to Red Rocks that same week cemented my completion of No.4.
We went to the Drive-In! Film on the Rocks, presented by the Denver Film group, has movies in the parking lot of the amphitheater. Admission is one set price per car and includes two Coke products, popcorn, and two boxes of candy. (Twizzlers and M&Ms!) Every show day except Sunday they also offer the pre-purchase of a ChickFilA sandwich and waffle chips. We saw Clueless. It was perfect except we needed to do a little better planning. Cars are too smart these days. The sound comes through your radio but few cars allow you to turn the car off and leave the radio on. At least not long enough for a two hour movie. Once the radio cut off, the car had to be restarted which meant the lights came on and then the parking lot attendants came over to tell us to turn the lights off. And so went the night. A portable FM radio solved that problem when we went again last night to see Field of Dreams.
While waiting for the movie to start they have entertainment.
So, No. 4 is done. I followed up with adding to No. 65: Travel to new states and repeating No.77: Continuing Education: Take a class. Technically I completed No. 77 last year with my silver working class but more education is ALWAYS a good thing.
Stay tuned.
Also, wash your hands, wear your mask and VOTE. (Register, request your mail in ballot, whatever you need to do.)
