December 1
Meet Me @ The Museum
Join Estes Park Museum Director and Curator of Exhibits Derek Fortini, Dec. 1, when he compares historical and contemporary photographs of Estes Park at the Meet Me @ The Museum event from 1-2 p.m. Fortini’s research is in preparation for a new 2015 feature in the permanent gallery. Discover how much can be learned from visiting the subjects of old photographs, of which the audience will experience themselves by concluding the program by taking a short walk with a historical photograph in hand. No reservations are necessary for this free program at the Estes Park Museum, 200 Fourth St. Call 970-586-6256, e-mail dfortini@estes.org or visit http://www.estes.org to learn more.

December 4
Outdoor Divas Women’s Demo
Outdoor Divas visits Loveland Ski Area, Dec. 4 and Jan. 1, for a women-specific demo day. This is the chance to come and try all the latest women’s ski equipment before buying it. There is no cost to participate, although a driver’s license and credit card are required for deposit, as is a valid lift ticket. Brands that will be available for demo include Kastle, Rossignol, K2, Icelantic, Volkl, Blizzard, Nordica, and Dynastar. Contact Outdoor Divas for specific model information. To RSVP, contact events@outdoordivas.com or stop by Outdoor Divas at 2317 30th St. in Boulder. Visit http://www.outdoordivas.com or http://www.skiloveland.com for more information.
Game Night at the Museum: ‘Tricky Trails’
Escape the cold at the Estes Park Museum, Dec. 4 from 6-8 p.m., to play “Tricky Trails,” a game based on Rocky Mountain National Park. Each trivia card has levels of difficulty based upon the rating system of trails: easy, moderate, and strenuous. Every card provides the answer, creating opportunities to learn as you play. Game Night is free and open to all ages. The museum will provide snacks and refreshments. With exception of the Dec. 4 event, Game Night at the Museum will take place on the second Thursday of each month from January through March at Estes Park Museum, 200 Fourth St. Call 970-586-6256, e-mail dfortini@estes.org or visit http://www.estes.org to learn more.

December 5
First Friday featuring Laurence Delaunay
Salto Coffee Works, Dec. 5, presents a free First Friday event featuring new work from Laurence Delaunay. The artist enjoys painting her French homeland of Brittany and its unique seaside culture in a variety of media including watercolor, chalk, and acrylic on canvas. Although Brittany is a prominent subject in her work, she also expresses her love of the Colorado mountains and the natural world. She also painted the flowers behind Salto’s barista counter. Meet the artist and see more of her work along with live music from jam band the CBDs. Light appetizers and happy hour prices on drinks will be offered all night long beginning at 6 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail events@saltocoffeeworks.dev, call 303-258-3537 or visit saltocoffeeworks.com.

December 5 & 6
Friends of the Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Library 2014 Holiday Used Book Sale, Dec. 5- 6, takes place in the Estes Valley Library’s Hondius Room, 335 E Elkhorn Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Browse among the handpicked gently used books, videos, CDs, DVDs and audio books that are in excellent condition and suitable for gift giving, as well as your own enjoyment. For additional information about the Friends of the Estes Valley Library book sales, contact President Ray Nieder at 970-577-0998. Visit http://www.estesvalleylibrary.org to learn more.

December 6
Chef’s Cup Dinner Dance
The 32nd Annual Chef’s Cup Dinner Dance, Dec. 6 from 7-11 p.m., is held at Winter Park Resort’s West Portal Station. Come and join in the celebration with this year’s theme “Celebrating 75 Years at Winter Park.” Grand County’s finest restaurants donate their time and talent in preparing food for more than 400 guests to taste and vote for the overall favorite gourmet creations in six different categories including: Appetizer, Entrée, Dessert, Creativity, Presentation and The People’s Choice award. This yearly event kicks off the Winter Season and gives the winning restaurant bragging rights for the year. Guests will also enjoy complimentary wine and beer while dancing to live music by Moses Jones. Guests also have the opportunity to support the Winter Park Ski Education Foundation by bidding on some amazing silent auction items donated by generous supporters. Tickets can be purchased at the Competition Center in the Balcony House. For more information visit
http://www.winterparkresort.com or, to make an auction donation, call 970-726-1590.

December 6 & 7
SoGnar Snowboard Camp Tour
Loveland Ski Area hosts the SoGnar Snowboard Camp Tour, Dec. 6-7. The event features a weekend of lessons with the pros to help riders progress on a multitude of terrain park features. Evol Burritos, based in Boulder, will serve lunch to all participants and tons of swag will be handed out all weekend long. For more information on the SoGnar Snowboard Camp, visit http://www.so-gnar.com/camptour.

December 12-14, 19-21
‘Nuncrackers!’ performance
The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies presents the hilarious Christmas musical, “Nuncrackers!” Directed by Mark Ivan Branche, this show features local and regional performers in an irreverent look at the true meaning of Christmas as seen through the eyes of the nuns, priests, and students of the Mount St. Helen’s Convent. Performances take place in Hempel Auditorium at the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park, Dec. 12-13 and 19-20 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. Advance tickets—$12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for youth—can be purchased at Macdonald Book Shop, 152 East Elkhorn Ave. in downtown Estes Park or at http://www.fineartsguild.org/TICKETS.html. Online tickets include a $1 service charge while tickets at the door are $2 more. Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies is committed to building on its tradition of excellence by providing experience in the performing and visual arts through participation, education, and outreach. E-mail info@fineartsguild.org with questions.

December 13
Mala Making Workshop with Angie
Make your own 108-bead prayer mala, Dec. 13 from 2-4:30 p.m., with Tadasana Mountain Yoga instructor and mala artist, Angie Samadhi. Learn the process of creating, wearing and meditating with a prayer mala and the rich mala tradition and symbolism of stringing your own beads for personal practice or for gifting to another at Tadasana Mountain Yoga, 20 Lakeview Drive in Nederland. After finishing the creation of your own mala, Angie will teach a few sitting asanas to prepare the body for meditation, then lead the group through a mala blessing to make your prayer beads ready for use. Materials are supplied and the workshop is open to all levels of practitioners. To ensure materials are supplied to all participants, register by Dec. 1. Visit http://www.tadasanamountainyoga.com or call 303-258-9642 to learn more.

December 13
Malai Llama’s Holiday Food Drive
Mountain-based band The Malai Llama presents a special fundraiser and holiday food drive for the Nederland Community Food Pantry, Dec. 13, at the Black Forest Restaurant, 24 Big Springs Drive in Nederland. The event, which begins at 9 p.m., features the five-piece instrumental band’s psychedelic fusion of jazz, rock, and electronic music, an Ugly Sweater Contest and more. The Malai Llama pushes musical boundaries by combining the energy of instrumentation with electronic exploration. Bring non-perishable items to support the food drive. Learn more at http://www.malaillama.com and blackforestrestaurant.net.

Dasher Holiday 5K
Tis’ the season for holiday merriment and festive running. Warm up the holiday season, Dec. 13, with Estes Park’s Dasher 5K. Dress to impress with your best holiday outfits for this fun run starting and finishing from the heart of Downtown Estes Park, Bond Park. Before the 5K, little elves ages 8 and under can run the kids fun run, safely in a 400-yard dash. Online registration is available through Dec. 12. Day-of registration begins at 10 a.m. in the Town Hall Building. Race time starts promptly at 11 a.m. from Bond Park. Visit
epmarathon.org, call 970-214-4128 or e-mail team@EPmarathon.org with any questions.

December 19 & 20
‘ODD’ Dinners at Two Brothers
Two Brothers Deli Presents an “ODD” Dinner, Dec. 19 and 20 from 6:30-10 p.m. Come enjoy a delicious four-course dinner and relaxing evening in the heart of Idaho Springs, just One Door Down from Two Brothers Deli. Each month a special menu is featured providing guests the opportunity to try various plates over the evening. There will also be live music by a featured artist along with premium spirits and classic wines. Seating is limited to 30 guests, so call 303-907-9491 to make reservations in advance.

December 19-21
Holiday Shopathon
Finish last minute holiday shopping in Estes Park, Dec. 19-21, with festivities along the way. This special weekend, downtown shops will offer holiday fun to welcome patrons into warm boutiques and shops to find signature Estes Park sweets, one-of-a-kind gifts and more. The weekend is a shopper’s paradise under the twinkling white lights adorning the trees and lighting your path. Stop by the Old Church Shops Saturday and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. to meet Santa and take photos. Visit http://www.visitestespark.com for more information.

December 24
Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Show
A Christmas Eve tradition since 1978, the slopes of Winter Park will be aglow with the annual Torchlight Parade and fireworks show. The fun begins at dusk with Christmas carols around a bonfire built at the base of Winter Park next to the Zephyr Express Lift. As night falls, a procession of over 100 torch-bearing skiers and riders begin their way down Lower Hughes trail, followed by Santa Claus and his elves. Snowcats adorned with Christmas colors then light up the slopes in a Christmas tree formation, as a spectacular fireworks show lights up the skies. After the show, visitors are welcome to attend Christmas Eve interdenominational services located in the lower level of Balcony House and a Catholic Mass in West Portal Level 4. Santa can also be found both in the Village as well as on the slopes in the days leading up to Christmas Eve. For more information, visit http://www.winterparkresort.com.

All listings/dates subject to change. Contact venues to confirm events.

Originally published in December 2014 issue of the MMAC Monthly