Saturday classes, 9:30-11a.m., start May 1; Tuesday and Thursday classes, 6-7p.m., start June 1; Sunday classes, 9-10:30a.m., start June 6. The four-month beginning courses teach 108 movements and basic angles. Health Recovery classes held weekly. Call 303-623-5163 or visit www.colorado.usa.taoist.org for details.
From lei to papier mache, there are stimulating art classes and workshops for all at the 910Artists community, 910 Santa Fe Dr.: Little Grass Shack’s Lei Day Festival, Sun., May 2, features workshops in lei making ($15) and Polynesian dance ($10) with Maile Inagaki, Studio 3 (maile@spreadingaloha.com, 720-974-4090). Papier Mache sculpture (four Tuesdays, May 4-25, 1-4p.m.) with Niza Knoll, Studio 13 (nizak@mac.com, 303-902-4313, $120). Adventures in Paste Paper, Sat., May 1, 9a.m.-noon, with Maryjo Keller, Studio 9 (bluebell@idcomm.com, 303-881-8411, $45). The Next Adventure in Paste Paper, Sat., May 15 10a.m.-1p.m., with Vickie Stevinson, Studio 301 (vickies@stevinson.com, 303-831-8768, $45). Binding the Unusual: Rigid Page Binding, Sat. & Sun., May 1 & 2, with Alicia Bailey, N. Lowry Studio (720-282-4052, $165). Introductory Mosaic Art for Indoor and Outdoor (four sessions, Wed. or Sat., starting May 12 or 15) with Abbas or Roya Khajeaian, Studio 4 ($150, contact@kashikari.com, 303-825-9000). Canto do Galo Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian martial art, dance and music) free introductory class to first-time participants (any Saturday, 12:15-2p.m.) with Lewis Lease, Studio 1 (info@cantodogalo.org or 303-273-2830). Fun, Functional Floor Cloth & Place Mat Art (call to schedule) with Ginny Abblett, Studio 5 ($20, ginnyabblett@gmail.com, 303-913-5222); Flamenco Dancing for kids and adults, beginners through advanced, offered weekly with María Vázquez, Behind EventGallery (info: www.flamencodenver.com). All held at 910 Santa Fe Dr. Full schedule: www.910artists.com, 303-815-1779.
Want to practice meditation? Coming May 15, 9a.m.-1p.m.: The Secret of MantraHUM, a day course teaching how to combine mantra recitation with meditation to purify body, speech and mind, $30. Held at Avalokiteshvara Buddhist Center, 1081 Marion St. Teachings, guided meditations, discussion and refreshments included in $30 fee. General Program Buddhist Meditation classes held Wednesdays, 7p.m., & Sundays, 10:30a.m. Also: daily chanted prayers, advanced study programs and free stress-buster meditation. Call 303-813-9551 or visit www.meditationincolorado.org.
Put your heart and hands into making fine fabric art with classes at TACtile Arts Center, 7777 E. Hampden Ave.: Beaded Beauties (dolls), Sun., May 2, 10a.m.-5p.m.; Beginning Beading/Jewelry Making, Fri. or Sun., 14 or 23, 1-4p.m.; Light Your Fire: How to Use Creative Expression as a Tool for Personal Development, Sun. 16, 1-4p.m.; Remaking Tees, Wed., 5 or 26, 9a.m.-noon; and Re-Purposing Men’s Shirts, Wed., 5 or 26, 1-4p.m. Call for fees, details. Register at www.tactilearts.org or 720-524-8886.
Meet Audrey McNamara and learn about her art and influences at First Monday Art Talk, Mon., May 3, 7p.m., at Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge, 930 Lincoln St. She’ll read from Venice Beach Memoirs, her new book about living as an artist on the beach in California, and field questions. Music by DJ Check One, poetry by Lenny Chernila and Merissa Lehto. Plus, sample McNamara’s favorite foods, and hear a new song by musician Nicole Torres. Info: 303-839-5100 or www.dazzlejazz.com.
Denver Community Credit Union offers free classes select Tuesday evenings, 6p.m., at 1041 Acoma St.: Home Buying (May 4) or Money Myths (18). For information/registration: email education @denvercommunity.coop or call 303-573-1170, ext. 754. If you can’t attend, visit www.denvercommunity.coop(click on “Financial Education”) for online tools.
Explore the legal issues, societal challenges, and medical pros and cons of Medical Marijuana in a free Active Minds presentation, Tues., May 4, 10a.m., at the Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St. Free. RSVP: Lil Shaw, 303-316-6359. Program repeated Mon., May 10, 2:30-3:30p.m., at Springbrooke, 6800 Leetsdale Dr. RSVP to 303-331-9963. Other free presentations: The Lewis & Clark Expedition surveys the achievements and challenges of the adventure, as well as the mysterious death of Meriwether Lewis and the evolution of our country’s relationship with Native Americans, Tues., May 11, 6-8p.m., at Vita Flats, 101 Grant St. RSVP: 720-242-7804. Trace the evolution of the modern Japanese state from its ancient roots to the present in Japan, Tues., May 18, 11a.m.-noon (refreshments at 10:45), at Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape St. RSVP Jodi, 303-388-4013, ext. 307. Tattered Cover, 2526 E. Colfax Ave., hosts Haiti: The Road to Recovery, a review of the troubled history of the western hemisphere’s poorest country and its hardships arising from the recent earthquake, Tues., May 11, 12:30-1:30p.m.; and The European Union, a look at its history and the economic and social issues that challenge its future, Tues., May 25, 5:30-6:30p.m. For other free Active Minds presentations, visit www.ActiveMindsForLife.com or call Zane Robertson at 303-320-7652.
Women learn the basics of plumbing, cutting & fitting interior trim and more at Workshop for Women, teaching the art of home maintenance through basic & advanced classes with partner Club Workshop, 999 Vallejo St., Unit 2: Tues., May 4, Plumbing 101, and Thur., 6, Interior Trim Clinic, both 6-9p.m. Call for cost and other offerings at 303-284-6354 or visit www.workshopforwomen.com.
Composer Eric Ewazen presents a free, public workshop Wed., May 5, 10a.m.-noon, at Hamilton Recital Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave., part of the Lamont School of Music Guest Artists Master-Class and Workshop Series. Info: 303-871-6412 or www.du.edu/lamont.
The Jung Society dissects a classic Grimm Brothers story in The Tale of the White Snake, a lecture by Kathryn Kuisle exploring the layers of meaning in the tale, how the plot twists speak of psychic growth, spiritual paths and the process of transformation. Held Fri., May 7, 7p.m., at First Divine Science Church, 1400 Williams St. $15/$10 students & seniors. Info: www.jungsocietyofcolorado.org, 303-575-1055.
Master guitarist Corey Christiansen holds an improvisation clinic and concert Sat., May 8, at Broadway Music School, 1940 S. Broadway. The clinic runs noon-2p.m., and Corey is available Thur. & Fri., May 6 & 7, for a limited number of private lessons. The 7:30p.m. concert features Corey on guitar, Jeff Jenkins on Hammond B-3 organ and Jim White on drums for the classic post-bop jazz sound. Advance tickets are $20 for clinic or concert, $35 for both; day-of prices are $25/$45. Visit www.broadwaymusicschool.com or call 303-777-0833 for details, tickets.
Speed of Trust author Stephen M. R. Covey demonstrates that trust is a hard-edged, economic driver, not just a soft, social virtue, in the next Voices of Experience presentation, Mon., May 10, 6-8p.m., at Gates Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Free, registration required: Kate Boyd, 303-871-3213, or visit www.daniels.du.edu/newsevents.
Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast meetings serve up smart speakers and social fun: Diana Hall shows how Everybody is a SWAN (Smart, Worthwhile, Attractive and just a little bit Naughty) at the Tues., May 11, Women of Cherry Creek Breakfast, 7:30-9a.m., at Toast, 222 Columbine St. Nonmembers $20. Dr. Richard Schuttler shows how to get measurable results from your strategic plan in Execution – Achieve Greater Outcomes with Your Strategies at the next Business Success Series breakfast, Tues., May 25, 8-9:30a.m., at 101 Monroe St. RSVP for all events: 303-388-6022, www.cherrycreekchamber.org.
Get expert answers to women’s health questions and feel your best in Red Hot Topics, a series of free classes at Porter Adventist Hospital, 2525 S. Downing St.: Breast Health Basics and Aesthetic, Natural-Looking Breast Reconstruction, Tues., May 11, 5:30p.m. Light meal, door prizes, free valet parking. RSVP/info: 303-777-6877 or www.porterhospital.org/events.
Become aware of The 7 Principles of Raising a Happy Healthy Child, a free lecture held Thur., May 13, 6-7:30p.m. at Metropolis Center for Holistic Health, 1705 S. Pearl St., #2. Info: 303-321-7721 or www.MetropolisHealth.com.
Examine ways to manage garden wildlife problems without hurting the deer, rabbits and other animals in Friendly Wildlife Management, Sat., May 15, 9a.m.-noon, at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St. Learn the wildlife laws that impact management strategies for the landowner. Landscaping to accommodate wildlife will be presented as an alternative to more drastic measures. $44 nonmembers. Registration/details: 720-865-3500, www.botanicgardens.org.
The Empty Bottle, 1886 S. Pearl St., hosts an informational wine tasting tour of Portugal with Olaf Malver, Sat., May 15, 4-6p.m. Malver’s Explorers Corner guides flat-water kayaking trips down the Douro River through Portugal’s wine country. Info: 303-722-5478.
Sign up the kids to make a Father’s Day key chain at Caboodle Gifts, 1515 S. Holly St., Sat., June 12, 10a.m.-noon. $10 includes materials. Saturday classes: Polymer Clay: Roses & Beads for Necklaces and Needlepoint Basics, 15; Basic Pastels, 22. Adults-onlyCocktails & Coasters, Thur., 13. Details and registration: 303-759-3966, caboodlellc@gmail.com, or stop in.
Colorado History Museum is closed during its move/rebuilding, but the Anniversaries & Milestones lecture series continues at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 1370 Grant St.: Killing for Coal, Tues., May 18, 1 & 7p.m. $8.50 non-mem. Saturday morning Tours & Treks uncover the city’s past: May 15, Lost Cities of Denver Tour, 10a.m.-3p.m.; 22, Nooks and Crannies Tour of Trinity Methodist Church, 10a.m.-noon; and 29, The Evolution of Denver Zoo: Behind the Scenes with Tom Noel, 10a.m.-noon. $45/$35 members. Information: www.coloradohistory.org. Reservations required; call 303-866-4686.
If vacation is your destination, stock up on recreational reading at Schlessman Family Branch Library, 100 Poplar St. Share what you’re reading, or just come to learn about titles you’ll want to read with the Latitudes Book Club, meeting Sun., May 16, 3p.m. For a selection of Audie Award-winning audio books, check with the reference desk. Info:www.denverlibrary.org/calendar or 720-865-0000.
Harrison Xinshi Tu teaches an introductory calligraphy class at Seven Cups Chinese Tea House, 1882 S. Pearl St., Wed., May 19, 7p.m. $10 for materials; reservations required. Free tea tastings offered every Friday, starting at 3p.m.: May 7, Lao Cong Shui Xian and Premium Mei Zhan rock oolongs; 14, Date Fragrance and Lao Shu Chen Xiang (Old Tree Home Store) new puers; 21, Lapsang Bohea and Da Hong Pao ancients; and 28, Imperial Qi Zhong Lapsang and Sheng Tai Chen Xiang Premium Puer mellow dark teas. Majiang Nights held every Thursday, 6-8p.m. $2 to play; tea extra. Beginners welcome, instruction provided. Info: www.sevencupsdenver.com or call 303-777-CUPS (2877).
Learn how John McEnroe manipulates traditional painting techniques and applies them to sculpture in the Denver Art Museum’s next Logan Lecture, Wed., May 19, 7p.m. McEnroe’s The Bathers is installed on the third and fourth floors of the atrium. Doors open 6p.m., Sharp Auditorium, Frederic C. Hamilton Building, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. Reservations required. McEnroe returns to discuss his work in Lunch Box, Thur., May 20, noon. Meet in the Hamilton Building’s atrium; no reservations are needed. Info: 720-913-0150 or visit http://damcontemporaries.denverartmuseum.org.
Feast on a fiesta of fresh herbs, flowers, exotic vines and culinary theme gardens from around the world when garden designer and cookbook author Lucinda Hutson presents Fiesta in Lucinda’s Garden, next in Denver Botanic Garden’s Bonfils-Stanton Lecture Series – The Feast in the Garden: Edible Landscapes and Regional Food Traditions, Thur., May 20, 7p.m., in the Gardens’ Mitchell Hall, 1005 York St. Social hour and tasting hosted by Slow Food Denver at 6p.m. For a complete listing of 2010 lectures, visit www.botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3580.
Find food for body and soul in Healing From Within: Optimizing Your Spiritual and Physical Nourishment, Thur., May 20, 6-8p.m., at MoonDance Botanicals, 601 Corona St. Discuss food, emotional and physical ways to increase energy and vitality, and how to get in touch with your spiritual self. $20. Other offerings: The Sacred Feminine weekend retreat, May 15 & 16; Herbcraft, 19-June 16 (five Wed.); Foot Pampering Party, 18; Botanical Spa Party, 27. For times, cost, registration: call 303-263-7275, or www.moondancebotanicals.com.
Discover which backyard botanicals keep your body healthy and your skin glowing in Healing Herbs (and Weeds!) in Your Garden, next in the Gardening Through the Seasons workshop series, Sat., May 22, 1-2:30p.m., at 1660 S. Washington St. Class series is a collaboration between DU’s Bridge Community Garden and Platt Park People’s Association’s Urban Growers. $5 suggested donation, open to all. Info: carmcfadd@aol.com.
Enjoy the soothing speech of Sarah Palin, Hugh Hewitt and Dennis Prager, Sat., May 22, 7p.m., at Magness Arena, 2240 Buchtel Blvd., presented by radio stations 710 KNUS and 1460 KZNT. Tickets/info: 303-871-2336.
Want to avoid remodeling nightmares? Attend Old Home/New Space: A Guide to Remodeling, a free seminar at Classic Homeworks, 3430 E. 12th Ave., Wed., May 25, 6:30p.m. Learn planning and strategy, budgeting, selecting professionals, design considerations, the construction process and maintenance. Registration/info: 303-722-3000, www.classichomeworks.com.
Boomers and beyond can sample 12 classes at the Academy for Lifelong Learning’s free One-Day University, Tues., May 25, offering one- and two-hour sampler classes on subjects ranging from musical theatre to the national debt, plus four lunch-hour lectures on topics as provocative as The Befuddled Stork: Triumphs & Tragedies with Assembly-Line Babies. Billing itself as “the athletic club for your mind,” the Academy offers daytime courses for adults in two 10-week terms each year — all at low cost and without exams, grades or prerequisites. The volunteer instructors include former professors and teachers, plus individuals with a passion for a particular subject. Reservations aren’t available for sampler classes, so participants are encouraged to arrive at least half an hour before each session. The One-Day University – and all Academy classes – are held at Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd. Last year’s event drew more than 800 participants. Learn more by calling 303-770-0786, or visit www.AcademyLL.org.
Fresh City Life serves up free cultural programming for everyone, every month, at the Denver Public Library. Visit the website to peruse and register for popular classes, which fill up early. Learn how to patch a flat and adjust brakes in Nuts ‘n Bolts Basic Bike Maintenance Workshop, Sun., May 16, 1-3p.m., in Acoma Plaza (outside the west entrance). Don’t be the only guy not knitting at your next hockey game – sign up for Caveman Knitting – Beginning Knitting for Men, Monday evenings, starting May 3. Registration required. Bring your knitting or any favored handwork and watch a free movie at KnitFlix: Party Girl (1995), a twist on the time-worn cinematic treatment of librarians transitioning from horn-rimmed glasses and pencil-skewered hair buns to a newly awakened free spirit, starring Parker Posey, Tues., May 11, 5:30-7:30p.m. WordNerds brings word nerds, bibliophiles and grammar freaks together monthly (Wed., May 26, 5-8p.m.) to test their skill, learn new small words and meet like-minded friends at Novo Coffee, 1200 Acoma St., across from the Denver Art Museum Hamilton Building.
The ever-popular WordShop: Creative Writers’ Space is a monthly, two-part writing workshop focusing on basic techniques and sharing work, presented by Art From Ashes. Priming the Pump – or What to Write When You Can’t Find the Words, is set for Tues., May 4 & 18, 6-7:30p.m. Unless noted, no registration required, and all held in Level 1 Fresh City Lounge of the Central Library, located at W. 14th Ave. Pkwy. & Broadway. Info/registration:www.denverlibrary.org/fresh, 720-865-1205.
Louder Than Words Dancetheatre celebrates excellence in dance by creating art in motion, providing a home for movement performance, and facilitating a dialogue between artists and the community. The company rehearses and holds classes (modern, jazz and children’s dance, and Denver Youth Dance Theatre) at A Living Arts Centre, 2231 S. Platte River Dr. Open-door rehearsals on first Fridays, September-May. Info: 720-949-4480 or www.louderthanwordsdance.com.
Free Yoga on Sundays! at 10:10a.m. Beginning & intermediate yoga students welcome. Held at Washington Street Community Center, 809 S. Washington St. Info: MJ, 303-433-6280.