Thornton Arts & Culture Center

The Playground Ensemble String Quartet presents two fall performances of Gabriela Ortiz’s ceremonial “Altar de Muertos” in celebration of Día de los Muertos. 
The first, a ticketed event on October 16th at the Thornton Arts and Culture Center, is paired with the debut of artist Cal Duran’s exhibition, “Muertos: A Journey of Life and Death as One.”&nbsp;The second is a free event on October 22nd at Friedhoff Hall in the Green Center on the Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden. 
Friday, October 16, 2026. 7:00 p.m. (Doors at 6:30 p.m.) Thornton Arts &amp; Culture Center, 9209 Dorothy Blvd, Thornton, CO 80229
Presented in partnership with the City of Thornton’s Arts Thornton Music Series, this event is hosted inside an intimate gallery space where attendees will enjoy music and art. Features a theatrical element with water drums, traditional ankle rattles, masks made by local Mexican artist Josefina Calzada and a post-show Q&amp;A with the musicians. Attendees are invited to honor loved ones by bringing an offering for the ofrenda before the show.

Every individual will need a ticket to enter. Tickets are $12-$17 plus processing fees ($13.44-$18.62)
Purchase via link at <a href="https://www.playgroundensemble.org/string-quartet-muertos-2026" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.playgroundensemble.org/string-quartet-muertos-2026</a>About the Performance&nbsp; Ortiz’s piece is divided into four parts — Ofrenda, Mictlan, Danza Macabra and La Calaca — each describing diverse moods, traditions and the spiritual worlds which shape the global concept of death in Mexico, plus the artist’s own personal concept of death. As she explains: “The tradition of the Day of the Dead festivities in Mexico is the source of inspiration for the creation of [this] work for string quartet, whose ideas could reflect the internal search between the real and the magic, a duality always present in Mexican culture, from the past to the present.”

The Playground String Quartet features Sarah Whitnah, Violin; Jackson Bailey, Violin; Don Schumacher, Viola; and David Short on Cello.
About Thornton’s New Music Series. Sponsored by the <a href="https://www.thorntonco.gov/community-culture/arts-culture/thornton-arts-sciences-humanities-council-tashco" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Thornton Arts Sciences and Humanities Council</a> (TASHCO), the <a href="https://scfd.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Scientific and Cultural Facilities District</a> (SCFD), and <a href="https://www.thorntonco.gov/community-culture/arts-culture/oz-gallery-exhibits" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Thornton Arts &amp; Culture</a>, the new music series brings the community together through shared artistic experiences by offering live music, dance and performance art for all ages. Thornton Arts &amp; Culture, a division of the Thornton Parks and Recreation Department, offers year-round programs and community-based events in partnership with other city departments, nonprofit organizations, and regional funders. For more information, visit <a href="mailto:goCOT.net/musicseries" target="_blank">goCOT.net/musicseries</a>, email <a href="mailto:artsthornton@ThorntonCO.gov" target="_blank">artsthornton@ThorntonCO.gov</a>
or call <a href="tel:(720)%20977-5887" target="_blank">720-977-5887</a>.


About Playground The Playground Ensemble is a group of professional musicians, composers, educators and fans dedicated to presenting chamber music as a living art form. Their goal is to provide stimulating performances, expand common perceptions of both contemporary music and the chamber ensemble, and nurture a community around this music that they love. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, they cultivate a thriving local composition community through a robust commissioning program and extensive education/outreach programs. For more information, photos, and a complete list of concerts and events, please visit the Playground Ensemble website at www.playgroundensemble.org.

Local Event: Altar de Muertos: String Quartet Masterworks Performance

Adams County

Thornton

Colorado

Altar de Muertos: String Quartet Masterworks...

The Playground Ensemble String Quartet presents two fall performances of Gabriela Ortiz’s ceremonial “Altar de Muertos” in...

Altar de Muertos: String Quartet Masterworks Performance

Denver Woman's Press Club

<h1>The Spirits of Denver - Ghost Talk with Marilyn Harmacek, Mary Van Meter, and Laura Keegan</h1>
Get in the spooky spirit this October with the Denver Woman’s Press Club.

Marilyn Harmacek, Mary Van Meter, and Laura Keegan join us to talk about the spirits of Denver. They'll explain the "clairs", the different ways intuition arrives, then take us "inside" as they tell stories of the Brown Palace's most haunted rooms the Molly Brown House, and more. Real encounters, real history. 

Sunday, October 18, 2 pm - 4 pm DWPC Clubhouse - 1325 Logan St. Denver $20 members/$30 non-members -&nbsp;<a href="https://dwpconline.org/events/ghost-talk-with-marilyn-and-mary/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Register here.</a> Refreshments and drinks provided

Local Event: The Spirits of Denver - Ghost Talk with Marilyn Harmacek, Mary Van Meter, and Laura Keegan

Denver County

Denver

The Spirits of Denver - Ghost Talk with Marilyn...

The Spirits of Denver - Ghost Talk with Marilyn Harmacek, Mary Van Meter, and Laura Keegan
Get in the spooky spirit this...

The Spirits of Denver - Ghost Talk with Marilyn Harmacek, Mary Van Meter, and Laura Keegan

Friedhoff Hall

The Playground Ensemble String Quartet presents a performance of Gabriela Ortiz’s ceremonial “Altar de Muertos” in celebration of Día de los Muertos. This is a free event on October 22nd at Friedhoff Hall in the Green Center on the Colorado School of Mines campus in Golden. Each show features a theatrical element with water drums, traditional ankle rattles, masks made by local Mexican artist Josefina Calzada and a post-show Q&amp;A with the musicians. Attendees are invited to honor loved ones by bringing an offering for the ofrenda before the show.Thursday, October 22, 2026 7:00-8:00 p.m. Friedhoff Hall in the Green Center on the Colorado School of Mines campus - 924 16th Street, Golden, CO, 80401 Free to attend. No ticket required.




About the Performance Ortiz’s piece is divided into four parts — Ofrenda, Mictlan, Danza Macabra and La Calaca — each describing diverse moods, traditions and the spiritual worlds which shape the global concept of death in Mexico, plus the artist’s own personal concept of death. As she explains: “The tradition of the Day of the Dead festivities in Mexico is the source of inspiration for the creation of [this] work for string quartet, whose ideas could reflect the internal search between the real and the magic, a duality always present in Mexican culture, from the past to the present.”

The Playground String Quartet features Sarah Whitnah, Violin; Jackson Bailey, Violin; Don Schumacher, Viola; and David Short on Cello.


About Playground The Playground Ensemble is a group of professional musicians, composers, educators and fans dedicated to presenting chamber music as a living art form. Their goal is to provide stimulating performances, expand common perceptions of both contemporary music and the chamber ensemble, and nurture a community around this music that they love. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, they cultivate a thriving local composition community through a robust commissioning program and extensive education/outreach programs. For more information, photos, and a complete list of concerts and events, please visit the Playground Ensemble website at www.playgroundensemble.org.

Jefferson County

Golden

The Playground Ensemble String Quartet presents a performance of Gabriela Ortiz’s ceremonial “Altar de Muertos” in celebration...

<h1>Dia de los Muertos Concert and Fundraiser with Amy Loper and Kenny Passarelli</h1>

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 5 – 7 p.m. Refreshments, drinks and dancing. Denver Woman's Press Club Clubhouse, 1325 Logan St.&nbsp;



Help support the Denver Woman's Press Club and enjoy this romantic show about love, music and transformation. A world-renowned bass guitar player and a trial lawyer fall in love and write songs in their twilight years. Enjoy original songs and narrative as they weave a unique and inspiring tale of journey.<a href="https://www.westword.com/music/kenny-passarelli-amy-loper-musical-love-story-17165268/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Learn more from this 2023 Westword article.</a>
Tickets: $50. <a href="https://dwpconline.org/events/halloween-concert-and-fundraiser/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Click here to register and pay.</a> Space is limited, register early.

Local Event: Dia de los Muertos Concert and Fundraiser with Amy Loper and Kenny Passarelli

Dia de los Muertos Concert and Fundraiser with...

Dia de los Muertos Concert and Fundraiser with Amy Loper and Kenny Passarelli

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 5 – 7 p.m. Refreshments,...

Dia de los Muertos Concert and Fundraiser with Amy Loper and Kenny Passarelli

Author Talk at Denver Woman's Press Club with&nbsp;Judge Jackie St Joan

Thursday, November 12, 5 pm - 7 pm $20 members/$30 non-members - <a href="https://dwpconline.org/events/your-verdict-a-judges-reckoning-with-law-and-loss/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Register here</a> Refreshments &amp; free parking



Join local Judge Jackie St Joan as she discusses her new book Your Verdict: A Judge's Reckoning with Law and Loss. As a Denver County Court judge from 1987 to 1994, she oversaw intense and sometimes highly personal press attention.

She’ll discuss cases including the Operation Rescue clinic blockades, a controversial domestic-violence protection order involving a Denver Bronco, and the prosecution of Russell Means arising from the Columbus Day protest.

Local Event: Author Talk with Local Judge Jackie St Joan

Author Talk with Local Judge Jackie St Joan

Author Talk at Denver Woman's Press Club with Judge Jackie St Joan

Thursday, November 12, 5 pm - 7 pm $20 members/$30...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Amy Norton, Local Business

Posting Activity

Altar de Muertos: String Quartet Masterworks Performance

OCT

16

7:00 PM

Thornton Arts & Culture Center, 9209 Dorothy Blvd, Thornton, CO

The Spirits of Denver - Ghost Talk with Marilyn Harmacek, Mary Van Meter, and Laura Keegan

OCT

18

2:00 PM

Denver Woman's Press Club, 1325 Logan St, Denver, CO

Altar de Muertos: String Quartet Masterworks Performance

OCT

22

7:00 PM

Friedhoff Hall, 909-1011 15th St, Golden, CO

Dia de los Muertos Concert and Fundraiser with Amy Loper and Kenny Passarelli

NOV

1

5:00 PM

Denver Woman's Press Club, 1325 Logan St, Denver, CO

Author Talk with Local Judge Jackie St Joan

NOV

12

5:00 PM

Denver Woman's Press Club, 1325 Logan St, Denver, CO