What If: Writing Magical Realism (Denver)
Workshop for ages 7-15. In magical realism, the world exists as it really is, with one exceptional difference. In this workshop, we’ll use photos and objects and words to help us generate fantastical what if? ideas. Registration and parental permission required.
Address
The Bookies Bookstore, 2085 S. Holly St., Denver
Stage Production: Turn of the Screw (Colorado Springs)
Written by Henry James, Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, and Directed by Kristin Skye Hoffmann.
An isolated manor on the windswept moors, an unsuspecting governess, her two enigmatic young charges, secrets lurking around every corner. Join two fantastic actors in the intimacy of the Osborne Studio Theater for a close encounter with one of the best ghost stories ever written.
March 12 – April 6.
Performed in the Osborne Studio Theater, Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theatre
5225 N. Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Address
5225 N. Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Hard Times Writing Workshop (Boulder)
Free. This ongoing program offers a creative outlet for people facing addiction and recovery, poverty, homelessness, loss, and other life challenges. No experience needed.
Address
Boulder Public Library-Main, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
Poetry Night at the Library (Grand Junction)
Poetry Night at the Library is a monthly program at the Mesa County Library. Each month poets are invited to read their work based on a previous month’s challenge, or any other poem they’d like to read. Then, a new topic is discussed and a new challenge is issued. Topics range from a particular poet, to a school of poetry, to a new tool for your poetry toolbox such as a form or poetic device. No poetry experience is required – all are welcome! Next event is March 12.
Poetry Night occurs the second Wednesday of every month from 6-7:45 p.m. at the Central Library, 443 N. 6th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501. No RSVP is needed.
Address
443 N. 6th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Queer Creatives: Resource Sharing for LGBTQIA+ Writers (Online)
Network with other writers and gain tools to support your writing.
Offered by Lighthouse; free for members, $5 for non-members.
Address
Online via Zoom
Author Talk: Marcelo Hernandez Castillo (Denver)
Castillo is the author of memoir “Children of the Land,” and poetry collection “Cenzontle.”
Hosted by Lighthouse Denver.
Free.
Address
Lighthouse Denver, 3844 York St., Denver
How a Critique Group Can Transform Your Writing (Online)
Free presentation hosted by Pikes Peak Writers, featuring Urvashi Pahwa.
Registration required.
Address
Online via Zoom.
Poetry Readings and Open Mic (Boulder)
The Colorado Poets Center has Poetry Readings and Open Mic on Tuesdays at 6:30pm throughout the spring.They meet in the Upper North Room of Boulder Books, 1107 Pearl Street.Tues., April 15 is Michael Henry.
Address
1107 Pearl Street
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Briefly Noted
The Beckwith Dynasty: A Ranching Empire in Colorado’s Wet Mountain Valley

Once one of the largest cattle ranches in southern Colorado, Beckwith Ranch rises to its former glory in the concisely and neatly written, The Beckwith Dynasty: A Ranching Empire in Colorado’s Wet Mountain Valley by Courtney Miller. The author explores the history of a successful shipbuilding family who traveled west in 1869, and would eventually create through hard work, luck and a handful of shenanigans, an incredibly successful agricultural operation. Miller guides the reader through the origins of the ranch with stories of true cowboys and the Old West.
Beginning with a meager 160 acres, the family created a vast holding of land and livestock that would eventually become a thriving and majestic showplace of 8,800 acres with a very distinctive mansion of white clapboard and red roof. The fortunes of the Beckwith empire grew even more with the discovery of gold and silver in the nearby mountains. The mansion continued to expand as well, becoming a rambling complex with all the latest Victorian fineries accumulated from travels afar. Sophisticated and worldly travelers were entertained with unparalleled grandeur in the hinterlands of Colorado’s Wet Mountains.
As with any great western story about perseverance and triumph, the tale of the downfall of the family and the mansion is equally fascinating. Death, disease and estranged family relations all contributed to the passing of the heyday of the grand place.
Located on Hwy 69 near Westcliffe, Colorado, the site and venue is now listed on National Register of Historic Places. The obvious sincere and deep appreciation the author has for the ranch shines through in his writing. He packs a lot of Wet Mountain Valley history in this small volume with fine research and striking details. This book is a nice resource for any Colorado history buff. — Jeffery Payne