Duran shared that his favorite part of his Día de los Muertos vision was how he was able to truly transform the park into another world for 8,000 attendees. Especially with the large ofrenda (an offering place or alter) in the Greek Theater. “Community was key as everyone was allowed to add to the ofrenda, the space allowed us to expand and nurture in a way that felt expansive,” said Duran of the large alter, acting as the beacon of the beautiful event that showcased traditions and celebrated culture.

Each year the Conservancy wants to provide another Denver Metro artist (or team) with the opportunity to share their story with our Denver community, to showcase an artistic vision that holds tradition on the one hand and innovation on the other. We don’t ask the Artistic & Creative Director to create the event alone. The Civic Center Conservancy guides through every step of the process—focusing on the operations—to help make the event a success. “The Civic Center team was a breath of fresh air, very communicative,” said Duran, “they supported our vision and helped us with patience, ease, and grace through every aspect.” 

As you prepare your proposal applications for the Artistic & Cultural Director of Día de los Muertos at Civic Center, Duran’s last bit of advice is: “Step away from the ego, look at ways this event will impact the community. How art can create joy. Really think how your vision will better enhance how our community supports each other—be a bridge. Do not lose sight on what this beautiful celebration is about: honor[ing] our loved ones and ancestors!”

We look forward to reviewing proposals and selecting the next Artistic & Cultural Director of Día de los Muertos at Civic Center. Click the link below for more information and apply by April 21, 8pm. If you have any questions, please email Eric Raya Steinbeiss, Director of Community Partnerships + Activations, at ers@civiccenterconservancy.org.

Apply to be our next Artistic & Creative Director of Día de los Muertos at Civic Center

The post Cal Duran reflects on 2024 Día de los Muertos at Civic Center, will pass the torch to the next Artistic & Cultural Director appeared first on Civic Center Park.

The Conservancy has long been fortunate to have support from civic-minded donors, and we hear repeatedly that you want to engage and help year-round. The Conservancy is always thinking of new ways to connect people through shared interests—in this case, it’s the beauty of Civic Center Park and the events that bring the communities of Denver together.  And so, Cultivators Collective was germinated to help Civic City Park blossom as the inclusive public space that it is.

“I used to run a similar program, and I loved the community it cultivated—pun intended. I really loved meeting our donors at events; that’s what I want in Civic Center,” said Sara Leitch, Development Director for the Conservancy.

Not only do Cultivator Collective members nurture the Conservancy but they all sow some great benefits: an  exclusive Cultivators Collective sticker, special news and program insight, plus bonus access to events like free STARGAZE tickets and perks at events like NIGHT MARKET. Nurturer and Community Greenskeeper tier benefits include access to invite-only events, dedicated volunteering days in the park, and their name in the Annual Report.   

“We’re excited to cultivate our shared love for public space, events, and nature,” Leitch said. The Conservancy is also curating special Cultivator Collective activations that will allow members’ relationships with the park and each other to bloom.

Want to help lay down a plot? Join today.

The post Civic Center Conservancy Plants Seeds that Bloom Communal Effort with Cultivators Collective appeared first on Civic Center Park.

Civic Center Conservancy: What got you interested in astronomy and what have you done with that passion?

Coda Lucas: I’ve been fascinated by the stars for about as long as I can remember.  One of my earliest memories is of my dad waking me up late at night during a long road trip in the middle of nowhere, wrapping me up in his coat and pointing out the Milky Way.  Ever since then I’ve been determined to learn everything I can about those shiny points of light and share that knowledge with others!  I’ve dabbled in a few different iterations of Astronomy education/communication including K-12 outreach trips and teaching a middle school astronomy class, but AstroTours is where I feel most at home.

Luke Huxley: I’ve been starstruck since I was a kid growing up in Denver. My grandpa gave me my first telescope—an old 4-inch Mak-Cassegrain—and I’ve been hooked ever since! I studied physics and astrophysics, traveled to Australia to guide tours under the Southern Hemisphere sky, and eventually came back to Colorado to start AstroTours so I could share that same wonder with others.

CCC: How did you come up with the concept of STARGAZE?

LH: It was a total team effort! The Civic Center Conservancy and I joined forces, wanting to bring an easy, accessible stargazing experience right to the city center. Together, we crafted STARGAZE to showcase that you don’t need a dark sky in the middle of nowhere to have an out-of-this-world experience.

CCC: What should we expect when we go to a STARGAZE event at Civic Center Park? 

LH: We kick things off with a quick intro to the night sky, point out key constellations…after that, you’re free to explore at your own pace—

CL: The STARGAZE events are self-guided adventures to observe our cosmos.  We have a fleet of telescopes trained on planets, stars, and nebula with knowledgeable astronomers on hand to provide a tour of seasonal constellations and answer any questions.

LH: [You] can grab a cozy drink from the Astro Coffee Van and soak in the cosmic vibe too.

CCC: What are the special stars, planets, or other celestial bodies we can expect to see on February 12 and March 5?

CL: This is honestly my favorite time of year for stargazing.  We are spoiled with planets like Venus, Mars and Jupiter, bright stars like Sirius, and the opportunity to peek at the early lives of stars with the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades (a cluster of stars often called the “Seven Sisters”).  The moon will also make an appearance during the evening, providing the opportunity to see something familiar in a new way.  We’ve got a little bit of everything!

CCC: What’s your favorite constellation or solar phenomena?

LH: I have a soft spot for globular clusters—those tight balls of ancient stars are just mind-blowing. But honestly, Earth itself is probably my favorite “celestial body”—we gotta remember how special our own planet is and take care of it!

CL: I will always have a particular fondness for Orion as the very first constellation I ever learned how to find, but my favorite constellation would have to be Cassiopeia.  I love sharing her story with guests and it’s a great way to demonstrate how our perception of the constellations change as we move around the sun.

CCC: What is something people are always surprised to learn about astronomy?

LH: How faint the North Star actually is. Everyone expects it to be super bright, but it’s pretty modest up there. Also, folks are always stunned when they first see Saturn’s rings or the Moon’s craters up close—those views never get old.

CL: I always enjoy people’s reactions when we talk about the immense sizes and distances in astronomy.  It’s one thing to have an abstract understanding that the universe is big, but I can never get enough of that moment when someone really wraps their head around just how big it is.

CCC: What’s your favorite thing about using your telescopes in the Civic Center Park?

LH: It’s right downtown, so we reach a huge crowd that might not usually get to stargaze. Despite the city lights, people still get that jaw-dropping “wow!” moment when they look through the scope. It’s awesome to bring space so close to home.

CL: I’m always amazed by how much we can see, even in the heart of Denver.  Getting to share that wonder with so many people is an incredible experience.

Don’t forget to join us on February 12^th, March 5^th, and April 9^th  for our unforgettable STARGAZE experience right downtown.

The post VOICES: Meet Luke & Coda, our guides to the stars appeared first on Civic Center Park.

The post Meet Our New Development Coordinator: Marissa Forbes appeared first on Civic Center Park.

The post Meet Our Civic Center Park Horticulturalist: Cally Dittmann appeared first on Civic Center Park.

The post Meet Our Civic Center Conservancy Interns: Dominic Laurita and Abigale Yilma appeared first on Civic Center Park.

A park is not just for certain people, it’s for everybody. I walk through the park and needs to be worked on and then come up with a project and get it done. It’s always a team effort.

We’ve got an amazing crew. Everybody that works downtown in Civic Center has a lot of pride in their work and it really shows. Everybody has their little pieces of the park and they’re able to say,“ I did this, and I’m proud of it.” Civic Center Park will always be the heart of Denver. This park was one of the originally designed assets of the city and will continue to be a space to gather. The restoration of the Greek Theater is going to be a real centerpiece of the whole park. The park is not just for certain people, it’s for everybody. The park is a great conversation piece. It’s really a source of pride for me to be able to be the caretaker of this park. I often say that this is probably the most photographed park in the state. It means a lot to me to see that people are taking pictures of the park from all over the country and world. That’s how I know I’ve made my mark.

André Lucero is the Downtown Crew Lead for @DenverParksRec. He ensures park safety and keeps it a beautiful and welcoming space for all to enjoy. #CivicCenterVOICES 

The post Civic Center Voices: André Lucero appeared first on Civic Center Park.

#CivicCenterVOICES

The post Civic Center Voices: Jenna Harris appeared first on Civic Center Park.

One of my favorite things about this job is community involvement. When I was going through the interview process for this role, I knew that was going to be a big part of the job, but I guess I’ve never really knew how much. There is a crew of folks from Civic Center WORKS and @bayaud_enterprises that come three days a week to help. On top of that we have Civic Center SPARKLES volunteers that come out once or twice a week all through the summer. It’s a massive difference from what the park previously looked like. I am all for community involvement.

I think as far as the infrastructure of the park goes, it’s one of the coolest parks we have. Right now, we’re sitting in the theater that’s 150 some odd years old and we have pictures of it being built that are all grainy and black and white. It’s cool to think of while I’m sitting right here.

When you’re standing in this park and you’re looking at the courthouse you can see the mountains in the background. And if you’re up in the top of the state house you can see a lot of almost the entirety of Colorado from right here. I like to think of this as the heart of Colorado and it expand from here.

Nigel Besson is the Lead Horticulturalist for Civic Center Park. He works with Civic Center Conservancy, @therealcityofdenver and @denverparksrec to beautify the park each year. #CivicCenterVoices

The post Civic Center Voices: Nigel Besson appeared first on Civic Center Park.

In 10 years I see the park full of vegetable and flower gardens. More people will engage and have access to these gardens. I think that this park offers a huge opportunity to connect people, and for an invitation to visit. I’d love to see the expansion of edible plants and even a small orchard would fit right in! It’s incredibly important to maintain, nurture and continually grow this plot of land for others to enjoy down the road.”

One plant that people always ask me about in these gardens is kale! Kale has an amazing ability in the garden to withstand pests, to withstand weather, and to grow. It’s nutritious, bioavailable and it always provides. I think kale provides an opportunity for people to learn.

When you live in a city environment and to come into an open space, what a relief that is. What a relief it is that Denver Parks and Rec and Civic Center Conservancy are so behind us.

Everyone is working alongside each other and that makes me feel part of something you know? That’s the community I was looking for.”

Linda Kiker is the co-director of @growlocalcolorado and has been involved with the group since 2015. Linda leads volunteer efforts at Civic Center Park where hundreds of pounds of vegetables are grown each summer and donated to local pantries and shelters across Denver. She’s an integral part of Civic Center Park. #CivicCenterVoices

The post Civic Center Voices: Linda Kiker appeared first on Civic Center Park.