Cheers! Our First Birthday + An Art Walk Downtown (And A Walk Down Memory Lane)
Episode 52 of Springs and Things is a full circle moment: one year ago, Carly and Lauren wandered the streets of Downtown Colorado Springs for a photo shoot that became the face of this podcast. Now they are back, walking the same streets to celebrate their one year anniversary with a guided tour of Art on the Streets, Downtown Colorado Springs' 27-year-old public art program that transforms the city into an open air gallery every spring. Along the way they reflect on a year of friendship, community, and discovering the best of Colorado Springs together, and close it out with hot takes on the city's rapidly evolving food and dining scene.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
Lauren walks Carly through three standout installations from this year's Art on the Streets program, including a community mural by Colorado artist Chad LaFever at Nevada and Boulder, the Doomscroll sculpture outside Mackenzie's Chop House (created by a former archaeologist from California), and a reflective glass droplet installation on the Pikes Peak Avenue median that looks completely different depending on where you stand. You will learn how to access the Art on the Streets interactive map and guided walking tours, and how local artists can submit work through the annual January call for entries. The episode also covers the hottest new restaurants and dining spots in Colorado Springs right now, including Totem, The Brit Pub, The Bee at the Broadmoor, and the British Pantry and Tea Room in OCC. Plus: a recap of the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival virtual pass and a look ahead at what is coming in year two of Springs and Things.
Timestamps:
00:00 Happy anniversary: celebrating episode 52
02:30 Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival virtual pass recap
06:00 One year in: what this podcast has meant to both of us
12:00 Year two teaser: MediSpa consultations and more
16:00 What is Art on the Streets and how to explore it
18:30 Stop 1: Chad LaFever mural at Nevada and Boulder
22:00 Stop 2: Doomscroll sculpture outside Mackenzie's Chop House
27:00 Stop 3: Glass droplet installation on Pikes Peak Avenue near Night Romp
32:00 How to find Art on the Streets, guided tours, and the call for entries
35:00 Picks of the Week: The Brit Pub, The Bee, Totem, and Core Collective
Art on the Streets: Everything You Need to Know
Art on the Streets is a program of Downtown Ventures that has been bringing public art to Downtown Colorado Springs for 27 years. Each spring, new installations, murals, and sculptures are added throughout the downtown corridor, turning the streets into a rotating open air gallery. Some pieces are available for purchase at the end of their season, and Downtown Colorado Springs offers both self-guided interactive map tours and official guided walking tours.
Local and regional artists can apply through the annual call for entries, which opens every January. Lauren says watching the installations go in each spring is one of her favorite things about living downtown.
The three installations featured in this episode are all accessible on foot in the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs. Start at the corner of Nevada and Boulder outside the Orrick Gallery, head to the Doomscroll sculpture outside Mackenzie's Chop House, and finish at the glass droplet piece on the Pikes Peak Avenue median near Night Romp. While you are in the area, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is right across the street and well worth a stop.
Find the full interactive Art on the Streets map and guided tour details at downtowncs.com.
Colorado Springs Dining Scene Picks:
Totem has opened downtown where The Well used to be, serving international comfort food with Latin and Mexican inspiration alongside specialty coffee and craft cocktails. Open all day from morning through night, it is already taking over feeds across Colorado Springs.
The Brit Pub opened near Widener Field, run by Nova, former anchor of Living Local. Legitimately British, and high on the list of places to visit soon.
The Bee at the Broadmoor is the go-to for gluten free fish and chips, reportedly crispier than anywhere else in Colorado Springs.
The Penrose Room at the Broadmoor continues to be one of the most talked about dining experiences in the city. Book early, especially heading into the holiday season.
The British Pantry and Tea Room in OCC is a low-key gem for imported sweets, Cadbury treats, and a cozy afternoon stop.
Sponsors:
Ent Center for the Arts is presenting Theater Works' production of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," running November 28 through December 21, along with new exhibitions at the Galleries of Contemporary Art including Carla Garcia's Female Emerging Artist Residency and Nina Elder's solo show. House of Stardust, a fashion and art event, opens in February with tickets on sale in November. Full details at ntarts.org.
Core Collective is Downtown Colorado Springs' Pilates community for all levels, from first-timers to reformer regulars. Use promo code SPRINGSANDTHINGS at checkout for three classes at $30. Visit corecollectivecos.com.
Key Quotes:
"Sometimes you wanna come back here because it looks a little different. Will you really stand and sit with it for a second?" -- Carly on the glass droplet installation
"Every spring when they introduce the new art, I take my kids on a little scavenger hunt." -- Lauren
"Colorado Springs is having a major glow up with its food scene right now." -- Carly
About Springs and Things:
Springs and Things is Colorado Springs' favorite local podcast for dining, arts, culture, and community. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a five-star review, and share this episode with someone who loves The Springs as much as we do.
