Colorado’s fine-arts calendar is rich in the coming months with an abundance of high-level live performances and gallery exhibitions. We looked across the state and assembled this list of offerings with serious potential. Check them out.
Tomashi Jackson, “Across the Universe”
(MCA Denver, June 14-Sept. 10)
California-raised and New York-based Tomashi Jackson has created a style of art all her own, combining multiple genres — painting, printmaking, photography and textile art — to make pieces that unfold with surprising depth and visual excitement. She is known as a historian, researching moments and movements from the collective African-American narrative, but presenting them through a rich and colorful filtering that speaks to their resonance now. This show has work from the past eight years, plus paintings and video commissioned just for this exhibition. Info: 303-298-7554 or mcadenver.org.
Joshua Bell
(Colorado Music Festival, June 29-30)
The Colorado Music Festival has really come into its own lately, bringing top talent to the region, along with smart programming that covers enough bases to please everyone who loves art music. This performance by Joshua Bell, which opens the fest, is a good example of how festival organizers keep classical current. Expect Bell, whose timeless playing brings out the best in both contemporary and traditional music, to attack Bruch’s First Violin Concerto with verve and personality. The program also has Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Info: 303-440-7666 or coloradomusicfestival.org
“Othello”
(Central City Opera, July 15-Aug. 6)
Central City Opera is trying something new this summer, a themed season structured around the work of William Shakespeare. The lineup includes the operas “Romeo and Juliet” and “Othello,” along with the Broadway show “Kiss Me, Kate,” which is famously set during a production of “The Taming of the Shrew.” They each have something to offer, but Rossini’s musical take on “Othello” rises to the top, with its beautiful and complicated plot of jealousy and revenge, which is aways right for the times. Info: 303-292-6700 or centralcityopera.org.
“Desert Rider”
(Denver Art Museum, July 9-Sept. 24)
This group show looks at lowrider culture and the way indigenous and Latino artists use vehicles of all kinds to express ideas and celebrate identity. Expect lots of colorful paintings, sculpture and installation work from artists like Justin Favela, Douglas Miles and Cara Romero, who have made the genre their own. DAM’s version of this traveling show, organized locally by Victoria I. Lyall, adds work from Colorado artists exploring related themes, such as Carlos Frésquez, Juan Fuentes, Tony Ortega and Daniel Salazar. Info: 720-865-5000 or denverartmuseum.org.
The Philadelphia Orchestra with Hilary Hahn
(Bravo! Vail Music Festival, July 12)
Philadelphia Orchestra music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin is a true podium star, and his presence with the ensemble this summer in Vail is especially promising. The orchestra is set to perform Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3, a work that was the highlight of its 2022 Grammy Award-winning recording. Even better: The evening features popular soloist Hilary Hahn, who will take on the thrill ride that is Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Info: 877-812-5700 or bravovail.org.
“Orfeo”
(Santa Fe Opera, July 29-Aug. 24)
Santa Fe Opera is skipping its usual big, world premiere moment this summer, but offering up something close: a fresh production of “Orfeo,” with a new orchestration by one of the world’s top contemporary composers, Nico Muhly. It will be interesting to see this familiar score updated, especially in this venture directed by MacArthur Prize winner Yuval Sharon and starring in-demand tenor Rolando Villazón. If you are looking to pair this with another title on the Santa Fe season, a good bet is “Tosca.” Catch one of the performances with soprano Leah Hawkins in the lead role. Info: 505-986-5900 or santafeopera.org.
New York Philharmonic Orchestra with Marin Alsop and Yunchan Lim
(Bravo! Vail, July 26)
The classical world’s personality of the moment is no doubt Yunchan Lim, who in 2022 — at the age of 18 — became the youngest-ever winner of the legendary Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. On this night, he will perform Rachmaninoff’s difficult Piano Concerto No. 3, while local fave Marin Alsop conducts from the podium. It’s a swell combo and just the kind of program that makes Vail a special place. Info: 877-812-5700 or bravovail.org.
L.A. Dance Project
(Vail Dance Festival, July 31)
There are so many good things packed into this year’s Vail Dance Festival that it is hard to pick a favorite. Should it be the always-exciting BalletX? The enduring Martha Graham Dance Company? The three separate programs titled “International Evening of Dance,” featuring stars from around the globe?
I’m going with L.A. Dance Project, because this contemporary West Coast company always comes up with something new, even when it moves to something old. Plus, this performance includes an appearance by the fest’s quartet-in-residence Brooklyn Rider, one of the most interesting music ensembles working today. Info: 970-845-8497 or vaildance.org.
