October performing arts preview: Colorado’s best theater, dance and classical music

Plenty of spooky performances will haunt stages, but it’s not all about Halloween this month

By the Thirst Team

Here are some of the best events across Colorado for the next few weeks. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

This week, we are focusing on performing arts across Colorado. Here are our top picks in Colorado theater, dance and classical music.

‘Feeding Beatrice’ in Aurora Oct. 1 to Nov. 1

For the Halloween season, the Aurora Fox Arts Center will stage the Colorado debut of “Feeding Beatrice,” a gothic story about a contemporary Black couple haunted by the ghost of a young white girl. The play addresses race, class and the American dream.

‘The Tempest’ in Denver Oct. 2 to Nov. 1

The Denver Center Theatre Company will stage Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” in the Kilstrom Theatre. 

In the larger Buell Theatre, the Denver Center will host touring productions of the Who’s “Tommy” Oct. 16 to 18, and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” Oct. 20 to Nov. 7.

Pianist Jean-Baptiste Doulcet will perform in Lafayette on Oct. 2. | Photo by Nikolaj Lund

Classical pianist in Lafayette Oct. 2

French pianist and composer Jean-Baptiste Doulcet will perform Chopin and Sibelius at the Center for Musical Arts in Lafayette. Fans also can expect some improvisation from this versatile, internationally renowned chamber musician.

‘Don Quixote’ ballet in Denver Oct. 2 to 11

Choreographer Marius Petipa turned Cervantes’ classic novel into a romantic comedy in ballet form (plus some traditional Spanish folk dancing). Colorado Ballet presents the show as its season opener at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for two weekends. The Colorado Ballet company expanded to 43 dancers this season.

Tickets also are available for the company’s always popular “Nutcracker” performances in November and December.

‘The Vampire of Lafayette’ in Denver Oct. 2-25

Douglas Allen Madison is an assistant manager at Sonic and Lafayette's most prominent amateur vampirologist in Buntport Theater’s new comedy. The play, based on a spooky Colorado legend, comes to Denver on Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoons.

On Sunday, Oct. 11, the show is followed by a discussion with Chelsea Pennington Hahn, the director of the Lafayette History Museum.

“CelloMonk” Camden Shaw concert in Boulder Oct. 3

Camden Shaw, cellist of the world-renowned Dover Quartet, joins COmpass REsonance (CORE) for a concert comparing and contrasting the works of father and son composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. 

COREis a conductorless ensemble, and the concert also spotlights flutist Ysmael Reyes and guest artist Katy Wherry.

Parker Symphony’s ‘Myths and Legends’ concert Oct. 9

The Parker Symphony Orchestra presents an evening of orchestral music inspired by folklore, fantasy, and storytelling at the PACE Center. Selections include “The William Tell Overture,” “Danse Macabre,” “Les Préludes,” and “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

The Cherry Creek Chorale performs. | Photo provided

Chorale celebrates Oktoberfest season Oct. 9 and 10

The Cherry Creek Chorale opens its season at Bethany Lutheran Church with a concert inspired by the German tradition of Gemütlichkeit. In addition to music by Mendelssohn, Brahms and the silly P.D.Q. Bach, the choir will lead polkas, tavern songs and waltzes.

The Aries Brass Quintet, featuring musicians from Denver Brass, and the CherryTones will accompany the singers. 

A separately ticketed Oktoberfest party will follow the Saturday afternoon concert, with beer, German treats and more music.

Collaborative dance concert in Colorado Springs Oct. 10

The NEXUS dance concert will feature 10 professional artists from Ormao Dance Company and 10 students from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. They will perform new choreography by  two UCCS faculty members and guest choreographer Omri Drumlevich at the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS. 

Jeff Goldblum performs with Colorado Symphony Oct. 13

Jeff Goldblum doesn’t just rule over Oz and fight off dinosaurs. He also is a jazz pianist and singer. His band will join the Colorado Symphony at Boettcher Concert Hall for jazz classics, American Songbook standards and other selections.

The Symphony also hosts Rufus Wainwright on Oct. 3 and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Oct. 23 to 25. The orchestra also will debut a new concerto with composer Joe Hisaishi.

Wonderbound’s Azelle Chang in “The Witching Hour.” | Photo by Martha Wirth

‘The Witching Hour” in Denver Oct. 15 to 25

Magic happens when Clay Rose of the Gasoline Lollipops and Garrett Ammon of Wonderbound combine their darker artistic sides. They co-wrote Wonderbound’s dance masterpiece “The Sandman,” and collaborated on the vampire tale “Wicked Bayou.” 

Their latest production involves “alternate dimensions and the otherworldly beings that dwell within.” To accompany the dancers, Rose is fronting a new collective that includes members of Big Richard, Maxwell Mud and High Fiction.

Contemporary Ballet in Fort Collins Oct. 20

New York-based Complexions Contemporary Ballet has focused on inclusive and diverse dance performances for more than 30 years. It brings the “Love Rocks” show, set to the music of Lenny Kravitz, to the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins.

Denver Brass season kickoff in Northglenn Oct. 23

The full Denver Brass ensemble will officially open their season and make their debut at Northglenn’s Parsons Theatre with “The Opening Drive,” a sports-themed concert with pop and classical selections, including songs by Michael Jackson and Queen.

Boulder Phil opens season Oct. 23 and 24

The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra officially opens its season with Sibelius Symphony No. 2, plus a flute concerto performed by Christina Jennings. The concerts, on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, also will include Vivian Fung’s “Pizzicato.” 

The Boulder Phil’s string quartet also will accompany Motus Theater’s stories of American immigrants Oct. 15 in Broomfield.

Global music quartet in Lakewood Oct. 24

Quarteto Nuevo merges Western classical music with Eastern European folk, Latin and jazz styles. The group tours internationally, and stops at the Lakewood Cultural Center for a Saturday night show.

The LCC also hosts acclaimed pianist Pallavi Mahidhara on Oct. 9

‘Dracula’ in Fort Collins Oct. 31 to Nov. 13

The Lincoln Center hosts OpenStage Theatre for Steven Dietz’s adaptation of “Dracula” Oct. 31 to Nov. 13.

Also, a touring production of “Mystic Pizza” is coming to Lincoln Center for one weekend Oct. 16 to 18. The show is a 1980s jukebox musical based on the Julia Roberts romantic comedy. 

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the performing arts preview, we will add them to our events calendar.