If there is one good thing that the Covid Pandemic has helped with it is access.
Most places have digitized their activities to allow people to still engage without having to leave the comfort of their homes.
This week, the Global Ambassadors have compiled a list of fun things to do in and around Denver. And the best part is that you can explore many of them from your home, wherever you are in the world. Read more about these fun virtual activities below!
Museo de las Americas– https://museo.org/ (virtual tour)
Currently the museum is hosting an exciting exhibit about the Otomi people. The museum has been preparing this exhibit for the last two years, so make sure to check it out before it ends on March 20!
“The Otomi people have born witness to millennia of conquest, enslavement and hardship, but persevere to this day, upholding their way of life, spiritual values and culture. A key part of this perseverance includes making traditional Amate paper, the original paper of Latin America that predates European contact.”
Begin again exhibition – http://www.walkerfineart.com/ (virtual exhibition)
This beautiful art gallery has much to offer. They recently posted a video with a recap of their exhibits from 2020. Their most recent exhibition, “Begin Again”, explored how we start new things when life around us changes.
“The turn of a new decade brought with it an intersectional crossroads unable to be ignored. We are on the cusp of change; how can we do better? As society shifts, as does the art world. These 6 artists featured in BEGIN AGAIN are inspired by healing, hope and wonder, aesthetically working within the realm of ripples and repetition to convey their messages in an array of mediums. We aspire to invoke a sense of thoughtful reflection, so as to begin again with positive action.”
Denver Art Museum – https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/exhibitions/ana-mendieta
Denver Art Museum’s current exhibition celebrates Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta, an artist who was active in the 70’s and 80’s.
“One of Mendieta’s legacies is that she was extremely bold in using her own body as a medium to talk about issues of gender, violence, race, identity and belonging,” curatorial fellow Almeida said. “She was also among the first female artists who experimented with unconventional organic and ephemeral materials, such as blood, earth, plants, fire and more, fusing landscape with film, performance and body art.”
Chicano Humanities & Arts Council – https://www.chacgallery.org/
CHAC is an inclusive community of all creatives that are dedicated to preserving, showcasing, educating and reflecting the essence of Chicana/o/x, Latina/o/x and other multicultural/multiracial communities. They have been offering a a variety of Zoom meeting events during the pandemic to keep the community connected. Their next event is on January 30th. The event will be interactive and will feature award winning dance maestra Jeanette Trujillo.
“Over the past three months we have hosted over 11 virtual and physical events in celebration of Hispanic /Latinx Heritage Month, Dia de Los Muertos, Native American Heritage Month, and Fiesta Cooking. These workshops have been free and open to the community. Lookout for our exciting 2021 line up!”
Japanese square – https://sakurasquare.com/
In the middle of downtown Denver there is a hidden gem that celebrates Japanese culture. Sakura square is located at 1255 19th Street, Denver, Colorado, 80202.
“Sakura square has been a cultural destination for the Japanese-American community as well as the larger Asian population with culture-specific goods and services and special events.”
Truong An Gifts and Beauty- https://www.yelp.com/biz/truong-an-gifts-and-beauty-denver
This unique store provides diverse Asian items and is well recommended. You will be able to find kimonos, beauty products, food and even Pokemon cards. Just visiting it will already be a rewarding experience. The store is located at 333 South Federal Boulevard #116, Denver, CO, 80219.
Aikido Humanitarian Active Network – http://www.nippon-kan.org/the-dojo/tours/
And what about having the life changing experience of visiting a dojo? Nippon Kan Cultural Center can offer that and many more ways to explore Japanese culture. You can schedule a visit that includes a tour of the facility, an aikido demonstration, a hands-on origami paper folding demonstration, folk art museum lecture, garden tour and a country-style Japanese lunch provided by Domo Restaurant.
“Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Founder Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and dynamics of movement. Aikido movement at Nippon Kan is based on the spirit and movements of kenjutsu (sword movement); the heart of Japanese Budo.”
Aurora Korea town – https://issuu.com/omi4u/docs/__________sample
There are an estimated 2,300 Korean immigrants living in Aurora, a neighboring city that is part of the Denver metro. With such a large Korean community, it’s natural that Aurora would host many Korean restaurants, markets, and community groups that together form Korea town, or K-town as the locals call it. With lots of different stores and restaurants to explore, K-Town is a great destination where you can feel like you are in Pyeongchang without leaving Colorado. Check out their “Colorado Guide” to see where to head first!
THE WORLD ON ONE CAMPUS 