There’s no such thing as a typical community hub — each hub is as unique as the community it represents. So, it’s not surprising that one of Parker’s favorite spots is Allegro Music, its only full-service music store.
“Allegro has been around for 24 years and I purchased it five years ago because I knew we needed to keep a music store here,” said owner Rick Henson. “We’re not just a place parents come for recorders — we are a place for people to ask questions, we support our local schools and we provide a sense of community that none of the big stores or websites can offer.”
Allegro recently moved to a new location at 11475 Twenty Mile Road, Suite A, which allows the business to provide a much-expanded range of services to customers, further cementing it as the city’s musical place to be. In addition to selling all manner of instruments, the business also sells all the necessary accessories and also provides rentals for those who only need an instrument for a finite period of time.
According to provided information, about 200 residents take lessons at Allegro and instructors (including Henson, who has taught private drum lessons for more than a decade) now have more space to do that, with nine studios for private lessons and a large room for ensemble and group learning.
“Everything got bigger and better as a result of this move —we have more products and it’s so much easier to shop because of the space,” Henson said. “We also have a waiting room for parents, so they don’t have to sit in their car waiting while their student is learning. It’s just a more enjoyable experience for everyone.”
The new location is also allowing Allegro to try out new projects like an upcoming foray into preschool classes with a nationally recognized program that is specifically designed to be fun and engaging and provide children with the opportunity to try a variety of instruments.
All of these efforts are in support of building more than a business — the aim is to create a place where people want to spend their time while sharing a love of music. And it seems like it’s working.
“The other day two dads whose kids were having lessons might have formed a band themselves,” Henson said. “They’re both novice players and they wanted to play together. That kind of thing doesn’t happen without a physical store.”
Find out more about the store at www.allegromusicparker.com.
Close out summer with creative market
The Art Students League of Denver is bringing its Summer Art Market back for the 29th year, providing shoppers the chance to explore creations by about 120 vendors, plus watch art demonstrations, sample eats and drinks and more.
The market is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28 at the West Wash Park neighborhood bordered by East 1st Avenue, Sherman Street, East 4th Avenue and Logan Street.
This year’s event marks the league’s 35th anniversary and will feature all original and locally made visual arts in a range of mediums. More information and tickets can be found at ASLD.org.
Comedy legend comes to Comedy Works South
I miss Craig Ferguson’s presence on late night all the time. He was always so funny and insightful and delightfully Scottish.
If you’re like me and missed his wry sense of humor, you’re in luck, because he’ll be stopping by Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place in Greenwood Village, at 7:15 and 9:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28.
If you’re not familiar with Ferguson, he’s a multiple Grammy nominated, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, producer, director and comedian. Get tickets at https://comedyworks.com/comedians/craig-ferguson.
Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Robert Plant and Alison Krauss at Red Rocks
Robert Plant was the lead singer of Led Zeppelin. The lead singer of Led Zeppelin is playing Red Rocks. I really shouldn’t have to write anything else for you to purchase tickets.
On the off chance you need a little more, here we go — Plant will be joined by folk/bluegrass legend Alison Krauss in support of their second album of duets, “Raise the Roof,” which was released last year. Like their blockbuster debut, “Raising Sand,” the album finds the duo delving deep into country, folk and alt rock.
I really can’t think of a better venue for the pair than Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, which they’ll be playing at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1.
You should already have tickets, but if you don’t, get yours at www.axs.com.
Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.
