Ambling & Rambling: What's happening in Greeley, Weld and Farther Afield in January

By Emily Kemme

Whether you’ve spent the end of the 2023 holiday season schussing down packed powder on the slopes, making the return rounds at Macy’s, juggling a glittering social schedule—including trying out new recipes and savoring tried and true ones—or hunkered down at home with movie re-runs while battling the latest viral bug, the clock is ticking forward. What will 2024 offer for entertainment, fun times with friends and family and educational opportunities? Jump into January with gusto and plenty of curiosity to find out.

6 p.m. Saturday, January 6, at Atlas Theater, 709 16th St., Greeley, Troupe Sidysaan presents The Dead of Winter: a reimagining of Victorian Winter ghost stories

Troupe Sidysaan presents The Dead of Winter at Atlas Theater. Photo courtesy of Troupe Sidysaan/Facebook.

Troupe Sidysaan, a trans-cultural fusion dance and performance art group, presents an opportunity to celebrate haunting tales as we head into deep winter. The lineup hosts some of the loveliest (and spookiest) belly dancers from northeastern Colorado. Tickets are available at the door for $12. Dress in your spooky finest for $10 tickets; under 12 is free. Duration: 2 hours

1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 13, at LINC Library Innovation Center, 501 8th Ave., presents Science of Sound

Learn about the Science of Sound at LINC. Photo courtesy of LINC Library Innovation Center/Facebook.

High Plains Library District’s program teaches kids ages 6 and up how the science of sound works. Explore a variety of objects that make sounds similar to musical instruments. The event is great for STEM students, those interested in music/art/maker instruction and lifelong learners. Adults are welcome, too! Register for the limited space event by clicking the link.

LINC is a 62,000 square foot building in downtown Greeley located at the old Greeley Tribune site. In addition to housing HPLD’s Local History and Genealogy Collection, a Children’s Library, a fully equipped makerspace, an industrial space with woodworking equipment, recording studio and community meeting spaces, the state-of-the-art facility offers places to create, innovate, play and learn. Want to know more about LINC’s fabulous features? The NoCo Optimist has the details here.

Chanticleer at the Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley. Photo courtesy of Chanticleer.

7:30 p.m. Friday, January 26 at at the Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., sit back and be wowed by the GRAMMY Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer

The New Yorker magazine describes Chanticleer as “the world’s reigning male chorus.” Known as “an orchestra of voices” for its wide-ranging repertoire and dazzling virtuosity, Chanticleer was founded in San Francisco in 1978 by singer and musicologist Louis Botto. The group’s repertoire draws from renaissance roots and pulls its name from the “clear-singing” rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.” It has sold over one million recordings and performed thousands of live concerts around the world. The repertoire has expanded to include classical, gospel, jazz, popular music, new compositions and arrangements.

The group has performed in stunning European concert halls and beautiful churches around the world. The ensemble’s 12 male voices have also echoed in a Canadian barn, a Swedish gymnasium and in Central Park with the New York Philharmonic. This January, Chanticleer sings in Greeley at the UCCC. Ticket prices range from $33.00 - $63.00. To get yours, visit UCStars.

Listen to R&B played by Roots & Rhythm at 477 Distilling. Photo courtesy of 477 Distilling/Facebook.

7-10 p.m. Friday, February 2 get into the groove with a Jazz & Blues Partay at 477 Distilling, 825 9th St., Unit B, Greeley

Roots & Rhythm Band performs an evening of gritty and soulful with James Speiser on vocals and guitar and the sultry and sophisticated tenor sax of Pattie Melt. Ray Charles, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Louis Jordan, Stray Cats, BBKing, New Orleans Funk, Swing, Funky Blues and originals are all part of the repertoire.

Roots & Rhythm has opened for four-time Grammy-winning singer, Dianne Reeves and debuted their last original record on KUVO 89.3. The band was featured in the film Blue Roots Denver for the Five Points Jazz Festival Five Points Jazz On Film Series and specializes in heavy-hitting old school blues, jazz that hits you where it counts — your heart and soul.

Pull up a chair, order a 477 Distilling craft cocktail and let it all hang out.

Farther Afield

Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. kick up your heels at Sweet Heart Winery & Event Center with Wednesday Wine Dancing, 5500 US-34, Loveland, CO

Learn country line dancing from Tracey Ingraham, The Loveland Line Dancer, at Sweet Heart Winery & Event Center. Photo courtesy of Sweet Heart Winery/Facebook.

Tracey Ingraham, the Loveland Line Dancer, offers up a country line dancing lesson to polish your dance moves for the New Year. Each $22 ticket includes one hour of guided instruction, 30 minutes of practice and a complimentary glass of Sweet Heart Winery’s select wine. Wine Dancing attendees can come early to enjoy an extended happy hour with $2 off glasses of select wines and $2 off flatbread pizzas and charcuterie boards. (until 6 p.m.).

In this western tradition that goes back decades, the 118th National Western Stock Show saddles up with the Stock Show Kick-Off Parade on Thursday, January 4 at noon.

118th National Western Stock Show kicks off with the annual Stock Show Kick-Off Parade in downtown Denver. Photo courtesy of National Western Stock Show/Facebook.

Hooves hitting the streets of downtown Denver means only one thing: Stock Show is here! The Kick-Off Parade, presented by Arrow Electronics, means it’s time to pull on your boots, strap on the chaps and brush off your cowboy hat to celebrate Colorado’s most iconic western tradition. Step back in time to experience a genuine cattle drive, western-style, filling 17th Street with horses, cowboys, cowgirls, tractors, marching bands and floats.

The parade starts at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. and ends at 17th St. and Glenarm Place. There will also be a Stock Show Fair at McGregor Square adjacent to Coors Field from noon-2 p.m., 1900 Wazee St. The National Western Stock Show runs from January 6-21, 2024. For a full schedule, visit their website.