Fun events that happened in June (photo spread)
Mayama annual performance, June 1
“Magic & Mystery” was the theme of their 15th Annual Dance Production, by Mayama Dance & Wellness, at the Lyons Middle/High School Auditorium on June 1st. They had a total of 40 pieces in two shows. And, over 100 dancers. A sell out crowd of parents and dance lovers filled the room. It takes a village to put it on, and the staff wants to “give a nod to all the behind the curtain…fluffers, wranglers, planners and creatives who lean in to ensure our production is flawless. We have an amazing support staff that make sure every detail is accounted for.”
==“Presto” by Hip Hop, 2nd-3rd Grade, choreographed by Wendy Olson, and photo by Erin Witbeck.
==The teens: Black Flies choreographed that piece themselves.
Lyons Library Lit Fest, June 8
Will be in separate article on “Library events”
Bee In, June 9
Let It Bee Honey & More Store sponsored the 5th annual Bee In happening at noon on June 9th. Thirteen music groups performed, including the popular Bridget Law. Speakers included Brigitte Mars, who also gave a herb walk, and Tyler Stellern, the Bee wisdom guy. The vendors offered: community felting craft, body therapy, bee vendors, dandelion brigade, Lyons Community Farm project, OG natural local meats, simply bee conservation plants, books, and craft vendors. The delectable foods offered were: handmade krautburgers by Connie, and African peanut stew and delectable treats by Angie. The weather was good, and brought in even more people than last year.
“It was accomplished by a collective collaboration of individuals contributing what we have to offer the production. It was a nice turnout,” said Jenna Evangeline, Let It Bee. They are open Wednesday thru Saturday 12-5 p.m.
Summer Concerts in Sandstone Park, June 12
The popular Lyons Summer Concert series is free, courtesy of Lyons Community Foundation. Crowds bring their chairs and blankets and relax on the grassy lawn in front of the newly updated Vasquez stage in Sandstone Park. The 2024 season started off with the Denver Municipal Jazz band; an 18-piece traditional Jazz band. They have been around for 160 years, playing in Denver, Colorado parks. The band is the oldest, actively performing, professional band in the U.S. In addition to some jazz numbers, it played some rousing brass pieces, and drum sets.
LCF had popcorn, hot dogs, baked goods and non-alcoholic beverages available. Donations encouraged, but not required; but remember, it is through these sales that they can sponsor events like these summer concerts! See our ARTICLE for a full list of performers.
Lyons Pride Festival, June 15
Photos copyright Kathleen Spring 2024
Crowds gathered in Sandstone Park on June 15th, successfully fighting off a mix of 90+ degrees, and dark storm clouds. The air rang with laughter and good cheer. Approximately a dozen vendors had booths set up, offering information on their organization, and how it could help both LGBTQ+ people and the general population. For example, one booth gave information about a summer camp for Black LGBTQ+ kids. Each booth had a “Spin the Wheel,” where people could win prizes, such as snacks, stickers, and even a pair of socks with the Pride Rainbow on the cuff.
There was free ice cream, crafts of flowery wreaths, and bracelets or necklaces, live music, and face painting. The Pride parade went down Main Street, with shopkeepers and passing car drivers cheering them on.
“Thank you, Lyons, for supporting a fun celebration of LGTBQ+ Pride on June 15. Music, games, crafts, vendors, speakers and lots of rainbow items filled Sandstone Park during the day. And, more music and three fantastic Drag Queens entertained a large, diverse, all ages crowd at Rock Garden at A-Lodge in the evening. Interested in planning for 2025? Contact us at lyonscopride@gmail.com,” Jackie Hibbard, co-organizer of the event.
Author Talk “Rocky Flats”
The horrifying situation at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons manufacturing site was discussed during author Kristen Iverson’s talk on her book “Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats.” The same quiet concentration that she must have had to research the subject so extensively, was shown in her presentation of the material to the crowd of 55+ people in the library community room. It was followed by a Q&A period; and she offered some ways that people can become pro-active in corralling the site from further spread of the still existing plutonium.
What action(s) will you take? — Spread the information, and share the book, and mention the documentary to others. — Be part of the public urging for no more home or road construction (parkway/greenway), including no more use of the land by pedestrians and horseback riders — write to decision makers about providing signage and information at the site, including the Wildlife Preserve buffer zone — ask for officials to provide resources to monitor water, soil and air in the area, especially as we experience fires and floods which disturb the ground.
Get on the Boulder-based Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center’s email list to receive action alerts. Attend the July 15th meeting in Westminster City Council (4800 W 92nd Avenue) at 5:30 – 10 p.m. – a key opportunity to oppose the greenway and bridge. —- “Join us in solidarity as we show up to the Westminster Study Session on the Rocky Mountain Greenway, to show them that the public does not want trails on contaminated land.” More details will be released leading up to the event. Contact chris@RMPJC.org for more info.
We will keep you informed when the documentary comes out this summer. It will eventually be shown in a theater in Boulder. A TV series is also being considered, which will be “personal stories” based (vs. factual documentary). See our “book review and interview” of Iverson – ARTICLE.