The Arvada Center offers award-winning, professional regional theater (both plays and musicals); Denver's best children's theater; a wide variety of concerts; classical and contemporary dance performances; nationally recognized gallery exhibitions; a history museum; and over 600 arts and humanities classes each year for students of all ages.

First, of course, you have to get the kids to leave the fabulous playground! Designed by local artist Bill Gian (known for his metal sculptures in downtown Denver as well as his candle-holders at the Wynkoop Brewery), the 343-foot-long Squiggles is the focal point; the multi-colored, multi-textured concrete sculpture, its head raised, its body moving in and out of the earth is a magnet for climbers of all ages, and parents are especially grateful for the padded surface underneath!

Seven other sculptures keep Squiggles company when kids go home; three are concrete creatures' heads, which were completed during the construction of the playground.

The best surprise for newbies, though, are the talking trash cans, including a voice that says "Hey baby, it's hot down here" and a variety of animal sounds including pigs and horses.

When you finally get inside, check out the children's theater season, which features at least three productions each year, one of which is usually an original script commissioned by the Center.

Kids' classes include ArtStart, performing arts, music (instruments and theory), visual arts, ceramics, ballet, and more. Call 720.898.7200 for further information or to request a class catalog.

The Arvada Center also houses two gallery spaces - one upstairs and one downstairs across from the box office - that feature 12 to 15 exhibitions annually. The shows tend to focus primarily on contemporary art from local, national and international artists.

The Historical Museum may be visited by appointment. If you have a group, museum tours and accompanying participatory plays can be booked by calling 720.898.7255.

Watch for Family Arts Days, a great, affordable way to treat your family to an afternoon of arts experiences. Each Family Arts Day includes tickets to a family performance along with a backstage tour, gallery or museum tour, and/or a special, hands-on workshop. Kids must be five years or older and accompanied by an adult.

The Avalon Ballroom features a large cushioned dance floor, perfect for the myriad dance classes that are offered. The space is also available for event rental.

Ballet Nouveau has been training dancers of all ages (toddlers through adults) and abilities since 1992. Classes in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, contemporary, and more are designed to be fun, inspiring, and challenging; many are taught by members of BNC's professional company.

Ballet Nouveau has been training dancers of all ages (toddlers through adults) and abilities since 1992. Classes in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, contemporary, and more are designed to be fun, inspiring, and challenging; many are taught by members of BNC's professional company.

The Bob L. Burger Recreation Center is a testament to a smaller community's ability to successfully build a great recreation center. The facility includes:

A Leisure Pool which is irregularly shaped and ranges in depth from 0 to 3 1/2 feet deep. Water temperature in the low 90's makes play especially enjoyable for tots and seniors. Features of this pool include a large rock waterfall, raindrops, bubble mattress, vortex, small waterslide and three rocking squirt toys.

The rectangular Lap Pool is 25 yards long, 6 lanes wide to accommodate competitive swimming and lap swimming.

The Swim Channel/Splashdown Pool is a channel seven feet wide and 150 foot long that winds around and connects with itself to create a constant flowing "Lazy River". The island created by the channel contains a splash down pool for a 20 foot high, 150 foot long water slide. Special features include inner tube rides, fountain spray and a static swim area where a nozzle in the wall can be adjusted by a swimmer to allow them to stay in one place and swim against the current. Whirlpool, Steam and Dry Sauna: are provided between the aquatics area and locker rooms. These features are co-ed.

Raquetball courts, exercise rooms, circuit equipment and free weights are also available. As well as an indoor track that is 1/16 of a mile and overlooks the pool, fitness, and gym areas of the center.

The recreation center is housed on 20 acres of parkland. The multi-use land features a 4-field youth sports complex, an inline hockey rink and the city's outdoor classroom. The recreation center, the sports complex and the outdoor classroom provide the community a wonderful focal point for great family recreation.

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art offers guided educational and informative tours for individual classes and/or small groups. To schedule a tour, or for more information, contact the museum at 303.443.2122.

In addition, BMoCA hosts Art Stop, free, guided art activities to children of all ages. Held each Saturday from 9am-1pm during the Farmer's Market (April to October), Art Stop visitors are provided with materials and ideas from the current exhibit cycle.

Full service YMCA facility. Includes a gym, indoor track, full cardio and weight training equipment, program rooms, childcare program, aerobics studio, and a full-size ice rink.

Full service YMCA facility. Includes a gym, indoor track, full cardio and weight training equipment, program rooms, childcare program, aerobics studio, and a lap pool.

Catchpenny Kids Theatre's offers training in acting, singing, and dancing for kids in SE Denver.

Catchpenny Kids Theatre's offers training in acting, singing, and dancing for kids in SE Denver.

Centerstage Starz offers dance and theatre lessons for students from beginner to advanced. Performing and competing dance company auditions are held in May each year. Weekly summer camps with performance opportunities, professional dance team, and high school pom team preparation is also offered. Centerstage Starz is the home of the Colorado Rapids Cheerleaders and Denver Nuggets Lil Busters.

Cherry Creek Dance offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, break dancing, musical theatre, cheer, and poms. Dance apparel and shoes are also available for purchase.

Cherry Creek Dance offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, break dancing, musical theatre, cheer, and poms. Dance apparel and shoes are also available for purchase.

Christian Youth Theater offers classes in acting, voice, dance, improv, tech, and other specialty performing arts areas. Participants perform in three Broadway-style musicals each year. Summer camp programs are also offered at several locations in the metro area.

One of Colorado's oldest and most successful arts institutions, Colorado Ballet is the only organization of its size and stature to produce classical ballet in Colorado.

The Ballet's education and outreach team offers afterschool workshops and student matinees. Comprehensive study guides for the current ballet can be downloaded from the Ballet's website.

The Ballet performs at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

The CYPB is a nonprofit music and dance performance organization dedicated to traditional Celtic music and dance arts. New pipers and drummers may visit any Monday evening (6pm-8pm; check the calendar) to see what it is all about.

Summer camp and classes are available. The Band is also available for special performances.

The Jon D. Williams Cotillion Program for Children helps students of all ages develop communication, socialization, and dance skills that can have a positive impact throughout their lifetimes.

The program teaches contemporary etiquette skills and a wide range of traditional and contemporary dances (including Foxtrot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Samba, Tango, Jitterbug, two/three step, line dancing, and many more). The goal is to help kids feel comfortable and confident in a variety of social settings.

Age-appropriate programs typically run four to five weeks, one day a week, for 60-90 minutes each day. Each series concludes with a special event that parents may also attend. Children are required to wear dressy clothes for classes. Advance registration is required.

The Jon D. Williams Cotillion Program for Children helps students of all ages develop communication, socialization, and dance skills that can have a positive impact throughout their lifetimes.

The program teaches contemporary etiquette skills and a wide range of traditional and contemporary dances (including Foxtrot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Samba, Tango, Jitterbug, two/three step, line dancing, and many more). The goal is to help kids feel comfortable and confident in a variety of social settings.

Age-appropriate programs typically run four to five weeks, one day a week, for 60-90 minutes each day. Each series concludes with a special event that parents may also attend. Children are required to wear dressy clothes for classes. Advance registration is required.

The DaVinci Center for Creative Arts offers programs in Suzuki and traditional piano, private and group voice classes, dance, art, acting, Spanish singing, guitar (jazz and classical), and martial arts. Creation Workshops culminate in theatre/musical productions, showcasing original student compositions.

Summer Camp programs and birthday party packages are also available.

The Denver Academy of Ballet was established in the summer of 2001 to offer the best technical training available to both students interested in pursuing a career in classical ballet and those who simply wish to study this art form. Young children begin in creative movement and pre-ballet classes which serve as an introduction to movement and music. Academic ballet lessons are available for children from age eight to 12, teens, and adults. Programs are also offered in jazz, hip-hop, and yoga.

The Denver Academy of Ballet was established in the summer of 2001 to offer the best technical training available to both students interested in pursuing a career in classical ballet and those who simply wish to study this art form. Young children begin in creative movement and pre-ballet classes which serve as an introduction to movement and music. Academic ballet lessons are available for children from age eight to 12, teens, and adults. Programs are also offered in jazz, hip-hop, and yoga.

Encore Dance offers ballet, tap, Jazz, lyrical, poms, acrobatics, hip hop, bboys, breakdancing, and belly dancing. The studio has small class sizes with experienced teachers. Their focus is on helping the students grow as a person as they become great dancers.

Offering classes and instruction in guitar, bass, drums, piano, violin, brass, woodwinds, dance, and theatrical arts. Summer camps and programs are also offered.

Offering classes and instruction in guitar, bass, drums, piano, violin, brass, woodwinds, dance, and theatrical arts. Summer camps and programs are also offered.

The center includes a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, dance studio, meeting space, and more.

The center includes a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, dance studio, meeting space, and more.

Colorado's pre-eminent low-flying trapeze and aerial dance-theatre company, FFP performs indoors and out, blending aerial work seamlessly with dance. In addition to performances, FFP offers beginning and advance classes and summer camps in mixed apparatus aerial dance, low-flying trapeze, and more to kids as young as ten, as well as adults.

Frequent Flyers also produces the only international Aerial Dance Festival in the world each August. The Festival blends classes, workshops, community outreach activities, and performances for two weeks each summer. Thanks for looking us up. We hope to see you at one of our classes, shows, and the Festival! Check out the website at www.frequentflyers.org for performance and camp scheduling information.

Colorado's pre-eminent low-flying trapeze and aerial dance-theatre company, FFP performs indoors and out, blending aerial work seamlessly with dance. In addition to performances, FFP offers beginning and advance classes and summer camps in mixed apparatus aerial dance, low-flying trapeze, and more to kids as young as ten, as well as adults.

Frequent Flyers also produces the only international Aerial Dance Festival in the world each August. The Festival blends classes, workshops, community outreach activities, and performances for two weeks each summer. Thanks for looking us up. We hope to see you at one of our classes, shows, and the Festival! Check out the website at www.frequentflyers.org for performance and camp scheduling information.

Gayton Dance Studio specializes in jazz, hip-hop, tap, ballet, lyrical, and technique dance classes for kids ages three and over. The Studio's teaching staff is made up of creative and professional dance instructors on the cutting edge of today's choreography and music.

Gayton Dance Performing Company has performed statewide and nationally, including Disney World Orlando, Royal Caribbean Cruise liners, Denver Nuggets half-time performances, and others.

Gymnastics Unlimited offers preschool gymnastics programs, recreational classes, boys and girls competitive teams, summer day camps, birthday party packages, and dance classes.

Gymnastics Unlimited offers preschool gymnastics programs, recreational classes, boys and girls competitive teams, summer day camps, birthday party packages, and dance classes.

Kamp Kutandara is a cross-cultural program providing kids an age-approriate, hands-on experience exploring a wide range of music, dance, and art from Africa in a day camp setting. Kids play and learn by ear and build their musical confidence on all levels.

The McTeggart Irish Dancers and Dance Academy offers instruction for all ages and levels at six different locations throughout Colorado. Dancers, from beginners through champions, have the opportunity to perform throughout the year at local and regional feiseanna (dance festivals). The eight Performance Companies make over 100 appearances at public and private events, including the enver St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and Colorado Performing Arts Festival.

Instruction and classes follow the traditional Irish Way of teaching, focusing on basic form, rhythm, and style. Advancement is based on individual effort.
and students are offered the opportunity to experience many facets of Irish dance through performance, competition, solo and team dancing.

The introductory class is geared toward children and teens. New dancers learn the basics of Irish rhythm, foot position, and posture, and work to master the traditional Reel and Light Jig. Classes with a large enrollment include an assistant to work with younger dancers.

Visit their website at www.mcteggart.com for information on Open Houses, classes, and to find a covenient location.

The Mercury Cafe offers healthful fare for brunch, lunch, and dinner and an ecclectic collection of live entertainment ranging from poetry readings to plays to music.

The Mizel Center is east Denver's arts destination. The Wolf Theatre Academy's year-round drama classes for grades pre-K through 12 offer opportunities to work with theatrical professionals who are also experienced educators. The summer art academy for grades one through ten brings an amazing variety of one- and three-week classes that stimulate students' creativity and imaginations. Finally, the Denver Children's Theatre, named "Best Children's Theatre" by the Rocky Mountain News in 2004, offers performances for school groups and families.

Motion Underground dance studio offers instruction in hip-hop, Jazz, and breakdancing as well as summer camp programs.

Mountain Kids offers a variety of movement and learning opportunities for children, teens, and adults including gymnastics, dance, and summer day camp.

Mountain Kids offers age-appropriate instruction in gymnastics and dance for kids from walking through early teens. Summer camp and party packages are also available. Visit the website for a complete listing of current classes and programs.

Mountain Kids offers a variety of movement and learning opportunities for children, teens, and adults including gymnastics, dance, and summer day camp.

Parlando School for the Arts offers music programs for all ages, from early childhood through adult. The curriculum includes private and small group lessons for all orchestral and band instruments, as well as voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, hammmered dulcimer, and percussion, through a broad spectrum of music classes. Students may begin lessons at any time during a semester. The program is based out of The Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder. At-home lessons are also offered.

Celebrate a musical birthday with Parlando School for the Arts. Faculty members can provide an engaging and entertaining music program for party guests while Parlando provides the venue, tables, and chairs.

Summer camp programs are also offered.

Peak Athletics Plus - Gymnastics, Dance, and Cheer offers dance instruction classes for ages three to 18 in a variety of styles including pom, jazz, hip hop, and ballet and performance and competitive dance teams for ages six and up. Summer camp programs are also offered.

Peak Athletics Plus - Gymnastics, Dance, and Cheer offers dance instruction classes for ages three to 18 in a variety of styles including pom, jazz, hip hop, and ballet and performance and competitive dance teams for ages six and up. Summer camp programs are also offered.