Community Calendar

February 7 @ 6:30 pm – 8:15 pm

Doors open at 6:00 PM | Talk begins at 6:30 PM | $10 advance / $12 at the door
Local athlete and activist Danika Gilbert joins us for an evening of stories from the Himalayas and her most recent project, Hamdeli.

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With mountain climbing as a core passion connecting individuals, Hamdeli strives to create opportunities that build and support safe communities, fosters lifelong friendships that transcend borders and cultures, and provide opportunities for mutual learning and personal growth.

Hamdeli (همدلی) is an ancient Persian word that literally means “with heart” but its deeper meaning reflects a compassionate meeting of hearts – an encounter grounded in empathy and connection.

We believe shared experiences in the mountains can transcend cultural differences, fostering lasting friendships and heartfelt connections. Our goal is to build a community of young Himalayan climbers united by adventure, technical training, and a love of the mountains. From this foundation, we hope they gain a deeper understanding of their neighbors across the Himalayas. Through shared experiences and growing mutual respect, stronger regional relationships can flourish. Everything we do is rooted in the spirit of hamdeli.

An accessible discussion centered on simple, effective tools you can begin using at home to support and improve your gut health. We’ll explore how everyday practices can have a powerful impact on digestion, immunity, mood, and overall vitality.

Topics will include the role of the Vagus nerve and gentle exercises to support nervous system regulation, an introduction to the microbiome and why it matters, foundational nutrition for gut healing, and the use of botanical medicine to nourish and restore digestive balance.

This discussion will be thoughtfully facilitated by Hannah Edmond, Naturopathic Doctor, who brings a holistic, integrative approach to gut health that honors the deep connection between the nervous system, digestion, and whole-body wellness.

$20/two part series or $10/individual class
Feb 19th 6-7:30
March 19th 6-7:30

Paonia's own Shane Smith, founder and director of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens for 41 years, will provide insight to the design, funding, and building of the Cheyenne Children's Village there. It's the first and only LEED certified children's garden in the world, with a theme of sustainability past and present. Get some great ideas for your garden!

March 4 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Doors: 6:00 PM || Reading: 6:30 PM || $10 entry
Setting: Seated
Set against the Rocky Mountains, this emotionally charged Western noir explores themes of fathers and sons, men and masculinity, and religion and spirituality through the lens of an unimaginable act—one best friend murdering the other

“Langsfeld’s writing hits like a brushfire: sparks that seem harmless quickly burn you alive. It is searing and direct and quite possibly a perfect voice for our world.” —Dane Bahr, author of Stag

A small rural Colorado town is in a state of crisis at the height of winter. Tom Horak has just murdered his best friend, Rust Hawkins. Morris Green, the town’s Lutheran pastor, is experiencing a profound crisis of faith, questioning the very existence of God. And Marshal Thomlison, the local peace officer looking forward to retirement, is now thrown into the middle of a murder investigation.

Following his violent act, Tom retreats to a cabin in the hills, remembering the events of his hardscrabble childhood—a rural upbringing on a ranch with a distant mother and abusive father.

Rust Hawkins’s son is taken in by Pastor Green, since the boy has nowhere else to go. Thomlison’s murder investigation acts as a kind of Greek chorus commenting on the various threads of this moving novel: What could cause a man to commit such a violent act? What does this isolated community owe to one another? Can Tom find the peace he is searching for, even with blood on his hands? Can Pastor Green discover enough faith in our human condition to help Rust’s orphaned son, and can their growing bond perhaps offer the family life that each is sorely lacking?

Salvation is a stunning debut novel that tackles big themes with moving prose and a propulsive plot set against the grand and sometimes foreboding natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain West.

Come for the words, stay for the voices—Ridgway’s literary living room is warm and open.

March 10 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

MARCH 10! Doors: 6:00 || Presentations: 6:30 || $Entry by Donation || Learn More about Ignite Here

🔥 IGNITE Ridgway Returns! 🔥
It’s time to get inspired! IGNITE Ridgway is back — a fast-paced evening of ideas, stories, and passions shared by friends and neighbors in five-minute bursts. This national storytelling and public speaking phenomenon brings together bold voices from our community for a night that’s thought-provoking, fun, and full of surprises.

🎤 What is IGNITE?
Each presenter gets 5 minutes to talk about anything.
They use 20 slides, auto-advancing every 15 seconds.
It’s fast. It’s fun. And it’s a chance to connect, laugh, learn, and be inspired.

Whether it’s the science of sourdough, the art of bee whispering, or a journey to the Arctic — Ignite talks make every topic fascinating for 5 minutes. You never know what you’ll hear — but you’ll leave a little more connected to your community.

🎙️ WANT TO PRESENT?
We’re still recruiting a few brave souls! If you have a story, an idea, a rant, a passion — anything — and you’re ready to share it in five minutes, we’d love to hear from you.
📧 Contact Sue at sue@weehawkenarts.org
Come grab a drink, find a seat, and prepare to be enlightened — quickly. 💡

An accessible discussion centered on simple, effective tools you can begin using at home to support and improve your gut health. We’ll explore how everyday practices can have a powerful impact on digestion, immunity, mood, and overall vitality.

Topics will include the role of the Vagus nerve and gentle exercises to support nervous system regulation, an introduction to the microbiome and why it matters, foundational nutrition for gut healing, and the use of botanical medicine to nourish and restore digestive balance.

This discussion will be thoughtfully facilitated by Hannah Edmond, Naturopathic Doctor, who brings a holistic, integrative approach to gut health that honors the deep connection between the nervous system, digestion, and whole-body wellness.

$20/two part series or $10/individual class
Feb 19th 6-7:30
March 19th 6-7:30

April 7 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
At the Montrose Pavilion || Doors at 6:30 || Event Starts at 7:00 pm || Bar available in lobby (cards only) || Seated show || Reserved Section Seats are chairs that you select from a chart that you will actually have for the event (your ticket shows the seat row and number) || GA seats are open seats outside of that section, not-assigned.

CRAIG CHILDS has published more than a dozen critically acclaimed books, including Tracing Time: Seasons of Rock Art on the Colorado Plateau, The Secret Knowledge of Water, Atlas of a Lost World, Virga & Bone, Stone Desert Journal, and The Wild Dark: Finding the Night Sky in the Age of Light (Torrey House Press, May 2025). He is a contributing editor at Adventure Journal Quarterly and his work has appeared in the Atlantic, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times.

BEAT NIGHT is An All Originals Open Mic hosted by Local Songwriter and Poet Jeanine Renée. Five years and running, Beat Night has encouraged writers to share their original Poetry, Prose and Songwriting in this friendly listening environment. Every 3rd Thursday of the month. Each Beat Night is a unique experience for artists and audience.

BEAT NIGHT is An All Originals Open Mic hosted by Local Songwriter and Poet Jeanine Renée. Five years and running, Beat Night has encouraged writers to share their original Poetry, Prose and Songwriting in this friendly listening environment. Every 3rd Thursday of the month. Each Beat Night is a unique experience for artists and audience.

BEAT NIGHT is An All Originals Open Mic hosted by Local Songwriter and Poet Jeanine Renée. Five years and running, Beat Night has encouraged writers to share their original Poetry, Prose and Songwriting in this friendly listening environment. Every 3rd Thursday of the month. Each Beat Night is a unique experience for artists and audience.