By Chris Kermiet – – –

The Winter Solabration is a celebration of the Winter Solstice in music and dance. The dance consists of traditional American community dances Ð contras, squares, and a few circle and couple dances Ð all carefully taught and walked through so that all can participate. Guests also participate by bringing a potluck snack or dessert to share. At the beginning of the evening there is wassail and community singing for everyone, followed by the Bryan Connolly Extreme Juggling, Planina Ñ Songs of Eastern Europe, Breathless in Berthoud, and our wonderful storyteller, Susan Marie Frontczak. Following the Grand March there is dancing for all, with other special performances throughout the evening, including the sword dancers, a mummer’s play, the Maroon Bells Morris Dancers, and a special surprise event, as well.
Yes, it’s hard to believe that we’ve been doing this for 29 years. It all started with Karl Dise. Twenty-nine years ago, he said: “Let’s have a big Christmas feast and party and dance.” That was in 1986. And we did. It was so much fun, we decided that we should do it again next year. Then we just kept on doing it. This will be our 29th annual Winter Solabration.
Things have evolved and changed some since those early years. We loved the feast, and felt that it was an important part of the event, but it soon evolved into a dessert or snack potluck. (Way easier!) We added a storyteller and a juggler when we realized that we didn’t have much for kids, and people wanted their kids to be a part of the event, too.
Come and join the revelry on December 20th, from 6 to 11:30 pm, at the Sons of Italy Hall, 5925 West 32nd Avenue in Denver. Tickets are $27 through December 13th and $33 thereafter. Children (6 – 12), $9 and Teens, $19. Tickets and more information at wsolstice.org.