Things to Do in Pueblo Feb. 11-24: Latino Chamber dinner, Valentine's Day and Black History
Saturday, Feb. 11
Men's Breakfast at Walking Stick Golf Course restaurant
4301 Walking Stick Blvd. | 8:30 a.m. | The Ascension Church men's breakfast will be held at "The Stick" restaurant with guest speaker Ken Williams talking about public art in Pueblo. Participants can order off the menu. All are welcome, but participants should email Ken Butcher at kenbutch92@gmail.com for organizers to get a head count.
Chess Tournament at Rawlings Public Library
100 E. Abriendo Ave. | 9 a.m. registration, 10:15 a.m. first game | The Valentine's Day Open is an unrated timed chess tournament. The club has some board sets, but participants might want to bring their own equipment. Winners will be awarded $40 for first, $20 for second and $15 for third. Cost is a $10 entry fee. The Pueblo Chess Club meets every Monday night from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the George L. Williams Pavilion, the administration building next to the fountain in City Park, 800 Goodnight Ave. There are no dues, fees or memberships.
Saturday hours at Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo Museum
13th and Francisco streets | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | The Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo Museum is documenting how the former Colorado Insane Asylum once treated lunacy and how mental health care has changed since the hospital opened in 1879. The hospital has been one of the largest and longest employers in Pueblo's history. Admission is $5. Find out more at cmhipmuseum.org.
Gal-entines Day Art Event at Pueblo West Memorial Rec Building
230 E. George Drive | 3 p.m. | This Pueblo West Metro District community events program will be hosted by Paint N'Bubbly social art studio and features a canvas painting lesson by a professional artist. All materials, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available. Cost is $28.50 per person. Register in advance at paintnbubbly.com and use the promo code WEST to get the discounted rate.
Latino Chamber Dinner Dance Celebration at Pueblo Convention Center
320 Central Main St. | 6-10 p.m. | The 44th annual Latino Chamber of Commerce celebration will recognize outstanding community members, with a cocktail hour, dinner, silent auction and dance. Award recipients will include outstanding board member Ray Romero, professional of the year Brian Estrada, volunteer of the year Dennis Lowry, outstanding corporate member the Pueblo Health Department, outstanding ambassador of the year Felipe Garcia, outstanding nonprofit member of the year Pueblo Diversified Industries and outstanding small business of the year, Pueblo Bulls Hockey. Cost is $100 per person. Register at Pueblolatinochamber.com.
Fasching Party at Pueblo Union Depot
132 W. B St. | 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. | This Pueblo German American Club event marks the foolish season of merriment before Lent. It is Germany's version of Mardi Gras and Carnival festivities. Live '80s music with the Less than Zero Band starts at 8 p.m. There will be a women's hula hoop contest, men's booty shake contest, a costume contest and more. Participants can wear masquerade, Halloween or costumes of their own creation. Cost is $15 at the door, and drinks are available to buy.
Tuesday, Feb. 14
Valentine's Day dinner at Pueblo West VFW Post
127 E Spaulding Ave. | 6-9 p.m. | The Hungry Buffalo will host the dinner for two featuring mozzarella and tomato grilled flatbread, a main course of 5-ounce beef filet topped with chimichurri and served with gnocchi and wilted spinach or grilled shrimp pasta with a homemade alfredo sauce and garlic bread followed by a dessert of Cafe Murillo tuxedo cake. Cost is $60 per couple. For reservations, call 719-420-2131.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
Children's Creative Space at Lucero Branch Library
1315 E. Seventh St. | 3-5 p.m. | Students ages 17 and younger are invited to take part in free Black History Month workshops every Wednesday in February. After school workshops are inspired by the work of 20th Century artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Black History Month Artist Talk at Pueblo West Library
298 S. Joe Martinez Blvd. | 5 p.m. | Artist David C. Russel Jr. will discuss the significance of Black photographers in America, focusing on their struggles to produce, display and sell their work. Open to the public ages 18 and older.
Thursday, Feb. 16
Open Mic Night at Blo Back Gallery
131 Spring St. | 6-9 p.m. | Open mic night is free, but food and snacks are offered for sale. Acts can sign up at BloBackGallery.com under the “book with us” tab and specify the act and how long the set will last.
History of The Dry at El Pueblo History Museum
301 N. Union Ave. | 6 p.m. | Learn about the history of a farming community founded by African-American homesteaders South of Manzanola. Hear from Alice (Craig) McDonald of Manzanola, one of the last local descendants of the original settlers of The Dry, which consisted primarily of Black settlers but also included limited numbers of white homesteaders who were already there. This event is free and open to the public.
'Chilling Tales' at Analogue Books
216 N. Main St. | 7 p.m. | Join Bryan Asbury, local author and writer for "The Chilling Tales for Dark Nights Network," as he reads "A Token of Gratitude," one of the many stories that can be heard on the horror podcast. "A Token of Gratitude" is a hair-raising tale about an affluent attorney, Duncan Wickman, who has a chance encounter with a homeless man outside of a grocery store. Soon afterward, his life takes a dark and disturbing turn. A book signing and meet and greet will follow.
Friday, Feb. 17
Frostbite Fish-Off at Arkansas Tailwater below Lake Pueblo
General briefing at Brues Alehouse, 120 Riverwalk Place, at 6 p.m. | Fishing runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 | The Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter of Trout Unlimited event will feature 20 teams of two anglers competing for prizes and bragging rights and contributing to a great cause — protecting local watersheds in Colorado. Festivities will end with a dinner and raffle at 6 p.m. Saturday at Brues Alehouse. To register or volunteer, go to frostbitefishoff.com
Saturday, Feb. 18
City Beat Modern Quilters meet at Senior Resource Development Agency
230 N. Union Ave. | 10 a.m. | The program will focus on color and value placement on quilts. The event is open to the public. Guest fee is $3 while annual dues are $24. The parking lot and entrance doors are on the south side of the building.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Black History Month Speaker at Barkman Branch Library
1300 Jerry Murphy Road | 5 p.m. | Lucille Corsentino will discuss notable Black American graves in Roselawn Cemetery's historical section. Refreshments will be provided. Open to all ages.
Friday, Feb. 24
Be Inspired By Five Black Artists at Pueblo West Branch Library
298 S. Joe Martinez Blvd. | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Journey through the lives of influential Black artists Augusta Savage, Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kara Walker. Learn about their creativity and struggles from Roncalli STEM Academy teacher Freda Hancock. All supplies are provided. Registration is required by calling 719-562-5600 or visit pueblolibrary.org.
Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular at Pueblo Memorial Hall
1 City Hall Place | Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. | Paramount presents the multimedia laser and light show featuring the recordings of Pink Floyd. Cost ranges from $33 to $43. Tickets are available at pueblomemorialhall.com.
Want us to include your event in this calendar? Send details by email, with "Things to Do" in the subject line, to tharmon@chieftain.com. The calendar is available online and in print every Friday.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo activities: Latino Chamber dinner, Valentine's Day and Black History
