Just so you know, you aren’t quite out of the woods yet. At least as far as the gift giving season goes. You still have one more coming up that usually requires some thought, a bit of expense and makes you to suffer through another barrage of ads about jewelry and perfumes with a few flower shops thrown in for good measure. 

If you hadn’t noticed the “seasonal” aisle in the grocery store turning red and heart shaped, I’m talking about Valentine’s Day here. You know when that is, but I’m just giving you a heads-up about it now so you remember and don’t end up trying to find a card and flowers on Feb. 14 when everything good is all picked over. 

And, for all you single people out there, Feb. 15th marks the first day since November that it’s safe to start dating again without having to try and buy sentimental gifts for someone you barely know yet. “Is it too much? Not enough? Who knows? I just met this person and have no idea what he/she expects.” Yeah, been there, done that before I met my wife. It’s always awkward.

But in the meantime, you can look forward to something kind of fun coming up on Jan. 27. That’s when the new show at Miners Alley Playhouse opens, and it looks like a really good and unique musical with ties to Denver.

It’s called “The Great American Trailer Park Musical.” Although the original show opened Off-Broadway in New York and had it’s regional debut in Florida, it’s actually based on a book by Betsy Kelso with words and music composed by Denver’s own David Nehls. 

Speaking of Florida, the story is actually set in a trailer park there. I guess that’s why the promo for it mentions that it will “keep your toes tappin’ all the way to the Piggly Wiggly.” We don’t have those around here, but it sounds funny no matter where they are.

So, basically the story revolves around a new tenant at Armadillo Acres and she’s wreaking havoc all over Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband, the storms begin to brew. Yes, it just your average All-American musical odyssey through agoraphobia (you can look that one up), adultery, hysterical pregnancy, strippers, huffing, electric chairs, flan, roadkill, toll collecting, spray cheese, guns and disco. Basically, it has a little something for everyone.

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” will have performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday nights and at 2 p.m. on Sundays through March 5. Tickets are available at different price points online at minersalley.com. Miners Alley Playhouse is located at 1224 Washington Ave. here in Golden.

Also opening on Jan. 27 is the Foothills Art Center’s annual Members’ Show. It features works of art in all mediums from some of our most talented local artists. This show is always a hit and lets you see what kind of wonderful artists live right in your own neighborhood. The show runs through March 26.

This year they will also be including the Power of Process: A Jeffco Student Exhibition, which highlights works by some of our top high school artists. 

Foothills Art Center is located at 809 15th St. in Golden. Its hours are 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and noon - 5 p.m. Sunday. The center is closed on Wednesdays.

For more information, visit foothillsartcenter.org. or call 303-279-3922.

So, that should give you a couple of things to plan on down the road a bit. But that’s not all that’s happening on the weekend of January 27-29. Tune in next week to see what else I have cooked up for you. Same bat time, same bat channel.

John Akal is a well-known jazz artist/drummer and leader of the 20-piece Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra. He also is president of John Akal Imaging, professional commercial photography and multimedia production. He can be reached at jaimaging@aol.com.