This is the time of year when it’s really fun to live here in the Denver metro area. There are so many holiday events, and with the snow coming and crisp chill in the air it really feels like a winter wonderland around here come December.

This rings especially true here in Golden on Friday, Dec. 6, when we kick off the annual Olde Golden Christmas with a Candlelight Walk down Washington Avenue and the ceremony with Santa lighting the lights along Clear Creek. There will be live music, dance groups as well as food and hot drinks plus the Golden History Park and Museum will be open with live depictions of how things were here in Golden 100 years ago. The Golden Library will also be open with a great holiday book sale going on. You can even count on chestnuts roasting on an open fire!

The candlelight walk starts at the top of the hill in front of the Foothills Art Center at 6:30 p.m. but the festivities encompass all of downtown until 9 p.m. The best part is that it’s all free, and a wonderful family experience. Downtown merchants and restaurants will also be open so you can do a little shopping and have dinner.

You can find out all the details by going to the Golden Chamber of Commerce website at www.goldencochamber.org then scroll down and click on the link to the 2014 Olde Golden Christmas Calendar.

Musical Magic

One of the first concerts of the season is the Jefferson Symphony’s Holiday Concert. This will be happening at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, in the Green Center on the Colorado School of Mine’s campus.

This year’s concert will feature two exciting guest artists, Kara Guggenmos, Lyric Soprano and Brian Stinar, Tenor. The program will include loads of holiday favorites, but will also feature Respighi’s “Vetrate di chiesa” (Church Windows).

This is an unusual work as it is written as four separate pieces and is subtitled “4 Impressions.” These are vary dramatic compositions and they were inspired by the religious scenes depicted in the stained glass windows of various Italian churches.

The first is titled “Flight Into Egypt” and depicts the caravan carrying the Christ child. Next comes “St. Michael, Archangel” showing the Saint casting the rebellious angles out of Heaven with a flaming sword. The third piece is “The Matin of St. Claire”, the legend of a 13th century saint who miraculously appears in a small Italian church in time for the Matin service. The last segment is “St. Gregory the Great” inspired by Pope Gregory (590-604) blessing the congregation.

Although this is a rather unusual piece, it promises to be quite inspiring and will give your ears a break from the twenty versions of “Deck the Halls” with words tailored to sell cars and jewelry that have already started bombarding the television every few minutes.

Ticket prices for this concert are adults: $22, seniors (62-plus): $17, students (11-21): $10, children (10 and under): $5 and group rates are available for 10 or more. For more information about this and other Jefferson Symphony Orchestra concerts check out their website at www.jeffersonsymphonyorchestra.org or give them a call at 303-278-4237.

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 multi-media production.jaimaging@aol.com