Is anyone else baffled by the never-ending construction down Academy that never seems to actually have anyone working on it? I hope you guys are having a wonderful February, I’m hoping to see a little bit of snow on the ground tomorrow.
Do you know of any artists, eateries, or local happenings that deserve a spotlight in The 719 Direct? Send them my way at [email protected].
In today’s 719 Direct:
🏎️ Xtreme International Ice Racing (XIIR)
❄️ Cripple Creek Ice Festival
🏅 2026 Museum Games Experience
😂 Don’t Tell Comedy: Secret Stand-Up Show
🎤 Great American Crooners
🥪 Newly Opened: Gunnar’s Deli
🍽️ Colorado Springs Restaurants React to Michelin Guide Expansion
🎶 Live Music
🏈 Local Sports
⛰️ Trail of the Week
Let’s get to it.
-Eric Saul
I’m using this week’s ad space to bring attention to the Rallies for Reading Charity Pickleball Tournament that is happening March 29th from 10 am - 2 pm! All proceeds will go towards the Children’s Literacy Center, whose mission is to provide one-on-one tutoring to Colorado children reading below grade level. There will be a raffle, t-shirts included with registration, and lots of fun. Hope to see some of you there!
Interested in featuring your business or event in our next ad spot? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM
🗓️ Your Weekend in Colorado Springs
1. Xtreme International Ice Racing (XIIR)
Saturday, February 21, 2026 — 7:30 PM (Approx)
Broadmoor World Arena
Price: $33+
A high-speed indoor ice racing event featuring competitive modified vehicles racing on an ice track inside the Broadmoor World Arena. Expect thrilling laps, close finishes, and family-friendly competition.
2. Cripple Creek Ice Festival
February 14–22, 2026 — 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek, CO 80813
Price: Free
A nine-day winter festival that turns historic Bennett Avenue into a cool outdoor gallery of ice sculptures. Visitors can stroll among large-scale carved ice art, watch teams of elite ice carvers compete in head-to-head contests on Saturdays (around 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM), and explore interactive pieces designed for kids and families. Weekend vendor markets feature food, warm snacks, handmade goods, and local shopping. The festival is free and open to the public, with most programming concentrated on weekends.
3. 2026 Museum Games Experience
Friday, February 6 – Sunday, February 22, 2026 — 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, 200 S. Sierra Madre Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Price: $16 for general museum admission
A special Winter Olympic & Paralympic celebration experience at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Throughout the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games run, the museum will be open daily with immersive programming celebrating Team USA and Olympic history. Activities include live coverage and watch parties of Olympic ceremonies and events, daily Victory On Ice guided tours, artifact demonstrations, artist experiences like live Winter Games–inspired painting, and community-focused celebrations such as Downtown Winterfest.
4. Don’t Tell Comedy: Secret Stand-Up Show
Saturday, February 21, 2026 — 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
General Area: Knob Hill Neighborhood, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Price: Varies
A mysterious comedy show where the exact venue and comic lineup are revealed only on the day of the event. Audiences get a lineup of 4–7 curated comedians in a secret spot — making it a playful and surprising night out for comedy lovers.
5. Great American Crooners
Saturday, February 21, 2026 — 7:00 PM – 10:45 PM
Ent Center for the Arts, 5225 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Price: $26+
Enjoy an evening of classic jazz and swing with timeless vocal standards from the golden age of American crooners — think Sinatra, Bennett, and Darin. Featuring performances by Benny Benack III, Robbie Lee, and Shenel Johns in a jazzy tribute by Jazz at Lincoln Center artists.
🏔️ What’s New in the 719
🥪Newly Opened - Gunnar’s Deli
A new deli concept has just opened in the Red Leg Brewing Company food courtyard, adding delicious sandwich and deli options to the local scene.
🍽️Colorado Springs Restaurants React to Michelin Guide Expansion
Local chefs and restaurateurs are responding to the recent expansion of the MICHELIN Guide to include the entire state of Colorado, which now formally puts Colorado Springs on the culinary map for potential future rankings. Some in the community, including celebrated chef Brother Luck, see the development as an exciting opportunity to raise the city’s gastronomic profile and attract national attention, while others question whether Springs restaurants are ready for Michelin-level scrutiny or worry about the financial and operational pressures that come with chasing accolades.
🎶 Live Music
Thursday 2/19/2026
Ricky Sweum — Mining Exchange Hotel — ~ 5:00 PM (with Wayne Wilkinson)
Beers & Beats with Deryk Cunningham — Cerberus Brewing Co. — ~ 6:30 PM
The Fretliners & Colorado College Bluegrass Ensemble — Lulu’s Downtown — ~ 8:00 PM
Friday 2/20/2026
Wayne Wilkinson — Hotel Polaris — ~ 5:00 PM
Nick Davey — Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort — ~ 6:00 PM
Avourneen — Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub — ~ 7:30 PM
Callmelateriguess Presents: Love Sucks — The Black Sheep — ~ 7:00 PM
Silver Moon Riders — Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort — ~ 6:00 PM
9 Left Dead with Darkened Sun + more — Sunshine Studios Live — ~ 6:00 PM
Cask & Chisel — Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub — ~ 7:30 PM
Nick Lowe & the Cactus Blossoms — Lulu’s Downtown — ~ 8:00 PM
Saturday 2/21/2026
Colorado Springs Philharmonic: Carmen & Concierto de Aranjuez — Pikes Peak Center — ~ 7:30 PM
El Loco Fandango: ZZ Top Tribute — Phil Long Music Hall — ~ 7:00 PM
AC/DC vs. Ozzy Tribute Show — The Black Sheep — ~ 7:30 PM
AJ Lee & Blue Summit + Foggy Mountain Spaceship — Lulu’s Downtown — ~ 8:00 PM
Sunday 2/22/2026
Colorado Springs Philharmonic: Carmen & Concierto de Aranjuez — Pikes Peak Center — ~ 2:30 PM
🏈 Sports
🏀 College Basketball
Air Force Falcons (Men’s Basketball) — Saturday, 2/21/2026 — vs. UNLV Rebels | Clune Arena, Colorado Springs, CO | ~ 1:00 PM (Division I men’s basketball)
🏁 Motorsports / Racing
Xtreme International Ice Racing — Saturday, 2/21/2026 — Broadmoor World Arena — ~ 2:30 PM (Motorsports on ice)
🏔️ Trail of the Week
🌲 Palmer, Buckskin‑Charley, Niobrara & Bretag Trail Loop
📍 Location: Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO
🛤 Length: ~4.0 miles loop
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~440 ft
⭐ Difficulty: Moderate
⏱ Estimated Time: ~1.5–2 hrs
🔄 Trail Type: Loop
🏞 Best For: Hiking, walking, trail running, sightseeing, wildlife & red rock views
A classic Garden of the Gods hike that combines several popular paths into one scenic circuit around the park’s iconic sandstone formations. You’ll follow the Palmer Trail from the north parking area, swing through Buckskin‑Charley and Niobrara segments, then connect with Bretag back to your start. The trail is well‑marked, dog‑friendly (leash required), and offers expansive views of red rock fins, wildflowers, and Pikes Peak in the distance.
🙏Thank you!
Thanks for tuning in everyone, hope you have a great time checking out some of these events. I’ll see you back here next week with more of Colorado Springs’ best happenings. Contact me at [email protected] if you have an event that you think would be perfect for this publication.