Happy Thursday Colorado Springs! January is wrapping up strong, and this weekend is bringing the creativity, culture, laughs, and live entertainment. Whether you’re in the mood to dance, catch a concert, try something artsy, or cheer on a local team, there’s plenty happening around town to get you out of the house and into the fun.
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:
✨ Spark! A Night of Creativity
🎹 UCCS Piano Festival 2026
💃 Salsa Night at Ivywild
🧪 Drinking Brecht: An Automated Laboratory Performance
🎤 Pikes Punks Comedy Show — Steve Gillespie
🍕 707 Pizza Co. closes downtown
🍽️ Restaurant 1858 temporarily closes
🎶 Live Music
🏈 Local Sports
⛰️ Trail of the Week
Let’s get into 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. Spark! A Night of Creativity
Saturday, January 31, 2026 — 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, 30 West Dale St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Price: ~$30–$45 (early bird to day-of ticket tiers)
Relive your childhood with an adult-oriented creative night at the Fine Arts Center. Explore nostalgic hands-on activities like Shrinky Dinks and spin art, play retro video games, enjoy comedian-led gallery tours, and make friendship bracelets — all with drinks and snacks available for purchase. A fun, interactive evening for friends, dates, or solo adventurers.
2. UCCS Piano Festival 2026
Friday–Saturday, January 30–31, 2026
Ent Center for the Arts, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 5225 N. Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Price: Free for most events (reservations encouraged); Philharmonic concerts require tickets
A two-day celebration of piano music featuring performances, masterclasses, student recitals, and talks by world-class pianists and educators. Highlights include evening concerts, coaching sessions, and musical discussions — with most festival activities open to the public at no charge (reservations recommended).
3. Salsa Night at Ivywild
Saturday, January 31, 2026 — 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Ivywild School, 1604 S Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Price: ~$15–$25 (early sale to door)
Join Ember & Flow Events for a lively night of Salsa and Bachata dancing in the gym of Ivywild School. The evening includes an all-levels salsa class and open social dancing, plus a cash bar and places to relax between dances — singles and all skill levels welcome.
4. Drinking Brecht: An Automated Laboratory Performance
Friday–Sunday, January 30–February 1, 2026 — ~6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Fleming Gallery at Ed Robson Arena, 849 N. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Price: Free (reservations recommended; space limited)
Experience Drinking Brecht, a unique automated laboratory performance and illustrated essay that blends theatre, science, and imagination. Created by multimedia artist sister sylvester and hosted by the Colorado College Theatre and Dance Department, the show explores genetics and synthetic biology through a playful mix of documentary, performance, and interactive ritual. Part science, part art, and even something you can drink, this thought-provoking performance invites audiences to engage their senses and join a creative celebration of science for everyone.
5. Pikes Punks Comedy Show: Steve Gillespie
Saturday, January 31, 2026 — 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
The Public House at The Alexander, 3104 North Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Price: ~$13+ (general admission)
Get ready for laughs with headliner Steve Gillespie and a lineup of comedians at this monthly comedy showcase. With an intimate atmosphere and craft drinks available, this stand-up experience is perfect for a night out with friends or a unique date night.
🏔️ What’s New in the 719
🍕 707 Pizza Co. closes after 6 months — The downtown pizzeria next to Ed Robson Arena has closed. Originally opened in summer 2025 with interactive touchscreen tables and Neapolitan-style pizza, the restaurant paused operations in early January and has now been listed as permanently closed, though earlier reports had described it as “temporary” before this update.
🍽️ Restaurant 1858 temporarily closed — The Broadmoor area eatery is currently closed. Yelp listings show Restaurant 1858 as temporarily shut and scheduled to reopen March 31, 2026, though no official local news article on the closure was reported this week.
🎶 Live Music
Thursday 1/29/2026
Scotty McCreery at Pikes Peak Center — ~ 7:30 PM (country)
Covenhoven with Small Houses & Dillon Hooch at Vultures — ~ 8:00 PM (rock/indie)
Robyn Hitchcock at Lulu’s Downtown — ~ 8:00 PM (alt/rock)
Jazz Thursdays: Todd Williams Trio at The Mining Exchange Hotel (Golden Hour Bar) — ~ 5:00 PM (jazz)
Craig Walter at Rico’s Cafe & Wine Bar — ~ 5:00 PM (folk/country/blues)
Friday 1/30/2026
Blashkora at The Black Sheep — ~ 8:00 PM (rock/alt)
Drift Road | Shadow Work | Defacto | Jane Volta at Lulu’s Downtown — ~ 8:00 PM
Americana Fridays: New Moon Drifters at The Mining Exchange Hotel — ~ 4:00 PM (Americana/country)
Saturday 1/31/2026
Sal Vulcano (comedy with musical elements) at Pikes Peak Center — ~ 7:00 PM
Crazy Diamonds (Pink Floyd tribute) at Phil Long Music Hall — ~ 7:00 PM (rock tribute)
Jeffrey Foucault at Lulu’s Downtown — ~ 8:00 PM (folk/roots)
🏈 Sports
🏀 College & University Sports
UCCS Women’s Basketball — Thursday, 1/29/2026 — Women’s Basketball vs Western Colorado | Paul Wright Gym, UCCS | ~ 5:30 PM (NCAA Division II basketball)
UCCS Men’s Basketball — Thursday, 1/29/2026 — Men’s Basketball vs Western Colorado | Paul Wright Gym, UCCS | ~ 7:30 PM (NCAA Division II basketball)
🏒 College Hockey
Colorado College Tigers (Men’s Ice Hockey) — Friday, 1/30/2026 — vs Arizona State Sun Devils | Ed Robson Arena, Colorado Springs | ~ 7:00 PM (NCAA Division I hockey)
Colorado College Tigers (Men’s Ice Hockey) — Saturday, 1/31/2026 — vs Arizona State Sun Devils | Ed Robson Arena, Colorado Springs | ~ 6:00 PM (NCAA Division I hockey)
🏒 Amateur & Youth Hockey
Colorado Springs Amateur Hockey (12U B Gold) — Saturday, 1/31/2026 — Tigers vs NCYH | NoCo Ice Center | ~ 11:15 AM (Youth hockey)
🏔️ Trail of the Week
🌲 Red Rock Canyon Roundup & Contemplative Trail
📍 Location: Red Rock Canyon Open Space, near Manitou Springs / Colorado Springs, CO
🛤 Length: ~3.4 miles (loop)
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~480 ft (gentle rolling hills)
⭐ Difficulty: Moderate (some rolling inclines and scenic sections)
⏱ Estimated Time: ~1.5–2 hrs
🔄 Trail Type: Loop
🏞 Best For: Hiking, running, nature viewing, wildlife and birdwatching
A beautiful and varied loop through Red Rock Canyon Open Space that combines the Roundup Trail with the Contemplative Trail, taking hikers past striking red sandstone formations, open canyon views, and the Mesa Trail Overlook. The route is well-used by hikers and trail runners alike and offers wide, mostly clear paths that wind through mixed forest and open rock terrain, with nice vantage points of the surrounding landscape. Dogs are welcome on-leash and the trail is scenic year-round.
🙏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.