Painter Siona Benjamin is a New Yorker who grew up in a Jewish family in Hindu and Muslim cultures in India. Her art combines images from her past with her life today.
On May 18, she will host one of Mizel Museum’s signature Art of Shabbat dinners offering Indian vegetarian food and conversation with Benjamin, who is artist in residence. She will also be featured at Salon Night at 5:30 p.m.
Benjamin will lead a Creative Sunday Workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 20. The Mizel Museum, a portal to contemporary Jewish experience, is at 400 S. Kearney St., Denver. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 303-394-9993, mizelmuseum.org.
Indian Market
The Annual Indian Market and Pow Wow will be at The Fort, 19192 Colorado 8 in Morrison (just off Highway 285 after the underpass) on May 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This family event includes American Indian artists with art for sale and demonstrations of technique; more than 50 intertribal American Indian dancers and drum groups, educational exhibits, storytelling and more. Presented by the Tesoro Cultural Center. Admission: $6/$3, children under 12 and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in unform admitted free. 303-839-1671, tesoroculturalcenter.org.
Buna Dahal
“Leadership Spirit!” is the title of Buna Dahal’s audiobook, which she will talk about at 7 p.m. May 8 at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. Born blind in Nepal, Dahal had a dream of gaining confidence and inspiring others across the globe. Readers may remember her when she was connected to the School for the Blind in Littleton. She speaks internationally now and consults. 303-795-3961.
Secret Service
Gerald Blaine, a member of JFK’s Secret Service detail, will speak at 7 p.m. May 15 at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. He will tell his inside story of the Kennedy assasination, the days leading up to it and the aftermath. His recent book, “The Kennedy Detail: JFK’s Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence,” will be available for sale and signing. 303-795-3961.
Stories
“Small Victories” is the title for Stories on Stage’s May 6 program, presented at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Su Teatro@the Denver Civic Theater, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Readers will be Kathleen Chalfant, Robert Gossett and William Denis, who will read stories by Somerset Maugham, David Nicholson and Robin Black. Tickets: $25/$15 student. 303-494-0523, storiesonstage.org.
Tale of the Himalayas
Laura Spencer Nelson of Highlands Ranch, who writes as Ellis Nelson, has published “Into the Land of Snows.” She has studied Buddhism via the Internet with a follower of the Dalai Lama and was inspired to write a young adult novel about a teenager who accompanies his father to a Mount Everest base camp. During his journey, a mystery about early climbers surfaces, as do many other adventures. Information: ellisnelson.com.
Kizuna
“Kizuna: West Meets East” is the theme for art and new exhibits at the Denver Botanic Gardens in May and through the summer. The new Bill Hosakawa Bonsai Pavilion and Tea Garden features an expnded Japanese Garden. Kizuna, meaning “the bonds between people,” celebrates the influence of Japan on the West with large site-specific art installations in bamboo by artists Tetsunori Kawana and Stephen Talasnik, which will be displayed May 5 through Nov. 4. Drop-in tours will be available at 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays. A related gallery exhibit, “Kenichi Nagakura: Fluid Duality” will be in the Gates Garden Cort Gallery May 12 to Aug. 5, and there will be a celebration of Children’s Day, a Japanese holiday, on May 5. Information: botanicgardens.org.
