Once every couple months, I get completely bowled over by how much there is to do in the metro area and have to dedicate a column to celebrating the wonderful variety we all have in our backyards. Don’t let the snow and cold weather fool you — there’s all kinds of options at this time of year.

I rounded up five great ways to spend this cold winter as we inch closer to spring - these options will all help get you there:

Walker Fine Art welcomes 2023 with Peripheral Contemplation

For many of us, the beginning of a new year is a great time to do some introspection and think about the year that just ended and what we have ahead of us. Peripheral Contemplation, Walker Fine Art’s first new exhibit of 2023 invites visitors to step outside of themselves.

The show runs at the gallery, 300 W. 11th Ave., No. A in Denver, through Saturday, March 11. The group exhibition features the work of Julie Maren, Jen Starling, Jongku Kim, Conor King, Gloria Pereyra, and Karin Schminke – all of whom encourage both personal and cultural reflection through a variety of mediums and subject matters.

For more information, visit www.walkerfineart.com/peripheral-contemplation.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The Lone Bellow at the Ogden Theatre

Brooklyn’s The Lone Bellow make the kind of folk rock you can really wrap yourself up in and use to get lost. Over the course of their five albums, they’ve explored a sonic and lyrical landscape that is at times wry, but always deeply thought out and felt. The hilariously titled “Love Songs for Losers,” was released toward the end of 2022 and continued this trend, with songs like “Cost of Living” are among their strongest songs yet.

In support of their album, The Lone Bellow are playing the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver, at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3. This will be a great pre-Valentine’s Day show, so get tickets at www.axs.com.

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with The Nathan Yip Foundation

It’s always great when you can have a fun time and learn something at the same time. That’s always been the case with The Nathan Yip Foundation’s lunar New Year Party, which will be hosted at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, 1750 Welton St., from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 4.

The celebration of the Year of the Rabbit will include a Chino-Latino theme. According to provided information, “the evening will feature world-class performers including lion dancers, a palm reader, a Chinese calligrapher, the Colorado Mambo Orchestra and an authentic and interactive Chinese Night Market.”

Money raised at the party supports the foundation’s work supporting K-12 educational projects in rural Colorado communities. Tickets are available at https://nathanyipfoundation.org/event/chinese-new-year-party.

The Music of Nat King Cole comes to Northglenn

Nat King Cole has one of the best and most unmistakable voices in pop music history. And there’s a reason you always seem to hear a bit more from him right around Valentine’s Day - he’s one of the best purveyors of audio romance. So, it’s perfectly fitting that the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO) is bringing The Music of Nat King Cole to the Parsons Theatre, 1 E. Memorial Parkway in Northglenn, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10.

Find all the details and tickets at www.coloradojazz.org.

Secure Your Super Bowl Plans at Punch Bowl Social

There’s something about the Super Bowl that just makes people want to gather. It’s always a fun time, especially when you don’t have skin in the game. For those who want to take part in some group fun without having to cleanup after, head to Punch Bowl Social Denver.

The event, which kicks off at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12, allows attendees to play arcade games, get in a couple frames of bowling and get some drinks and bites. There’s VIP options available, which include a projector viewing of the game, a beer-in-hand buffet and VIP lounge - with two complimentary drink tickets.

According to provided information, activities will continue throughout the game up to last call. There will also be live music from a local DJ at the after party. For all the details, visit https://punchbowlsocial.com/.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.