Women have played a role in aviation since humans first took to the sky, but as is so often the case, they don’t receive nearly the recognition and celebration their male counterparts do. The Wings Over the Rockies’ Chicks Fly! Showcase aims to do something about this fact.  

“In the aviation world, ‘chick’ is a term of endearment for women pilots. I’ve been flying for 20 years and have always loved being referred to as a chick pilot,” wrote Ann Beardall, Exploration of Flight Program Coordinator at Wings Over the Rockies, in an email interview. “We’ll have a couple of pilots on duty for airplane rides and you will be amazed at the diversity and depth of experience they have.” 

Chicks Fly! will be held at Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way in Englewood, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The event will feature guest speaker Col. Kim “Killer Chick” Campbell, who will also be signing her book, “Flying in the Face of Fear.” 

Beardall answered some questions about the event, what audiences can expect and more: 

Interview edited for brevity and clarity.  

Tell me about why it is important to showcase women in aviation. 

There are women who fly or have flown who have done fantastic things in both their careers and the aviation community. Telling their stories and having them meet with future aviators is a great way to generate interest and foster dreams for young girls and young boys. 

Why is it important to host events like this? 

We look for all kinds of different aviation events to host and showcase. It is important to highlight different aspects of aviation, simply because most people think it’s only about the pilot. Later in the Summer we will highlight First Responders (safety/air ambulance), Taildraggers, helicopters, and we cover drones, air marshalling and much more. As part of our mission we educate, inspire and excite everything aviation, as well as teach the teachers through our Teachers Pathway program. 

What part of the event are you most looking forward to? 

I can’t wait to see the women pilots come in and I hope they will display objects on their aircraft that will designate it as a Chick Plane. I know my plane will be there. And I am really looking forward to meeting the Killer Chick, herself! 

What do you hope attendees come away with? 

I really hope that people from all walks of life will be inspired by listening to Col. Campbell. I also hope that the kids who come, see themselves in aviation. No dreams are out of reach. 

Visit Wingsmuseum.org for more information and to purchase tickets. 

See the world through the eyes of ‘Blind Visionaries’  

The work done by composer and artist Daniel Kelly shows why the idea of siloing arts off into different mediums is a foolish idea. His work is a multisensory presentation that highlights his songwriting and piano playing while simultaneously projecting “light painting” portraits, created by visually impaired and sighted photographers from the Seeing With Photography Collective, according to provided information.  

Kelly’s show, “Blind Visionaries,” is coming to the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, at 7:30 p.m. April 21. Get tickets for the performance at https://lakewood.showare.com/. 

Explore the Titanic, as told by the movies 

There are many great debates centered on movies: should Ilsa have gone with Rick at the end of “Casablanca?” Was the latter half of “Inception” a dream? Dude, where’s my car? But one of the great discussions for a certain generation is whether or not the door at the end of “Titanic” could safely hold both Jack and Rose while they waited on rescue.  

As part of the Molly Brown House Museum’s, 1340 Pennsylvania St. in Denver, annual recognition of the anniversary of Titanic’s sinking, it is hosting Room for Two: Titanic Story in Film at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The event will feature an “irreverent” exploration of the vessel’s story in film and include movie-themed snacks and cocktails. Get the details at www.mollybrown.org. 

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Wiz Khalifa and Joey Bada$$ at Red Rocks  

I’d be pretty pressed to think of a more fitting kick off to the warm seasons in Colorado than Wiz Khalifa and Joey Bada$$ co-headlining Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, at 6:45 p.m. April 22.  

The rappers will be joined by a slew of genre stalwarts, including Action Bronson, Berner, Marlon Craft, Chevy Woods and Little Stranger, creating the perfect lineup for a spring Saturday night. You can sample all kinds of approaches to rap by attending but they all share a hazy, feel-good vibe. Get tickets at www.axs.com. 

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