It’s another crisp November weekend, Boulder, and there’s lots to do!

Did you go see  The Rape Of The Sabine Women, By Grace B. Matthias last weekend? I did–it was awesome! (Can I say that about a film with “rape” in the title? Bear with me — it’s worth it.) I laughed and I cried, both. And I’m a theatre professional, so that’s saying something. This play has so much to say about the state of consent, gender dynamics, and so much more, and this weekend is the last possible weekend you can enjoy this comedy (that’s a comedy until it isn’t).

Speaking of timely gender discussions: did you know that this whole week was Transgender Awareness Week? Well it was, and this weekend, Out Boulder is hosting and facilitating several events to celebrate the trans folx in our community, and to support them and raise awareness too.

Boulder’s pre-holiday festivities are continuing full swing this weekend, Boulder: shopping-wise, the Mountain Standard Flagship pop up shop is having its Grand Opening this weekend, with stellar shopping opportunities all season (and special deals this first weekend). Wanna Switch On The Holidays? Even though the star on the mountain is already on, there’ll be a holiday sing-along Sunday led by the Boulder Chorale, to commemorate the lighting-up of the spectacular Pearl Street Mall light display, AND there’ll even be an early appearance by Santa himself!

Turn Boulder into a giant game with the Amazing Scavenger Hunt! This is a fantastically fun game much in the vein of TV show Amazing Race, but with our lovely city as the game board. Join in teams of 2-5, and win fabulous prizes while exploring and adventuring in Boulder!

Oh my gosh, you guys, November 18th is the last day of the Boulder (and Longmont) Farmer’s Market! Tis the season….Get there this Saturday, or be forced to wait till next year…

Happy happy weekend, Boulder!
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It’s another crisp November weekend, Boulder, and there’s lots to do!

I can’t believe I forgot to tell you about this fantastic play that’s happening over at the Dairy Arts Center, last weekend and this weekend. It’s called The Rape of the Sabine Women, by Grace B. Matthias, and it’s a comedy (until it isn’t), addressing the issues of rape, consent, and society. LOCAL theatre company is putting this on, and this weekend is the penultimate weekend you can come see it–don’t miss this timely discussion of a major issue.

The holiday shopping season I did mention last weekend continues in full swing, this time with the Boulder Mountain Handmade market. This is not just a weekend-long market chock full of handmade art, craft, and other goods, but it’s a huge family-friendly event, with a free makerspace right there in the market, food and drink, free fire truck tours for the kids, live music, and much much more.

What’s more an epitome of the holidays than shopping? Yup, you got it–The Nutcracker ballet. This weekend, the ballerinas from Boulder Ballet’s production (that opens Thanksgiving weekend) are doing a free storytime at Boulder Bookstore, all Nutcracker themed. If your kid is as obsessed with The Nutcracker as I was when I was little, you’ll want to bring them to this pre-ballet event, to get all the Nutcracker-y goodness they can get!

Of course the holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without pie. Liquor Mart is hosting another wine pairing event, this time with holiday pies. Go to this free event and get your ideas for the next holiday, then use the coupons to get your supplies.

Have a great time this weekend, Boulder, whatever you choose to do.
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Well we survived Halloween, Boulder! You know what that means:

It means it’s November, and besides men growing facial hair for men’s health awareness, and ambitious artistic folks attempting to write a novel during NaNoWriMo, the start of November also means the holiday shopping season has begun, and Boulder boasts some grand options, all through the month.

This weekend, the Boulder Holiday Market is happening down at Central Park in Boulder, all day Saturday. This is a fantastic one-stop shopping event for all your gift-giving needs. Central Park will be the place to go for local shopping on Saturday, won’t it–go for the Farmer’s Market, stay for the Holiday Market.

Thirsty after shopping? Go down to Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha and enjoy their Mocktail Happy Hour. These folks make some of the best kombucha around, and it’s going to be oodles of fun to find out ways to mix this magical brew!

Ever seen the Dance is For Every Body showcase over at the Boulder Public Library? It’s a fantastic smorgasbord of (this time) over 30 dance companies, showing off the kinds of things they do. All kinds of dance for all audiences, all ages, and all bodies will be celebrated during this two-day showcase, so don’t miss it!

Did you know that Upslope Brewery has been around for 9 years now?! Wow! Well they’re celebrating this momentous occasion over at their Flatiron Park venue (with a kickoff party at the original Lee Hill location the day before). It’s a free party, so come on by and celebrate one of the most delicious pints of Boulder (and that’s saying something).

Have a wonderful weekend, Boulder!
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It’s the spookiest weekend of the year, Boulder, and there’s a lot to do to celebrate!

Since Halloween is on a Tuesday this year, that means it’s this weekend when the ghouls, ghosts, and glowing things will come out to play.

Halloween in Boulder wouldn’t be Halloween in Boulder without the Boulder Mall Crawl, and it’s happening this Saturday. I hear tell the Thriller Dancers will be flash-mobbing it in all their zombified goodness sometime that night, so don your best costume (with a warm layer), and go look for em.

The Exotica Erotica Ball is another Boulder Halloween staple event, and this year it’s being hosted by Bohemian Biergarten. Performances at this event include: burlesque, go-go dancers, aerial dancers, acrobats, kink performers, live visual art, body painting, and more. This event is definitely an adult themed one, and it’s inside, so feel free to get as skimpy as you like with that costume if you’re going there.

Wondering what wine will pair well with that Halloween candy you’ve pilfered from your favorite trick-or-treaters? Wonder no more: Boulder’s Liquor Mart is having a wine-and-halloween-candy-pairing tasting event on Friday afternoon. Taste wine and candy combos for free and get coupons for the wines you’ve chosen.

If you’re looking for a Halloween activity that’s a bit more friendly to the little ones, definitely stop by the Boulder Parks n Rec Halloween Carnival, happening Friday afternoon at the South Boulder Rec Center. This event looks like a blast, with carnival activities, face-painting, snacks, and more.

If you’re more into an authentic pre-day of the dead type event, go up to the Boulder Museum and listen to the Ghost Walk/Ghost Talk there. Tour the old haunted Harbeck House, listen to stories of the dead, and watch as local psychics interpret the energy they feel there. The psychics will be doing readings, too. Who knows, maybe a real ghost will show up to celebrate Halloween too.

Have a boo-tiful time this weekend, Boulder!
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Don’t quite know who authorized October being nearly over, but the upside to the month speeding along is Halloween is one day closer. Speaking of which…

It’s movie night at eTown this Friday, everyone, and what better movie to get you in the Halloween spirit than Evil Dead? Watch Ash lay waste to the deadites in the first installment of the silly, gory, snarky Bruce Campbell vehicle, and then come back Sunday night to the radio show taping! Now eTown’s radio shows are always a rare treat, but this Sunday their special guest is the amazing Loudon Wainwright III!

eTown isn’t the only one doing Halloween-y movie screenings this weekend–the Boulder Bandshell will be screening classic Disney witchy film Hocus Pocus on Friday as well. This screening is bring your own blankets and seating, but there will be a beer garden and food trucks present at that screening.

Did you know that this Saturday is World Singing Day? To celebrate, Boulder is throwing its 3rd annual Sing-Along event, right on the 1300 block of downtown! Come sing along to a wide variety of tunes, in a big happy spontaneous community choir. This sing-along is open to all ages and singing abilities.

ZOMG you guys, Devotchka is playing at the Boulder Theatre on Saturday! Have you seen them live? They’re amazing–this is a band that you should always catch when they come through Boulder–and as of this writing, they’re not sold out yet!

Have a fun one, Boulder!
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Another beautiful Boulder weekend is upon us, everyone!

This Friday is the 13th, and there’s lots of live music happening everywhere nearby (as there always is) to infuse your auspicious day with a bit of luck. Upslope, Laughing Goat, down south at Caffe Sole, downtown at Lazy Dog, Longmont and Lyons at Oskar Blues….the musical list is nearly endless. Just take your pick. Heck, why choose one–do a bit of music-hopping. Just don’t walk under any ladders to get there, and be on the lookout for black cats crossing your path…

Lots happening at the International Film Series this weekend–looks like a wide variety of cinematic brain food to stimulate the appetite. Most of those films take place up on campus, in Muenzinger Auditorium among other places. Definitely a fun place to go for a date or any kind of Boulder night out.

Twisted Pine is having its Pints For a Purpose benefit again this Friday, Boulder! All day, partial proceeds from Twisted Pine’s delicious pints will benefit the People and Pollinators Action Network, which is a group dedicated to protecting pollinators all over Colorado. Talk about a good cause.

Have you seen the Hiking Plays up at Chautauqua yet? Well it sounds like a really fun time–seeing compelling performances while in the beautiful surroundings of the foothills up near Chautauqua. This month, the hiking play happening is The Hound of the Baskervilles, the classic Sherlock Holmes mystery. What a perfect excursion idea for an October afternoon, right?

Happy weekend, Boulder!
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I have no idea how it’s already October but since it is, I think it’s fair to see what’s happening in and around town. I mean, there’s no real alternative. Thus, I will embrace fall in all its glory and do what I do best as a Boulderite: get out, live more, and grab a locally-brewed pint at the end of a long, long day.

It’s the Adventure Film Festival again over at the Boulder Theatre, everyone! Screenings of films, celebrations, a kid-friendly version of things, and a street fair right outside Boulder Theatre is the rundown of the myriad activities happening over there, all day, all evening, all weekend (well, Saturday and Sunday, anyway). Let alone the Avery Brewing beergarden/live music series/giant party called Flocktoberfest happening around there too, just the day before, on Friday. I wouldn’t miss either celebration!

The Buffs are home again, Boulder! This Saturday, they play against Arizona, which should be an exciting game to witness, to say the least. And of course, that means the Pearl Street Stampede, the Buffs’ own pre-game pep party, will be exploding with marching band fun down on the 1300 block of Pearl Street Mall, Friday evening, to get you pumped. Go Buffs!

Boulder is full of beer lovers, and with so many excellent craft breweries covering every square inch of our town, it’s easy to see why. Well, the big mama of beer festivals and competitions is happening this weekend, Boulder: The Great American Beer Festival. And though this enormous event takes place in Denver, many of our home breweries are in competition, including Twisted Pine, who is actually live-streaming the awards ceremony as it takes place Saturday morning. Also all day Saturday, you can get deals on their GABF beer entries. Good luck to them and all who entered their tasty comestibles in the biggest beer fest in the country!

Have fun this weekend, Boulder, whatever you choose to do!
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