Opera, Theater, Arts & Crafts!
This weekend you can enjoy another art and sip class, a book club confab, an opera, Japanese drumming, musicals and art shows — with various locations in Erie and nearby Boulder and Longmont.
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, April 21
DENVER TAIKO: LIVE IN CONCERT!
Founded in 1976, Denver Taiko is a nonprofit organization comprised mostly of third, fourth and fifth generation Japanese Americans honoring our cultural heritage through the exhilarating performance art of taiko. Our group ranges from energetic and talented teens to accomplished veterans who have performed with Denver Taiko nearly from its inception. Performing traditional Japanese Taiko drumming as well as their own original compositions, Denver Taiko’s repertoire of rhythmic grooves and heart-pounding beats make for a dynamic and high-energy show you won’t soon forget.
Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
7:00 p.m.
Registration: $18-$22
Phone: 303-651-8374
ERIE EVENING BOOK CLUB
Do you love reading and lively conversation? Looking for a fun way to enjoy books, meet new people and share opinions about what you’ve read? Join the Erie Evening Book Club to discuss fiction and non-fiction books.
Erie Community Library, 400 Powers St., Erie
7:30 p.m.
Contact Info: 888-861-7323
ART & SIP: CHERRY BLOSSOM STATIONARY
Instructor: Arpita Choudhry Each spring in Japan, delicate pink cherry blossoms, known as sakura, begin to bloom. Take inspiration from these lovely flowers to make whimsical stationary by carving rubber block stamps and printing the designs onto paper. Grab a drink and get creative with these classes for adults. Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks will be available for purchase in the Atrium Bar. This season you’ll see a special focus on art projects inspired by our current exhibit Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper.
Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Registration: $35
Phone: 303-651-8374
Thursday-Saturday, April 21-23
BANKSY: MOST WANTED
Banksy is a household name, but behind this name hides a multitude of stories, artworks, stunts, political statements, and identities, leading to one of the art world’s biggest unanswered questions- who is Banksy? Through the testimonies of those who know him and have worked with him, but also of those who exploit him, hunt him down, claim him… Banksy Most Wanted draws an in-depth portrait of this masked Robin Hood. Each of these investigations reveals a facet of the artist: his commitment to environmental causes or political refugees, his links with the music scene, his entrepreneurial side.
Dairy Arts Center, Boedecker Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
Thurs., 7:00 p.m.; Fri./Sat., 7:30
Tickets: $12
Information: 303-444-7328
Thursday-Sunday, April 21-24
THE NOTEWORTHY LIFE OF HOWARD BARNES
“Uproariously funny and surprisingly touching” – The Seattle Times
What’s this show about? Well, we think it’s what would happen if The Truman Show met The Family Guy. Howard Barnes is a perfectly average man in his early thirties, until the day that he wakes up to discover that his life has become a musical. Desperate to escape from the show, Howard embarks on a fantastical quest through the realm of musical theater. Equal parts satire, romantic comedy, and love letter to the American musical, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes is intended for people who love musical theater, and their spouses who hate it.
BDT Stage, 5501 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
Thurs.-Sat., 6:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00 p.m.
Tickets: $65-$75
Information: 303-449-6000
A DOLL’S HOUSE
Written at a time when women’s empowerment in Europe and The United States was scandalous, Ibsen’s A Doll’s House seems to retain perpetual relevance. Certainly a noble idea. Our production will explore that relevance at a time when our audiences and particularly women, I think, might give the reaction, “no duh” to our protagonist’s moment of empowerment. Have we progressed far enough to dull its provocation, or can A Doll’s House continue to elicit needful empathy?
The Upstart Crow, Carsen Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $21-$25
POSTCARD FROM MOROCCO: AN OPERA
Set in a Moroccan train station at the turn of the 20th century, a group of enigmatic strangers interacts with one another, revealing both the mundane and the miraculous in their lives. Colorful and modern, “Postcard from Morocco” explores the physical and emotional baggage we all carry from day-to-day, whether it be an unrealized dream, a mysterious secret—or even a lover in a hat box.
Great repertoire, lavish scenery, amazing voices and outstanding value—these are the hallmarks of the CU Boulder College of Music Eklund Opera Program. Director Leigh Holman and Music Director Nicholas Carthy bring you the best of classical and contemporary opera in these fascinating productions.
IMIG Music Theatre, 1020 18th St., Boulder
Thurs.-Sat 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$31
Information: 303-492-8008
THEY PROMISED HER THE MOON
“‘Moon’ sticks the landing—a fascinating true story!” —San Diego Magazine
Many people know the history of the space race and the Mercury Seven. But few have ever heard the ill-fated story of Jerrie Cobb and the Mercury 13: a group of women who underwent the same rigorous psychological and physical astronaut training as their male counterparts but were ultimately denied entry into the space program based on their sex. “They Promised Her the Moon” is a highly theatrical, stunning look at the forces that keep women grounded, for better or worse.
Kent Thompson directs a cast of CU Boulder Department of Theatre & Dance’s talented student performers. Don’t wait to purchase tickets! Due to limited seating, tickets sell fast. But in the intimate Loft Theatre, every audience member gets a front row experience to this performance.
CU, Loft Theatre, University Theater Building, 261, Boulder
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18
Friday, April 22
CLUB MUSIC: THE EARLY DAYS
Join us for a conversation about the early days of club music with DJ Luis Mario Orellana Rizzo. Luis Mario will discuss his experiences as a pioneer Latino DJ in the New York City club scene of the 1970s. Talk will be followed by a disco dance party with DJ Luis Mario spinning live.
The American Music Research Center (AMRC) is dedicated to exploring and celebrating the diverse and rich traditions of American music. Jointly housed between the University of Colorado’s College of Music and the University Libraries, the AMRC is home to a rare music repository that includes scores, papers, recordings, and material artifacts that document the history of American music and the people who have made it.
CU MUSIC, CLUB 156, UMC, 1669 Euclid Ave., Boulder
5:00 p.m.
Free
Information
FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT
Founded in 2011, Seicento Baroque Ensemble is a semi-professional, auditioned chamber choir noted for its performances of lesser-known music of the 17th and 18th century using historically informed performance practices and period instruments. With its primary emphasis on music of the Baroque period, the ensemble occupies a unique niche in the Colorado choral music scene. Audiences experience and learn about inspirational and intriguing Baroque music, usually by western European composers. The Ensemble returns to the Longmont Museum to showcase J.S. Bach’s glorious Magnificat, and two other regal and joyful pieces.
Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
7:00 p.m.
Registration: $18-$22
Phone: 303-651-8374
HOLD THE LINE AND ZEPP-11
HTL, founded in Denver, CO Sept 2020, is a dynamic representation of Toto’s Live show honoring Jeff Porcaro, David Paich, Mike Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, Steve Lukather, Bobby Kimball, Joseph Williams, and later, Simon Phillips. HTL is comprised of pro musicians who have toured extensively and internationally.
Based on Live performances such as Falling In Between to Live In Poland: 35th Anniversary, HTL recreates the full spectrum of hits, deep cuts, and collaborations!
How to honor the legacy of a band deemed sacred? To tread on holy ground is perilous and must be done with the intent and spirit of a disciple! Pay attention to the intricacies of the magical melodies, explore the far ends of innovation, , and let the purity of the love for the music drive it all. If you missed Led Zeppelin live in the 70’s or are looking to relive the “Hammer of the Gods” phenomenon, it’s time to experience Zepp 11!
Dickens Opera House, 300 Main St., Longmont
7:00-11:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12 at the door
Phone: 303-440-7826
Friday-Saturday, April 22-23
FRESH DANCE-DANCE
Enjoy a potent mix of Hip-Hop, aerial, fusion forms and improvised offerings crafted by undergraduate and graduate dance students.
CU Boulder Department of Theatre & Dance’s innovative, multisensory dance performances take place in and around the intimate Charlotte York Irey Theatre. Best deal in town!
Charlotte York Irey Theatre, University Theater Bldg., 261 CU, Boulder
7:30 p.m.
FREE
Friday-Sunday, April 22-24
GUYS AND DOLLS
Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, GUYS AND DOLLS is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler Nathan Detroit tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend, nightclub performer Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for 14 years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler Sky Masterson for the dough, but Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown. GUYS AND DOLLS takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.
Jesters Dinner Theatre, 224 Main St., Longmont
Fri./Sat., (6:30 DINNER), 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., (DINNER 12:30) 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$48
Phone: 303-682-9980
Saturday, April 23
BOOMBOX IN BOULDER
Since first emerging in 2004, founder, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Zion Rock Godchaux has been quietly seasoning and simmering this recipe to perfection. However, it reaches a boiling point on his 2018 album, Western Voodoo.
At the same time, the Muscle Shoals, AL native stays true to what attracted countless fans in the first place. “The West, in general, has its own voodoo influenced by the blues. That’s what shaped me as a musician growing up in this country. It’s hard to put in the words, but you know it when you hear it.”
You hear it in everything that BoomBox has done thus far. Over the course of five albums, the group has become a streaming favorite with numerous tracks cracking a million plays on Spotify. Moreover, they’ve made audiences groove everywhere from Electric Forest and Hangout Music Festival to High Sierra Music Festival andRed Rocks.
Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder
9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $60
Phone: 303-786-7030
DAIRY COMEDY IN THE BOE
Kate Strobel is a Denver-based comedian and writer whose energetic style livens every room with an earnest enthusiasm that’s infectious (in a non-diseasey way). Kate has been a semifinalist in the prestigious Comedy Works New Faces Contest and has performed on the Aloha and High Plains comedy festivals. She has produced showcases at Rita’s Law, Number Thirty-Eight, and Your Mom’s House in Denver and is widely regarded as one of the most reputable show-runners in the Mile High City.
Rounding out the show will be Emma Perkins, Linus Leas, and James Draper, with the lovely Arlis Gold hosting again.
Dairy Arts Center, Boedecker Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Information: 303-444-7328
NEXT WEEK: Friday, April 29
STILL THE SAME: BOB SEGER TRIBUTE
Still the Same – A Bob Seger Tribute is a Colorado band that performs the timeless roots-rock hits of Detroit singer-songwriter-musician Bob Seger. Led by Glenn Vigil as Bob Seger, the band is comprised of respected veterans of the Colorado musical circuit and a couple of talented fresh faces.
Over six decades, Seger and his backup bands, including the Silver Bullet Band, landed 31 hit songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 75 million records worldwide. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Still the Same balances its Seger set with fiery roots rockers (“Katmandu,” “Her Strut,” “The Fire Down Below”) melodic masterpieces (“Still the Same,” “Mainstreet,” “Against the Wind”), garage psychedelia (“Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man”), introspective anthems (“Turn the Page,” “Travelin’ Man”/Beautiful Loser”) and the bedrock classic “Old Time Rock and Roll.”
Saturday, April 30
BOULDER PHILHARMONIC AND THE FREQUENT FLYERS
Springtime’s promise of rebirth and renewal animates this program. The Boulder Phil welcomes back our friends at Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance® for an only-in-Boulder collaboration that also features our Concertmaster Charles Wetherbee as violin soloist in The Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto, based on a Chinese legend involving, among other things, the idea of rebirth. Other dimensions of that same theme are explored in two orchestral showpieces: Rimsky-Korsakov’s dramatic Russian Easter Overture, and Stravinsky’s much-loved suite from The Firebird ballet. Opening the program, we have a new work by Mason Bates titled Undistant that reflects on our recent experience of “cocooning” during the pandemic isolation and the thrill of reconnecting with one another yet again.
Macky Auditorium, 1595 Pleasant St., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$78
Information:
Come Home to Erie
There’s lots to do near the master-planned community of Colliers Hill, whether it’s right in Erie, or 20 minutes away in Boulder. If you don’t live here yet, check out the stunning model homes from KB Home, Richmond American Homes – and now open, Boulder Creek. Priced from the $600s, this fast-growing new home community in Northern Colorado has lots of exciting amenities to offer new home buyers, too!
