Love Letters, Monster Jam and Black History Live!
Monster Jam is back! And you’d better act fast if you want to take your Valentine to the Taylor Swift Laser Show at the Fiske Planetarium! Tickets are flying off the digital shelves! But you can also enjoy the Grateful Dead, Prince and Harry Styles at Fiske, or comedians, musicians, and classes — with various locations in Erie and nearby Boulder and Longmont.
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, February 8
ART & SIP: BLOCK PRINT VALENTINES
Make handmade Valentine’s Day cards for all the people you love! You’ll carve linoleum rubber blocks to create your own personal stamps and then make prints on your cards. The stamps are yours to use again and again. Instructor Julie Benoit has designed the class for both beginners as well as experienced arts and crafters. Grab a drink and get creative – beer, wine, fizzy water and snacks are available to purchase at the Atrium Bar. Register below or call 303-651-8374.
Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $40
Info: 303-651-8374
NANDO REIS WITH SEBASTIAO REIS
Nando Reis is a Brazilian singer and composer. Accompanied by his guitar, Nando has been crossing borders. The musician is considered one of the main Brazilian composers and hitmakers. With more than 40 years of his career, he was a member of the notorious Brazilian rock group Titãs. In his career, Nando Reis has released more than 10 albums, six million copies sold, won two Latin Grammys and 12 nominations. The musician continues to perform more than 100 shows annually, consolidating himself as one of the biggest names in Brazilian Popular Music.
Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $45
Phone: 303-786-7030
Thursday-Saturday, February 8-10
SOUND OF MUSIC: YOUTH EDITION
One of the most beloved musicals of all time. In Austria, 1938, an exuberant young governess brings music and joy back to a broken family, only to face danger and intrigue as the Nazis gain power.
Jesters Theatre, 224 Main St., Longmont
Thurs.-Sat., 7:00 p.m.; Sat., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$35
Thursday-Sunday, February 8-11
IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE
The Improvised Shakespeare Company® proudly presents an evening of spontaneous comedy featuring the language and themes of William Shakespeare! Based on one audience suggestion (the title of a show that has never been written), the dazzling players create a brand new, fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes. Nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written. All of the dialogue is said for the first time, the characters are created as you watch, and if ever you’re wondering where the story is going…so are they! See the show TimeOut Chicago calls “Staggeringly brilliant!,” and “Downright hilarious!” You’ve never seen the Bard like this before!
Garner Galleria Theater, DCPA Complex, 14th and Curtis St., Denver
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $45
Friday, February 9
LASER PRINCE
Undefinable, musical genius, mysterious, guarded, iconic – it is impossible to pin down the Prince of Paisley Park. He speaks on through his musical legacy. The Fiske’s cutting-edge projection system from Laser Fantasy mesmerizes \with vibrant colors cutting through the fog to s 360-degree wrap around screen – all while the laser engineers “fly” you through the universe in beat to your favorite jams! Playlist includes:
- Let’s Go Crazy
- 1999
- Little Red Corvette
- I Wanna be Your Lover
- U Got The Look
- Raspberry Beret
- When Doves Cry
- And, an EPIC ENCORE — Purple Rain
Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Dr., Boulder
10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10+
Info: 303-492-5002
Friday-Saturday, February 9-10
A.J. GURNEY’S LOVE LETTERS
An unforgettable evening to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Escape with your sweetheart into a world of romance with live piano and talented vocalists setting the tone as you enjoy cocktails and complimentary delectable desserts from Sinister Bakers. Then, step into the Stewart Auditorium for A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters,” a poignant and touching play that explores the complexities of love and friendship through the lifelong correspondence between characters Andrew and Melissa. Their story unfolds through their letters, postcards, and notes, painting a vivid picture of hopes, dreams, conflicts and connections. Produced by :11 After Theatre Company.
Stewart Auditorium, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $20
FEED: DRY
Inspired by the popular “Dry January” movement, FEED: Dry will ask: how do we balance our hedonistic side with our need for discipline and temperance? FEED is The Catamounts original series which pairs food, drink, and performance in a four-course seated meal. All courses explore a central theme: temperance, abstinence, hedonism, and moderation in modern life, with live music by Nika Garcia. Audience members will be given the opportunity to imbibe delicious non-alcoholic pairings in celebration of the “dry” concept, or to integrate artisanal alcoholic spirits in some or all of the courses. The event features original pieces by Colorado playwrights Chelsea Frye and Ellen K. Graham commissioned by The Catamounts for the event, as well as work curated by director Joan Bruemmer-Holden.
Tickets are all-inclusive and include four courses of food, drink, performance, and gratuity. Audience members can choose between a vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu, and drink pairings with or without alcohol.
Dairy Arts Center, Gordon Gamm Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $90
Info: 303-440-7826
Friday-Sunday, February 9-11
MONSTER JAM!
Monster Jam® is the most action-packed motorsports event on four wheels. At the event, you will witness world-class driver athletes and the most recognizable trucks tear up the dirt and compete in intense competitions of speed and skill.
The trucks race along a prescribed course with the first advancing in the competition. Winners advance until only two trucks remain with the finals determining the racing champion. Racing may be preceded by qualifying to establish brackets. During the Skills Challenge Monster Jam drivers will have multiple opportunities to compete in performing the best stunt, bringing at least two wheels into the air. The Donut Competition is an event where trucks compete by performing in designated flat areas with the objective to rotate the truck as many times and as quickly as possible, and finally there’s a freestyle competition. The Pit Parties require a separate ticket.
Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver
Fri., 7:00 p.m.; Sat., 2:00 & 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 12:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $49
RUBICON
Based on a true story, Rubicon tracks the career of one of history’s most effective spies. Starting in the years leading up to World War II, the plot follows Elizabeth “Betty” Pack as she transitions from society wife and mother to steely, seductive agent for British and American Intelligence. As missions take her from Madrid to Warsaw to Washington, Betty uses her charm, beauty, and intellect as tools of espionage, leveraging her sexuality to influence global affairs.
Overflowing with intrigue and wit, Rubicon is an engaging portrait of an unsung heroine and the sacrifices she makes to change the course of the war. It addresses the stigma attached to choosing professional determination and personal agency over traditional gender expectations. It’s a work that’s suspenseful, alluring, and surprising all at once.
Kilstrom Theatre, DCPA Complex, 14th and Curtis St., Denver
Fri.-Sat., 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $35
Saturday, February 10
VIOLINIST ANTHONY SALVO
Violinist Anthony Salvo has been composing, teaching and performing on Colorado’s front range for over 22 years. Steeped in much of the world’s musical cultures, as well as embodying an extensive knowledge of classical and jazz genres, he revels in bringing new and exciting energy to roots traditions in a jazz setting. He is a free jazz improviser, gypsy jazz violinist, a crossover fusion musician in Indian, Gypsy, Middle Eastern, and African music, as well as a teacher and composer.
This event offers a tranquil experience, perfect for relaxation, reflection, and rest. There is room for 30 people to lie down and listen and another 49 to sit on a first-come-first-served basis. So come early if you want to lie down – and don’t forget to bring your yoga mat and blankets! Before and after the music, we will have tea and cookies (and maybe a few hugs). Proceeds go to pay for the violinist, the space, and Motus social justice programs.
Dairy Arts Center, Grace Gamm Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$25
Info: 303-440-7826
WORLD’S TINIEST MARDI GRAS PARADE
Yep, it’s that time of year and if you’re in the mood for a little Mardi Gras, Longmont style, head downtown Mardi Gras Parade with the Bourbon Brass Band begins at 2:00 p.m.! Paraders will march around the block with St. Vrain Cidery staff and the Best Costume/Float wins a new bottle of Barrel Aged Rum! Hurricane Drink Specials and New Orleans Jazz all night, at the St. Vrain Cidery.
St. Vrain Cidery, 350 Terry St., Longmont
2:00-9:00 p.m.
Open to All Revelers
STARS & PLANETS
What stars and planets are visible in the night sky tonight? Join the Fiske astronomers for an introduction to the night sky, the stars, and constellations. Then you’ll lift off of the earth to take a tour of the solar system and learn about the other planets that orbit our own star, the sun. They’ll also touch on some of the thousands of planets that have been discovered around other stars in the night sky. Bring your questions! There will be plenty of time to answer them.
Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Dr., Boulder
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10+
Info: 303-492-5002
BOULDER BACH FESTIVAL
Icelandic composers Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Pall Ragnar Palsson, Daniel Bjarnason, and long-time Sigur Rós collaborator Maria Huld Markan Sigfusdottir create new worlds in sound, traveling beyond tradition and academic expectations in their art form. This performance features new work, much of which was composed specifically for the duo Mystery Sonata, comprised of pianist Mina Gajić and violinist Zachary Carrettin. Projections of Iceland’s natural beauty offer a visual context while sonic landscapes ebb and flow, utilizing contemporary techniques that explore harmonics, timbre, and the resonating structure of the piano. One of the works includes ambient electronica that interplays with the piano and violin, culminating in a heart wrenching melody that somehow exists beyond time and place, beyond pulse and tempo.
“Immediately apparent is the duo’s uncanny unity of phrasing…Carrettín and Gajić share the same sense of propulsion, giving their playing a lean power and an extra glimmer of energy…daring virtuosity…they partner brilliantly…” -Early Music America
Dairy Arts Center, Gordon Gamm Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$65
Info: 303-440-7826
THE ORIGIN OF LOVE
Too often, Valentine’s Day traditions don’t reflect the love we experience in our lives. In The Origin of Love, – a delightful and diverse curation of Broadway-style love songs – each form of love is triumphantly given the spotlight – romantic love, family love, self-love, love between friends – because each form of love deserves to be celebrated!
All proceeds of this event will benefit the Arts Hub’s educational theatre programming.
The Arts Hub,
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $28
Info: 303-229-1127
LIQUID SKY GRATEFUL DEAD ON THE DOME
This show is a psychedelic experience awakened by the best of the Grateful Dead. Join the astronomers for a musical and visual journey through the cosmic universe and sands of time. Fiske’s mind-melting Liquid Sky is a musical, all-you-can-eat eye candy buffet. The beats and rhythms of your favorite artists coupled with the trippiest visuals digitally rendered live, all on our 8K dome and in full-surround sound. Let the Liquid Engineers take you on a live-mixed journey in the Fiske Planetarium’s unique immersive theater! Playlist includes:
- Bertha – Red Rocks ’78
- Good Lovin’ – Red Rocks ’78
- Brown Eyed Women – Cornell ’77
- Ramble on Rose – Winterland ’78
- Mississippi Half Step – Englishtown ’77
- Franklin’s Tower – Dead Set ’80
- Brokedown Palace – Dead Set ’80
- Deal – Cornell ’77
- Plus, a special ENCORE!
Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Dr., Boulder
8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10+
Info: 303-492-5002
Saturday-Sunday, February 10-11
CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES
A celebration of the church basement kitchen and the women who work there. Church Basement Ladies is a musical comedy featuring five distinct characters and their relationships as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural Minnesota Lutheran church about to undergo changes in 1965.
Jesters Theatre, 224 Main St., Longmont
Sat., 7:30 p.m; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $22-$50
Sunday, February 11
DRIFTING NORTH: THE ARTIC PULSE
Follow an international team of scientists from over 20 countries who embark on an epic year-long expedition to the Central Arctic.The Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) team froze the German Icebreaker R/V Polarstern into the sea ice. The team drifts with an ice floe and strives to understand the Arctic climate system and its future.
The 360-degree planetarium dome show is the first planetarium feature film that captures the entire year of the central Arctic climate, transcending the Arctic’s Polar night and day, and the experiences of the MOSAiC team as they face one of the most extreme and unique regions on our planet.
Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Dr., Boulder
2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10+
Info: 303-492-5002
Next Week: Monday, February 12
BLACK HISTORY LIVE!
Now in its 15th year, Colorado Humanities’ Black History Live! tour is an annual recognition each February of the significant contributions African Americans have made. This year’s statewide tour features the living-history portrayal by nationally acclaimed scholar/actor Marvin Jefferson as Martin Luther King, Jr. Reverend, Theologian, Civil and Human Rights leader and arguably the “greatest American of the 20th century,” Dr. King embodied all of these things but, ironically, he was the first to disown most of the titles afforded him. An intensely guilt ridden yet brilliant man, he rose to greatness during the most eventful years of the Civil Rights Movement. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56) to the Poor People’s campaign (1967-68), his was a life with extreme measures of joy, pain, triumph, tragedy, hatred and most of all, love. Chautauqua is a 1st person dramatization of a historical figure. The speaker’s monologue will last around 40 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of Q&A, first in character, and next out of character as the performer. No registration is required for this free event.
Erie Community Library, 400 Powers St., Erie
2:00-3:30 p.m.
FREE
Tuesday, February 13
MARTIN, IGLESIAS, AND PITBULL
Just in time for Valentine’s Day fun, Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin bring you the Trilogy Tour! Get ready for one huge fiesta with this trio of Spanish and Latin superstars as they continue to sell out shows across North America. The three multigenerational global powerhouses Iglesias, Martin, and Pitbull extended their one-of-a-kind arena party – The Trilogy Tour – into 2024 with 18 new shows – and included Denver. 
Fans can expect an unforgettable night of music as the megastars deliver an electrifying mix of their biggest career-spanning hits with influences of reggaeton, salsa pop, dance, and electronic music, backed by world-class production and state-of-the-art visuals.
The first leg of the Trilogy Tour garnered incredible reviews of the performances with USA TODAY noting at the tour kickoff, “As trilogies go, the combination of Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull is a robust one. The three Latin pop stars came equipped with their individual charisma and a heap of hits…”
The Oakland Press remarked the trio “reminded an arena full of screaming, enthralled fans just how potent they are with a buoyant, bilingual celebration across three explosive performances.”
Boston.com celebrated their performance stating “the three luminaries of Latin pop embarked on a night of celebration sparked by their individual charisma and plethora of chart-topping hits. In the realm of trilogies, this one proved fruitful in atmosphere and execution, avoiding any repetition in the four-hour extravaganza.”
Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $80
Tuesday-Sunday, February 13-18
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Message In A Bottle is a spectacular new dance-theatre show from five-time Olivier Award nominee, Kate Prince, inspired by and set to the iconic hits of 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting, 
including “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne,” “Walking On The Moon” and more.
With a mix of exhilarating dance styles, high-energy footwork and breathtaking athleticism, Message In A Bottle tells a unifying and uplifting story of humanity and hope. The peaceful village of Bebko is alive with joyous celebrations. Suddenly, under attack, everything changes forever. Three siblings, Leto, Mati and Tana, must embark on perilous journeys in order to survive. Message In A Bottle is the latest masterpiece from the ground-breaking choreographer behind several West End hits including Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and features the astonishing talents of dance storytelling powerhouse, ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company.
“This is what dance is supposed to do. This is how it should make you feel.” Sunday Mirror
Buell Theatre, DCPA Complex, 14th and Curtis St., Denver
Tues.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $30
Wednesday, February 14
HOUSE CONCERT: MARIKA BOURNAKI
Pianist Marika Bournaki has been dubbed “The Celine Dion of Classical” by the Huffington Post. Bournaki was a vivacious piano player at five and an old pro at 12. She has empowered youth through her projects “Moi, J’en Parle” and “Let’s Play,” in addition to her work as a member of Piano Six – New Generation, bringing music to underserved populations in Canada. She is an artist-in-residence at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance in Canada and is a member of the Mile-End Trio, Frisson Ensemble, and collaborative piano faculty at the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina.
Vance Brand Civic Auditorium, 600 E. Mountain View Ave., Longmont
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $75
Thursday, February 15
ART & SIP: PAINTING POPPIES
The poppy has many symbolic meanings: remembrance, consolation, peace, extravagance and beauty. Join us as we paint our own lovely field of poppies in acrylic paint on canvas. Instructor Julie Benoit has designed the class for both beginners as well as experienced arts and crafters. Grab a drink and get creative – beer, wine, fizzy water and snacks are available to purchase at the Atrium Bar. Register below or call 303-651-8374.
Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $12-$18
Info: 303-651-8374
HAKEN
Haken is a modern progressive rock band hailing from London, England. Since the sextet started jamming together in 2004, they’ve been one of the genre’s most loyal yet simultaneously adventurous forces. Every album they’ve released is distinct from all the rest, but they’re all tied together by their incalculable time signatures, fearless songwriting and majestic vocals – and, of course, their critical acclaim. Since Haden’s 2010 debut, the band has gleefully dabbled in ’80s synths and aggravated their heavy metal leanings to invigorating levels.
Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$65
Phone: 303-786-7030
TAYLOR SWIFT LASER SHOW
Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. With over 200 million records sold, a shelf full of Grammys, and millions of fans, she is an inspiration for generations. This show features her biggest hits and brings them to life with dazzling laser lights. If you can’t score tickets to her concert — this is the next best thing.
This is not your parent’s laser show! The planetarium’s cutting-edge projection system from Laser Fantasy mesmerizes your eyes with vibrant colors cutting their way through the fog to our 360-degree wrap around screen – all while the laser engineers fly you through the universe in beat to your favorite jams! Playlist includes:
- You Need To Calm Down
- 22 – Taylor’s Version
- Anti-Hero
- Love Story – Taylor’s Version
- Look What You Made Me Do
- Lavender Haze
- …Ready for It?
- I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor’s Version
- You Belong with Me – Taylor’s Version
- We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor’s Version
Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Dr., Boulder
8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10+
Info: 303-492-5002
Friday, February 16
SARAH JAROSZ
Sarah Jarosz, the Texas-born singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist’s latest album, Polaroid Lovers is a meditation on strangely ephemeral moments that indelibly shape our lives. The four-time Grammy winner says all the songs are snapshots of different love stories, and there’s a feeling of time being expansive despite that impermanence. Thanks to the rarefied alchemy that infuses all of Jarosz’s output—her finely wrought lyricism, ravishing vocal work, virtuosic yet unfettered musicality her performances capture something so fleeting, but at the same time, something timeless and lasting.
Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$45
Phone: 303-786-7030
STURTZ WITH NATALIE SPEARS
Sturtz’s music stands out for its distinctive, soothing instrumental and vocal harmonies. The acoustic quartet – Andrew Sturtz [vocals, guitar], Jim Herlihy [banjo], Courtlyn Carpenter [cello], and Will Kuepper [bass] – falls somewhere at the intersection of folk and soul, with lead singer Andrew Sturtz’s melodic vocals soaring over the lower string instrumentals. Sturtz is based in Boulder, CO, and has toured across the U.S. opening for groups like the Eli Young Band, Trout Steak Revival, Lillie Mae, the Band of Heathens, and Smooth Hound Smith. NPR’s All Songs Considered described the band as “a reassuring breath of fresh air that pulls me back to simpler times” in their April 2020 blog. Sturtz released their debut album You’ve Done This Before in August 2021, and now they are hard at work touring on this album and writing songs for their next album. When they’re not playing music, you’ll probably find them milling flour, farming, laying in a creek, or eating native foliage.
Natalie Spears brings listeners in touch with the warmth of community, the quiet awe of wild places, and the intimate corners of humanity. Inspired by her father’s English Folk heritage and talents as a Jazz pianist, Natalie carries a deep love for porch-picking music and music that swings. Drawing on these roots and pulling from a quiver of instruments (banjo, piano, and guitar), her performance is dynamic as she navigates between these tonal worlds. Natalie’s angelic voice threads together a sonic language of both nostalgic and contemporary colors, creating a vibrant musical narrative of her own. In 2021, Natalie’s duo, Lizzy Plotkin & Natalie Spears, released their debut EP, “Just Over the Ridge,” which reached #10 album of the year on the Folk Alliance International Dj Folk Charts, and her song, Seasons Change, reached #4 song of the year.
Chatauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Dr., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45-$58
Info: (303) 440-7666
Saturday, February 17
SABAI WITH FAR OUT, EIGHTY TWO
SABAI is a rising star in the world of melodic bass EDM, captivating audiences with his emotionally charged soundscapes. Despite the project only being around since 2020, his authentic and vulnerable sound deeply resonates with his listeners, leading to a rapid growth in his dedicated fan base. Through his music, SABAI aspires to inspire his fans to pursue their dreams, never lose sight of their goals, and to find their most authentic self.
SABAI’s live performances are a testament to his dedication, as he pours his heart and soul into every set, connecting intimately with the audience and creating an unforgettable experience. As SABAI continues to carve his path in the world of EDM, he remains committed to pushing boundaries, experimenting with new sounds, and sharing his artistry with the world.
The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder
9:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $22
Come Home to Erie!
Isn’t it time you discovered one of the fastest growing master-planned communities in Northern Colorado? Colliers Hill has so many exciting amenities to offer new home buyers! And for things to do — whether five minutes away in Erie, or 20 minutes away in Boulder, there are happenings each and every weekend. If you don’t live here yet, check out the stunning model homes from Richmond American Homes and Boulder Creek. Priced from the $600s.
