Film Festival, Ballet, Magic and Music This Weekend!
This weekend when you venture out your front door in Colliers Hill, you can enjoy the Boulder Film Festival Shorts, concerts and musical performances, plays, classes and comedians — with various locations in Erie and nearby Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette and Longmont.
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, September 21
ART & SIP: BOTANICALS
Grab a drink and get creative with these Thursday Night classes for adults. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase in the Atrium Bar. These classes are designed to guide beginners as well as bring new skills to experienced artists and crafters. This season participating artists will be highlighting natural materials inspired by the museum’s “agriCULTURE” exhibit.
Taking artistic cues from the botanical artwork, participants will learn basic alcohol ink techniques and layer their ink patterns with linework and color to create a mixed media work of art. Register online or by calling 303-651-8374.
Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Register online: $40
Info: 303-651-8374
BOULDER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SHORTS
Always a crowd pleaser, join fellow film aficionados for an evening dedicated to short films by filmmakers from across the globe as selected for inclusion in this year’s Boulder International Film Festival. From dog dreams of love, freedom and sausages, to the beautiful story of a sea-girl forced to make seaweed dresses because rulers stole her voice and the short documentary about Elia Kazan, who named names to Congress in the 50s of suspected communists. BIFF Short Films 1, 81 minutes, Dream on Leon, Canada 2022; Stained Skin, Germany 2021; High Noon on the Waterfront, USA, 2022; The Originals, USA 2022; Adjustment, Iran 2022; An Irish Goodbye, UK 2022
Stewart Auditorium, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Admission: $5-$10
Thursday-Saturday, September 21-23
THEATER: YOU ENJOY MYSELF
An Instagram post leads 6 individuals hurdling toward a secluded farmhouse in Vermont where they’ll spend a magical night discovering a profound camaraderie in their shared emotions. These individuals all have their own reasons to be there but find commonality in their feelings. You Enjoy Myself explores the cyclical nature of love – the beginning, end, and the possibility of renewal. In this quirky, feel-good story, they’ll each explore the nature of devotion – to music, to literature, to other people – and learn the art of finding yourself. Thursday’s performance requires masks for all theater-goers.
Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Admission: $15-$45
Info: 303-440-7826
Thursday-Sunday, September 21-24
MISS RHYTHM – THE LEGEND OF RUTH BROWN
Before Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner, there was Ruth Brown—the legendary rhythm and blues singer best known for her hits “Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean,” “Teardrops from My Eyes” and “5-10-15 Hours.” Her powerhouse voice and sassy squeal brought such worldwide success to Atlantic Records in the 1950’s, it was deemed “the house that Ruth built!”
This intimate cabaret experience explores the life and times of R&B legend Ruth Brown through story and song, accompanied by a five-piece jazz band. Created by and featuring Sheryl McCallum (Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway; Xanadu, Oklahoma, and The Wild Party at the Denver Center) and featuring David Nehls (The Great American Trailer Park Musical, composer/lyricist; Xanadu and The Other Josh Cohen at the Denver Center). Ruth Brown is a pioneer in the development of rock, blues and jazz, a Tony and Grammy award-winner and an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A true original who showed grace and strength with a great sense of humor, Ruth Brown took the stage with as much talent as she did warmth. Here’s to Ruth!
Garner Galleria Theater, DCPA Complex, 14th and Curtis St., Denver
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat./Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$42
BEETLEJUICE
He earned his stripes on Broadway… now the ghost-with-the-most is coming to Denver. It’s showtime! Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!
Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St., Denver
Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $60-$135
INFO: 720-865-4220
Friday, September 22
TEDX BOULDER LECTURES
TEDxBoulder is an independently organized event that brings together innovative thinkers, thought leaders, and change-makers from various disciplines to share their ideas and inspire meaningful conversations. With a commitment to “Ideas Worth Spreading,” provides a unique platform for both local and global voices, encouraging individuals to share their ideas that have the potential to shape the world we live in. The event embraces innovation, inclusivity, and the power of dialogue, aiming to challenge conventional thinking and ignite transformative change. Speakers include Christine Rohacz, Taft Blackhorse, Jr., Charles Lief and SSG. Lacy McDonald with topics ranging from Color, Crises and Fertility, to Psychedelics, Community and Age.
Chatauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Dr., Boulder
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$45
Info: 303-440-7666
BALKAN BUMP WITH DYNOHUNTER
Balkan Bump is the global electronic music project orchestrated by trumpet player, producer and ethnomusicologist Will Magid. Balkan Bump’s music fuses heavy electronic production with global music influences including traditional Balkan brass melodies, Middle Eastern sounds and American hip hop. The Balkan Bump live show highlights Magid’s expertise as an orchestrator, ranging in size from a solo performer to a 12-piece band featuring a menagerie of global instruments including sitar, saz, oud, clarinet and trumpet.
The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder
9:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $18
Friday-Sunday, September 22-24
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
The story of two bachelors, John ‘Jack’ Worthing and Algernon ‘Algy’ Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. Tickets may be purchase with dinner or for the show only.
Jester’s Dinner Theater, 224 Main St., Longmont
Fri./Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $19
Saturday, September 23
BOULDER MAGIC SHOW
Direct from Las Vegas! Comedy Magician Ben Young, who thrills audiences worldwide and has appeared on the hit CW TV show Penn and Teller: Fool Us, brings his interactive and absolutely hilarious magic show to the Dairy Arts Center!
He’s toured internationally, entertaining U.S. troops and their families at over 70 military bases, and performs regularly in major Las Vegas casinos.
As always, the Boulder Magic Show is hosted and curated by our own Braden Carlisle as he continues to curate the best magic in the nation to bring to Colorado. Braden Carlisle tours the country with his scalable theater show for family audiences. In his home state of Colorado, Braden has performed a monthly Sold-Out Magic Show for 41 consecutive months.
Braden’s magic is funny, sharp and relies on a lifetime of practice and performing experience. You’ve seen a rabbit get pulled out of a hat, but have you seen a man swallow a balloon larger than a small child? The best part about the Boulder Magic Show is that it appeals to all ages. The humor is family friendly and the magic is universally awe-inspiring. You will be thinking about that big finale long after you leave the theater. Get your tickets now to see the funniest magic show ever!
Dairy Arts Center, Gordon Gamm Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
2:00 p.m.
Admission: $15-$20
Info: 303-440-7826
BOULDER BALLET
This evening includes two world premieres and the return of two fan-favorites from recent choreographers Caili Quan and Amy Seiwert. Quan’s uplifting piece, To Become Like Thiswas created for Boulder Ballet in 2021. Set to music from Guam-born artist Micah Manaitai, this fun and quirky ballet has energized audiences at every performance. Seiwert’s The Devil Ties My Tongue is a powerful work of contemporary ballet that pulls you in the moment it starts. The sharp, precise movements and intimate connections between dancers keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Complete with never-before-seen creations from Sarah Tallman and Ben Needham-Wood, CONNECTION is an evening of dance you don’t want to miss.
Chatauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Dr., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $18-$75
INFO: 303-440-7666
DANIEL DONATO’S COSMIC COUNTRY
When people first meet Daniel Donato, they’re not fully braced for this walking tornado of creative energy. “They think there’s something that tips the scale in ways they don’t understand,” says Donato about his over-the-top, slightly manic vibe. “But what actually tips the scale is the amount of thought and analysis I put into my work and art, all of which is taken from the lessons of my life.” Donato, a 25-year-old Nashville native, has distilled those life lessons into his debut album, A Young Man’s Country, his proper introduction to the general musical audience. Recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium in a mere two days and produced by guitar-ace Robben Ford, the record weaves outlaw country, Grateful Dead-style Americana, and first-rate songwriting into a singular form Donato calls “21st-century cosmic country.”
The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $20.00
THE BIG LEBOWSKI
When “The Dude” Lebowski is mistaken for a millionaire Lebowski, two thugs urinate on his rug to coerce him into paying a debt he knows nothing about. While attempting to gain recompense for the ruined rug from his wealthy counterpart, he accepts a one-time job with high pay-off. He enlists the help of his bowling buddy, Walter, a gun-toting Jewish-convert with anger issues. Deception leads to more trouble, and it soon seems that everyone from porn empire tycoons to nihilists want something from The Dude.
Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Phone: 303-786-7030
Sunday, September 24
MOUSETRAP BY AGATHA CHRISTIE
Sold out every night, so grab your tickets now for the longest running play in history.
It was a dark and stormy night…Molly and Giles Ralston have inherited her aunt’s creaky old Victorian. They decide to turn it into a guest house called Monkswell Manor. But a fierce blizzard on opening day traps seven people in the house as supplies of food and heat begin to dwindle. A policeman arrives on skis to warn everyone that a murderer is on the loose. Even worse, the police suspect the murderer plans to strike again – this time at Monkswell Manor.
Who will be the next victim? And why? Suspect everyone.
So begins The Mousetrap, the longest running play in the history of the world. This mystery masterpiece, written by Agatha Christie, has thrilled and entertained London audiences since 1952. Now it can thrill you. Don’t miss it!
Dairy Arts Center, Grace Gamm Theater, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder
2:00 p.m.
Admission: $15-$20
Info: 303-440-7826
Next Week: Wednesday, September 27
JAWNY WITH ADAN DIAZ
Too much thinking can get in the way of good art. That’s the philosophy that indie singer/songwriter JAWNY has embraced even under the pressure of recording his debut album, It’s Never Fair, Always True. JAWNY has built his career by intuition, letting his music evolve naturally as he grows personally. Instead of chasing the high of past successes — including his 2019 US Gold and Mexico Diamond-certified hit, “Honeypie” — he’s followed his gut and tapped into a new vision that reflects his growth over the years. Even as he embraces a “first thought, best thought” approach to making music, his songs have grown in scope and scale — elevating him from songwriter to indie-pop auteur with a kaleidoscopic vision and rich sense of narrative that informs everything he does.
The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $25.00
Thursday, September 28
ART & SIP: WATERCOLOR ASPENS
Grab a drink and get creative with these Thursday Night classes for adults. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase in the Atrium Bar. These classes are designed to guide beginners as well as bring new skills to experienced artists and crafters. This season artists are highlighting natural materials inspired by the museum’s “agriCULTURE” exhibit.
Golden aspens nestled in evergreen trees are a rich and captivating sight in the fall. In this class, you will learn how to use watercolor to mimic the white and black bark of the aspen and its golden leaves. Register online or by calling 303-651-8374.
Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Register online: $40
Info: 303-651-8374
STEELDRIVERS WITH TROUBADOUR BLUE
What began as a casual jam session over a decade ago has become one of today’s leaders in the Americana/Bluegrass music world. The venerable Rounder Records immediately signed the band and released their eponymous debut in 2008 that scored their first GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group w/ Vocal for the song Blue Side Of The Mountain.
Again in 2010, the group’s sophomore effort “Reckless”, received two more nods for Best Bluegrass Album and Best Country Performance by a Duo of Group with Vocal, courtesy of the universally popular hit Where Rainbows Never Die.
In 2018 the group made Grand Ole Opry history as the quintet was joined by superstars John Prine and Bill Murray on the revered stage to perform. The quintet tours an average of 75 dates annually while continuing to bring world-class music to people.
Chatauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Dr., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38-$48
Info: (303) 440-7666
JALEN NGONDA
Jalen Ngonda is one of the most captivating performers on today’s soul scene. His voice, equal parts raw feeling and elegance, exudes confidence and charm. At 28, his resume reads more like that of a seasoned veteran: He has performed at New York City’s Summer Stage Festival, Picktathon, Newport Folk Festival, opened for Laura Mvula and Lauryn Hill at the Montreal Jazz Festival and sold-out houses on his own in Germany, the UK and Switzerland. Most recently, Jalen thrilled audiences and garnered rave reviews with his powerful solo performance in support of Thee Sacred Souls’ US tour.
Jalen Ngonda grew up in a music loving family on the outskirts of Washington D.C. His inspiration came from listening to his father’s collection of Motown CDs (The Temptations, Mary Wells, and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles). Like many of the legends before him, Jalen cut his teeth in the church, honing his craft to the organic pulse of soul-grooving parishioners. And it was this very church that helped raise the money to send Jalen to the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, where he developed his rich, nuanced voice and sublime falsetto.
The Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $20.00
Friday, September 29
TIG NOTARO
Tig Notaro is an Emmy and Grammy nominated stand-up comedian, writer, radio contributor, and actor as well as a favorite on numerous talk shows, including “Ellen,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and “Conan.” Rolling Stone named her one of the “50 best stand-up comics of all time.” Notaro currently appears in Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead” and “Star Trek: Discovery”; she wrote and starred in the groundbreaking TV show “One Mississippi” and hosts an advice podcast, Don’t Ask Tig as well as the documentary film podcast Tig and Cheryl: True Story.
Chatauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Dr., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $38-$48
Info: (303) 440-7666
BOULDER SYMPHONY WITH TRACE BUNDY
Boulder Symphony & Music Academy is dedicated to providing world-class, unique concerts that inspire and enrich the Boulder community. We strive to showcase the talents of our exceptional musicians and present a diverse repertoire that both challenges and delights our audience. In addition to our concert performances, we are committed to providing high-quality music education classes and private lessons to members of the Boulder community. We believe music is a powerful force that can bring people together, foster creativity, and enhance personal growth. Through our educational programs, we aim to nurture a love of music in people of all ages and backgrounds and provide opportunities for aspiring musicians to develop their skills.
Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $40-$50
Phone: 303-786-7030
Friday-Saturday, September 29-30
MOON OVER BUFFALO
The madcap comedy, Moon Over Buffalo, centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading
stars of the 1950s. At the moment, they’re playing Private Lives and Cyrano De Bergerac in an old run-down theatre in Buffalo, New York with 5 actors. They get word a famousdirector is coming to see the show and this could be their last chance for stardom. A hilarious comedy of what could go wrong, goes wrong. Down on their luck doesn’t begin to describe it. This fast-paced, hilarious screwball comedy in the old tradition is a throwback farce, a valentine to the stage, filled with the larger-than-life personalities that inhabit the world of the theatre.
Longmont Theater, 513 Main St., Longmont
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $32.50
Saturday, September 30
ILIZA: HARD FEELINGS TOUR
Iliza Shlesinger is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, producer and author, selling out theaters around the globe with a devoted fan base who are known for creating their own Iliza-inspired swag to wear to her shows. Her Hard Feelings world tour, featuring all new material, kicks off Summer 2023.
In 2022, Iliza released her 6th Netflix stand-up special Hot Forever and her second book All Things Aside. She coined the term “Elder Millennial” in her eponymous stand up special Elder Millennial (2018), which is also the subject of Iliza Shlesinger: Over & Over, her “fan-u-mentary” which took audiences behind-the-scenes of her life on tour. Her other stand-up specials are Unveiled (2019), Confirmed Kills (2016), Freezing Hot (2015) and War Paint (2013).
Her podcast, AIA: Ask Iliza Anything (Earwolf), is a fan favorite and features Iliza giving out her barefaced life advice to fan submitted questions. Iliza wrote and starred in the Netflix comedy Good On Paper and played opposite Mark Wahlberg in the #1 Netflix film Spenser Confidential. She also appeared in the critically acclaimed indie drama Pieces of a Woman with Vanessa Kirby. Other credits include, Instant Family, starring Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, and The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show, a comedy series she created and starred in for Netflix.
Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $49.50
Saturday-Sunday, September 30-October 1
CENTENNIAL BALLET: FALL SHOWCASE
The Longmont Museum is pleased to present Centennial State Ballet’s Fall Showcase featuring an array of dance from the Romantic to the contemporary era showcasing CSB dancers as well as professionals. The first half of the program will feature Vespers performed by CSB youth members followed by Mobile performed by Zikr Dance Ensemble. Both pieces are choreographed by Tomm Ruud. The second half of the program will feature CSB’s youth ballet dancers performing Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals—composed in 1886 by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The performance will feature narration by Alex Sedrowski as well as the work of the poet Ogden Nash.
Stewart Auditorium, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
Sat., 7:00 p.m.; Sun., 2:00 p.m.
General Admission: $18-$25
Info: 303-651-8374
Sunday, October 1
SNARKY PUPPY WITH NATE WOOD
After over a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all five of the band’s Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2023), Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band. It’s not a fusion band, and it’s definitely not a jam band. “Our soundscape has expanded dramatically over the years” says League. “When the band started, we were jazzier, brainy, and music-oriented. Moving into the Dallas scene we became groovier, more emotional, deeper in a sense. We focused more on communicating a clear message, understandable to a listener without dumbing things down”.
Chatauqua Auditorium, 198 Morning Glory Dr., Boulder
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $50-$60
Info: (303) 440-7666
The Sweet Spot of Northern Colorado
Isn’t it time you discovered one of the fastest growing master-planned communities of 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.
