Good morning, Boulder. We’ve made our way to April. Compiling this calendar has been challenging since COVID began, with very few events to share. After last week’s terrifying and heartbreaking events at the Table Mesa King Soopers, I felt especially compelled to put together a list of ways to connect to each other this month. And Boulder did not let me down. I hope you find something here that will give you strength, connection, hope, peace, courage, determination … whatever it is that you need in this moment.
Boulder Strong Relief Run
When: In Person April 1, 2021 from 6 – 8 PM and virtually through April 3.
JackRabbit and Boulder Running Company have launched the #BOULDERSTRONG Relief Run. In light of the recent tragedy in Boulder, Colorado, we invite the running community to come together and show your support in the best way we know how. Beginning on March 29th through April 3rd, runners from across the globe can take part in a virtual run/walk to support and raise money for the victims of this terrible tragedy. Run or walk to show solidarity – participants are encouraged to donate to support the victims and their families. 100% of all donations made will go directly to the Colorado Healing Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that contributes financial support to victims of mass casualty crimes in Colorado. Boulder Running Company will be hosting will be hosting an in-person run this Thursday, April 1 at 6 PM. The run will be hosted at the store located at 2775 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302. The event will follow local guidelines for gatherings during COVID-19. More info about the in-person run can be found on the Boulder Running Company social media handles (Facebook and Instagram). In addition, JackRabbit/Boulder Running Company will match $1 for every mile that is run or walked up to $10,000 during this event. Support is needed right away, so we ask for your help to meet our fundraising goal of $10,000 by this Saturday, April 3rd. This money will go directly to the families and victims in Colorado. More details here.
Boulder Arts Week
When: March 26 – April 3, 2021, full event schedule here.
This year, the Boulder’s arts community rises to the occasion with an incredible array of cultural experiences from murals and installations, to music and dance with Boulder Arts Week. Boulder’s only large-scale, inclusive celebration of the community’s vibrant arts and cultural offerings and our city’s thriving creativity at the 8th Annual Boulder Arts Week from March 26 to April 3, 2021! In 2021, Boulder Arts Week will feature digital and in-person arts and culture offerings, including art walks, exhibitions, performances, dance, music, theater, public art, lectures, readings, and workshops at venues throughout the city.
Creative Nations Conversations with JayCee Beyale
When: April 1, 2021 at 7 PM
Free Virtual Event on Zoom – Join Dairy Arts Center’s Executive Director Melissa Fathman for the second in a series of Zoom conversations. JayCee Beyale grew up in the Four Corners area of New Mexico, and received his BFA in printmaking from the University of New Mexico. He currently resides in Westminster, but travels often participates in collaborative murals and other art projects with fellow organizations and artists. Combining traditional indigenous ideologies and his personal Buddhist practice, JayCee is always striving to emphasize the concepts and convictions in his art. Using a combination of spray paints and acrylics, he hopes to share his beliefs by celebrating the fusion of technology and Indigenous culture in his work. JayCee aspires to illustrate the Laws of Movement, Unity and Impermanence in his work. This event is free, register here.
The Barton Brothers: Dueling Pianos
When: Friday, April 2 & 3, 2021 from 6 – 10 PM
The Barton Brothers take us back to the glory days, destined to get us back on our feet, literally. Let’s get this party started with a good, old-fashioned dueling piano show. The Bartons are a piano-centric songwriting and performance duo based right here on the Front Range, drawing influences from Billy Joel to Ben Folds, the best of musical theater and a little Top 40 mixed in for good measure. Their built-in sibling chemistry is the stronghold in their infectious, high-energy show which honors the piano bar sing-along classics and puts an original spin on contemporary hits and 90’s throwbacks. Tickets $50+, available here.
NoBo First Friday
When: Friday, April 2, 2021 from 6 PM – 9 PM
First Friday is a FREE self-guided tour of artists’ studios and creative businesses in the NoBo Art District. Meet painters, sculptors, photographers, designers and other artists along your stroll through the area. Featuring live music, demos and special activities in many locations. Located along Broadway from Pine Street to Highway 36. Follow the colorful flags to find surprises around every corner. First Friday runs from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on the first Friday of the month. Please be respectful of COVID precautions, wear a mask and keep your distance. Please note that many locations have other opening and closing times, see the map or list to check exact times. Details at NoBoArtDistrict.org.
Blues Guitar with Jack Hadley
When: Friday, April 2, 2021 from 5 – 7 PM
Blues Guitarist Jack Hadley will be performing at the BOCO Cider taproom. Jack Hadley is a very talented artisit with a star studded resume. Jack will be playing blues covers from his favorite artists and songs from his new album “Daybreak in Alabama- The Langston Hughes Project” Seating is limited, call or text ahead to BOCO Cider at 720-938-7285.
The Langston Hughes Project: Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz
When: April 2 – 16, 2021, presented virtually.
The Langston Hughes Project is a multimedia concert of Langston Hughes’ kaleidoscopic jazz poem suite. “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” is Hughes’ homage in verse to the struggle for artistic and social freedom at home and abroad at the beginning of the 1960s. This concert links Hughes’ poetry and music to topical images of “Ask Your Mama’s” people, places, events and the works of visual artists with whom Hughes collaborated. Stream this free performance Friday, April 2, 8 a.m. MDT through Friday, April 16, 11 p.m. MDT at cupresents.org.
73rd Conference on World Affairs
When: April 5 – 11, 2021, full schedule here.
The Conference on World Affairs returns virtually in its 73rd year with a seven-day lineup of livestreamed events April 5-11. The 2021 conference will host 29 events with 80+ speakers and feature dialogue on a variety of topics including this year’s conference themes: racism in the U.S., health care and Generation Z. All events are free and open to the public.
Avery Brewing Company Monday Fun Run
When: Monday, April 5, 2021 from 5:15 – 7:30 PM
Avery Brewing Company is slowly building their business back to 7 days a week, and is hosting a Monday in-person fun run with Runners Roost Boulder. There will be a 5:15pm and 6pm starting time, and every week there will be prizes to win, and refreshments to have post run. COVID safety protocols will be in place, and you must sign up each week if you plan to run as spots will be limited. More here.
One Town at a Time: Shannon Watts and Representative Neguse Discuss Ending Gun Violence
What: Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2 PM
Moms Demand Action Founder Shannon Watts will be joined by Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse for the Conference on World Affairs keynote presentation, One Town at a Time: Shannon Watts and Representative Neguse Discuss Ending Gun Violence. Denver high school student and member of Students Demand Action, Jayla Hemphill, will moderate the discussion. The session will be livestreamed to the CWA YouTube channel. Like all events at CWA, the talk is free and open to the public. Viewers may submit questions.
2021 Boulder Polar Plunge & 5K
When: Saturday, April 10, 2021 from 9 AM – 1:30 PM
Head into the great outdoors and venture over to the Boulder Reservoir to plunge into the icy waters, run, or do both in support of Special Olympics Colorado athletes at the 2021 Boulder Polar Plunge & 5K. All attendees will be required to follow state and local COVID safety protocols that include wearing masks and remaining socially distanced from other guests not in your household. In addition, attendees must also follow venue-specific safety protocols. Plungers are required to raise $75 minimum to plunge, runners are required to raise $45 minimum to run. For all the details, click here.
TEDxCU 2021: Bounce
When: Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 2 – 4 PM
TEDxCU 2021: Bounce will be held virtually. To bounce is to rebound. To bounce is to ricochet. To bounce is to react. When we talk about the physics of a bounce, there is more damage to be done when an object bounces off another. It is the rebound and ricochet that cause the change, not the static. In life, we bounce back from hard times and into good ones. We bounce to and from new experiences and remember the old. We use the bounces of our life to tell our stories. Due to the global pandemic, TEDxCU is offering a free virtual event. Registration required. Event links will be e-mailed the week of the event to those who have registered.
Lunabatics in the Park
When: April 13, 20 & 27, 2021 from 5 – 6:30 PM, schedule here.
Lunabatics brings the wisdom of the therapeutic side to your dynamic acro yoga practice. In this series you can expect to refine your existing acro practice. Explore the basic principles of alignment, communication, and breath in every pose, transition, and skill. Learn to train together in a more subtle, sensitive way, we create more sustainable practices. Join Laura Zeigler and Charlie Seeman as they cover many common poses and transitions from this perspective. Best for intermediate students. For details as well as COVID precautions on this free event, click here.
Marvel Years w/ FunkStatik at Boulder Theater
When: Wednesday, April 14 2021 from 8 – 11 PM
Marvel Years will be performing, along with FunkStatik, at Boulder Theater. Much more than your average DJ/producer, Marvel Years incorporates electric guitar in his live performances. His approach to blending electronic beats and shredding soulful guitar on his original tracks and remixes creates a sound that is a unique hybrid of EDM combing glitch, retro-funk, classic rock, soul, jazz and hip-hop. Boulder Theater is following strict COVID precautions and rules, detailed here. 21+. Tickets $30, available here.
Birding 101
When: Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 6 – 7:30 PM
People of all ages are welcome to join Community Science Coordinator Zach Hutchinson of Audubon Rockies as he revisits his extremely popular introduction to birding, Birding 101. This webinar will focus on the basics of bird identification, field guide selection and usage, and much more! Free, register here.
John Denver Tribute: Chris Collins with Alexander Mitchell
When: Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 6 – 10 PM
Join Chris Collins with Alexander Mitchell in concert to pay tribute to the music of John Denver at BDT Stage. Chris, along with Alex, will be performing all your favorite John Denver tunes for 3 nights at BDT Stage on April 15, 16, and 17, 2021! BDT Stage complies with Boulder County’s 5-Star Certification program, and abides by all recommended safety and cleaning protocols. All employees, customers, and guests are required to follow Public Health Orders pertaining to COVID-19 while on the premises. Tickets $70, available here.
Opening Reception for Ana María Hernando and Friends: Handle With Freedom
When: Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 4 – 8 PM
Join Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art to celebrate the opening of the Spring Present Box exhibition, Ana María Hernando and Friends: Handle With Freedom. Remarks by Exhibiting Artist Ana María Hernando, Guest Curator Ellen Bruss, and Executive Director + Chief Curator of BMoCA David Dadone will occur throughout the evening. Admission is FREE. Masks are required. Social distancing and capacity restrictions will be observed.
2020-21 CU Boulder New Play Festival
When: April 15 – 28, 2021, streaming online here.
Join the CU Department of Theatre & Dance online to watch how the next generation of theatre artists imagines the world we live in at the 2020-21 CU Boulder New Play Festival. Each of these exciting, peer-reviewed new plays will receive a recorded, virtual reading and the festival will culminate in a livestreamed talkback with the playwrights and creative teams. Stream this performance (free or pay-what-you-can) Thursday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. MDT through Wednesday, April 28, 11 p.m. MDT at cupresents.org.
An Evening with Mountain Rose at Boulder Theater
When: Friday, April 16, 2021 at 8 PM
Mountain Rose will be performing at Boulder Theater. Mountain Rose is a Colorado based Rock N’ Soul band on the rise. Fresh off the release of their debut EP, this supergroup of local musicians creates an original sound you won’t want to miss! Blending rock, soul, funk, Americana and reggae, there are grooves for everyone at a MR show. All tickets are sold in tables of 4 or 8 and INCLUDE 2 Drinks (beer, wine, or well), 2 McDevitt Taco Supply Tacos (Chicken, Pork, or Veggie), and chips & salsa per person. Boulder Theater is following strict COVID precautions and rules, detailed here. Tickets $50, available here.
Anguish To Adventures
When: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM
The Anguish to Adventures program is designed specifically for anyone over the age of 18 who are dealing with social, emotional or mental challenges. It includes community connection events such as coordinated social events every month. Mental health is more important now than ever, with people of all ages getting less social interaction due to COVID19. Community and connection are essential to mental well-being. These monthly events will consist of a one hour ZOOM group counseling session with a registered, certified and licensed mental health professional, FREE of charge. During these group counseling sessions, counselors will empower you and instill hope for the future. More info here.
