🎶 Tulagi Fest fills downtown Boulder this weekend + 41 things to do

This week’s Culture Club is sponsored by Upstart Crow Theatre Company, presenting Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at the Dairy Arts Center from Aug. 27 through Sept. 6.

Hi there, Boulder, and welcome back to Culture Club! It’s Thursday, Aug. 27. I’m McKenzie, here with your weekly guide to arts, culture and things to do across Boulder County.

This weekend, more than 200 acts will fill more than 20 downtown venues for Tulagi, the successor to last year’s Roots Music Festival. Its principal backer wants the festival to complement Sundance and put Boulder back on the national music map. Local music advocates welcome the investment but are watching to see how Tulagi evolves and whether Boulder musicians remain at its center. We explore the festival’s ambitions and what they could mean for Boulder in this week’s Spotlight.

Plus: three standout picks (including Tulagi), more than 40 things to do across Boulder County, a call for TEDxBoulder speakers and a national award for a Longmont stationery shop.

As always, you can submit your own event and check out more offerings on our community calendar.

See you out there,

McKenzie

Upstart Crow Theatre Company opens its 46th season with Much Ado About Nothing. Sparring couple Beatrice and Benedick, and pompous constable Dogberry enliven Shakespeare’s popular comedy about the risks of love and forgiveness. TUC productions celebrate love of language in timeless plays that speak to the concerns of our times.

1. Mapleton Hill Rummage Sale

Saturday, Aug. 29 • 8 a.m.-2 p.m. • Historic Mapleton Hill (Mapleton Ave. between 9th and 4th streets.)

The Mapleton Hill Rummage Sale is a one-day, neighborhood-wide resale event. Bike or walk the historic, tree-lined streets and hunt for pre-loved treasures.

2. Tulagi

Thursday, Aug. 27-Sunday, Aug. 30 • times vary by day • venues throughout downtown Boulder

Tulagi brings live music, food, drink and art to more than 20 downtown venues. More than 800 artists will perform across Pearl Street and beyond during the four-day festival.

3. International Film Series kicks off with free screening of “Whiplash”

Monday, Aug. 31 • 7:30 p.m. • Muenzinger Auditorium (1905 Colorado Ave.)

Colorado’s oldest art-house cinema program opens its fall season with a free screening of “Whiplash,” the 2014 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning film about an ambitious young drummer and his ruthless teacher.

Boulder’s Roots Music Festival returns as Tulagi, with ambitions far beyond music

The renamed festival aims to complement Sundance, put Boulder back on the national music map and eventually rival SXSW. Continue reading…

Looking for more to do? Explore our community calendar for dozens more events happening around Boulder. It’s free to browse and free to post. Many of the events featured in Culture Club come from the calendar, so be sure to add yours.

Visual Arts & Literature

Thursday, Aug. 27, 3-5 p.m.: The closing celebration for the What’s Going On?! exhibition at Cafe Aion includes a listening party and opportunity to hear from the artists. [free] [all ages]
Friday, Aug. 28, 7-9 p.m.: Firehouse Art Center hosts a monthly poetry night. [free] [all ages]
Saturday, Aug. 29, noon: Berger & Föhr present an artist talk in conjunction with the exhibition Resolution: Daniel Chen | Berger & Föhr at Nick Ryan Gallery. [free] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Aug. 30, 3-5 p.m.: The Griefy Book Fair is a curated sale of grief-related books at Foxglove Bar and Hideout in Lafayette. [free] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Aug. 31, 6-8 p.m.: A live model poses for a life drawing session at Firehouse Art Center. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 6:30 p.m.: Elizabeth Margulis discusses her new book, “Transported,” at Boulder Bookstore. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 5-8 p.m.: The artists of “Off the Page: Language as Material” present an artist talk at the Dairy Arts Center’s McMahon Gallery. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Theater, Dance & Film

Thursday, Aug. 27, 5:30-8:30 p.m.: The Women’s Cut is a program of six different inspiring films featuring women in the Colorado outdoors presented at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 28, 7-8:30 p.m.: What the Flipside is an improv, sketch and comedy variety show at Flipside Theatre. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Aug. 29, 7-8 p.m.: Dramatheurgy presents the improvised surrealist horror production “Undertow” at Longmont Public Media. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2-4:30 p.m.: The Upstart Crow presents “Much Ado About Nothing” at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [all ages]
Monday, Aug. 31, 6-8 p.m.: The Dairy Arts Center hosts “How to Watch a Movie Part VIII – Beyond Auteur Theory: Historical Auteurism and the World View Model.” [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2:30-3:30 p.m.: “Memory Cafe: Chair Dancing” is a beginner-friendly movement experience for people living with cognitive changes or dementia, held at the George Reynolds Library. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.: Vanessa Stephan teaches beginner Argentine Tango classes at the Boulder Elks Lodge. No partner required. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Music & Nightlife

Thursday, Aug. 27, 9:15-10:50 p.m.: As part of Tulagi Fest, Itchy-O plays at the Boulder Bandshell in a set timed to coincide with the lunar eclipse. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.: “Check Your Blindspots” fashion show, magazine release party, and art exhibition will take place at the Brand Studios. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m.-midnight: Colorado band River Spell plays MainStage Brewing Company in Lyons. [ticketed] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.: After Midnight, Colorado’s premier swing band sextet, plays Nissi’s. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Monday, Aug. 31, 6-9 p.m.: Six curated musical acts take the stage at Bootstrap Brewing. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 7-10 p.m.: “Open Decks” is Boulder’s free all-ages DJ night, hosted at Roots Music Project. [free] [all ages]

Food & Drink

Thursday, Aug. 27, 4:30-9 p.m.: Neighbors can grab a coffee or pastry and hang out on the porch during Community Hangout Night at East Simpson Coffee Shop. [free] [all ages]
Friday, Aug. 28, 6-9:30 p.m.: Relish transforms into a decorated high school gym for a prom-themed fundraiser for Coal Creek Meals on Wheels. [ticketed] [all ages]
Saturday, Aug. 29, 1-5 p.m.: More than 150 samples from Colorado breweries, distilleries, wineries and other beverage makers will be available at Pints in the Park at Louisville Community Park. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Aug. 30, 9-10:15 a.m.: The Cha Dao Tea Ceremony at Top Hat Supply for Journeys becomes a portal to deep listening, connection and communion with the creative spirit. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Aug. 31, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: New Parent Law PLLC hosts a free estate planning workshop with lunch included at Sherpa’s. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 5-8 p.m.: The Forage Sisters host an outdoor farm dinner at the Lyons Farmette. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Outdoors & Recreation

Thursday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m.-noon: Volunteers are invited to help perform assorted trail maintenance at Betasso Preserve. [free, registration required] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 28, 6-8 p.m.: Bikers meet at Roots Music Project for an East Boulder Mural Tour by bike. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Aug. 29, 7:30-10 a.m.: The Birding Big Sit at Lagerman Trailhead allows birders to sit or stand and watch for birds. [free, registration required] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 30, 3-5 p.m.: Battle Woman hosts a women’s personal safety and defense seminar. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Aug. 31, 5-9 p.m.: Lafayette Bike Nights take off from Romero’s K9 Club and Tap House. [free] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m.: Boulder Cycling Club’s weekly ride takes off from Twisted Pine Brewing. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m.: Local expert and professional geologist Bruce Manchon leads a 90- to 120-minute local geology tour. [free, registration required] [adult-oriented]

Family & Community

Thursday, Aug. 27, 9-11 a.m.: Volunteer naturalists will lead a late-summer hike for seniors to explore ancient landscapes and landforms at Heil Valley Ranch. [free, but registration required] [senior-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 28, 5-10 p.m.: A cornhole tournament precedes an all-ages outdoor movie night, featuring “The Sandlot,” at Palisade Park Amphitheater. [free] [family-friendly]
Saturday, Aug. 29, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: The Meadows Branch Library hosts a screening of “How to Train Your Dragon,” preceded by a pre-movie craft. [free] [family-friendly]
Sunday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-noon: Sundays on West Pearl means free art and music on the lawn in front of The New Local. [free] [family-friendly]
Monday, Aug. 31, 4:30-5 p.m.: Art Pals pairs students in Grades 3-5 with teen mentors to explore the world of art. George Reynolds Branch hosts an Art Pals Volunteer Training. [free] [family-friendly]
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 9:15 a.m.-2 p.m.: Ms. Ragen leads Discovery Days: Music & Movement at the Longmont Museum. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 10-11:30 a.m.: Exchange is an open house with instructors of the fall lifelong learning courses offered at the Boulder JCC. [free] [adult-oriented]

Speaker applications open for TEDxBoulder

TEDxBoulder, themed “Roots & Wings,” will take place at eTown Hall on Nov. 14. Speaker applications are open through Sept. 6. Anyone interested in supporting the event or getting involved can contact Stephanie Sladnick at stephanie@tedxboulder.com.

Longmont stationery store Wolf & Wren wins industry award

Wolf & Wren, a wholesale greeting card company and downtown Longmont stationery shop, has won its fourth Louie Award, one of the greeting card industry’s highest honors. Its cards were also recognized by the Louie Awards in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Wolf & Wren, a stationery store in Longmont, shows off their Louie-award-winning Mother’s Day card. Credit: the Branded Beet

Know about an exhibit, concert, festival or creative person we should feature? Reply to this email or submit it here. Culture Club exists to help people discover what’s happening across Boulder County, and we’d love your ideas. Thanks for reading, and if you make it out to something fun this weekend, let us know.