Boulder's First Friday art walks are going citywide + things to do

This week’s Culture Club is sponsored by the Boulder JCC. Unleash your creativity in adult art classes taught by local artists.

Hi there, Boulder — welcome back to Culture Club! It’s Thursday, Aug. 6, and I’m McKenzie, here with your weekly guide to arts, culture and things to do across Boulder County.

Know someone who loves arts, culture and discovering things to do around Boulder County? Help spread the word by sharing this sign-up link with them.

On the first Friday of every month, artists and galleries across North Boulder open their doors to the public. Since 2009, NoBo First Friday Art Walk has grown into one of Boulder’s most popular recurring arts events. Now, the tradition is expanding downtown, with staggered hours that allow visitors to experience both events in one evening. The next one is tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 7. Learn more in today’s Spotlight.

Plus: My three great weekend picks and 38 more things to do across Boulder County, from a solar-eclipse gong bath and poetry set to live jazz to free flights for kids — plus an opportunity to inspire a new play about housing by sharing your story.

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

See you out there,

McKenzie

As a vibrant hub for arts, culture and education, the Boulder JCC invites you to unleash your creativity with our Adult Art Classes! Taught by talented local artists, our intimate, engaging sessions cater to all skill levels. Explore new mediums, refine your craft, and build community alongside fellow local creatives.

1. Lafayette Peach Festival

Saturday, Aug. 8 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m. • Old Town Lafayette (Public Road between Simpson and Kimball streets)

Now in its 27th year, the Lafayette Peach Festival features local vendors, fresh Palisade peaches and a range of peach-flavored treats.

2. Rocky Mountain Folks Festival

Friday, Aug. 7-Sunday, Aug. 9 • 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. • Planet Bluegrass (500 W. Main St., Lyons)

The annual Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, hosted at Planet Bluegrass, offers three days of music, camping and inspiration alongside the St. Vrain River.

3. Boulder County Fair

Wednesday, Aug. 5-Sunday, Aug. 9 • 10 a.m.-11 p.m. • Boulder County Fairgrounds (9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont)

Colorado’s oldest fair celebrates the state’s rich agricultural culture, traditions and community. Parking and general admission are free.

Boulder’s First Friday Art Walks are going citywide

The New Local anchors a new downtown art walk, with staggered hours and bus connections allowing visitors to continue the evening in NoBo. 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. 6, 6:30 p.m.: Barbara McQuade speaks about her new book, “The Fix,” at Boulder Bookstore. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 7, 5-8 p.m.: The opening reception for “Woven Evidence: Badges of Endurance” at Kin Studio and Gallery is part of the NoBo First Friday Art Walk. [free] [all ages]
Saturday, Aug. 8, 6-8:30 p.m.: Jazzetry at Trident Booksellers & Cafe delivers spoken word poetry set to live jazz music. [free] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Boulder SJP hosts a Solidarity Art Market at Secret Garden Studio in Lafayette. [free] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Aug. 10, 5-6:30 p.m.: McKenzie Watson-Fore teaches a workshop on book reviews and literary criticism at the Boulder Main Library. [free] [all ages]
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 6-7:30 p.m.: Dennis Mulherin speaks about his new novel, “The Face Across the Fire,” at Trident Booksellers & Cafe. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 4-6 p.m.: Readers can enjoy their own books during Silent Book Club at Juniper Goods. [free] [adult-oriented]

Theater, Dance & Film

Thursday, Aug. 6, 7-8:30 p.m.: Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) presents “Witch” at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 7, 7:30-9 p.m.: Messenger Dance Company presents “Waves,” a contemporary dance show exploring different seasons of life, at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 9, 12:30 p.m.: Freshmode Fest hosts a Bboys Dance Workshop at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [all ages]
Monday, Aug. 10, 6-8 p.m.: The Dairy Arts Center continues its “How to Watch a Movie” series with “Part V – The Method and the Madness: Performance on Screen.” [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 6-8:30 p.m.: State Shift at Rembrandt Yard is a playful evening of movement, connection and freedom. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 5-8 p.m.: Award-winning producer Tal Minear leads a scriptwriting and audio recording workshop at the BMoCA. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Music & Nightlife

Thursday, Aug. 6, 7:30-10 p.m.: Colorado Brazil Fest kicks off with Brazilian Jazz Night at Roots Music Project. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m.-midnight: Folk-rock duo Many Mountains plays at Cellar West Artisan Ales. [free] [all ages]
Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Rock & Reuse at Resource Central features live music, food and family-friendly fun alongside big deals on reclaimed materials. [free] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 9, 6-8:30 p.m.: The Jocelyn Medina Brazilian Jazz Project performs at Trident Booksellers & Cafe. [free] [all ages]
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 7 p.m.: Marguerite Juenemann sings at the Muse Performance Space. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 4:30-8:30 p.m.: Daniel Rodriguez performs during Farmfest Music Evenings at Sunflower Farm. [ticketed] [all ages]

Food & Drink

Thursday, Aug. 6, 5-7 p.m.: Boulder’s first Sad Hour, at West End Tavern, is a place to ditch the small talk and get real. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 7, 1-10 p.m.: Liquid Mechanics Brewing celebrates its 12th anniversary. [free] [all ages]
Saturday, Aug. 8, 4-7 p.m.: Persona Wine hosts a Vino & Vintage wine tasting and vintage clothing pop-up sale. [free] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: The Queer Tea Party meetup happens at the Luminous Tea House and Cafe in Longmont. [free] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Aug. 10, 10-11 a.m.: True Food Kitchen celebrates its grand opening. [free] [all ages]
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 6:30-8 p.m.: Wine, Women and Wealth is a community of women supporting each other in business and their relationship with money. The group meets at West and Main Homes in Louisville. [registration required] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 4-6 p.m.: Casa Juani’s new Hora Feliz features a curated selection of light bites and beverages. [free] [adult-oriented]

Outdoors & Recreation

Thursday, Aug. 6, 6-8:30 p.m.: The 47th annual Run for the Cure features a four-mile course in Eldorado Canyon, followed by food, drinks and a raffle. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 7, 10-11:30 a.m.: The Boulder Public Library and City of Boulder team up for the Litter-ature Walk, a creek cleanup for audiobook lovers. [free] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m.: Dirt Circus is a one-day trail running festival at Runner’s Roost. Advance registration is required. [free] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Aug. 9, 10:30 a.m.-noon: Full Throttle Yoga takes place at Bootstrap Brewing. [free] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 7-8:30 p.m.: A 50-inch gong sound bath in North Boulder Park helps attendees align with the solar eclipse. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m.: The History Colorado Center presents a lecture about Lincoln Hills, a historic recreational resort for African Americans in the Colorado mountains. [registration required] [all ages]

Family & Community

Thursday, Aug. 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Longmont Public Library hosts an all-ages puzzle challenge and end-of-summer party. [free] [family-friendly]
Friday, Aug. 7, 4-7 p.m.: The Boulder High School Class of 1976 gathers at the Rayback Collective for its 50-year reunion. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Saturday, Aug. 8, 7:30-11 a.m.: The Young Eagles Rally at the Boulder Municipal Airport offers a pancake breakfast and free flights for youth. Registration is required. [free] [family-friendly]
Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.-noon: The MAD LIBrarians are a group of improvisers who invent hilarious kids’ stories during interactive performances at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 4-5 p.m.: The Meadows Branch of the Boulder Public Library hosts a literacy hour that ends with a craft. [free] [family-friendly]
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Boulder Community Health hosts a seminar on pregnancy, fitness and pelvic floor health. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Share your housing story and inspire a new play

As part of Local Listens, a community-inspired new play initiative, Local Theater Company is hosting Story Circles throughout Boulder County during August. Community members can share their personal experiences with housing in Boulder County, which playwrights will use as inspiration for two short plays.

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.

🎨 Boulder’s First Friday Art Walk goes citywide + 41 things to do