📚 Boulder’s libraries are cutting 20% of their staff. What happened? + 42 things to do

This week’s Culture Club is sponsored by Bank of Colorado, a family-owned bank serving Coloradans since 1978. Learn more.

Hi there, Boulder, and welcome back to Culture Club! It’s Thursday, Oct. 1. Leaves are changing, and in another sure sign of fall here in Boulder County, it’s Open Studios. This weekend and next, you can check out 160 artist studios, workshops and more. I’m McKenzie, here with your weekly guide to arts, culture and things to do across Boulder County.

In today’s spotlight, we take you inside what’s happening at the Boulder Public Library District, one of the institutions that helps make Boulder’s cultural life possible. Less than four years after voters created the district with expectations of more stable funding, and after the opening of two new branches, that era of expansion has come to an abrupt halt. The district is facing a $2.5 million budget shortfall and plans to cut its workforce by about 20%. How did it get here? Read more below.

Plus: three standout picks (including Open Studios), Lafayette Music Fest brings a day of local music to stages across town on Saturday, Oct. 3 (sponsored), and local artists have one more week to apply for Boulder B-Sides, a new pop-up art program during the 2027 Sundance Film Festival.

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

See you out there,

McKenzie

Bank of Colorado is a family-owned, community-focused bank that has been serving the needs of Coloradans since 1978. Throughout our 45 locations across the state, our values of honesty, integrity and clarity guide our every decision. We’re deeply rooted in Colorado’s history and fully invested in its future. Strong, Stable & Local Community Banking — reach out today at 303-476-7282 to experience the best service in banking.

1. The ReMemberers

Thursday, Oct. 1 • 7-9:30 p.m. • eTown Hall (1535 Spruce St.)

The ReMemberers is a ritual storytelling trio presenting a new original rendition of the thousand-year-old Russian folktale, “The Firebird.” This one-night-only event anchors a seven-town tour through Colorado.

The ReMemberers perform “The Firebird” at eTown Hall on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. Photo courtesy of The ReMemberers

2. Open Studios Tour

Saturday, Oct. 3-Sunday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 11 • noon-5 p.m. • participating artist studios throughout Boulder County

Boulder’s 31st annual Open Studios Tour invites participants to step inside the private creative spaces of working local artists. The free, self-guided tour features 160 artists across Boulder County. Participants can pick up the 2026-2027 artist directory and guidebook at the Open Studios gallery at 3075 Pearl Pkwy., or view them online.

3. Superior Mural Festival

Sunday, Oct. 4 • 1-4 p.m. • downtown Superior (2250 Main Street)

StreetWise Arts presents the Superior Mural Festival, featuring the installation of 13 new murals in downtown Superior. Festival-goers can enjoy mural tours, live music and a local art market.

Boulder’s library district is cutting 20% of its staff. How did it get here?

Less than four years after voters created the library district with expectations of more stable funding, declining property tax revenue and rising costs have forced a dramatic reversal. Continue reading…

Lafayette Music Fest returns this weekend (sponsored)

Lafayette Music Fest is back for its fifth year, happening Saturday, Oct. 3! See dozens of acts across nine stages, for one special day of music in Boulder County. Use discount code “BRL” for 20% off your wristband! Go to https://www.lafayettemusicfest.com to get yours today.

One week left to apply for Boulder B-Sides

Boulder County Arts Alliance, in partnership with Community Foundation Boulder County and the City of Boulder Office of Arts and Culture, is inviting local artists and arts organizations to apply for funding to participate in Boulder B-Sides, a new pop-up art program that will activate vacant commercial storefronts and unexpected spaces throughout Boulder during the 2027 Sundance Film Festival. Applications are open through Friday, Oct. 9. Find details and apply here.

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, Oct. 1, 4-6 p.m.: Rembrandt Yard hosts an opening reception for a new gallery show featuring works from 10 local female artists. [free] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Oct. 2, 6-9 p.m.: First Friday Art Walk at NoBo Art District features artist studios, gallery exhibits and more. [free] [all ages]
Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: The Sunshine School House hosts a one-day craft fair supporting the local historical society. [free] [all ages]
Sunday, Oct. 4, 6-9 p.m.: The Sunflower Club is an open mic night at the intersection of creativity and consciousness and meets at the Coffee Stand. [free] [all ages]
Monday, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m.: Nicholas Triolo and Brian Laidlaw discuss their books on walking, climbing and finding meaning through movement and landscape at the Boulder Book Store. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 4-6 p.m.: Fireside Ink hosts the First Tuesday Happy Hour Draft Exchange at the Fireside Studio. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5-8 p.m.: This “Intro to Plant Dyes” hands-on workshop invites participants to dye their own fisherman beanie at the Yellow Barn Farm. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Theater, Dance & Film

Thursday, Oct. 1, 6-8:15 p.m.: The Boulder JCC screens “Torn: The Israel-Palestine Poster War on NYC Streets,” including a talkback with the film’s director. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Oct. 2, 7:30-9 p.m.: Local Theater Company presents the world premiere of “Drag Queen Magic” at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Oct. 3, 5-7:30 p.m.: Create Boulder presents “Create Boulder Nights” at eTown Hall, featuring Boulder Ballet, Colorado MahlerFest and the Boulder Symphony. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m.: “Rumors” by Neil Simon is a fast-paced comedy staged at the Loft Theatre on the CU campus. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Oct. 5, 5:15-6:30 p.m.: Mary Wohl Haan offers a drop-in adult modern dance class in the tango studio at the Avalon. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 5-7:30 p.m.: The Boulder County Film Commission hosts its Fall Schmoozer to celebrate the new Boulder Creative Directory. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Jesters Dinner Theatre in Longmont presents Mel Brooks’ “The Producers.” [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Music & Nightlife

Thursday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.: The Colorado Queer Comedy Festival highlights LGBTQ+ comics from Colorado and beyond, on stage at the Junkyard Social Club. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Oct. 2, 7-10:30 p.m.: Trident Booksellers & Cafe hosts a community benefit show in support of “Justice for Megan Trussell.” [free] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.: Top-notch local acts play all day at the District in Lafayette during Lafayette Music Fest. [ticketed] [all ages]
Sunday, Oct. 4, 4-5 p.m.: The award-winning Poiesis Quartet plays at Grusin Music Hall. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Oct. 5, 6:30-9 p.m.: “Let’s Tango” is a tribute to the music of Astor Piazzolla at the Lyons Farmette. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Dog House Music Studios hosts its monthly “Femme Musicians Meetup & Jam.” [free] [all ages]
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.-midnight: Open Decks at Root Music Project is Boulder’s free all-ages DJ night. [free] [all ages]

Food & Drink

Friday, Oct. 2, 8 p.m.: Nationally touring comedian Will Abeles headlines “Comic Cents” at License No. 1, where audience members can sip cocktails and laugh the night away. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Oct. 3, noon-4 p.m.: The 13th Annual Erie Brewfest takes place at the Erie Chamber. [ticketed] [adults-only]
Sunday, Oct. 4, 3-4:30 p.m.: Tea Spot founder Maria Uspenski leads an interactive tea tasting at the Meadows Branch Library. [free] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Souptober at the Niche Market features seven varieties of soup, all 10% off, while supplies last. Proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels. [free] [all ages]
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 3:30-7:30 p.m.: The Boulder Farmers Market continues through Oct. 8. [free] [family-friendly]

Outdoors & Recreation

Thursday, Oct. 1, 7:30-9 p.m.: The weekly Boulder Cruiser Ride takes off from Greenleaf Park. [free] [family-friendly]
Friday, Oct. 2, 5-7 p.m.: A guided three-mile hike at Pella Crossing connects walkers to Boulder County’s past, present and future. [free, registration required] [all ages]
Saturday, Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Hikers can help maintain local trails during this volunteer trail work day in the Flatirons. [free] [all ages]
Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-noon: The Niwot Trot 5K run/walk benefits Niwot Elementary. [ticketed] [all ages]
Monday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The Art on the Street Walking Tour showcases Lafayette’s 2026 Art on the Street installations. [free] [all ages]
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 4:30-5 p.m.: Kerry Love leads a “writing as meditation” practice at CU Boulder. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7-8:30 p.m.: The Explorer Series at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab hosts a free science talk on solar wind. [free] [all ages]

Family & Community

Thursday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: The North Face and REI host Get Boulder Outdoors, a day to connect students to outdoor activities on the Hill. [free] [student-oriented]
Friday, Oct. 2, 5-6:30 p.m.: The Niwot Children’s Park celebrates its 10th anniversary with the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, a stilt walker and more. [free] [family-friendly]
Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-noon: Kids and their families can enjoy a day of kid-friendly mountain biking at Heil Valley Ranch. [free, registration required] [family-friendly]
Sunday, Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m.: Jeff & Paige and their new cohost, Shaun Derik, will celebrate the Rocky Mountain PBS premiere of “Rainbow Socks” with a live concert at Friends School. [free, registration encouraged] [family-friendly]
Monday, Oct. 5, 1-6 p.m.: The Teen Costume Swap at the Boulder Public Library lasts all month long. [free] [teen-oriented]
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m.-noon: Opera Colorado presents “Earth to Kenzie,” a one-act opera appropriate for children ages seven and up, at the Broomfield Auditorium. [free] [ages seven and up]

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.