🎨 A new Lyons youth arts hub honors a son’s life + 44 things to do

This week’s Culture Club is sponsored by Motus Theater. Don’t miss “No Contract,” a tragicomedy about love and dementia, running Sept. 17–Oct. 4 at the Dairy Arts Center. Use code BRL for 2-for-1 opening-weekend tickets.

Hi there, Boulder, and welcome back to Culture Club! It’s Thursday, Sep. 10. I’m McKenzie, here with your weekly guide to arts, culture and things to do across Boulder County.

This week, we’re spotlighting Creative Grounds, an arts hub in Lyons with a cafe, pottery studio and gathering place for young people. Sally and Simon Glass created the space using money from the settlement they received after a Clear Creek County sheriff’s deputy killed their 22-year-old son, Christian Glass, in 2022. Plus: three standout picks, more than 40 things to do across Boulder County and a call for socially conscious musicians.

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

See you out there,

McKenzie

No Contract, Motus Theater’s new tragicomedy, explores love, caregiving, and the difficult choices families face following a dementia diagnosis. Starring Kirsten Wilson with violinist Anthony Salvo, the world premiere runs Sept. 17-Oct. 4, 2026 at Boulder’s Dairy Arts Center. Use code BRL for 2-for-1 opening-weekend tickets.

1. Boulder Histories Film Festival

Sunday, Sept. 13 • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Chautauqua Auditorium (900 Baseline Rd.)

The Boulder Histories Film Festival features short documentaries about Boulder County organizations, organized around three themes: People, Places and Preservation Efforts. The day will also include filmmaker Q&As and jury awards. The festival kicks off Saturday night with a party at the historic Odd Fellows Hall on Pearl Street. Tickets for the kickoff party are available here.

2. Oktoberfest at St Julien

Sunday, Sept. 13 • 1-4 p.m. • St. Julien Hotel & Spa (900 Walnut St.)

The fourth annual Oktoberfest on the lawn and terrace of the St Julien features a live polka band, games, German food and beer.

3. Groundworks Fall Art Market

Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13 • 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days • Groundworks Art Lab on the Hill (1010 Aurora Ave.)

The Fall Art Market showcases gallery-quality work straight from the artists who made it. Attendees can watch live artist demos and a special kiln opening with freshly fired ceramics.

Their son was killed by a sheriff’s deputy. Now they’re opening a Boulder County youth arts hub in his honor.

The new Lyons space honors Christian Glass with a cafe, pottery studio and gathering place for young people ages 14 to 22. Continue reading…

Boulder workshop helps musicians turn their art into social change

Music to Life, founded by Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary, will host its Musician Changemaker Accelerator Workshop at Roots Music Project. The workshop is a full-day business incubator for socially conscious musicians from the Front Range. Participating musicians will receive a stipend, complimentary meals and all workshop materials. The deadline to apply is Monday, Sept. 28.

Calling young artists: Boulder County’s water-themed contest returns

Boulder County K-12 students can submit artwork celebrating their favorite water place for the fifth annual Boulder St. Vrain Watershed Art Contest. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. Artwork must be two-dimensional, fit on 8.5-by-11-inch paper and include one sentence explaining why the artist is grateful for water. Photography and digital art are not eligible. Students must live or attend school in Boulder County, and submissions are due Nov. 8.

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, Sept. 10, 5:30-7 p.m.: This opening reception in the Messinger Gallery at the JCC celebrates a new solo show of work by Boulder artist Kristen Abbott. [free] [all ages]
Friday, Sept. 11, 5-9 p.m.: Art Night Out brings together artists, musicians and more for an art-filled evening in Old Town Lafayette. [free] [family-friendly]
Saturday, Sept. 12, 4-8 p.m.: Artist Radna Segal presents “Art Yurt,” a one-night art exhibition in a Mongolian-style yurt erected at Wonderland Lake. [free] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Sept. 13, noon: Community Roots Art Festival (CRAFt) is the fifth annual BIPOC-centric art festival at VisionQuest Brewery. [free] [all ages]
Monday, Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m.: Ellen O’Clover discusses and signs her new book, “If Not You,” at Boulder Bookstore. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 5:30-7 p.m.: Boulder City Council candidates discuss their ideas during a forum on arts and culture, held at the Boulder Chamber. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Sept. 16, noon-1 p.m.: Fireside Ink hosts drop-in writing sessions during lunchtime at the Dairy Arts Center. [free] [adult-oriented]

Theater, Dance & Film

Thursday, Sept. 10, 6-8:30 p.m.: “Heart For the Arts” is the third annual fundraiser for CenterStage and Tapestry Theatre Company, held at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Sept. 11, 7-8 p.m.: “Undertow” is an improvised theater production about the power of collective fear, at the Dairy Arts Center for one night only. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Sept. 12, 7-11 p.m.: The Gentlethem’s Club is a subversive cabaret at Roots Music Project, and this month, its members are throwing a funeral for the patriarchy. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2-4 p.m.: Motus Playback Theater presents “Erie Stories of Good Neighbors,” celebrating the neighborly spirit that has shaped Erie for generations. [ticketed] [all ages]
Monday, Sept. 14, 7-8:30 p.m.: Paula DuPré Pesmen introduces “The Porcelain War,” a documentary about Ukrainian artists who refuse to leave their country during war. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 1-2:30 p.m.: The short film “We Share a History” explores the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes’ historic and contemporary connections to Colorado, and is followed by a talkback at the Broomfield Community Center. [free] [all ages]
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7-10 p.m.: Chautauqua Auditorium screens the 1926 silent film, “Kid Boots,” featuring live music accompaniment by Hank Troy. [ticketed] [all ages]

Music & Nightlife

Thursday, Sept. 10, 7-9:30 p.m.: eTown Hall presents singer-songwriters Antje Duvekot and Seth Glier. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m.: The Pearl Street Stampede kicks off the CU football season with a marching band pep rally and parade on the Pearl Street Mall. [free] [family-friendly]
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2 p.m.: The Good Trouble Comedy Show, at the Dairy Arts Center, benefits the NAACP scholarship fund for BVSD graduating high school seniors and incoming CU freshmen. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Sept. 13, 5-8 p.m.: The Longmont Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 60th season with a wine-pairing dinner at Kuper Wine Bar. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m.: The Grammy Award-winning Takács Quartet welcomes renowned cellist Mihai Marica for his debut season.
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6:30-9:30 p.m.: Rock for the People hosts a free community show and open mic night at Dog House Studios in Lafayette. [free] [all ages]
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m.: Cultural Caravan kicks off its 2026-2027 season with a Block Party at the Read Queen Bookstore & Cafe. [free] [family-friendly]

Food & Drink

Thursday, Sept. 10, 4:30-6 p.m.: Teens can hang out in the teen space and enjoy pizza during Pizza Party Thursdays at Boulder Public Library. [free] [teen-oriented]
Friday, Sept. 11, 5-8 p.m.: Dine at Sherpa’s Restaurant as part of the Nepal Relief Fundraiser. [free] [all ages]
Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.: Slice House by Tony Gemignani celebrates the grand opening of its newest Colorado location in Longmont. [free] [family-friendly]
Sunday, Sept. 13, 5-8 p.m.: The Pairing Project x Balto Farms hosts an evening of flower picking, natural wine and more. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Sept. 14, 5-8 p.m.: The Oskar Blues Brewery Taproom hosts a local artist market. [free] [all ages]
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 4-8 p.m.: Dine to Donate at Eats & Sweets is a simple and delicious fundraiser for Pioneer Elementary. [free] [family-friendly]
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 7-9 p.m.: Board games and brews break the ice during Speed Dating at Upslope Brewing. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Outdoors & Recreation

Thursday, Sept. 10, 7:30-10:30 p.m.: The Longmont Astronomical Society partners with the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center in Longmont to host an accessible stargazing night on the evening of the new moon. [free] [all ages]
Friday, Sept. 11, 1:30-3 p.m.: Volunteer naturalists deliver a presentation titled “The Yip about Prairie Dogs” at the Age Well Center West. [free, registration required] [all ages]
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-noon: Kinetic Pilates teaches a free morning class on the lawn at East & Co. [free] [all ages]
Sunday, Sept. 13, 1-3 p.m.: The 13th annual Migratory Birds Festival takes place at the Waneka Lake Boathouse in Lafayette. [free] [all ages]
Monday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.: The Colorado Chautauqua History Tour includes a quarter-mile stroll through the iconic buildings and cottages. [free] [all ages]
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 4-6 p.m.: BanjerDan is a banjo-centric musician who brings his eclectic show to Junkyard Social Club. [free] [all ages]
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5-8 p.m.: The Living Arts Garden Party is a celebration of gardens, music, visual art and seasonal flavors at the Lyons Farmette. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Family & Community

Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: This monthly meeting of the Lafayette Historical Society Board is open to the public. [free] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Sept. 11, 9:45-10:30 a.m.: Children can enjoy a bilingual Spanish-English storytime and then explore the Agricultural Heritage Center. [free, registration required] [family-friendly]
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9:30-9:50 a.m.: Adaptive storytime at the Erie Community Library is specifically designed for neurodivergent children who may benefit from multisensory approaches to learning. [free] [family-friendly]
Sunday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: The Elderberry Festival features arts and craft booths, local bands, food trucks and family fun, all at the East Side Art Institute in Lafayette. [free] [family-friendly]
Monday, Sept. 14, 5-6 p.m.: Family Bingo Night takes place in the Kid Zone at Lafayette Public Library. [free] [family-friendly]
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 4-4:45 p.m.: Children in grades 1-6 can learn about the signing of the Constitution and how to make their own quill pen at the Louisville Public Library. [free] [family-friendly]

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.