After nearly 20 years, Boulder Bazaar is closing + 41 things to do

This week’s Culture Club is sponsored by Rosetta Hall. Explore six globally inspired kitchens, two full-service bars and a lively calendar of community events.

Hi there, Boulder, and welcome back to Culture Club! It’s Thursday, Aug. 13, and I’m McKenzie, here with your weekly guide to arts, culture and things to do across Boulder County.

Leading today’s Spotlight: Boulder Bazaar, a Pearl Street boutique that has connected Boulder to Nepalese art, religion and culture for nearly 20 years, will close at the end of August.

The story begins a broader Culture Club look at Boulder’s changing commercial landscape and what the loss of longtime independent businesses could mean for the city’s culture and identity. Later this month, we’ll examine the pressures facing local retailers and how changes to Boulder’s storefronts are reshaping the city.

Plus: three great picks, more than 40 things to do across Boulder County and a free filmmaking opportunity for local teens.

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

See you out there,

McKenzie

Rosetta Hall is Boulder’s favorite food hall. With six kitchens, each featuring a different cuisine, two full-service bars, plenty of seating and community events happening all the time, there’s always a reason to visit. Bring your family, meet your friends and enjoy the vibe. Open daily at 11 a.m.

1. Mimesis Documentary Festival

Tuesday, Aug. 11-Sunday, Aug. 16 • times vary by day • most screenings at Boedecker Cinema (2590 Walnut St.)

The Mimesis Documentary Festival features in-person and at-home screenings, workshops and conversations with documentary artists, scholars and producers from around the world.

2. Art Night Out

Friday, Aug. 14 • 5-9 p.m. • downtown Lafayette (S. Public Road between Emma and Cannon streets)

Lafayette’s Art Night Out is an evening of live music, street performers, a local artist vendor market, food trucks and more.

3. Annual Tulip Bulb Giveaway

Wednesday, Aug. 19 • while supplies last • participating businesses in downtown Boulder

Bring a piece of Pearl Street’s colorful spring display home with Boulder’s annual tulip bulb giveaway. The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department will distribute free tulip bulbs, limited to one bag per family. Recipients are encouraged to donate to the PLAY Boulder Foundation.

Boulder Bazaar, a longtime connection between Boulder and Nepal, is closing after nearly 20 years

Owner Venus Sakha says declining sales and sparse foot traffic have made it increasingly difficult to pay the Pearl Street boutique’s rent. Continue reading…

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

Visual Arts & Literature

Thursday, Aug. 13, 6-7:30 p.m.: BMoCA hosts a poetry reading inspired by the current exhibition, “Voces, Un Corazon.” [ticketed] [all ages]
Friday, Aug. 14, 5-8 p.m.: An opening reception celebrates “Off the Page,” a new Dairy Arts Center exhibition exploring how artists engage with the written word. [free] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Aug. 15, 5-7 p.m.: Groundworks Art Lab hosts a summer open house and ice cream social. [free] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 16, 1-4 p.m.: Lael Har teaches a “Soul of Place” painting workshop at the Bus Stop Gallery. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: The Boulder JCC offers the first of three consecutive Monday classes on botanical drawing. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.: Nick Ryan Gallery exhibits work by Daniel Chen and Berger & Föhr. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 5-6:30 p.m.: Social Stitchers meets at the Boulder Public Library main branch. [free] [adult-oriented]

Theater, Dance & Film

Thursday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m.: A youth cast performs “Little Women” at Jester’s Dinner Theatre. [ticketed] [all ages]
Friday, Aug. 14, 7-9 p.m.: Six teams compete for the title in Flipside Theatre’s Improv Mania Super Mayhem Smashapalooza. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Aug. 15, 6-9 p.m.: Local Theater Company hosts a casino night fundraiser at The Spark. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2-3:30 p.m.: Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) presents “Witch” at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Aug. 17, 6-8 p.m.: The Dairy Arts Center presents Part VI of “How to Watch a Movie – Thinking About Film Critically: Theory and Beyond.” [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 6:30-9:30 p.m.: Catch the classic 1956 film “Around the World in 80 Days” at the Dairy Arts Center. [ticketed] [all ages]

Music & Nightlife

Thursday, Aug. 13, 7-11 p.m.: Sound Check at Third Space & Co. combines a sauna and cold plunge with a live DJ set and immersive art. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 14, 9-11:30 p.m.: Big Little Sound hosts the final Silent Disco of the season in downtown Louisville. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Aug. 15, 7-9:30 p.m.: eTown presents Random Rab, a seated ambient performance featuring the debut of “Metonic Cycles.” [ticketed] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 16, 7-9 p.m.: “We’re All Doing Great … and Other Lies” is a stand-up comedy show at the Louisville Underground that finds humor in life’s chaos. [free] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 6:30-9:30 p.m.: Local bands perform during Open Mic Night at The End in Lafayette. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6-8:30 p.m.: Sneaki Bandit plays at Trident Booksellers & Cafe. [free] [all ages]

Food & Drink

Thursday, Aug. 13, 4-7 p.m.: Women of Vinyl is this week’s theme for Left Hand Brewing’s weekly vinyl night in the tasting room. [free] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 14, 6-9 p.m.: The Limelight Hotel offers make-your-own s’mores kits for guests to use over the fire pit on the lawn. [ticketed] [all ages]
Saturday, Aug. 15, 4-8 p.m.: Rayback Collective celebrates its 10th anniversary. [free] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 16, 5:30-9 p.m.: The Forage Sisters serve a farm dinner at Slupik Mini Farm in Niwot. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Aug. 17, 6:30-8 p.m.: A chocolate sommelier leads a craft chocolate tasting combined with practical financial education at Confluence SBC in Lafayette. [free] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7-9 p.m.: Comedy accompanies dinner at Zeal’s monthly open mic showcase. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 6-7 p.m.: Brigitte Mars teaches participants about the edible and medicinal plants of Boulder County during Wellness Wednesday at Yellow Barn Farm. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Outdoors & Recreation

Thursday, Aug. 13, 3-4 p.m.: NSF NCAR scientist Forrest Lacey discusses his research on air quality, smoke and the health effects of wildfire during a virtual lecture. [registration required] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Aug. 14, 7-9 p.m.: Lafayette Skate Jam brings live punk music and the Eats n Sweets food truck to the outdoor rink and skate park at the Bob Burger Recreation Center. [free] [teen-oriented]
Saturday, Aug. 15, 7:15 a.m.: Runners can choose among a marathon, marathon relay, three-quarters marathon, half marathon and 10K at the Boulder Rez Marathon. [ticketed] [all ages]
Sunday, Aug. 16, 10-11:30 a.m.: Practice yoga alongside adoptable puppies during Rescue Puppy Yoga at Rembrandt Yard. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Help remove invasive oxeye daisies from the historic DeLonde Meadow at Caribou Ranch during a group outing. [free] [family-friendly]
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.: The Mountain Research Station, Colorado’s premier alpine field science facility, celebrates its 106th anniversary with a full day of activities. [ticketed] [all ages]

Family & Community

Thursday, Aug. 13, 5:30 p.m.: Swimsuits are recommended for the Erie Library’s Foam Party with huge piles of foam. [free] [family-friendly]
Friday, Aug. 14, noon-1:30 p.m.: Leave a plant and take one at a plant swap at George Reynolds Library. [free] [family-friendly]
Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m.-noon: Metzger Farm Open Space celebrates the third annual NatureFest with storytelling, learning stations and outdoor exploration. [free] [family-friendly]
Sunday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-noon: The New Local hosts Sundays on West Pearl, a free art event on the lawn supported by a Boulder Arts Commission grant. [free] [family-friendly]
Monday, Aug. 17, 4-4:45 p.m.: First- through fifth-graders can learn about mermaids and Bigfoot at the Longmont Library’s Mythical Creatures Club. [free] [family-friendly]
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 9-10 a.m.: Peek to Peek Vision and Boutique offers a kindergarten readiness workshop. [free] [family-friendly]

Youth Innovation Studio accepting applications for free teen filmmaking program

Sixteen seats are available for Boulder County teens in a free, six-week Saturday filmmaking program. Classes will be held at Longmont Public Media from Sept. 5 through Oct. 10. Applications are due Aug. 31.

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.

🪷 After nearly 20 years, Boulder Bazaar is closing + 41 things to do