SIGHTLINES

Boulder County arts and culture news, at a glance

BY BOULDER WEEKLY STAFF

We love our local arts scene here in Boulder County — but with so much going on, it can be hard to keep up. That’s why Boulder Weekly is launching our new regular round-up of goings-on in the world of performing and visual arts, film, music and more. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening locally, so you won’t miss a beat.

Pretty As A Picture

Leading landscape photographer donates life’s work to History Colorado

Fifty years of Centennial State landscape photography now belong to the public, as premier nature photographer John Fielder donates his entire archive to History Colorado. The state-run historical society is now the steward of more than 5,000 images of breathtaking views of every county in the state, collected from the artist’s storied career that began in 1973.

Launched last fall, the program is designed to teach disadvantaged young people how to sing or play an instrument through intensive one-onone instruction.

“Jared Music Foundation is proud to be a partner of Boulder Symphony & Music Academy to be able to help so many underprivileged students gain exposure to and experience with music,” president and founder Renae Dihaya said in a press release from the nonprofit, named after the founders’ son who died in a motorcycle accident six years ago. “By providing these 22 full scholarships, and hopefully many more, we can continue the drum beat in honor of Jared.”

Bump It

Boulder Theater turns it up to 11 with new sound system

Z2 Entertainment has announced a “serious upgrade” to the sound system at the iconic Boulder Theater

The new rig — which made its premiere last weekend with performances from Al Di Meola and Shakedown Street — includes K3 loudspeakers and a P1 processor from L-Acoustics, along with an Avid S6L audio mixer. What does all this mean in plain English? “[It allows] us to tune the sound system to work in perfect harmony with the room,” Vice President of Production Edward Link III wrote in a press release announcing the upgrade on Feb. 1. “This allows for complete stereo coverage of the entire room, meaning there isn’t a bad seat in the house.”

The Kids Are Alright

Pearl Street gets makeover from local student artists

“What brings you joy?” With this simple prompt, young artists from Columbine Elementary School, Casey Middle School and Boulder High School got to work creating 42 new lamp pole banners to be installed along Pearl Street as part of the 2023 Student Banner Project. Now in its 11th year, the public art initiative bringing a blush of youth to our city streets is presented in collaboration between Boulder Arts Week and the Downtown Boulder Partnership

These eye-popping works by tomorrow’s leading artists will be on display through the upcoming 10th annual Boulder Arts Week, which returns April 7-15 for another large-scale, community-wide art bash featuring gallery shows, live music, workshops, film screenings and more. In the meantime, you can check out the complete Student Banner Project map at bit.ly/ BannerMap, or scan the accompanying QR code above.

“My goal was always to reveal and preserve the essence of the place that I think is the most beautiful on Earth: Colorado,” the artist said in a History Colorado press release on Jan. 25. “I am humbled that these photos have inspired others and spurred the passage of numerous environmental protection projects and laws across this beautiful state that I love and cherish.”

Say It Loud

New CU Boulder center exalts Black creativity on campus

Change Is A Sound

Scholarship program connects underprivileged students with Boulder Symphony training

Through its partnership with the Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, the local Jared Music Foundation announced last week it will be awarding 22 full scholarships valued at $33,000 for underresourced Boulder County students to receive a year of private training from Boulder Symphony musicians.

CU Boulder Center for African & African American Studies (CAAS) opened its brand new co-curricular space last week, designed to “research, promote, preserve, interpret and disseminate knowledge about the histories, cultures and arts of Africa, African Americans and the wider world of the African diaspora.” Visual and performing arts are one of the new center’s three major program areas. Upcoming CAASpresented events include Black History Month screenings of The Photograph (Feb. 15), Till (Feb. 23) and The Woman King (March 1) as part of the CU Boulder International Film Series, running through May 2.

Got local art news? Email BW culture editor Jezy J. Gray at jgray@boulderweekly.com

Laser Elton John Music Show

8:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Drive, Boulder.

Let the Rocket Man take you to space at the Fiske Planetarium with this mesmerizing, laser-engineered light show. Visitors will be immersed in vibrant colors and fog and as they through the universe accompanied by Elton’s best jams.

10-12

SELF-LOVE SHOWCASE

8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 through Sunday Feb. 12, The Spark Theater, 4847 Pearl Street #B4, Boulder. $20

Boulder Burlesque, a dance troupe bringing together the art of burlesque with contemporary dance and theater, is back with its Valentine’s Showcase featuring its Beginner Troupe performers. This annual performance celebrates self-love and body positivity.

BLACK HISTORY LIVE: JOSEPHINE BAKER

3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway.

Get up close and personal with one of Black history’s most iconic figures during this living-history portrayal at the Museum of Boulder. Presented in partnership with Colorado Humanities, this local stop on the statewide 2023 Black History Live Tour features a Q&A with world-renowned performing artist and activist Josephine Baker, portrayed by scholar/actor Becky Stone.

11,14 FOIL IN LOVE

Various times Saturday, Feb. 11 and Tuesday, Feb. 14, Colorado Glass Works, 1500 Pearl St., Suite D, Boulder. $214

Get creative with your special loved one with Colorado Glass Works artist and founder Meggy Wilm in this Valentines-themed stained glass workshop. Tools and materials are included in the price of this 1.5-hour class.

14

BALDS, DOVES AND OTHER LOVERS

2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, location provided when registering, near Lafayette. Registration required ning of dynamic flavors during this sweet and boozy event. Along with local craft whiskey, Moksha Chocolate will feature four single-origin chocolates from around the world, handcrafted right here in Boulder.

Boulder Bach Festival

4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, Stewart Auditorium, 400 S. Quail Road, Longmont.

The Boulder Bach Festival continues with a recital from Vadim Gluzman and Janice Carissa. Ukrainian-born violinist Gluzman, called “a Paganini of our time,” joins acclaimed pianist Carissa for this afternoon performance. The recital at Stewart Auditorium will feature works from both the Baroque and Romantic eras, with a composition by composer Lera Auerbach.

If you’ve ever been curious how animals celebrate the season of love, Boulder County Parks & Open Space has the event for you. Volunteer naturalists will talk about how the birds and the bees find their mates, build their homes and raise their young during this Valentine’s Day wildlife event.

14

VALENTINE’S DAY WHISKEY & CHOCOLATE

5:30-7 p.m. or 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, Boulder Spirits, 5311 Western Ave., Suite 180, Boulder. $30

Peas and carrots, peanut butter and jelly … whiskey and chocolate? Head to the tasting room at Vapor Distillery, home of Boulder Spirits, for an eve-

16-18

Friends Of The Longmont Library Book Sale

9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, Friday Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18, Longmont Library, 409 Fourth Ave., Longmont

Ready to find your next favorite book at a bargain? Head to Longmont for the annual book sale fundraiser hosted by Friends of the Longmont Library. Teachers can fill a grocery bag full of books for $5 on Friday, Feb. 17, and the general public gets the same deal on Saturday, Feb. 18. Happy reading!

Found Sounds

What’s in Boulder’s headphones?

Rejoice, music freaks — we’re back with your regular round-up of the latest bestsellers at Paradise Found Records & Music (1646 Pearl St.) This week’s Top 10 includes a strong first-place showing from Ohio deathmetal outfit Sanguisugabogg — say that five times fast — alongside classic reissues from The Cure and Velvet Underground, the latest from Glasgow indie-pop mainstays Belle and Sebastian, and more.

1. SANGUISUGABOGG Homicidal Ecstasy

2. DONALD BYRD At The Half Note Cafe, Vol. 1 (Reissue)

3. MUMFORD & SONS Babel (Reissue)

4. OSCAR PETERSON Night Train (Reissue)

5. THE CURE Wish (Reissue)

6. BELLE AND SEBASTIAN Late Developers

7. TROPICAL FUCK STORM Submersive Behaviour

8. BOB DYLAN Fragments: Time Out of Mind Sessions (1996-1997)

9. RIKKI ILILONGA Zambia (Reissue)

10. VELVET UNDERGROUND Loaded (Reissue)