Winter Scene 2023-2024

YOUR 2023-2024 GUIDE TO WINTER FUN AROUND THE STATE

Winter Scene

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Winter Scene

WINTER SCENE, 2023-2024 PUBLISHER: Francis Zankowski

E DIT ORIAL

2023 – 2024

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Shay Castle ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR: Jezy J. Gray REPORTERS: Kaylee Harter, Will Matuska FOOD EDITOR: John Lehndorff INTERN: Lily Fletcher CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Ari LeVaux, Bart Schaneman

S A LE S AND MARKET I NG MARKET DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Kellie Robinson SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Matthew Fischer ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Chris Allred, Holden Hauke SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER: Carter Ferryman MRS. BOULDER WEEKLY: Mari Nevar

P ROD UCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Erik Wogen SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Mark Goodman

C I RC UL ATION CIRCULATION MANAGER: Cal Winn CIRCULATION TEAM: Sue Butcher, Ken Rott, Chris Bauer

B US I NESS OFFICE BOOKKEEPER: Emily Weinberg FOUNDER / CEO: Stewart Sallo As Boulder County’s only independently owned newspaper, Boulder Weekly is dedicated to illuminating truth, advancing justice and protecting the First Amendment through ethical, no-holdsbarred journalism and thought-provoking opinion writing. Free every Thursday since 1993, the Weekly also offers the county’s most comprehensive arts and entertainment coverage.

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BOULDER WEEKLY

I

t’s beginning to look like winter here on the Front Range. Redand-green products line store shelves, leafless trees are bundled up in lights, and fall jams are replaced with holiday ballads at local taverns and eateries. The question is, how are you taking full advantage of our state’s marquee season? You may very well have a trip planned to escape the cold mountain air, but for those who don’t, have no fear: There’s more to enjoy in Boulder County and beyond than you could possibly get your mittencovered hands on. This is winter in Colorado, for goodness sake! Our hope is that this year’s edition of Winter Scene not only entertains, but inspires you to make the most of the coming months.

Between these glossy pages is a story for everyone. Become familiar with the amazing world of skijor — the wildest WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

sport on two skis taking mountain towns by storm — as told by the people on the frontlines of its resurgence. Hear from two Team USA competitors, Tim Sherry and Morgan Pearson, as they train and compete for a shot at the summer Olympic games. Looking to avoid the stress of a mountain trip entirely? We’ve got a weekend guide complete with places to stay, eat, drink and have fun in Golden, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins. There’s a roundup of local artists turning up the heat, local reads or dispensary deals to cozy up by the fireplace with, and of course, food and drink best suited for a snowy day, as well as a plethora of concert and festival listings both near and far.

We here at Boulder Weekly want to wish you the happiest of holidays, and a happy new year — now get out there and enjoy the season.

07 SKIJORING 11 OLYMPIANS 14 WEEKEND GUIDE 18 EVENTS CALENDAR

25 MUSIC 28 BOOKS 31 CUISINE 33 WEED GUIDE DECEMBER 14, 2023

5

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Duffy Counsell skis behind rider Jeff Dahl in Leadville Ski Joring 2014.

Credit: Steve Sunday

COWBOYS AND SKI BUMS Inside the wild west world of skijor

BY KAYLEE HARTER

Y

ou click into your skis and tighten the buckles on your boots as snug as you can get them.

But you’re not at the top of a mountain. A track, lined with eager spectators, stretches out in front of you complete with gates, jumps and hanging hand rings.

As a horse is led into the start area, you clutch a baton in your right hand that will be used to snag the rings. The horse looks over at you with its big eyes, nostrils flaring as you’re tossed a rope that’s attached to the horse’s saddle.

“The starter’s yelling, ‘Skier, slack!

Slack! Bring up the slack!’ Because otherwise, if that horse takes off, you got a bunch of slack, it’ll yank your arm out,” says Duffy Counsell.

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This is skijoring, a competitive sport in which a horse and its rider barrel through a 900-foot course at speeds near 40 mph with a skier in tow.

Counsell has been involved in the sport for the past 15 years.

“That’s what’s the most nerve wracking — waiting for your turn,” he says.

Then, the horse rips down the track at full speed. In just 15-20 seconds, your turn is over. A dropped baton or missed ring is a two-second penalty.

Miss a gate or a jump, and that’s a fivesecond addition to your time.

“There’s [runs where] I’ve been behind the horse that I’m hanging on for dear life just hoping I can stay alive,” Counsell says. “And then there’s runs where like, ‘Hey, I just hit the sweet spot, I’m cruising at the same speed as the horse now and I can ski anything I

want. This is awesome.’ But it doesn’t happen that way often.”

Counsell is also the event organizer for Leadville Ski Joring, which he estimates draws upwards 10,000 people to Cloud City over the course of the weekend.

Leadville is the birthplace of the obstacle course-style skijoring we know today, but now the competition is just one of more than three dozen events that will overtake mountain towns across the Mountain West from Ridgway, Colorado, to Big Sky, Montana, this winter — and some skijor enthusiasts hope the sport will grace the Olympic stage in the next the decade.

Competitors and spectators alike dress the part, wearing everything from wooly chaps, coyote coats and fringe jackets to ’80s ski gear and super hero costumes in a meeting of western ranching culture and hippie ski bums that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Events are as big of a party as they are a competition, with competitors overtak-

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

ing local bars at night and spectators tailgating throughout the day.

“These two cultures coming together is just — how can it not be fun?” says Loren Zhimanskova, chairman of the board of Skijor USA.

ROOTS

Though Leadville’s event kicked off in 1949, the sport’s roots date back much farther and span across the globe.

Skijoring literally means “ski driving.”

While it’s hard to say exactly when it began, petroglyphs in Asia show evidence of people being pulled on skis behind animals thousands of years ago — as long as people have been strapping planks to their feet — according Zhimanskova, who’s basically a human encyclopedia of all things skijor. “​​People in mountainous areas with snow needed to traverse expanses, and instead of doing it under their own energy, they harnessed animals or figured out how to have the animals pull them,” she says.

DECEMBER 14, 2023

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Rider Bella Manzo in Leadville. Credit: Madison Eckstein Rider Mike Miller in Big Sky, Montana. Credit: Josh King

Skijoring is most closely associated with the reindeer-herding Sami people who are indigenous to Scandinavia and still hold races during their winter carnival, Zhimanskova says.

The first record of skijoring using horses was in Norway around 1903 before soon branching into Switzerland, France and the Eastern U.S. The traditional method didn’t involve a rider on the horse — just a skier reigning the animal from behind.

In 1928, skijoring made its first and only appearance at the Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as a demonstration sport. As it gained popularity, it moved toward the Rockies and took on a more Western style with a rider on the horse and a skier in tow.

That’s where Leadville’s Mugs Ossman and Tom Schroeder first encountered the sport. The two men were looking for something to bring excitement to the town’s Crystal Carnival and decided to make a trip to Steamboat for inspiration. Horses pulled skiers down the main drag of the town — only Ossman and Schroeder thought the horses were going too slow.

“Mugs had the fastest quarter horses in Lake County, and Tommy Schroeder, the feisty Irishman he was, knew that there wasn’t a horse that could lose him on skis,” Counsell says.

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DECEMBER 14, 2023

And so, Western-style obstacle course skijoring was born. Leadville Ski Joring hasn’t missed a year since it started and will be in its 76th iteration this winter.

Since 1949, there’s been a proliferation of events — and no two competitions are the same. Some of the courses are U or J shaped, unlike the straightaway of Leadville. Some feature a match-draw format, where you race once in the rider-skier pair you came with and once in a random pairing.

Switcheroo events — where the rider and skier switch places — have also gained popularity.

freestyle events, Zhimanskova says.

She hopes to see the sport grow in the coming years and is working to get skijor into the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics as part of a ceremony or demonstration, likely in 2030 or 2034.

‘GOT THE GUTS?’

Many of the competitors who brave the world of skijor have racing or extreme skiing experience. Others are just “solid skiers,” Counsell says. But the skill isn’t what Counsell, who skis 100 days a year, says is most important: “It’s more the courage: Do you got the guts to go out and try something?”

Guts are necessary in a sport that can leave competitors with everything from broken ribs and fingers to glove-ripping rope burn to career-ending knee injuries.

“You have to be prepared for everything from hero to tragedy if you’re gonna get involved in something like skijoring,” Counsell says.

Credit: Madison Eckstein That risk doesn’t come “You’d be surprised how many peowithout reward — skijor victories mean ple are really good at both,” cash prizes up to thousands of dollars.

Zhimanskova says. “Also, it’s kind of Plus, the crowd loves it. funny to see the ones who signed up “It’s some of the closest to, like, Friday night when they’re really drunk celebrity status that I’ll probably ever and they go, ‘I can’t believe I agreed to get,” Counsell says, who’s won compedo this.’” titions, though never Leadville. “It’s so In the last eight years or so, snowneat when you go into these typically boarders have gotten involved too, small mountain towns and you’re the which led to the addition of rollers and guy out there putting your neck and bank turns at some courses as well as nuts on the line.”

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

UPCOMING EVENTS IN CO ● MEEKER, CO: DEC 30 & DEC 31 ● RIDGWAY, CO: JAN 13 & 14

● STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO : FEB 10 ● CRAIG, CO: FEB 10 & 11

● SILVERTON, CO: FEB 17 & 18 ● LEADVILLE, CO: MAR 2 & 3

Zhimanskova’s advice for spectators: “I would recommend four wheel drive vehicles and dressing warm with snow boots, scarves and hats. Sunblock and sunglasses and a folding chair can come in handy even if you plan to tailgate.

Many people bring coolers, though one has to be careful given Colorado liquor laws. Wyoming is more forgiving!”

For the full list of this winter’s events, visit skijorusa.com.

It’s a straight shot of adrenaline, and while there’s riders and skiers alike who are well-known on the skijor circuit, new adrenaline junkies are catching the skijor bug every year.

Josh King, a Telluride-based photographer and videographer who started shooting skijor events last year, competed for his first time last year in Pagosa Springs.

“You can’t practice, which is crazy. So you kind of just show up, have to be a little bit psychotic,” he says. “Someone BOULDER WEEKLY

puts a rope in your hands, and you’re like, ‘Hey, any advice?’

And everyone’s only advice is: ‘Don’t drop the rope.’”

His first run was clean — after that, he was hooked. He competed again in Big Sky and Leadville, where he finished second being pulled by rider Noah Gregory. He also competed in a switcheroo and plans to compete at Ridgway, Silverton, Pinedale, Wyoming, Leadville and maybe Big Sky and Whitefish, Montana.

Bella Manzo, a 25-year-old rider from Boulder, competed for her first time last year in Leadville. Manzo, who doesn’t ski or snowboard but has ridden Mugs Ossman, who brought obstacle course-style horses for more than 15 years, skijoring to Leadville, skis in the town’s event. says she was looking for a winCredit: Paul Copper ter sport to get involved in when she found skijor.

“You’ve got the crowd on both “It’s three heartbeats that need to sides. They’re so excited. You can work as one,” Counsell says. “If you’re kind of feel your skier in the back on different pages, it ain’t never going going over jumps trying to click rings, to work out.” and it was like a blink of an eye,” she Despite the fierce competition, ego says. “Going as fast as you are and and gatekeeping are noticeably just trying to make sure your horse absent from the sport, King says. keeps their balance in the snow and Counsell echoes that sentiment. making sure that everything is hap“The story behind the story I always pening safely was my focus, and then tell everybody is family,” Counsell trying to make sure you can stop at says of the bond between skiers, ridthe end — because the horses really ers, volunteers and event organizers. do love it, and they want to keep runCounsell, who first got into the sport ning.” through his kids when they competed in Leadville’s kids’ snowmobile division over a decade ago, had a knee ‘THREE HEARTBEATS’ replacement last year and isn’t sure Much of the rider’s work happens he’ll compete again in the upcoming before the race even begins, Manzo season. Still, he’ll be cheering on his says. She rode a friend’s horse last son and plans to travel to events to year and is working to desensitize her help out. Paul Copper, who was horse, Kida, for this year’s season. instrumental in making Leadville Ski King says it’s typical for riders and Joring what it is today and is almost skiers to walk the course together 70, still works registration. Jody before a race.

Manly, known as the godfather of ski“You’re like, ‘Hey, it would help if joring, was out on the track working a you could get your horse over to the shovel the year before he passed left side of the course here, slow the away, Counsell says. horse down here and speed up here’ “When you engage in putting your — this whole communication before goodwill, your health on the line the race goes down,” King says. “The — when you do that together with best riders really know how to do that people, that creates an unbreakable for you, and then other riders are just bond,” he says. “We are definitely like, ‘Fuck it. We’re just gonna go as competitors out there trying to beat fast as we can the whole time, and each other and take each other’s good luck.’” money, but at the same time, we want At the end of the day, success each other’s best and everybody requires the skier and the rider to helps everybody.” work in tandem.

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DECEMBER 14, 2023

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TOUR DE OLYMPICS

This winter, two athletes with Front Range roots gear up for the Summer Olympics in Paris

BY WILL MATUSKA

M

organ Pearson was on the way back to his hotel in Paris, France.

He is one of the top triathletes in the world and has taken home podium hardware from multiple international races, including a silver team medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics. He had just gotten out of a swim workout.

It’s the eve of a 2024 Summer Olympics qualifying race called the World Triathlon Olympic Games Test Event Paris. Despite his success, Pearson isn’t planning on lacing up his shoes the next morning. Various injuries and health issues over the previous year and a half meant he wasn’t finishing fast enough to make it on the start list. In fact, he’s third on the waitlist.

Regardless, he wanted to return to the Olympics next summer and thought he had a chance to compete in the qualifier. So he rolled the dice and went to Paris for the qualifier.

“It was kind of tough to go out there and be there and not know if I was going to race or not,” he says.

On the evening before the race, Pearson was losing hope. But then he

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entered his room and saw a text on his phone: Three people had dropped out.

Fourteen hours before start time, Pearson was in.

“I got really lucky,” he says. “I was the last guy in the race.”

After swimming, biking and running for nearly two hours through The City of Light the next day, Pearson successfully qualified for next summer’s Olympic Games. Now, the athlete with CU Boulder roots is gearing up on the Front Range this winter for another run at the Olympic podium with high aspirations.

“If I can run what I think I can run,” he says, “I think it’ll be very hard to beat me.”

Courtesy: World Triathlon Media

naturally competitive at, given his running experience and growing up working as a lifeguard and competing in some open-water swims. Plus, he wanted to go to the 2020 Olympics.

“You can’t just have that idea in your mind of, ‘Maybe I can be pretty good at this,’ but never never actually do it,” he says. “I decided that I was going to do it.”

A triathlon is a fiercely physical competition that includes a 1.5 km swim (.93 mile), 40 km bike (24.8 mile) and 10 km (6.2 mile) run. The top women finish in about two hours. The men are typically around 10 minutes earlier.

Pearson first tested the waters in the summer of 2017 at an age group nationals competition in Nebraska. After not training because he wanted to see his raw talent for the sport, he won it.

Pearson saw potential to compete on an even bigger stage.

“I’ve always been kind of drawn to the idea of being the best in the world at something,” he says.

Pearson fondly remembers his stint in Boulder, even aside from his running success — it was a special time with some of his closest friends. And as a Division 1 runner, there are few things more valuable than a high-calorie meal following a difficult workout.

He recalls fueling up with his teammates at a familiar burrito institution.

“We loved Illegal Pete’s on The Hill,” he says.

It wasn’t until a year after college that Pearson started to explore triathlons — something he thought he might be

‘THAT WAS FOR THEM’

Pearson grew up in New Jersey, but made his way to CU Boulder in 2012 to join the cross country and track team. Along with helping his cross country team win two national titles and multiple Pac-12 championships, he also took home a few All-American honors.

Courtesy: World Triathlon Media

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DECEMBER 14, 2023

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Qualifying for a second Olympics is a dream come true for Pearson.

But it was a special moment for him in more ways than one.

Shortly before qualifying for the 2020 Olympics, Pearson’s older brother died unexpectedly. The tragedy hit hard: Pearson took a month off from training and went home to New Jersey to grieve with his family.

When he was ready, he found getting back into exercising to be therapeutic.

“You’re with your family, and it’s just talking, crying and a lot of emotion. And that’s good; you need to go through that,” he says. “Being able to get outside by myself and just bike or run or go swimming was kind of like that release.”

Pearson experienced complex emotions when he qualified for Tokyo because of those circumstances.

“Ten weeks after your brother dies unexpectedly, you achieve a lifelong goal,” he says. “There’s happiness, but it’s, like, not happiness.

It was such a strong emotion that I felt.”

He says those feelings came back to the surface after his Olympic-qualifying performance this summer in Paris. That day, it was about more than just him.

“I’m an athlete; it’s a somewhat selfish pursuit. But that day when I qualified, it was for my family,” he says. “That was for them — to give them hope and happiness.”

Spectators weren’t allowed at the last summer Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions. Next summer’s Olympics should be back to normal, and Pearson is excited for his family to share the experience with him.

The next time he’s in Paris, Pearson will have more than 14 hours to prepare, unlike for the qualifier, before diving into the race. He’s already started mending injuries and building up the volume of his training. Right now, his weekly routine includes biking 14 hours a week, running 60 miles a week, swimming just about every day and sprinkling in physical therapy and massages.

“I know how to train hard,” he says. “And it’s just about execution in the training and the execution on race day.”

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DECEMBER 14, 2023

T

his world is littered with inaccuracy.

It rains when the forecast says it won’t. Perfectionists overcook their noodles. Cars are parked too close to the white line. Admittedly, we’ve even missed a few things here at Boulder Weekly.

But not Tim Sherry, an elite shooter from Evergreen. For him, precision and consistency are the name of the game.

One of his specialties is an event called the 50 meter Rifle 3 Positions.

Picture aiming for a target half a football field away and firing 20 shots from three different positions: kneeling, prone (laying down) and standing. If you hit the bullseye — which has a diameter similar to the width of a pinky finger (10 millimeters) — you get 10 points.

Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Kulani Lakanaria, U.S. Army Earlier this year, Sherry set the national record in that event for get“That kept me hooked from day ting 596 points. Out of 600. one,” Sherry says. “That’s kind of Sherry’s shooting ambitions began been the path and the motivation in Colorado Springs’ Olympic Training ever since then.”

Center before he ever shot a match.

The decorated athlete has achieved He was just a kid, not even 10 many of the lofty aspirations he set for years old, and his dad wanted him to himself after visiting the Olympic learn basic firearm safety. The shootTraining Center as a kid. This year, ing range he went to, Cherry Creek he’s coming off two bronze medals at Gun Club in southeast Denver, had a world championships and a silver competitive junior shooting team and international-style shooting. The coach medal at the Pan American Games.

But he’s not quite finished — this winat the time invited Sherry to watch a ter he has two more Olympiccompetition in Colorado Springs. qualifying competitions to punch his At the match, he met a recent ticket to Paris and compete in the NCAA champion, and he also 2024 Summer Olympics. grabbed an autograph from an athlete “Getting to go to the Olympics next who took home a gold medal at the summer would be a dream come Olympics. It was a formative moment true,” he says. “I’ve had Olympic aspifor a young Sherry that laid the groundwork for his aspirations to go to rations since I first learned about the sport, so it will fulfill a long-time goal of college for rifle shooting and compete mine.” on the world’s biggest stage.

A KID FROM EVERGREEN

Although he currently lives in Georgia to train with the Army Marksmanship Unit, Sherry still holds strong to his Colorado roots.

“I learned how to skate on Evergreen lake up there,” he says.

“That’s a really core memory.”

Sherry misses the tall peaks of the Rockies that he used to frequent, especially with a pair of skis beneath his feet.

“I don’t know how old I was when I first started skiing at Loveland, but I think it was, like, as soon as I could walk,” he says. “My mom wanted to go skiing, so she just dropped us off at their little bunny hill where they had ski lessons, and we were basically at a daycare for the day.”

Even with his love for skiing and the outdoors, shooting was always a priority. He excelled in the sport early on by setting a national record for his age group within six months of picking up a gun.

Moving from a fun hobby to getting serious about the sport as a future was a challenging transition.

Sherry couldn’t beat his national record for the next five years and struggled with motivation.

When he was about 15 years old, his coach sat him down to have a “brutally honest” conversation about what it would take to commit to the sport, which likely

Credit: Brittany Nelson, USA Shooting

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

BOULDER WEEKLY

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

THE U.S. OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC

EXPERIENCE IN OLYMPIC CITY USA!

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center

Credit: Brittany Nelson, USA Shooting

included spending time away from his family. Sherry knew he had talent in shooting but was on the fence.

“I think having that experience so early on definitely gave me a level of resilience and understanding of what it takes to continue to progress, to find passion in what you’re doing and to really focus on the goals when you’re struggling with motivation,” he says.

In tackling that decision as a teenager, Sherry’s North Star was to be the best in the sport.

“I would get chills down my spine if I had that thought, you know, you’re the best to ever do this or you’re the best in the world,” he says. “That was my motivation and … I built my goals from there.”

Once he made the decision to dedicate his life to the sport, the rest of Sherry’s shooting path — going from college to Army Marksman Unit to Olympic hopeful — was laid ahead of him. While his goals have shifted over time, he is now in a position to make those dreams become reality.

THE ROAD TO PARIS

Sherry says there’s a lot of good competition among his peers on the U.S. national team, but he’s “quietly optimistic” he’ll get a shot at the big stage.

“As long as I continue to be authentic and perform the way I do, and perform consistently, I can come out on top,” he says.

If he makes the cut, Sherry will

compete in three events — the 10 meter Air Rifle individual and team, and the 50 meter Rifle 3 Positions.

Along with maintaining consistent physical fitness, Sherry says there’s a strong mental component to shooting and likens it to golfing. To mitigate match-time nerves that can cause a faster heartbeat and shaky muscles that impact shooting accuracy, he has a toolbox of different breathing and visualization strategies.

Being fit — both physically and mentally — helps him overcome those challenges. But in a sport with miniscule room for error, it boils down to practice.

“One thing I heard a lot when I was growing up was, ‘It’s not practice makes perfect,’ but, ‘Perfect practice makes perfect,’” he says.

“At this point, I’ve stopped believing in perfection, but the idea is still there that you’re trying to train and practice at such a refined level so you can kind of go on autopilot when you get to the competition … you’re not trying to outperform yourself.”

Shooting is more than hitting a target for Sherry. He says he’s learned life skills about being resilient, working toward goals and functioning as a team. The sport has also taken him through college and around the world.

“I’d love for more people to be able to give shooting a try, whether it’s [competitive] or not,” he says. “I think it’d be cool if more people can give it a shot.”

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WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

DECEMBER 14, 2023

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NO CHAINS REQUIRED Skip the hassle of the mountains with these Front Range weekend trips

ENTERTAINMENT U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum

days because it’s practically a Christmas list unto itself. Give the 291 Bourbon a try: a spice-forward, aspen wood-finished, award-winning pour distilled at Distillery 291, just 15 minutes down the road.

Great Wolf Lodge

COL OR ADO S P R I N GS LODGING Great Wolf Lodge

9494 Federal Drive For any driver making their way into Colorado Springs, the Great Wolf Lodge is impossible to miss. Situated just off I-25 north of the city, this all-inone mountain resort is ginormous, and every inch of space inside is put to good use. It’s a prime family getaway spot, complete with an indoor water park, numerous dining options — sitdown and fast-casual — and an array of recurring events, including Snowland, their annual holiday celebration featuring winter activities, crafts, a dance party and even a visit from Santa Claus.

The Broadmoor

The Broadmoor

1 Lake Ave. For over a century, The Broadmoor has embodied elegance, standing the test of time as one of the state’s premier hotels. Just stroll around the awe14

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Edelweiss German Restaurant

inspiring grounds at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, taking in the Mediterranean Revival-style architecture that blends into the surrounding landscape. Step inside during the winter months for a scene straight out of a holiday movie. Clear your mind at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Spa or dive into a world-class dinner at La Taverne. It may be winter, but if weather permits, you can tee off on one of their two golf legendary courses, whose greens have welcomed tournaments by USGA, as well as Jack Nicklaus’ first official tour victory.

Edelweiss German Restaurant

200 South Sierra Madre St. If The Broadmoor is Colorado Springs’ oldest staple, then the USOP Museum is the city’s hottest new attraction.

The 60,000-square-foot facility looks like a spaceship that landed downtown, and it’s just as cutting edge inside. You start all the way at the top, weaving down a ramped path that takes you through 12 different exhibits, like Parade of Nations, a simulation of the opening ceremony, Athlete Training; a section that has running, archery and sled hockey experiences for you to try, and the Hall of Fame, showcasing the greatest athletes to represent our country on the world stage.

34 East Ramona Ave. For over 50 years, Edelweiss has held court in Colorado Springs as one of the state’s best spots to get authentic German cuisine.

On Fridays and Saturdays, strolling musicians fill the space with German tunes, and three big fireplaces make guests feel like they’ve FOOD & DRINK been welcomed into someone’s home. Be adventurous Bourbon Brothers when ordering at Edelweiss Smokehouse & Tavern and go for the Sauerbraten, 13021 Bass Pro Drive a traditional Bavarian dish Nothing warms the body in Boot Barn Hall that leans on a three-day the cold months quite like a vinegar marinade, resulting cut of quality meat and a in a soft, delectable beef paired with a glass of bourbon. At Boot Barn Hall Bourbon Brothers, it’s in the gingerbread sauce, red cabbage and 13071 Bass Pro Drive bacon potato dumpling. name, and they have the Dust off that cowboy hat and pick out chops to back your prized belt buckle — it’s time to it up. The cofboogie at Colorado Springs’ exciting Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse & Tavern fee-and-cocoacountry venue. Connected to Bourbon rubbed sliced Brothers, you can round out a top-tier brisket is to die meal with any number of shows — for, and the they’ve hosted national acts such as bacon mac and cheese Randy Travis, Sawyer Brown, Ian egg rolls are deep-fried Munsick and Josh Turner. It’s 15,000 heaven, served with a delisquare feet wrapped in floor-to-ceiling cious BBQ ranch. Then beetle-kill pine walls, and the additional there’s the drink menu, 7,000-square-foot patio has a gorwhich is fitting for the holigeous view of Pikes Peak.

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

BOULDER WEEKLY

FOOD & DRINK

Avogadro’s Number

B&B Pickle Barrel Deli

Armstrong Hotel

FOR T COL L I NS LODGING Armstrong Hotel

259 South College Ave. If you want to be in on the action, the Armstrong Hotel — set smack-dab in the middle of Old Town Fort Collins — is a no-brainer. This year marks 100 years of operation, and the Armstrong Hotel is going strong with a number of on-site eateries. Ace Gillett’s Lounge & Supper Club is a true highlight, featuring comfort food, craft cocktails and either live music or vinyl, depending on when you grab a table at the comfortable, dimly lit nook.

Edwards House

Edwards House

402 West Mountain Ave. In 1904, state agriculture board president Alfred Augustus Edwards built a beautiful Victorian estate on the corner of Meldrum and Mountain avenues.

Today, the Edwards House features many elegant suites around the house, which has been renovated and modernized, all while keeping the same charm of the original build intact. Did you forget something while packing? Not to worry — Cedar & Sage Mercantile, the sister company of Edwards House, offers toiletry items and more.

BOULDER WEEKLY

122 West Laurel St. Grub like a local at Fort Collins’ foremost casual eatery, B&B Pickle Barrel.

They’ve been slinging hot and cold sandwiches since the ’80s, and you can’t go wrong with any selection. We love the Christy Special: sautéed mushrooms and onions, tomaB&B Pickle Barrel Deli

ENTERTAINMENT The Comedy Fort

167 North College Ave. While it’s no secret that Comedy Works dominates the standup landscape in Colorado, The Comedy Fort has rapidly become a must for road comics and fans alike. Between showcase performances, open mic nights and a slew of domestic and national acts, you have to make The Comedy Fort a late-night priority on your weekend trip. toes, avocado, lettuce and vinaigrette, all tied together by the star of the show: slices of tangy, delectable dill havarti cheese. And it wouldn’t be a true experience without a house-made pickle on the side.

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

408 Mason Court The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery knows no bounds when it comes to its

The Comedy Fort

exhibits: from a music and sound lab and family exploration zone to displays on wildlands and wildlife, the solar system, food and forage, and so much more. You’ll find it all under one roof at this museum that has welcomed families to revel in wonder for over a decade. Be sure to check your calendar for the temporary exhibition.

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Avogadro’s Number

605 South Mason St. Live music, beer and good eats make for a killer combo at Avogadro’s Number, a neighborhood joint whose menu is as fun and eclectic as the art covering its walls. Brunch is stellar here, but we love the shakes as much as anything — go for the chocolate or banana, two very different options that are both endlessly craveable.

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DECEMBER 14, 2023

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Woody’s WoodFired Pizza

The Eddy Taproom & Hotel

G OL DEN

FOOD & DRINK

LODGING

Bob’s Atomic Burgers

The Eddy Taproom & Hotel

1640 8th St. You can’t get closer to the mountains without actually going into them than The Eddy Taproom & Hotel. Golden’s boutique new addition is nestled between Clear Creek and the foot of the Rockies, just off Highway 6. From the outside, The Eddy looks more like a building from the late 1800s — a homage to Golden’s industrial roots — and it fits the landscape perfectly. Hit the taproom for a diverse selection of local pours, and let The Eddy be your basecamp for a perfect weekend in Golden.

The Dove Inn

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DECEMBER 14, 2023

Woody’s WoodFired Pizza

Bob’s Atomic Burgers

1310 Ford St. So far, the theme of Golden has been views — quite honestly, admiring the beauty of Golden could fill your entire weekend itinerary. The scenery at Bob’s Atomic Burgers is no different: To the left sits the Coors Brewery, and to the right is Table Mountain. But no one makes the trek to

The Dove Inn

711 14th St. This humble Victorian abode, nestled on a side street just off Golden’s main drag, was built in 1866 when Golden was the capital of the territory of Colorado, deep in a competition with Denver to establish dominance as the region’s commercial hub. Fast forward a century and a half: Golden may have lost that battle, but the house on 14th Street is still going strong as The Dove Inn, a charming B&B featuring a meticulously crafted theme for each of the available 10 rooms. Give The Parisian Room a try, whose original bay window provides a serene view of the surrounding foothills. What about The Red Rocks Room, exposed brick, claw-foot bathtub and all? This place has the quirky variety of a house in a Wes Anderson film, with a warmness as welcoming as the town it calls home.

1305 Washington Ave. There are a few places scattered throughout the Centennial State that lay claim to “Colorado-style pizza.” Woody’s doesn’t need to — it’s been their stock and trade

since firing up the wood-burning oven in 1997 for the first time. Since then, this downtown staple has grown into a go-to community gathering for locals and out-of-towners alike. The words “watering hole” hang below Woody’s sign, and it lives up to that. Make Woody’s Wood-Fired a priority on the coldest night of your weekend adventure. Order the homemade green chili and the unique White Rooster pizza (white cheddar, chicken, bacon, spinach, mushrooms and roasted garlic).

If you’re not in the mood for pizza, their lasagna is a great option. The feature ingredient is Woody’s signature white cheese sauce.

Buffalo Rose

ENTERTAINMENT Buffalo Rose

1119 Washington Ave. Buffalo Rose opened its doors in 1859, the year Colorado’s gold rush began.

It’s been an essential part of Golden ever since. On any given night, don’t be surprised to walk in on an eclectic performance happening at the venue.

Grab a seat at any one of its three bars: The Sky Bar, The State Room or The Venue Bar. In the spirit of the season, order a Winter Daisy: Gray Whale Gin, lemon juice and cinnamon ginger simple syrup round out a cocktail with just the right amount of bite. The city has grown around the site where Buffalo Rose sits today, making it a must-visit for both historical and entertainment reasons. And who knows, you may very well be sitting in the same spot where Ulysess S. Grant ordered a drink on his campaign trail over 150 years ago.

Coors Brewery Tour

502 14th St. Few spots are as synonymous with Golden as the Coors Brewery. The iconic beer company opened its doors in 1873, and since then, it has held court as the largest single brewing facility on the Coors Brewery Tour planet. But have you ever wondered what goes on inside, what a beer-making process of this scale could possibly look like?

You don’t have to wonder: The folks at Coors Brewing Company offer tours of their vast home location, giving you an inside look at its history and process that has stood the test of time.

Bob’s for the landscape; they do it for the unbelievably good, old-fashioned burgers. You are in control of your destiny here: Walk in, pencil in your preferred toppings on a burger bag at the front, bring it up to the counter and grab your character name from the bucket (a fun twist on table numbers).

When the server calls out “double burger for Nikola Jokić,” or whatever the name on your card, it’s time to indulge in one of the Front Range’s most satisfying meals.

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BOULDER WEEKLY

WINTER

FESTIVALS Ten can’t-miss winter events across the Centennial State

CHRISTMAS EVE TORCHLIGHT PARADE

Sunday, Dec. 24, Mountain Village, Telluride Revel in festive glee as the town of Telluride lights up the mountainside at their annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade. Telluride ski school instructors paint the mountain with torchlights, beginning at the top of the mountain and making their way to the heart of the village.

ULLRGRASS FESTIVAL

Friday-Sunday, Jan. 26-28, Parfet Park, 719 10th St., Golden Ullr is the norse god of winter, fittingly, and this coming January marks the 10th year that Golden honors the season with tons of music. Bill Nershi from The String Cheese Incident will be there, along with Todd Sheaffer from Railroad Earth and a full roster of local songwriters performing in the foothills of Golden.

INTERNATIONAL SNOW SCULPTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS

RIO FRIO ICE FESTIVAL

WINTER BREW FEST

Jan. 22-31, Riverwalk Center, 150 W. Adams Ave., Breckenridge For snow sculptors, this is the granddaddy of all contests. Teams from all over the world converge on Breckenridge for 10 days: the first five for sculpting a 25-ton block of snow into art, and the last five for you to bask in their completed work, lining the streets of historic downtown Breckenridge.

OURAY ICE FESTIVAL & COMPETITION

Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 18-21, various locations, Ouray Ouray is referred to by some as the “Switzerland of America,” and it’s tough to dispute as you enter the quaint Western Slope town at nearly 8,000 feet of elevation, surrounded by walls of mountains. Their ice festival is your chance to celebrate with the locals and witness an astonishing display of sculpting all in one weekend.

Friday-Sunday, Jan. 26-28, various locations, Alamosa The main event at Alamosa’s Rio Frio Ice Festival is one of the coolest 5k runs in the country — a fully chip-timed race held entirely on the frozen Rio Grande river. There’s also ice carving, a disc golf tournament and much more, so if you’re looking for some competition this January, make the trip to Alamosa.

Saturday, Jan. 27, Mile High Station, 2027 W. Colfax Ave., Denver Warm your bones with seasonal pours at this annual celebration in Denver. A ticket gets you unlimited craft beverage samples, access to a roster of food trucks and a ’90s-themed party featuring karaoke and prizes. Proceeds from this festival benefit Big Bones Canine Rescue, whose mission is to save dogs from death, illness and misfortune, regardless of the size of the pooch.

PAGOSA SPRINGS WINTERFEST WINTERSKÖL

Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 11-14, various locations, Aspen Aspen’s “toast to winter” is four days of celebrating mountain life. Celebrated annually since 1951, this festival has a slew of on- and off-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a soup contest and a craft beer festival being introduced to Wintersköl for the first time this year.

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DECEMBER 14, 2023

Friday-Sunday, Jan. 19-21, various locations, Pagosa Springs The schedule of events at Pagosa Springs winter celebration is unlike any other: hot air balloon mass ascensions, sled races, fat bike races, a penguin plunge and, most notably, a BB gun biathlon. To round it all out, if you haul your christmas tree to the festival, they’ll include it in a giant bonfire featuring food, drinks and music.

X GAMES ASPEN

Friday-Sunday, Jan. 26-28, Base of Buttermilk, 38700 CO-82, Aspen No winter event calendar would be complete without the world’s biggest exhibition of winter sport, held right here in Colorado at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen. From knuckle huck to giant slalom, big air and superpipe, revel in the best winter show on earth.

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ICE CLIMBS FESTIVAL

Saturday, Feb. 3, Lake City Ice Park, 201 County Road 20, Lake City What’s as cool as sculpting ice, you ask? How about climbing it? No, not you, but if you want to see a professional scale Lake City’s daunting ice wall in roughly a minute, then the Ice Climbs Festival has got your fix.

BOULDER WEEKLY

CONCERTS BOULDER THEATER 2032 14th St., Boulder

TRACE BUNDY WITH THE ACCIDENTALS. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. $30 ELEPHANT REVIVAL WITH ZIMBIRA (NIGHT 1). 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30. $50 ELEPHANT REVIVAL WITH WHISKEY BLANKET (NIGHT 2). 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 31. $60 CHRIS KNIGHT WITH ADAM HOOD. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6. $28 NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS WITH BAG MEN. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. $27 North Mississippi Allstars have carved their own lane, steeped in the rich sound of southern rock and blues popular in their home region, and elevated with the fast-paced nature of bluegrass. Twenty-seven years on, brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson are still cranking out the music they know best, and in mid-January, they’ll be joined by Bag Men, a side project by Luther that features former Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman.

THE RECORD COMPANY WITH JESSE AHERN. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $30

RUMOURS WITH COLORADO SPRINGSTEEN. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. $25 SHAKEDOWN STREET’S 37-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26. $12 (free before 9 p.m.)

CHAMPAGNE DRIP WITH SKINNY LIMBS AND BALEK. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. $30 RACHAEL & VILRAY WITH MEGAN BURTT. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. $35

FOX THEATRE

1135 13th St., Boulder

The Rocky Coasts. Credit: Matthew Batchelder

SON LITTLE. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. $25

WARD DAVIS. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. $25

HOWLIN’ GOATZ WITH SIERRA MILES AND WENDY WOO. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. $18

JORDAN POLOVINA WITH THE ILLSENTIALS, MAGNIFICENT WINGSPAN, DEEJAY KOSMO, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, STUDIO GET-DOUGH AND LIFTED FATE. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $20

BROTHER ALI WITH THE GROUCH, ELIGH AND RESPECT THE VOICES. 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30. $30 GASOLINE LOLLIPOPS WITH BONNIE AND TAYLOR SIMS AND PHOEBE HUNT. 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. $30 ERIC HUTCHINSON. 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11. $30

KOMPANY WITH IVORY, GORILLA T, LEO VON AND G30. 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13. $25 THE PAMLICO SOUND WITH IZCALLI, LIBELULA AND WRENN & IAN. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. $18 DIZGO WITH 3420. 8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 25. $18 SQUEAKY FEET WITH SQWERV AND THUNDERBOOGIE. 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 27. $18 THE ROCKY COASTS WITH BIG PINCH. 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 1. $18 The hills are alive with the sound of DIY music in Boulder. On any given night, you’d be hardpressed to not find a show by bands like The Galentines, The Pool Sharks, Mr. Mota, Two Pump Chump and more.

North Mississippi Allstars. Photo by Wyatt McSpadden

BOULDER WEEKLY

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

Few bands have captured the essence of homegrown garage rock here in town quite like The Rocky Coasts — speed, flair, high-decibel energy — who will be performing alongside fellow Boulder-bred outfit Big Pinch to kick off February at The Fox.

VELVET ELK LOUNGE 2037 13th St., Boulder

BOULDER COUNTY JINGLE JAM (CLAY STREET UNIT, THE FRETLINERS, PICK & HOWL, DEREK DAMES OHL AND MANY MORE).

8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. $25 BEN HANNA. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. Free CHUCK AND LIZ (FROM HIGH LONESOME). 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21. Free MATT FLAHTERY DUO. 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 24. Free AARON MITCHELL. 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 27. Free STEPHEN BROOKS TRIO. Friday, Dec. 29. Free LIONEL YOUNG DUO. 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 30. Free DECEMBER 14, 2023

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ROOTS MUSIC PROJECT

4747 Pearl Suite V3A, Boulder

Antonio Lopez Band. Credit: Lauren Wright Photography

ANTONIO LOPEZ BAND WITH JEREMY DION AND ANNA CUTLER. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5. $13 It’s not uncommon that the quietest person in the room has the most on their mind. Just ask Antonio Lopez, or listen to his November full-length release, Here We Are, an introverted look about grappling with one’s own thoughts, and another notch on the belt for the Longmont singer-songwriter. Hear what he has to say in the opening days of 2024 at Velvet Elk Lounge.

GREG SCHOCHET WITH LITTLE AMERICA AND CLAY ROSE. 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 6. $10 PIXIE AND THE PARTYGRASS BOYS. 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11. $14 ARKANSAUCE. 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. $15 HANDMADE MOMENTS. 8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 1. $17

JOE MARCINEK BAND WITH DAVE WATTS (OF THE MOTET) AND FRIENDS. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. $15

STEPHEN KELLOGG. 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16. $20 STEVE KOPPE (OPEN MIC + INDUSTRY TALK). 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. Free LOS CHEESIES WITH THE SAINTS AND DJ DRAKE. 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. $25 JASON BRANDT BAND WITH PAMELA MACHALA BAND AND RACYNE PARKER. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. $15 Refined in the shadow of the Flatirons, Boulder’s very own Jason Brandt Band captures the free spirit of Americana music every time they step on stage. Add singer-songwriter Pamela Machala and her band, as well as the engaging presence of Racyne Parker, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a show at Roots Music Project.

THE DELTA SONICS. 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 27. $15

Jason Brandt. Photo courtesy the artist; Pamela Machala. Credit: Wildly Free Photography; and Racyne Parker. Credit: Stephanie Mikuls

BLUES WITH DFK AND THE LAB RATS. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. Free MUSE PERFORMANCE SPACE TENIA NELSON TRIO. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. $20 EDDIE GOMEZ WITH AMETHYST. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. $40 MUSECYCLES. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. $10 DIAMOND/EDWARDS DUO. 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 23. $20 BERNS/BLENZIG/MCCROSSON TRIO. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27. $20 MERVINE/HELLER/AMEND/ HEFFRON. 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28. $20 MOON.UNIT WITH KOKI RENWICK. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5. $20 ASHA ROMEO WITH ALAINA DEBELLEVUE. 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7. $20 AL HERMANN QUARTET. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $20 ALLISON YOUNG QUARTET. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. $20 KEN WALKER QUINTET. 7 p.m. Friday, February 16. $20 JEFF JENKINS TRIO. 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17. $20

The Mañanas. Credit: Anthony Mvze

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DECEMBER 14, 2023

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

GLOBE HALL

4483 Logan St., Denver THE MAÑANAS WITH CO-STANZA, BIG DOPES, LOS MOCOCHETES, S.T3V, ALANA MARS, SPONSORED CONTENT, NINA DE FREITAS, BRUHA AND POOL SHARKS. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. $15 The Mañanas may be Denver’s closest thing to a supergroup.

Bursting onto the local scene with 2019’s Cheers, they’ve since enlisted Ecuadorian stars Neoma and Fruta Brutal on their explosive new project, 3000. The band comes to Denver’s Globe Hall for a special Sheeshmas show with Co-Stanza, Big Dopes, Los Mocochetes and more.

DABYLON WITH WAXCAT AND PERMISSION SLIP. 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16. $15 ROGER CLYNE WITH PH NAFFAH DUO. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. $25 SHOVELIN STONE WITH WRITE MINDED AND BOTTLEROCKET HURRICANE. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. $10 LOS ALCOS WITH CIUDAD REINA AND LOS NARWHALS. 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 23. $15 MAGIC BEANS WITH CYCLES (NIGHT 1). 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29. $25 MAGIC BEANS WITH TRUSETTO (NIGHT 2). 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30. $25 BOULDER WEEKLY

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WINTERWONDERGRASS the dead south

the infamous stringdusters

paul cauthen

kitchen dwellers

molly tuttle & golden highway

daniel donato's clay street cosmic country unit

sierra ferrell

andy frasco lindsay & the u.n. lou sam grisman aj lee project & blue summit

special thursday show by dan tyminski mountain grass unit east nash grass

shadowgrass

the fretliners

armchair boogie

winterwonderwomen

pickin' on the dead

kind hearted strangers

the deer creek sharpshooters

the runaway grooms

madeline hawthorne

riverwondergrass all-stars

w Ne ar Ye S ’s al e

MAGIC BEANS WITH WOOD BELLY (NIGHT 3). 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. $30 RANSOM NOTE WITH SUICIDE CAGES, SIN EATER, IGNORANT BLISS AND MET BY MOONLIGHT. 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11. $15 ROB BAIRD. 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. $16 DREW DVORCHAK BAND WITH MOONRADISH AND STEPHEN LEAR BAND. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19. $15 VCO WITH LITTLE TRIPS AND SOUR MAGIC. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. $15 KING CARDINAL WITH COUS. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26. $16 BUCK MEEK WITH DYLAN MEEK. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. $25

HI-DIVE

7 S. Broadway, Denver LIMBWRECKER WITH GRIEF RITUAL, HOLOGRAPHIC AMERICAN AND ZEPHR. 8 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 14. $15

Start 2024 with a FREE fun, fast-paced day of fitness and special offers! This event is a great way to sample new formats and teachers – and kick off the new year in style.

Monday, January 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux • Fitness, dance & yoga classes • Fitness challenges • Local vendors • Giveaways and more!

BPRfitness.org 22

DECEMBER 14, 2023

BARBARA WITH LITTLE TRIPS AND LUNA NUÑEZ. 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. $15 BANDAID BRIGADE WITH THE GAMITS AND DESPAIR JORDAN. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. $15 WES WATKINS WITH VENUZ CRUZ AND VONNA WOLF. 9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 23. $15 SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB WITH MOON PUSSY AND WEATHERED STATUES (NIGHT 1). 9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 30. $25 SLIM CESSNA’S AUTO CLUB WITH PALEHORSE/PALERIDER AND SNAKES (NIGHT 2). 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. $25 CRYPTKEEPER WITH THE DEAD END AND ICEBLOOD. 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 6. $12

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

POISON TRIBE WITH UPON A FIELD’S WHISPER, CLARION VOICE AND EMPIRE DEMOLITION. 9 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 12. $12 BLUE BOOK WITH THE STILL TIDE AND UHL. 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. $15 AUGUSTUS WITH RED LIGHT RITUAL, LOS TOMS AND SPITTING IMAGE. 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. $15 DRESSY BESSY WITH BARBARA, THE RATON 3 AND BAD BOY BUG. 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. $15 Dressy Bessy has been doing the damn thing since they jumped into Denver’s indie-rock scene in 1996, merging a growing regional sound with their own brand of power pop. Nearly 28 years later, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Tammy Ealom is still leading the pack, filling out dive bars and close quarters venues far and wide. They’ll be continuing this trend at the Hi-Dive alongside Barbara, The Raton 3 and Bad Boy Bug.

PER FOR MI NG AR TS 101 DALMATIANS. Dec. 14-17, The Arts HUB, 420 Courtney Way, Lafayette. $13 ARS NOVA SINGERS PRESENTS: EVERGREEN. Dec. 14-15, Mountain View United Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place, Boulder. $35 THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Dec. 15-23, The Unitiive Theatre and Performing Arts School, 800 S. Hover St., Longmont. $28 SCROOGE (ABBREVIATED VERSION). Through Dec. 31, Jesters Dinner Theatre, 224 Main St., Longmont. $30 STEPHEN KELLOGG: SIT DOWN & STAND-UP. Saturday, Dec. 16, Roots Music Project, 4747 Pearl, Suite V3A, Boulder. $20

BOULDER WEEKLY

Come see our fun beautiful space!

414 E. SIMPSON ST. LAFAYETTE, CO 80026 Dressy Bessy. Photo courtesy the artist

WINTER STORIES. Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, BackStory Theatre, 300 Nickel St., Unit 6, Broomfield. $75

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Jan. 23-28, Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St., Denver. $35

CHRISTMAS/MIDWINTER REVELS. Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 21-23, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $30

NEWSIES. Jan. 12-14 and Jan. 19-21, The Arts HUB, 420 Courtney Way, Lafayette. $28

LITTLE RED. Through Dec. 23, Randy Weeks Conservatory, 1101 13th St., Denver. $20 YIPPEE KI YAY: THE DIE HARD PARODY. Through Dec. 23, Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St., Denver. $55 SIX. Through Dec. 24, Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St., Denver. $45 A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Through Dec. 24, Wolf Theatre, 13th & Curtis St., Denver. $40 HOLLY, ALASKA!. Through Dec. 31, Grace Gamm Theatre at Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $28

BOULDER WEEKLY

Morning & Afternoon SeSSionS 303.926.0996 • mudslingerspottery.com

A KIDS-ONLY m y G g n i b Clim r Kids!

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ACTS OF FAITH. Feb. 1-18, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $30 CATAPULT: A BFA DANCE CONCERT. Friday-Sunday, Feb. 2-4, Charlotte York Irey Theatre, 1595 Pleasant St., Boulder. $20 ARS NOVA SINGERS PRESENTS: REBIRTH. Friday, Feb. 9, Mountain View United Methodist Church, 355 Ponca Place, Boulder. $30 ANON(YMOUS): A PLAY

BY NAOMI IIZUKA. Feb. 16-25, Loft Theatre, 1595 Pleasant St., Boulder. $20

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Summer Camps + Classes • Private Lessons • Weekend Open Gym

Angie Payne Photography

THE SECRET COMEDY OF WOMEN. Jan. 3-28, Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St., Denver. $46

DROWSY CHAPERONE. Jan. 19-Feb. 18, The Unitiive Theatre and Performing Arts School, 800 S. Hover St., Longmont. $28

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303-443-5437 WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

DECEMBER 14, 2023

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A charming mountain town. With its own tubing hill, beginner ski & snowboard hill, Nordic center & sleigh rides.

TownofFrisco.com

Main Street Of The Rockies

WINTER WARMERS Shorter days mean louder nights with this seasonal local playlist

BY LILY FLETCHER

Listen to these picks (and more bonus, surprise songs from Boulder Weekly staff) on Spotify.

L

ooking to refresh your listening life this winter season? Boulder Weekly has you covered with a roundup of local bands that are sure to warm up your tired old playlists. Get comfy in your best cold-weather loungewear, grab a steaming mug of hot chocolate and cozy up with these emerging artists and their favorite seasonal jams.

Credit: Meesh Deyden

MLADY H

annah Beeghly, lead singer of Denver-based mlady, describes her band’s music as “cringe because it’s vulnerable, but cool because it’s real.” To that end, her songs feel like diary entries soundtracked by a cacophony of smooth bass and catchy melodies.

Formed in 2018 with bassist Sam Paul, drummer Sydney Jones and guitarist Austin Bourdon — along with help from music engineer Chris Beeble — the band is a group of misfits who find connection through making music that “works your way into your ears, gets stuck in your brain and settles in your heart.”

Defined by reverb-y guitar, harmonious vocals and indie rock flair, mlady’s indulgent dream pop makes it hard to resist as the days get shorter and temperatures plummet.

“Something about the seasons changing and the weather cooling down makes me crave a more introspective listening experience,” Beeghly says. “Step into your feelings, some PJs and turn on mlady until your mood matches the weather.”

MLADY’S WINTER WARMERS: • “Unison” by Björk • “Snowflake” by Kate Bush • “When Do You Know” by mlady • “Hammond Song” by The Roches

Credit: Caroline Rejman

THE GALENTINES A

fter meeting at CU Boulder in February of 2023, the eclectic group of young women who formed The Galentines embarked on a mission to shake up the campus music scene. Lead singer Codi Jantch, guitarists Birdie Wren and Linda Horne, bassist Brynn Moncur and drummer Essie Horne say they are constantly looking for fresh ways to reflect their expansive taste — from indie to punk and points in between.

After building a solid fan base with performances at Boulder’s Fox Theater and other spots along the Front Range and Western Slope, the band is moving into a new phase for the winter season, taking a break from the live stage to focus on songwriting and releasing new material.

“We’re still finding our sound and working on some music including a song called ‘November Over Nothing,’” Jantch says. “We are hoping to potentially have some music out by the New Year.”

THE GALENTINES’ WINTER WARMERS:

ON THE BILL:

7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at Mercury Cafe with The Dollhouse Thieves and Izzy Veloso

BOULDER WEEKLY

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

• “It’s Different For Girls” by Of Montreal • “White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes • “November Over Nothing” by The Galentines (release date TBD)

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Credit: Aaron Butwinick

BLEAK MYSTIQUE B

Credit: Jkwan Photos

ON THE DOT T

he Boulder-born and raised band On the Dot first formed through bedroom sessions between four enthusiastic musicians. Fresh off the release of their new full-length album Quite Perplexing, the band (Harrison Peña, Calder Haubrich, Carmen Michael Yon III and Nathan Burak) has evolved in huge leaps from their humble house-party beginnings.

“As soon as we met, we knew our primary focus would be writing, recording and mixing,” says Peña, who handles vocals, keys and guitar. “But what we didn’t expect was how much fun we would have playing together live.”

The band has expanded its audience through these live performances, boasting nearly 3,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. This winter season is a good time to join the ranks, with tracks like “Windy Day” and “Deadline” serving up a moody vibe that pairs nicely with the bitter cold: perfect for your brisk walk to work or those moments in the car waiting for your hands to thaw.

ON THE DOT’S WINTER WARMERS: • “Heart of Glass” by Blondie • “Windy Day” by On the Dot • “Deadline” by On the Dot

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leak Mystique have been finding their sound since they formed in May of 2021 at the University of Denver. Each band member — vocalist and guitarist Sam Shapiro, bassist Aidan Hutchings, and keyboardist and guitarist Mitch Segura — has woven their respective influences and tastes into the band’s sound and aesthetic, which they describe as “ornate indie rock with some baroque pop tendencies.”

Those influences include New Wave standard-bearers like The Cure, The Smiths and The B52s as well as contemporary acts like Wallows and Foster the People. The music hits year-round, but this season the band encourages you to approach their catalog as “a bunch of bangers that are fun to ski to.”

If you are looking for a more melancholy winter night, their new release “I’d Do Anything For You” is perfect listening for a snow day inside.

BLEAK MYSTIQUE’S WINTER WARMERS: • “I’d Have You Anytime” by George Harrison • “Romantic” by Mannequin Pussy • “I’d Do Anything For You” by Bleak Mystique

ON THE BILL:

9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 at The Alibi in Telluride; 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 at The Velvet Elk Lounge

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BOULDER WEEKLY

Grand County’s fastest, largest, and safest locally-owned Winter Park tubing hill.

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a l W k a r b e o t u n i t W MUSIC SHOWCASE

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HOT READS

THE ROAD TO ROSWELL

BY CONNIE WILLIS

Cozy up with books from Colorado authors

BY BART SCHANEMAN

A

s seasons go, winter is tailormade for reading. All you need is a blanket, a book and maybe a hot toddy, and you’re set.

The added bonus of being in Colorado is that there are tons of great writers here and books set in locales across the state.

At Boulder Weekly, we’ve featured loads of fantastic books with local tie-ins recently, including Stephen Robert Miller’s climate crisis tome Over The Seawall, Brook Eddy’s hybrid memoir and business guide Steeped, Michelle Theall’s spotlight on the foster care system The Wind Will Catch You, and Buzzy Jackson’s To Die Beautiful, a brilliant account of Dutch World War II resistance fighter Hannie Schaft.

These and all the other books we’ve written about lately are worth cozying up with as the days get shorter and the snow falls.

We also wanted to include some other books that we haven’t written about that were published this year that will make for good snow day reads.

From a hugely popular fantasy writer’s next big book to an alien abduc-

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tion yarn to thrillers and mysteries and a horror movie guide, here’s a few more to warm up inside with.

IRON FLAME

BY REBECCA YARROS

The biggest book of the year from a Colorado author is probably Iron Flame by Colorado Springs-based Rebecca Yarros.

As of November, she’d sold an estimated half-million copies of Fourth Wing, the first installment in her fantasy series, and this second book has been getting big press.

Yarros is known for her romantic, detailed stories that are billed as adult fantasy, and Iron Flame continues in the same vein.

In this novel, Violet Sorrengail is in her second year at Basgiath War College, training to become a dragonriding warrior.

Amazon announced earlier this year that it is planning a TV series based on Yarros’ first two books.

Grab yourself a copy of her latest and read what the buzz is all about before it hits your TV. Available online and at local bookstores. $14.99. bit.ly/Iron_Flame

The near certainty of the presence of aliens in the American Southwest has fascinated readers for decades, and this new novel, The Road to Roswell

by Colorado-based writer Connie Willis, takes us along for another delightful ride.

When Francie shows up in Roswell, New Mexico, for her university roommate’s UFO-themed wedding she’s skeptical at best. Until an alien abducts her.

It gets weirder as the alien keeps kidnapping people, assembling a crew of lovable, eccentric misfits.

Along the way, Francie decides the alien isn’t a space invader, but instead needs her help.

Sounds kooky, right? It is, but it’s also in the masterful hands of Willis, who is a member of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and a Grand Master of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. She’s also won seven Nebula awards and eleven Hugo awards for her fiction.

Available online and at local bookstores. $28. bit.ly/roadtoroswell

TILL DEATH DO US PORT

BY KATE LANSING

Award-winning Denver novelist Kate Lansing is at it again with another installment in her Colorado Wine Mystery series, Till Death Do Us Port.

This time it’s June in Boulder, and wedding season is kicking off. The

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story sees Parker Valentine jazzed for her cousin Emma’s wedding. Parker is also in charge of bringing the wine.

But when the wedding planner winds up dead halfway through the ceremony, Parker decides she’ll need to solve the murder.

Lansing weaves in her wine knowledge with brisk prose, blending suspense and humor. This fun plot has more twists than a corkscrew and a wine cellar full of colorful characters.

Available online, also in stores. $9.99. bit.ly/tilldeathbook

HORROR UNMASKED: A HISTORY OF TERROR FROM NOSFERATU TO NOPE

BY BRAD WEISMANN Colorado-based writer and editor Brad Weismann examines the past influences and present popularity of the horror film genre in Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope.

Serving as a guide that traces the lineage of scary movie culture, Weismann’s book discusses monster and B-movies, the destruction of American censorship, international horror and more.

He even gets into the dissection of the critical reception of the most popular film genre in the U.S. It’s part reference book for horror fans, part guidebook and part celebration of the artform.

Available online, also in stores. $25. bit.ly/horror-unmasked

BOULDER WEEKLY

Tom Morgan, Artistic Director

Ars Nova Singers: Music You Can Feel EVERGREEN A Winter Solstice Celebration

December 14 & 15 7:30 pm Mountain View United Methodist Church, Boulder

REBIRTH Beyond the Renaissance BRANDED VENGEANCE: A CONTEMPORARY WESTERN THRILLER

BY RANDI SAMUELSONBROWN

Golden’s Randi Samuelson-Brown returns with the third installment in her Dark Range trilogy.

In Branded Vengeance, Emory Cross is sent on a mission to a remote corner of Colorado where the Old West is alive and well. Owing to the fact that Emory works as a brand inspector and is the daughter of a legacy rancher, Samuelson-Brown’s writing puts Emory at the intersection of Colorado’s Wild West past and the contemporary issues facing the state.

Emory chances upon a body hanging in the wind with a sign reading “Horse Thief” on its chest. The action-packed mystery unravels from there as Emory fights for justice.

Available online. $12.99. bit.ly/branded-vengeance

BOULDER WEEKLY

February 9 7:30 pm

BRITTLE BONES

BY PAULLA HUNTER

With this second installment in the Darcy Moreland Mysteries, Brittle Bones, clues about a homicide lead Darcy to a forensic reconstruction lab in Colorado.

Working as a broadcast journalist, Darcy was first tipped off about the murder when she drove past an old home with caution tape. She calls for a camera crew, but her nemesis (another reporter) elbows his way in and tries to push her off the story.

Not to be deterred, Darcy takes an assignment to do a sidebar about the murder. She finds two sets of bones in a crawl space of the old house.

As Darcy reports on the mystery of the bones, she makes herself a target, resulting in threats to her safety and upheaval in her personal and professional life.

Available online. $16.95. bit.ly/brittle-bones

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Mountain View United Methodist Church, Boulder

February 11 2:30 pm

St. Paul Lutheran, Denver

Celebrating 38 Years of A Cappella Artistry

www.arsnovasingers.org

FREE FAMILY CONCERT Reindeer Games

December 17 3:00 pm Boulder Public Library

DECEMBER 14, 2023

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REVEALING THE DAIRY EXPERIENCE!

HOLIDAY BEET-DOWN

Getting to the root of a cold-weather staple

BY ARI LEVAUX

A

t the winter farmers market, I saw the most enormous beets. Larger than softballs, a bag of six went for five bucks. The growers are from Belarus. She is as sweet as the virgin Mary. He is a welder, with a handshake that could crush golf balls. Feeling goofy with holiday cheer, I had to jest. “Do you have any beets that are, like, bigger?” I asked, holding my hands apart to demonstrate big.

His windblown cheeks turned full crimson as he squinted, pondering if he should take offense. I broke the tension with a laugh. He punched me in the shoulder. Ouch.

I asked how they liked to eat beets. He leaned in conspiratorially. “Grated,” he said, gesticulating as much, “with Italian dressing.” He kissed his fingertips.

She gave me a recipe I have come to call Christmas Sweater, because it’s busy and goes with everything. Consisting of cubed beets, carrots, potatoes, onions and pickles, it’s both a side and condiment.

As for those grated raw beets, I was surprised how palatable they are. Mixed with Italian dressing is indeed finger-kissing good, though I prefer it tossed with olive oil, salt, white and red balsamic, and topped with goat cheese.

But perhaps my favorite thing of all to do with grated beets is fry them into pancakes, like a beet-based version of the potato latkes my Jewish mom would serve for Chanukah. The beets melt into a sweet, savory brown mouthful that will leave you wanting more.

Next time you come across a big ole bag o’ beets, you know what to do. As you would expect in something high in sugar that tastes like earth, beets will keep you grounded and going for the holidays and beyond.

Beet latkes. Credit: Ari LeVaux

BEET LATKES Serves 2 1 egg 2 tablespoon milk 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup coarsely grated beet ¼ teaspoon of salt

Dashes of pepper 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon EVOO Garnish: fresh dill and sour cream or mayo

Beat the egg and milk, preferably with an egg beater. Add the flour and beat again. Add the grated beets along with the salt and pepper. Mix well and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Heat the oil and butter in a pan on medium. When it’s hot enough to sizzle, add golf ball-sized glops, and press them into sub-inch tall pancakes, far enough away from one another that they don’t touch. After about five minutes, flip them.

When nicely browned on both sides, serve with dill and your choice of crème.

CHRISTMAS SWEATER Serves 4 as a side, 2 as a main 2 half-pound potatoes, peeled and cut in half 1 pound beets, peeled 1 pound carrots, peeled

1 medium onion 2 cups dill pickles ½ cup olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste

Steam the potatoes until soft on the outside with just a bit of lingering stiffness in the middle, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350, and peel and cube the veggies as perfectly as possible. Do the beets last, as you will need to wash the cutting board immediately.

Here’s my advice for the perfect cubed veggies: Whether it’s an onion, potato, pickle, carrot or beet, start by cutting it in half lengthwise and lay the flat sides down (carrots you can cut down to four-inch lengths). Slicing straight down, cut off the tops and bottoms, then turn the knife 90 degrees and make a series of parallel cuts about ¼-inch apart along the top-to-bottom axes. Turn each newly sliced half 90 degrees, and make another series of crisp, ¼-inch cuts.

The next part is tricky because it wants to fall apart. Try to pull apart each twice-sliced half, like “cutting” a deck of cards, and roll sideways onto the cutting board so you can cut perfect cubes. If it all falls apart, just do the best you can.

Bake the cubed beets and carrots in separate dishes for about a half-hour, stirring each pan once (with separate implements) until they are a little soft and a little crunchy. Allow them to cool to room temperature.

When everything is cool, cubed and cute, gently toss everything together, minus the beets, along with the salt and oil. Taste and adjust the seasonings, then gently toss in the beets and serve.

Christmas Sweater. Credit: Ari LeVaux

BOULDER WEEKLY

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WINTER WEED GUIDE Warm up this season with these local cannabis deals and selections

BY CARTER FERRYMAN

most to become a member. No matter when you sign up for the club, every purchase thereafter is 20% off.

We are in love with Highly Edible’s Assorted Sativa Fruit Pucks — a delicious, sweet, 100% organic edible that’ll have you feeling inspired this holiday season.

EMERALD FIELDS

5190 S. Boulder Road, Boulder Skip the lines and an on-the-spot decision with Emerald Fields’ “Wake N’ Bake” deal. Order online between 8 a.m. and noon, daily, for 10% off a huge selection of THC and CBD products. For the holidays, we recommend the 1:1 Coffee And Doughnuts chocolate edibles by Coda Signature, or the Apple Fritter hybrid — a delicious strain

by Westpine.

SPACE STATION DISPENSARY

206 S. Main St., Longmont There’s a deal to be had every day in December (literally) at Space Station Dispensary. Looking to get some lastminute shopping done? They’re offering 20% off all cannabis products in store Dec. 22-24. Not sure when you can go into the store? Their monthlong deals are fantastic, particularly a BOGO 50% off on products by Ware House.

BOULDER WEEKLY

CANNABIS DEPOT

3390 28th St., Boulder Cannabis Depot is consistently slinging deals — take advantage of their quality selection at reasonable prices this winter. We love their top-shelf pre-roll specials: Seven one-gram joints for $35, 14 for $65 and 28 for $110. If flower isn’t your speed, they’re offering edible gummy 100 mg eight-packs for $50.

Whatever your preferred method of cannabis consumption is, Cannabis Depot has you covered.

MEDICINE MAN

500 E. Rogers Road, Longmont Seasonal deals are great and all, but at Medicine Man, every day presents a special worth hopping on. Their flower prices are great, particularly their pricing on strains by Classix or Seed & Strain: $15 eighths, $40 half-ounces and $70 ounces, with a $10 discount if you mix and match two half ounces. A go-to has to be Cream Cookiez by Classix, a mild indica that you can enjoy all to yourself — or leave on a plate by the tree for Santa Claus in place of your usual spread.

14ER

2897 Mapleton Ave., Suite 800, Boulder There’s no better time to indulge in baked sweets than the cold months. A slice of something good by the fire as snow falls outside is a special combination that 14er has captured with their Cakes & Pies hybrid. A cross between their Huckleberry Pie and Wedding Cake strains, this one is a no-brainer that pairs perfectly with a big blanket and holiday music on a cold night.

BOULDER WELLNESS CANNABIS COMPANY

5420 Arapahoe Ave., Unit F, Boulder No one has been doing it in Boulder for as long as the fine folks at Boulder Wellness Cannabis Company, the longest-running medical and recreational dispensary in the city, established in 2009. At this local mainstay, it pays the

WINTER SCENE 2023–2024

STAR BUDS RECREATIONAL DISPENSARY 6924 N. 79th St., Niwot When those night-time cravings start hitting, Star Buds in Niwot is there for you. From 7 p.m. to close, all online orders are 10% off. Additionally, some of our favorite carts right now are by Purplebee’s, a Pueblo-based company committed to natural, high quality products that are sourced fully from raw materials, and on Star Buds site, it’s two for $25 on 500 mg Purplebee’s cartridges, and two for $35 1G Purplebee’s cartridges.

Looking to satisfy a sweet tooth and get a great high? There’s always deals on edible chocolate bars, and nothing hits around the holidays quite like some cocoa.

DECEMBER 14, 2023

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