Inaugural Boulder Arts Week Kicks Off Today

Over 100 artists and arts organizations are expected to participate in the first ever Boulder Arts Week, taking place today, March 28 through April 6. This weeklong celebration of the robust arts community in Boulder will feature a diverse range of arts and entertainment in venues throughout the community. Boulder Arts Week will offer fine art, sculpture, dance, theatre, music, cinema, and outdoor art experiences at traditional venues, such as the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Macky Auditorium, and the Dairy Center for the Arts, as well as unexpected venues including retail stores, warehouses, street corners, and even buses.

Dr. Emily K. Harrison, Project Manager for Boulder Arts Week, says "Boulder has one of the highest concentrations of artists in the nation and is consistently nationally recognized as a top arts destination. There's some truly innovative and amazing work happening right here in our own backyard, and that work will be on display during Boulder Arts Week. This week of celebrating all manner of arts and culture happenings will generate even more interest in the dynamic arts community in Boulder and hopefully attract lots of new visitors to experience our city."

Boulder Arts Week is a new effort to stimulate greater collaboration among artists, arts organizations, arts venues, and local businesses and then leverage that collaboration to build awareness of Boulder's substantial and active arts community to further Boulder's reputation as an arts destination. According to the Trends Report issued by the Community Foundation, Boulder has the eighth largest concentration of artists in the nation. In addition, it has an outstanding reputation for excellent theatre and a growing dance community. The University of Colorado at Boulder and Naropa University serve as additional resources and catalysts for arts of every kind.

Mayor Matt Applebaum recently signed an official declaration proclaiming March 28-April 6th 2014 Boulder Arts Week, stating, "I am excited about the launch of Boulder Arts Week. We all know that Boulder is a magnet for artists, and this week will shine a light on their work and the wealth of talent and spirit they contribute to our community as well the incredible range of arts experiences available for everyone in the City and the region to enjoy."

Boulder Arts Week kicks off with a special kick-off party at The Dairy Center for the Arts at 5:30pm on Friday, March 28thevening's offerings alone showcase the diversity of arts in Boulder and include the popular Troubadours Collective, featuring Ramaya, Dechen Hawk, and friends performing at Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place; a gallery opening for Boulder-based photographer and media artist Joe Friend's latest show at madelife; the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company's production of Dava Sobel's "And The Sun Stood Still," and The Boulder Bach Festival/3rd Law Dance/Theatre collaboration "The Obstinate Pearl," both at The Dairy Center for the Arts.

A Fundraiser for Boulder Arts Week 2015 will take place at the Boulder Theater starting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2. The event will feature several renowned local artists and performers, including Boulder-born musician and composer Janet Feder. The evening will culminate in the premiere of a short film about The Boulder Tattoo Project, which features the poetry of Anne Waldman, co-founder of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University, and a score by Boulder-based musician and songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov.

"Art of every description will be happening all over Boulder and we hope that everyone in the Boulder area takes advantage of it," said Harrison. "There truly is something for everyone and the complete listing of what's happening when and where can be found at boulderartsweek.org."

Some highlights of Boulder Arts Week include:

"The Obstinate Pearl": 7 p.m., March 28 and March 29 at The Dairy Center for the Arts, $20-$25. "The Obstinate Pearl" is a collaboration between the Boulder Bach Festival and 3rd Law Dance/Theater. Boulder Bach music director and electric violinist Zachary Carrettin joins dance artists in a creative and original performance. Driven by the transcendent music of J.S. Bach, dancers and musician move through time, drawing the audience forward from the seventeenth century into the modern era.

"Fringe-y Double Feature": TinHOUSE Experimental Dance Theatre/Hoarded Stuff Performance present a new version of Fringe hit "The Great Green," followed by square product theatre's "Live Lit: an Evening of Storytelling" featuring Kelsie Huff. 7:30 p.m. March 29 at madelife, $10-$15. "Fringe-y Double Feature" will feature Boulder Fringe staples TinHouse Experimental Dance Theatre, square product theatre, and Kelsie Huff. The evening will kick off with a performance of an updated version of 2013 Boulder Fringe Encore Award Winner "The Great Green," co-created and produced by TinHouse Experimental Dance Theater and Hoarded Stuff Performance. Following a brief intermission, the evening will continue with square product theatre's "Live Lit: an Evening of Storytelling," written and performed by 3-time Boulder Fringe Encore Award Winner Kelsie Huff.

eTown's Second Annual "Handmade Songs": 7 p.m., Thursday, April 3rd at eTown Hall, FREE! Following on the heels of a very successful inaugural event in 2013, eTown's "Handmade Songs" is a friendly competition for high school songwriters. Rather than focusing on performance or other superficial criteria often weighted in musical competitions, the entire focus is on the actual songwriting. This live concert at eTown Hall will feature the 20 finalists who are performing for the chance to win one of the grand prize spots and the opportunity to record their original music in eTown's state-of-the-art recording studios with a professional producer and audio engineering crew.

"The Art of Filmmaking" - a screening and conversation about filmmaking: 6:30 p.m., Boulder Digital Arts, FREE. Presented by Boulder Filmmakers Incubator, and sponsored by Boulder Digital Arts, the evening will include screening of some of our filmmakers' short work, followed by a discussion about how and why they make movies.

First Friday Art Walk, Nobo Arts District, Friday, April 4, 6-9 p.m., begins at the First Congregational Church, FREE. A "preview" show of more than 70 NoBo artists at First Congregational Church begins the evening's tour. From there a visitor can pick and choose which venues to visit along Broadway, heading up into North Boulder. Several locations will feature live music as well as Spoken Word Artists, Poets and performers.

BMoCA's ART STOP: "Art That Soars!": Saturday, April 5, 9am - 1pm at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, $10 per family (scholarships available for families in need), followed by a FREE Art Parade. Bring the entire family for a fun and FREE afternoon of making "Art That Soars!" with BMoCA's inspiring art educators. Create fanciful characters and imaginative abstractions that will soar high above our heads and delight the town!!Following the workshop, join us for an ART PARADE from the Farmer's Market to Pearl Street! Art Parade begins at 1:15pm

Downtown Boulder's Banner Project People's Choice Award, All Week along the Pearl Street Mall, FREE. Take a stroll down the Pearl Street Mall while enjoying 51 new lamp pole banners created by the talents and imagination of 66 budding artists from Columbine Elementary School, Casey Middle School and Boulder High School. This year's theme is "What I love about Boulder." Designs include images of local wildlife, Chautauqua Park, downtown Boulder landmarks and much more. Mediums used to create the banners range from collage to pencil art, watercolors, and digital art. The People's Choice Award for Best Banner will be voted on and awarded during Boulder Arts Week.

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