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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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 under-resourced Boulder County students to receive a year of private training from Boulder Symphony musicians. Launched last fall, the program is designed to teach disadvantaged young people how to sing or play an instrument through intensive one-on-one 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 Dihayasaid 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.”
SAY IT LOUD: New CU Boulder center exalts Black creativity on campus
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 CAAS-presented 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.
