ART GALLERY
Boulder
Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) 1750 13th St., 303-443-2122
Runner-up: Dairy Center for the Arts Honorable Mention:
Art & Soul Gallery
The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art has
been showcasing excellence in the local artistic community for the past
38 years. And after closing for several months last year for
renovations, BMoCA reopened with its “Pure Pleasure” exhibit that
featured an array of pieces from well-known Colorado artists. Other
well-received shows in the past year included photography from Andrea
Modica, paintings from Heather Wilcoxon, and currently a powerful
exhibit featuring the work of painter Beverly McIver is on display. But
the museum doesn’t only show photography and paintings. It goes beyond
the expected with the current “Ropes” exhibit by Pattie Lee Becker and
Steve Steele’s “Relational Fabric in Space and other works for the
Dark,” an installation that includes 333 objects, bulbs, platforms and
wood panels in a darkened room. But the best part about BMoCA is the
affordable price of entry. Our runner-up, the Dairy Center for the Arts,
has played host to a wide variety of superb exhibits and events in its
McMahon Gallery, while Art & Soul Gallery hosts some of the finest
arts, crafts and jewelry in Boulder County.
BAR
Mountain
Sun/Southern Sun Mountain Sun, 1535 Pearl St., 303-546-0886
Southern Sun, 627 S. Broadway, 303-543-0886
Runner-up: West
End Tavern Honorable Mention: Conor O’Neill’s
Marky Mark may have said,
“It’s such a good vibration,” when he chilled out at one of these pubs,
and Simon and Garfunkel may have said, “Feelin’ groovy.” The workers at Mountain
Sun and Southern Sun speak proper “hippie.” Sweet. Never was
there a better place to talk about good vibrations, good times and
awesomeness. Music, gnarly brews, psychedelic murals, and totally rad
people make for the perfect environment to sit and sip. For
entertainment, there are jam bands every week, not to mention stand-up
comedy. Board games, too. That’s seriously groovin’. And the food? It’s
killer, too. And, whoa, what’s that? My server may be my chef tomorrow?
That’s totally radical. Seriously though, it’s just a good feeling
place, and you don’t have to be a “hippie” or a dude to enjoy it. If you
want to get a little more hardcore, but still chill, the West End
Tavern has got it going on with more than 50 deluxe bourbons to choose
from and a rooftop patio. Conor O’Neills is also seriously awesome for
$2 Bloody Marys and $2 mimosas on the weekends, not to mention a wee
pint o’ Guinness.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Boulder Philharmonic 2995
Wilderness Pl., 303-449-1343
Runner-up: Colorado Music
Festival Honorable Mention: Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Ok, let’s face it.
In this economy, one of the first things that people cut down on is the
discretionary money for the arts. But that is one of the most important
things to invest in to keep a place like Boulder County the vibrant,
cultural mecca that it is. Places like Dubuque, Iowa — we can see them
taking it down a notch when it comes to their local orchestra. (No
offense to the Dubuque Symphony — we’re sure they’re a fine
group.) But Boulder? The Boulder Philharmonic is a top-notch
selection of musicians, and they perform in Macky Auditorium. Let’s work
together to make sure that our local symphony can pay the bills. Plus,
it’s a great value, given the caliber of musicians and guests that play
in our hometown guild. The conductor is talented and charismatic, and
the musical selection is fantastic. As for our runner-up, the Colorado
Music Festival, where else can you get everything from chamber music to
orchestral performances in a setting like Chautauqua? The honorable
mention goes to the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, which regularly earns
big accolades for its performances.
FESTIVAL
Boulder Creek Festival
Runner-up:
Boulder County Farmers’ Market Honorable Mention: Frozen Dead
Guy Days
Every Memorial Day weekend, more than 350,000 people come out to
the Boulder Creek Festival to celebrate the start of the
summer. Right along the shore of Boulder Creek in downtown Boulder,
vendors and exhibitors set up shop and provide all types of food,
activities and entertainment. One of the highlights of the weekend is
the Annual EXPAND Duck Race, where thousands of little rubber ducks are
dropped into Boulder Creek. Fans line the creek shore cheering on their
$5-sponsored ducks, with the first 50 ducks across the finish line
getting a prize. Last year there were more than 7,000 ducks racing down
the creek with all proceeds going towards EXPAND, a City of Boulder
Parks and Recreation Department program that provides recreational
opportunities for children, youth and adults with disabilities. It’s a
fun event to kick off the summer that also gives back to the community.
Our runner-up, Boulder Farmers’ Market, isn’t technically a festival,
but it certainly can feel like one with fresh produce, entertainment and
lots to see and do. Nederland’s Frozen Dead Guy Days takes honorable
mention this year. Where else can you participate in coffin races,
zombie parades and attend the “Grandpa’s Blue Ball” dance?
FUNDRAISING EVENT
KBCO
Studio C 4695 S. Monaco St., Denver, 303-444-5600
Runner-up:
Puttin’ on the Leash Honorable Mention: Chocolate Lovers’ Fling
It all began on a
whim. KBCO Studio C got its start on June 15, 1988, when Melissa
Etheridge dropped by KBCO to personally thank the staff for being one of
the first radio stations to play her debut album. Etheridge brought her
guitar in from the car to protect it from the mid-June heat. With an
up-and-coming artist standing in the studio, guitar in hand, a live
performance was almost inevitable. KBCO audio engineer Mike Wiley set up
a few microphones, and Melissa performed live on the radio in what
later became known as the first KBCO Studio C session. The first album
of Studio C recordings was released in 1991, and proceeds from the
4,500-album sale went to the Leukemia Society of America. The studio has
released more than 20 Studio C albums over the past two decades,
featuring artists such as Sting, Stevie Nicks, Dave Matthews, Robert
Plant and Sarah McLachlan. Since 1995, Boulder County AIDS Project has
been the beneficiary of the sales, and the CDs typically sell out on the
day of their release. Not bad for a tradition that started on the spur
of the moment. The folks at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley welcome
hundreds of guests to their 1920s-themed gala fundraiser, Puttin’ on
the Leash, now in its 18th year. Safehouse Progressive Alliance for
Nonviolence has been making fundraising deliciously sweet for 29 years
with their annual Chocolate Lovers’ Fling.
MUSIC VENUE
Boulder
Theater 2032 14th St., 303-786-7030
Runner-up: Red
Rocks Honorable Mentions: Fox Theatre, Chautauqua Community House
For
its size, Boulder is fortunate to have its fair share of respectable
bands come through town. We have a small and a mid-sized venue that
attract national acts, as well as a slew of bars and coffee shops that
showcase local talent. All in all, Boulder’s a pretty sweet place for
music lovers. For the third year in a row, Boulder Theater beat
out the competition to take the title of Best Music Venue. The
1,000-person venue opened as the Curran Opera House in 1906 and shows no
signs of closing any time soon. It offers not only concerts but film
screenings, community events and more. The historic venue offers
old-time charm combined with modern sensibilities, and its sound system
makes sure that your favorite band comes through crystal clear to all
corners of the venue. It also offers a friendly neighborhood bar next
door, complete with all the right drinks and its own friendly ghost,
George. Don’t forget Red Rocks, a Colorado landmark. And then there’s
the Fox Theatre and the Chautauqua Community House, which both offer a
variety of different entertaining events.
LIVE JAZZ
St. Julien Hotel & Spa
Runner-up:
Oskar Blues Honorable Mentions: Nissi’s, The Laughing Goat
If in search
of the ideal spot to relax, look no further than the swanky lobby of
the St. Julien Hotel & Spa. With its clean, welcoming décor,
chic T-Zero Lounge and appetizing menu of food and drink, it offers an
ideal balance of tranquility and excitement. But undoubtedly, the
hotel’s nightly live music enhances the entire St. Julien experience.
From Brazilian jazz to blues to music of Zimbabwe, evenings are filled
with unique sounds at the downtown hotel. Stroll into the chic T-Zero
bar to select one of the tasty martinis or a glass of wine. Peruse the
bistro menu for an array of delicious bites to satisfy your taste buds,
and enjoy chef Laurent Mechin’s culinary expertise. Live music provides
an excellent backdrop for the luxurious experience at the St.
Julien. For a listing of nightly bands, visit www.stjulien.com. Oskar
Blues has some of the best brews and tunes in town, and Nissi’s offers
up great food along with a lineup of hot musicians, including local
faves Face. For a delicious latte — or a cold bottle of beer — with your
jazz, head over to The Laughing Goat.
LIVE THEATRE
Boulder’s Dinner Theatre 5501
Arapahoe Ave., 303-449-6000
Runner-up: Colorado Shakespeare
Festival
Can`t decide whether to eat before or after the show?
Worried that a gourmet
dinner on one side of town will make you miss the first act on the
other side? Then make it an all-inclusive evening with Boulder’s
Dinner Theatre. Since 1977, their performers have been wowing
audiences with Broadway-quality entertainment, with productions that
have included Little Shop of Horrors, Cats and The Producers. Critics
have been pretty impressed, too. Boulder’s Dinner Theatre has nabbed
Ovation Awards for best musical, best actress in a musical and best
director of a musical, and Henry Awards for outstanding actor and
actress in a musical, outstanding director and outstanding production,
in addition to a slew of audience-choice awards. The dinner portion of
this dinner theatre experience is worth a standing ovation, too.
Selections include their popular chicken cordon bleu and homemade
seasonal pies baked locally for dessert, and patrons can also enjoy
premium wines and cocktails. Boulder’s Dinner Theatre also caters to the
littlest audience members with their Kids Kabaret series, perfect for
kids ages 3 to 10. And for some Bard under the stars, check out the
Colorado Shakespeare Festival, called “one of the top Shakespeare
festivals in the U.S.” by Time magazine.
LOCAL CELEBRITY
Zip Code Man
Runners-up:
Hosea Rosenberg, Hazel Miller Honorable Mention: Gregory Alan
Isakov
David Rosdeitcher, aka the “Zip Code Man,” is simply a
Boulder original. You’ve all seen him on the Pearl Street Mall, with his
incredible memory and his chain in the shape of the United States.
What’s best is heading down to the Mall when you’ve got out-of-town
guests — especially guests from Podunk, N.D., who might have a slight
chance of stumping him when they tell him their zip code. This former
juggler from New York curled up with a zip code directory almost two
decades ago and committed the thing to memory after realizing that he
wasn’t the best juggler on the Mall. His act, in which he tells people
where they live (and the best restaurants in their neighborhood) after
being told only their zip code, became the most popular of the Mall’s
myriad busker acts — even better than that dude who can squeeze himself
into a small Plexiglass box. Our favorite is when he tells some hot
chick that he will produce her name after she gives him her phone
number. Not. Runner-up Hosea Rosenberg is the heralded man with the pan
at Jax Fish House, and co-runner-up Hazel Miller’s gilded vocal chords
have been wooing Colorado crowds for decades. Gregory Alan Isakov, one
of Boulder County’s rising folk-pop stars, gets honorable mention.
LOCAL MUSICIAN
Yonder
Mountain String Band
Runner-up: Devotchka Honorable Mention:
Face
Hailing from Nederland, the Yonder Mountain String Band continues
in their constant touring. This year alone they have planned shows with
the likes of The Blind Boys of Alabama and The Dave Matthews Band. They
will share the stage with musical greats like Furthur, Widespread Panic
and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. Last year the band also
released their fifth studio album, The Show, which received some
praise from Rolling Stone, Billboard and The Washington Post, and got
them an appearance on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. But
one of the greatest things the band did in the last year was launch
YonderMountainLive.com. The new website offers fans the opportunity to
download all of the band’s recent live shows in great digital quality
for reasonable prices. Currently on the site is every show from their
Cabin Fever Tour, classic shows from the past 12 years and, of course,
all of their live and studio albums. It’s heaven for the hardcore YMSB
fan. This past year was probably the biggest for Devotchka, the indie
gypsy punk band, which enjoyed multiple TV appearances, nonstop touring
and all-around media domination. We say congratulations on their
well-earned success. Even though Face, our favorite a capella group, was
voted out early on NBC’s The Sing Off, they’re still loved and
appreciated around these parts.
NONPROFIT
Humane Society of Boulder
Valley 2323 55th St., 303-442-4030
Runner-up: Ecocycle
Honorable Mention: KGNU Community Radio
A lone puppy is born in the
streets to an guardian-less mother. This puppy, with a spot on
its left eye and a bushy black tail, is forced to fight for scraps of
moldy day-old bread with the other street animals just for the basic
sustenance its emaciated mother can’t provide. Life on the streets has
given our puppy — let’s call it Spot — a seemingly permanent coat of
oily black grime and a couple of scars from some territory battles, but
he scrappily claws his way to survival each night. One day, the puppy is
corralled by the Boulder wildlife cops and placed in the back of a van
to the kind hands at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, where
the saintly staff give Spot a good washing, get him immunized and place
the pup up for adoption. Life for Spot is good. While the previous story
is completely made up, it’s not too far from the truth about the
invaluable work the Humane Society does for animals in Boulder County.
Equally important, but less cute, is the work done by Ecocycle, which
does its best to protect the environment from all of us. And KGNU
Community Radio continues to produce independent programming for Boulder
radio lovers, presenting news and views you can only get from
independent media.
MUSEUM
Boulder
Museum of Contemporary Art 1750 13th St., 303-443-2122
Runner-up:
University of Colorado Museum Honorable Mention: Boulder History
Museum
If your idea of visiting an art museum is tiptoeing through
silent halls lined with massive oil paintings done by a bunch of dead
white guys, then you’ve obviously never been to the Boulder Museum of
Contemporary Art. Founded in 1972 by a group of local artists,
BMoCA (beemocah — or however you want to say it) is Boulder’s foremost
visual arts gallery for artists, both local and national.
While it’s red-brick
façade and neat, green-trimmed windows might look quaint and
old-fashioned, the galleries on the inside have hosted a collection of
thoroughly modern projects like the Urban Chicken Coop Project by
students from the University of Colorado and collections of Chinese
avantgarde art. They also host events ranging from formal to funky, like
the digital arts and music festival Communikey. But don’t take our word
for it. On the CU campus, stop by the University of Colorado Museum of
Natural History and take a gander at their assortment of more than 4
million objects in various collections, including anthropology, botany
and paleontology. The Boulder History Museum, located in a historic
landmark, the Harbeck-Bergheim House on University Hill, preserves and
shares the continuing history of the Boulder region.
PLACE OF WORSHIP
Boulder
Shambhala Meditation Center 1345 Spruce St., 303-444-0190
Runner-up:
Unity of Boulder
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala is a
hidden kingdom located somewhere in Inner Asia, reachable only by a
select few. Alternatively it is seen as a spiritual state, rather than a
literal geographical location. Those more interested in the spiritual
journey to peace and fulfillment, rather than a physical trek across the
Himalayas, can visit the Boulder Shambhala Meditation Center. Established
in 1974, it is part of an international community of 165 meditation
centers founded by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, one of the 20th century’s
pre-eminent teachers of Tibetan Buddhism. Members at the Center practice
and teach the Shambhala Buddhist path, unique in the world of Western
Buddhism, combining the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism with elements from
Zen and Theravadin traditions. Shambhala Buddhism is characterized by a
strong emphasis on mindfulness, contemplation and meditation. The roots
of sitting meditation stretch back over 2,500 years, and this practice
is at the heart of the center’s activities. Groups or individuals can
attend daily public meditation times or attend weekly introductory talks
and meditation instruction, all free and open to those of any
background. Other classes at the center include ikebana, the art of
Japanese flower arranging, contemplative photography and an ancient form
of archery known as kyudo, among others. For those who haven’t visited
the Shambhala Center yet, the Sunday Open House at 10 a.m. offers an
introduction, meditation instruction, discussion and a social. Unity of
Boulder, a nondenominational church, encourages everyone to live fully
in the present and to see the good in all things.
PLACE TO DANCE
St.
Julien Hotel & Spa 900 Walnut St., 720-406-9696
Runner-up:
Fox Theatre Honorable Mentions: Round Midnight, Boulder Theater
What`s more fun
than dancing the night away in downtown Boulder? Not much, really,
especially when the digs are chic and fancy. You can feel just a little
bit like somebody important when strolling into St. Julien Hotel to
get your samba on a Saturday night. Live bands in a hotel feel so like
the jazz era or some other grand time, when people entertained people in
classy joints all over the U.S.A. The event calendar for the St. Julien
is full and bright, with an array of world rhythms to get you moving to
the beat several nights a week. Tuesday nights are even happening in
this fantasmic world of rhythm and fun. The international and classy
flavors make this a place worth mucho bailando to come with your
comrades over and over again. The Fox Theatre earns well-deserved
runner-up honors this year with its intimate dance floor. Going to a
show there is the next best thing to dancing to a live band in your
living room. Round Midnight has long been a classic disco for hip hop,
pop and now dancehall. Whether you’re into hip hop or noodle dancing,
Boulder Theater manages to keep it ever alive with a range of talent
hitting the stage from all over the world and such a wonderful hardwood
floor.
PLACE
TO WI-FI
The Laughing Goat 1709 Pearl St., 303-440-4628
Runner-Up:
Amante Honorable Mention: The Cup
As if the art, bands, or
any other innumerable happenings at this shop weren’t enough, The
Laughing Goat just makes it so easy to like them and to want to be
there. It is going be a feat to top the ambience, customer service and
super Internet accessibility here. Top it off with Kaladi’s
coffee, and you’ve found the next best thing to not ever working at
home, especially when the hours are so conducive to both early birds and
night owls. There is often quite a bit going on at this place, but
there is also plenty of space with different areas to explore. Thank
you, Laughing Goat, for helping us connect and keeping us connected.
Want to get a bit more hipster classico? Head to Amante, which offers so
many things a wi-fi café connoisseur enjoys, including adult beverages.
Down the block lies The Cup, where the artistic atmosphere and organic
products make you want to stay and wi-fi all day.
PLACE TO PLAY POOL
Sundown Saloon
Runner-up:
Catacombs Honorable Mention: Dark Horse
To play pool you need balls
— 15 balls to be exact. And who has the best balls of them all? Boulder
has picked the one and only Sundown Saloon as the best place
around to have some fun while shooting pool. The underground hideaway is
a great place to kick back and relax, especially for people who are
sick of the typical bar scene in Boulder. You can take part in some
healthy competition with six pool tables open for free play until 10:30
p.m. The fun bar atmosphere brings people together with a jukebox and
great drinks. Locals love this place because it is the perfect dive
joint for any Boulderite. You can also take a “cue” from Catacombs,
which has a casual yet spirited ambience and a dynamic nightlife with
pool tables in one area, as well as foosball and arcade games.
Another place to work on
your pool skills is the Dark Horse. With antique features, this Boulder
landmark has offered great entertainment with TVs, pool tables and games
since 1975.
PRIVATE
SCHOOL
Shining Mountain Waldorf 999 Violet Ave.,
303-444-7697
Runner-up: Alexander Dawson
Receive the children in
reverence, educate them in love, and send them forth in freedom.” Those
are the words of Rudolf Steiner, who created what is now known as the
Waldorf method of teaching, in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany. Steiner
envisioned a curriculum that is adapted to the different stages of a
child’s development and a learning environment that encourages
creativity and independence. Shining Mountain Waldorf has been
recognized year after year for providing children from prekindergarten
through grade 12 with just such an environment.
Fully accredited by the
Association of Colorado Independent Schools and the Association of
Waldorf Schools of North America, Shining Mountain was founded in 1983
by a group of Boulder parents passionate about education. In that first
year, the school had 80 students from preschool to fourth grade. Shining
Mountain’s eight-and-a-half acre campus now accommodates more than 300
students. The Alexander Dawson School in Lafayette prepares students not
just for college — after all, that only lasts four years, give or take —
but for their rest of their lives.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
Boulder High School 1604
Arapahoe Ave., 720-561-2200
Runner-up: Fairview High School
Ok, so we
don’t really know how Boulder High School keeps on winning this
thing. Now, we might have a slight bias, being Fairview High grads, but
come on! Fairview offers both AP and IB programs, as well as a stellar
basketball team that hasn’t lost a regular season game in more than two
years. The football team wasn’t bad this past year, either. We guess it
must be that Boulder High students are among the most socially and
politically active in the county. BHS also boasts an AP program of its
own, as well as some respectable arts programs. Its mascot, the Panther,
is a common Boulder resident, unlike Fairview’s Knight, which is
mythical. What BHS lacks, though, is a stellar lake/ foothills view from
the senior parking lot. But, then again, Fairview lacks a football
field. Call it even. Maybe someday the tides will turn and Fairview will
finally win this category. Until then, we will grudgingly admit that
our readers have spoken and give credit where credit’s due. Next year,
Fairview, next year.
MOVIE HOUSE
Boulder Theater 2032 14th
St., 303-786-7030
Runner-up: Century @ 29th Street
Although the Boulder
Theater is mostly known for hosting some of the city’s best shows
and performances, it used to be a movie theater. Remember going there to
see the original One Million Years B.C. with Raquel Welch? Some
of us do. Of course, Boulder Theater still shows flicks. At least once a
month, the venue invites the public to come out and join them for a
movie. Most of the films shown at the theater may have been out a few
months at the discount theaters or on DVD, but the experience at Boulder
Theater comes with a sense of community. It’s like watching a film with
a bunch of your neighbors. Everybody will boo the villain, cheer for
the heroes and clap at the end of the film. Other nights, the Boulder
Theater will host an all-out event by showing a film, having a Q&A
with the filmmakers and ending it with a surprise musical guest. The
Boulder Theater may not have the 35-foot screen, stadium seating or THX
Digital Sound, but it does have the community atmosphere and camaraderie
that’s missing from your mainstream theater. Which do you value more?
Our runner-up is Century @ 29th Street. For the latest and greatest
blockbuster flicks, where else would you go?
PUBLIC SCHOOL
(K-8)
Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies 3995 Aurora Ave.,
720-561-6500
Runner-up: Casey Middle School
There`s a lot of debate
over which style of teaching is the best for children, and there’s not
even that much agreement on what “best” even means. At Boulder
Community School of Integrated Studies, teachers take inspiration
from several of the most recognized and respected educational traditions
in the world, including the Waldorf method of schooling, the multiple
intelligences paradigm of Howard Gardner and the familiar skill-building
techniques of traditional Western education. Based on this combined
foundation, the curriculum at BCSIS includes art-integrated education as
an essential part of the school’s holistic approach to learning. The
learning environment at BCSIS is designed to nurture the “head, heart
and hand of each child.” BCSIS also cares about the environment and
strives to educate students about nature, conservation and
sustainability. The school has implemented the Garden-to-Table food
program to teach children about gardening and healthy eating, and in
2009 the school was awarded a solar panel system grant from the Center
for Resource Conservation. At Casey Middle School, built in 1924,
students will start the fall 2010 semester with brand-new facilities
after a complete overhaul of the original building.
LIVE DANCE GROUP
Frequent Flyers 3022 E. Sterling Circle, Ste. C, 303-245- 8272
Runner-up: Boulder Ballet Honorable Mention: Lemon Sponge
Cake Contemporary Ballet
The Frequent Flyers crew has been
soaring and flying for more than two decades, and the dance group
continues to grow and get stronger. In January, they opened a new dance
school where they’re able to teach flight skills to kids 5 years old and
up, along with hosting a two-week summer camp called Flying High and
Acting Up. The dance group is also in its 12th year hosting the Annual
Aerial Dance Festival, a two-week event that features classes,
lectures/demonstrations, discussions, networking and performances. But
one of the most wildly popular performances that the company puts on is
its annual Theatre of the Vampires. Around Halloween, the group’s
members don white make-up and fangs and swing and swoop around their
Aerial Dance Theatre and add a little fright to your fall evenings. For
close to three decades the Boulder Ballet, our runnerup, has been
bringing class and beauty to Boulder’s major venues. In addition to
sounding tasty, Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet has made a name
for itself with its excellent mix of modern and classic ballet and
continues to inspire and innovate.
ADVANCED EDUCATION
CU Continuing Education CU-Boulder campus conted.colorado.edu
Runner-up: Naropa University Extended Studies Honorable Mentions:
Front Range Community College, Culinary School of the Rockies
CU`s Division of
Continuing Education and Professional Studies was created in 1911.
Of course, back then, class titles included Farming in Semi-Arid Soil
101, The Promise of Flight and Should Women be Allowed to Vote? Well,
they’ve come a long way over there at the old tri-Delt sorority house
on University Avenue. Now they offer a host of credit and noncredit
courses in everything from technology to business to sustainability. And
while many take advantage of CU Continuing Education coursework for
professional development, others choose personal enrichment classes in
art, creative writing and other courses they didn’t have time — or their
parents’ permission — to take during college. At runner-up Naropa
University Extended Studies offers innovative, programs such as its
Authentic Leadership Certificate and its Wilderness Therapy Symposium.
Front Range Community College offers courses in almost everything under
the sun, and the Culinary School of the Rockies really sizzles when it
comes to spicing up your cooking abilities.
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Runner-up: Colorado Music Festival Honorable Mention: RockyGrass
It may be a
seven-and-a-half-hour drive to Telluride, but Boulderites sure love
their bluegrass. The Telluride Bluegrass Festival celebrated its
35th year in 2009 with Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Bela Fleck and a
host of others on the stage. This year the festival looks just as good,
maybe even better, with Alison Krauss, Lyle Lovett and Leftover Salmon,
among others, playing their hearts out June 17-20. And if you can’t
afford to get one of those fancy lodges starting at $150 a night in
town, just grab a tent and a sleeping bag and get a spot at a campground
for around $50-$60 for the four-day festival. What’s better than
heading back to the outdoor crib after the last act to chill or keep the
party going by a campfire with some newfound friends? This year the
Colorado Music Festival, our runner-up, will celebrate its 34th year
with classic music throughout the entire summer. Lyons is home to the
excellent three-day RockyGrass music festival, this year’s honorable
mention. RockyGrass will feature Patty Loveless, Doc Watson, Tony Rice
and others July 23-25.
SPORTS BAR
Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill 1346 Pearl St., 303-440-3355
Runner-up: Dark Horse Honorable Mention: Walnut Brewery
The Lazy Dog’s
motto is “every drink, every meal, every customer, every time,” and they
have won Boulder’s Best Sports Bar every year since they opened
in 1997. The Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill lives up to their
esteemed reputation by being “the” place to watch sports in Boulder. The
friendly staff and numerous televisions do not hurt when it comes to a
great place to grab a drink and watch the Buffs, no matter how bad the
game. The rooftop deck and downstairs game room create a fun,
entertaining place to hang out. With nights featuring live entertainment
and trivia, it is the perfect place to gather with friends and have a
good time. The Dark Horse comes in batting second for the Best Sports
Bar in Boulder, with great drink specials and more than 25 TVs on which
to watch your favorite teams — not to mention great burgers. Walnut
Brewery, with its easy downtown location and selection of fantastic
brews, takes honorable mention this year.
SUMMER CAMP
YMCA Summer Camps
Way, Lafayette, 303-664-5455
Runner-up: CU Science Discovery Honorable Mention: Colorado
Mountain Ranch
It`s no secret
why the YMCA of Boulder Valley has the best summer camps — because
there’s so much to choose from! Whether you choose the Fun in the Sun
Summer Camp for the field trips and swimming trips, or the Camp Chief
Niwot for the hiking, climbing and Survivor-themed weeks, it’s
guaranteed there will be something the YMCA Summer Camps offer
that your child will enjoy, even super-active kids. The Skateboarding
Camp helps those kids dreaming of being the next Tony Hawk with
structured clinics, exploring different terrain and getting free skate
time at local skate parks. There are also cycling camps, fine arts camps
and science and technology camps that feature an emphasis on building
robots with LEGOs. Is there anything cooler than that? The camps range
from day camps to overnight camps, but rest assured, the kids
will have a blast. CU Science Discovery is the perfect camp if you want
your child to continue learning during the summer and have fun doing it.
Colorado Mountain Ranch offers classic summer fun, like horseback
riding, archery and jumping on a trampoline. Why do kids get to have all
the fun while we grown-ups work?
OPEN MIC
The Laughing Goat 1709 Pearl St., 303-440-4628
Runner-up: Conor O’Neill’s Honorable Mention: Oskar Blues
For up-and-coming
poets who want to share their poetry with an audience, getting the
courage to stand up in front of everyone is a feat in itself.
Every Monday, Boulder County‘s bravest souls head over to The
Laughing Goat as part of the “So, You’re a Poet” open mic night, the
well-known poetry reading series formerly hosted at the Penny Lane Café
until it closed in 2005. It’s a community event where poets can join
and share their written words. And on some nights, the folks at The
Laughing Goat will invite well-known, published poets like Andrew
Schelling and Jim Cohn to share some of their published works and hobnob
with the locals. Singersongwriter Danny Shafer hosts Conor O’Neill’s
weekly open-mic night with singing, poetry or whatever your soul is
feeling at the moment. Every Tuesday, bring your instrument to
participate in the open stage bluegrass jam session at Oskar Blues. Or
just go to watch and enjoy the beer.
PERFORMANCE ART VENUE
Boulder Theater 2032 14th St, 303-786-7030
Runner-up: Dairy Center for the Arts Honorable Mentions:
Macky Auditorium, Boulder’s Dinner Theater
Perched over
there on 14th Street like a skeptical diva watching the mall out of the
corner of her eye, the Boulder Theater hosts live music, film,
comedy, spoken word and dance with equal aplomb, hitting that tricky
balance between a traditional uptown theater venue and sticky-floored
nightclub; usually too casual for the former (quick, what color is your
best tie?) and too historic and poised for the latter. The sound is
great. There isn’t a bad seat in the house (we’ve caught some of our
best shows from the risers Camps behind the balcony seats, barely
three armlengths from the forgotten upstairs bar), and there’s usually
parking if you don’t mind a block-or-two-walk through some of the nicest
historic neighborhoods in the time zone. Sadness and joy and lurid
tales of Boulder’s nightlife history all resonate within its art deco
walls. Props as well to the Dairy Center for the Arts, which has grown
to be one of the most dynamic arts venues in the state, and the
estimable Macky Auditorium (where we’ve walked out on Keith Jarrett and
stayed for Johnny Rotten), as well as the inimitable Boulder’s Dinner
Theater, with its live shows and terrific food.
