The good vibes will be flowing freely during the 5th installment of the Nederland Jazz and Wine Festival on Aug. 22. Credit: Sal DeVincenzo
Get a little culture during the final night of Arts in the Park at the Glen Huntington Bandshell in Boulder on Aug. 23. Credit: Hartley Wilderness
Poetry and Music w/ Karen Auvinen
6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, Nederland Community Library, 200 Highway 72. Free
Join Nederland’s poet laureate for an evening of song and verse. Enjoy the summer weather in the library’s reading garden, sprawled on a blanket (BYO) or perched on a stone bench. Karen Auvinen hosts this plein air poetry event featuring acoustic music and readings from poet-residents of the Peak to Peak.
Art and Stories of Rocky Mountain National Park
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, Fall River Visitor Center, 3450 Fall River Road, Estes Park. $120
The beauty of the Rocky Mountains has inspired more than a few artists and writers. Learn about some of them in this all-day excursion featuring exclusive, behind-the-scenes looks at the works from past artists in residence. End the day at the main visitor center, where you can use your newfound knowledge to cast a critical eye on the art and architecture of this historic building.
Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival
3-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 and 12-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, The Outpost at Miner’s Point, 2350 Riverside Drive, Idaho Springs. $68 day pass; $128 for both days
Experience the world’s only bluegrass festival accessible by cable car. (Probably — we didn’t check.) Ride the brand-new Mighty Argo to the top of Miner’s Point: 8,800 feet above sea level. Take in the mountain views and down-home bluegrass as you eat, drink and dance about as close to the stars as you can get. Take that, Telluride!
Ned Jazz and Wine Festival
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, Chipeta Park, 254-306 Lakeview Drive, Nederland. $65+
Everyone's favorite fusion of music and booze is back. Marking its 5th year, Ned Jazz and Wine features a full day of live music — featuring River Eckert & Friends, JoFoKe & Same Cloth and Gabriel Santiago Trio — plus food trucks, craft vendors and unlimited samples from wineries, distilleries, breweries and non-alcoholic beverage purveyors.
The Great Central City Beer Fest
Noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, Main Street, Central City. $58+
Beer’s been flowing in Central City since the 1800s. Buy your ticket, grab your official tasting cup and fill up — and up and up, with all the samples you can guzzle. Aoxomoxoa and Jewel & The Rough will provide the soundtrack to your high-altitude bender. A few down-hillers from Denver are among the more than 20 breweries slinging beer, but the emphasis is on mountain outfits, from Idaho Springs to Alamosa.
Movie Night at The Old Gallery
7-9 p.m. Thursdays, The Old Gallery, 14863 Colorado Highway 7, Allenspark. Free
Save your $15: Swap AMC for an art gallery. Every Thursday, settle in for a film among friends, family and neighbors. Relive familiar favorites or finally check that classic off your bucket list. Got a request? Email info@theoldgallery.org. With enough notice, they promise to “try and make it happen.”
First Friday Makers Market
4:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 4th Ave. and Coffman St., Longmont. Free
Local vibes are in full force during First Friday Makers Market in Longmont. This monthly community bash is anchored by a wide array of local artisans, vendors and food trucks for a night of art, creativity, games, local brews, music and a whole lot more. Oh, and it’s dog-friendly, so no need to leave your furry friend at home.
Lights Off Lyons
5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, Bohn Park, 199 2nd Ave., Lyons. Free
The show begins when the sun goes down during the 6th annual Lights Off Lyons. This yearly stargazing event encourages residents and businesses to go low lights or no lights on Aug. 14 to protect our dark skies for a night walk, local star guides, live music and family fun. Free tent camping available in Bohn Park.
Golden Fine Arts Festival
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 15-16, Parfet Park, 701 10th St., Golden. Free
Celebrating 36 years, the Golden Fine Arts Festival returns to Parfet Park in the heart of downtown Golden for another round of eye-popping visual works by world-class artists from all over the map. In addition to the juried two-day art show, the fun includes live entertainment, food trucks and beer and wine gardens.
Sunday Kiki Sessions
1-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, Rocky Mountain Equality 3340 Mitchell Lane Boulder. Free
Get ready to serve Boulder realness on the runway during this drop-in Kiki workshop at Rocky Mountain Equality. Learn how to vogue like a pro while celebrating ballroom culture and queer community during this free event open to all identities and ages.
Embers: Stories of Wildfire Resilience
7:30-9:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Aug. 21-22, Junkyard Social Club. 2525 Frontier Ave., Unit A, Boulder. $35-$55
Join the Alpine Artist Collective for this immersive performance exploring the intersection between wildfire and human life through dance, film, music and visual art. This fun and informative event aims to provide "an alternative reimagining of the rituals of wildfire to center around natural lifecycles, restoration, regeneration, resilience and hope."
Arts in the Park
2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, Glen Huntington Bandshell, Canyon Blvd. and Broadway, Boulder. $TBA
Culture takes center stage at the Glen Huntington Bandshell as the City of Boulder ties a bow on another season of Arts in the Park. The final installment of the summer series features a showcase by the Arts Hub in Lafayette, a nonprofit arts center featuring theater productions, youth camps, adult classes and more.
