The power of cinema & the Boulder International Film Festival

In a past life, I spent lots of time watching movies as part of my job! Some I wanted to see; some I wish I'd never seen; and some that helped me understand a little more about human nature / see the world through a different perspective and/or gave me a huge dose of inspiration. Most of the movies that fall into the latter categories have been independent films or documentaries and the majority of those I would have never heard of had it not been for the film festival circuit.

Living in Colorado, we are lucky to have several festivals that attract some of the best movies being made (both independent and studio released). Over the years, I've attended the Denver International Film Festival, Breckenridge Festival of Film and the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. This year, I'm excited for a festival that's happening right here in Boulder, the fifth annual Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF).

For three days (February 12 - 15), BIFF will highlight 55 films and 31 filmmakers with a spotlight on comedy, adventure and music themes. Legendary comedian Chevy Chase will receive an Award of Excellence in Comedy on February 14 during the Red Carpet Valentine's Gala event. On Opening Night, audiences will have the opportunity to check out Nothing But the Truth starring Kate Beckinsale with Matt Dillon & Angela Bassett followed by a conversation with Rod Lurie (the film's writer /producer).

BIFF announced their program last week. Here are a few entries that caught my eye:

• Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame view trailer
  
  
• The Unwinking Gaze: The Inside Story of the Dalai Lama’s Struggle for Tibet read more
  
  
• Revanche view trailer
  
  
• Sunshine Cleaning view trailer
  
  
• Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison view trailer
  
  
• The Human Experience view trailer
  
  
• Saving Luna learn more
  
  

Visit the BIFF Web site (www.biff1.com) to learn more about this year's festival. Check out the selection and experience the power of cinema for yourself.

"What is saved in cinema when it archives art is a spontaneous continutity with all mankind. It is not an art of the princes or the bourgeoisie. It is popular and vagrant. In the sky of the cinema, people learn what they might have been and discover what belongs to them apart from their single lives." - John Berger

Denver's Mayor tells Downtown Boulder to call him John

With an audience of close to 200 distinguished guests attending Downtown Boulder’s Annual Luncheon (& awards ceremony), John Hickenlooper told the audience he would prefer for people to call him John rather than Mayor. This was one of many highlights that the Mayor… John… touched on during his presentation as the event’s keynote speaker.

While enjoying a lovely catered lunch at the historic Hotel Boulderado, Hickenlooper brought the audience to their feet (twice) with his sincerity, wit, humor and all around good nature. He shared some of his personal experiences from the Presidential Inauguration and touched on the success of last year’s Democratic National Convention. He reminded the audience how proud they should be to live and work in Boulder and the need to work together through these tough economic times. With subtlety, he stated how important it is, now more than ever, to support locally owned and operated businesses and the positive repercussions of doing so.His approachability and warmth resonated with the attendees as the luncheon drew to a close.

This year’s Annual Luncheon recognized individuals and businesses in the Downtown Boulder community who help make it one of the premiere shopping, dining and entertainment destinations in the state. Beverly Silva, director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Boulderado was recognized with the Outstanding Downtown Community Service award. George Emmons, owner of Into the Wind was received the Outstanding Retailer; Shining Star award. Stephanie McKay, co-owner of besos accepted the award for Outstanding Downtown Partner and the Outstanding Property Owner award went to J Nold Midyette. Larry Minks (Lolitas), was honored in memoriam.

RedFish Clelebrating the End Today!

RedFish Fish House and Brewery is celebrating the end of an era today. After 12 years of providing brew, music and great southern inspired food to the masses in Downtown Boulder, they will be closing shop. Local band Sping Creek will host the "redFish is Dead" event with silent art auction of the paintings on the restuarant's walls. Food will be available from the kitchen until around 10:00 p.m. and a full bar is available until closing. All Redfish brews will be $2 a pint.

The location has been purchased by new investors who plan to open the Boulder Drafthouse on February 14, 2009.

From a LiquidPoets.com post: New owner James Howser, whose business partner is Mitch Arden of Foolish Craig’s, says the Boulder Drafthouse plans to concentrate on quality live music several nights a week. "We will have a strong concentration of bluegrass at our new venue with much of it being acoustic music,' he says. “We almost went with an all acoustic venue and called it the Acoustic Drafthouse.”

“Every Saturday night will be high energy bluegrass like Spring Creek. So, as we say goodbye to Redfish, we get a glimpse of the future with Spring Creek,” Howser says.

Howser and Arden, who plan to use the restaurant as its distribution point for Colorado Brewing Company beer, describe their vision for the new pub: “A Boulder brewhouse with a Front Range style menu consisting of familiar and globally inspired foods along with perfectly balanced handcrafted beers for the everyday beer drinker and the micro-brew enthusiast, all served in a friendly and comfortable setting that is enhanced by quality live music several days a week."”

Ice skating in Downtown Boulder

When I was a little girl, I must have watched the movie Ice Castles at least 100 times. As I got a bit older, I loved The Cutting Edge. One of my favorite scenes in Beautiful Girls is at the frozen lake where Marty is skating and having the conversation with Willie about Christopher Robin and Winnie The Pooh. As much as I seem to enjoy watching people skate in the movies, I've never really been overly anxious to be on the ice myself.

I bring this up because I was recently walking past the Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza at 1801 13th Street in Downtown Boulder and noticed a dad there with his two little girls. The poor guy couldn't maintain his balance for even a minute. The girls would roar with laughter every time he fell but were always right there beside him to hold his hand and help him up. For as much pain as he must have felt on his backside, he had a huge smile on his face and it seemed as though there was no where else in the world he'd rather be.

I felt inspired by this man's joy and decided that maybe before the end of the season (the ice rink will be open until February 16 - click here for their schedule), I will grab my I-Pod, upload 'Through the Eyes of Love' (all you Ice Castles fans will know what I'm talking about) and head out for for a spin or two around the ice. Whether you are Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton or just someone who is ready to get out on the ice with your family and friends, check out the Ice Rink at One Boulder Plaza and enjoy all there is to see and do in picturesque Downtown Boulder!

Chocolate bacon, peanut butter crunch, strawberry milkshake...cupcakes?

click here to watch the video

A few years ago while visiting a friend in Los Angeles, I did what any other cupcake lover in their right mind would do...I waited in line (for well over an hour) at Sprinkles Cupcakes on little Santa Monica Boulevard to get a little taste of cupcake heaven. Fast forward to present day where only blocks away from my office is Boulder's original gourmet cupcake shop, Tee and Cakes (1932 14th Street).

Sorry Sprinkles, but Tee and Cakes not only has way cooler flavors but their line never exceeds five minutes - well not yet anyway. This past weekend, Tee and Cakes was featured on a CBS4 news segment highlighting Tee and Cakes Chocolate Bacon Cupcake! This particular flavor is only available on Saturdays (or by custom order).

Tee and Cakes bakes and designs their cupcakes fresh every morning Monday - Saturday (closed on Sundays). For the best selection, get there around 11 a.m. To view their daily menu of cupcake offerings, click here. Don't forget that you can place custom orders! My personal recommendations include: Peanut Butter Crunch, Triple Chocolate, Coco-Cola and Strawberry Milkshake. (I'm a vegetarian so someone else is going to have to tell me how the Chocolate Bacon tastes!)

If you are looking for a unique cake for a special occasion (including weddings), check out their custom designs. While you are at the shop, browsTee & Cakes Side B Apparel - a super cute line (featuring tees, hoodies, onsies, tanks, toes and more) that is designed in-house and print locally. To learn more about Tee and Cakes, visit them online at TeeAndCakes.com

Chevy Chase to open the Boulder International Film Festival

The Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) just announced that comedic icon, Chevy Chase will open the 2009 festival on February 12 at the Boulder Theater. Following a 7 p.m. reception honoring the Emmy award-winning comedian, writer and actor, Chase will receive an Award of Excellence in Comedy followed a film retrospective honoring his work. Chase will then participate in a Q&A session hosted by Ron Bostwick, BIFF executive producer.

"Not only has Chevy Chase graced so many classic comedic films and been a major influence to countless comedians, he has also been a tireless advocate for this country's environmental movement which Coloradans are so passionate about," said Kathy Beek, festival co-founder and director. "We are truly honored Chevy is able to join us for a lively start to the festival."

Tickets to this event, as well as the Valentine's Gala and Closing Night of the festival, go on sale Thursday, Jan. 15. Ticket prices for Opening Night are $50, Valentine's Gala tickets are also $50 and Closing Night tickets are $35.

Single ticket prices for other films throughout the festival are $10 for adults and $8 for students & seniors (65 and older) and go on sale Friday, Jan. 23. All-access Festival VIP passes can be purchased now for $295. The VIP pass includes all of the films and the Chevy Chase Opening Night event, Valentine's Gala and the Closing Night Awards Ceremony. Tickets can be purchased at BoulderTheater.com or by calling 303-786-7030. For more information about the festival visit Biff1.com.