Say "Sesquincentennial Stroll" Five Times Really Fast.

For this year's July 4th and Boulder's 150th Birthday, the city of Boulder is celebrating with a Sesquicentennial Stroll. The day-long festivities include live music, tasty barbecue, arts and crafts, a bike parade and of course, fireworks.

The day begins at Chautauqua with an official welcome ceremony from 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. followed by the Colorado Music Festival Brass Band with an outside performance accompanied by delicious barbecue in the dining hall. In the spirit of creating a sustainable city, this event will be zero-waste.

From 1:30 - 5:30 you are invited to stroll to six city sights for entertainment, education and fun. Make your way over to the Columbia Cemetery for a "Stroll with the Spirits" from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Or if you're looking for something a little more lively, check out the Fourth of July Children's Bike Parade in Central Park from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. (be there early to decorate). If your in the mood for some dessert after your barbecue, head to the Boulder History Museum for a Boulder birthday cake 1 - 4:30 p.m. While you're snacking wander their "Only in Boulder" exhibit while your tots pan for gold and get artsy. If you're interested in a brief history lesson, make your way to the CU Heritage Center and their "Boulder and CU Through the Years" exhibit from 1 - 4:30 p.m. If you're looking to make your Independence Day a more global experience, stroll down to Pearl Street 3 - 5:30 p.m. to celebrate Boulder's many Sister City communities in Africa, Asia and Central America. Or if you're ready to just sit back and relax with food and friends, join the Bluegrass Concert at Central Park 2 - 5:30 p.m. to enjoy the great Summer sun.

At 8 p.m. make your way to Ralphie's Independence Day Blast at Folsom Stadium for Boulder's 150th Birthday Party, music, and fireworks until 10 p.m.

If you're planning on attending the Sesquicentennial Stroll, park for FREE in Downtown Boulder and taking the HOP to Chautauqua.

Have a happy Fourth!

-Claire Little

It's Monday...Let's Talk This Weekend

It's only Monday but this weekend is gearing up to be a spectacular mix of community events and great weather!

This Friday is Boulder's First Friday, where businesses celebrate the first Friday of each month. It all kicks off with Noon Tunes featuring Flexigrass with Pete Wernick from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Earthwood Gallery opens its July exhibit of Bob Rickard, fine metal artists, from 6 - 9 p.m. Ten20 will be offering a free polish change complete with M&Ms and Sex in the City all day. prAna will join in with an art show of oil painter Bridgid Lupetin. Boulder Theater continues its Beat the Heat Film Series with a showing of Dark Side of the Rainbow at 8 p.m. for a full list of First Friday events, see our events calendar.

If you're not too tuckered out from Friday's events, Downtown Boulder is celebrating Fourth of July (this Saturday) with quite a bang! Start it off with everyone's favorite Farmers' Market followed by a bluegrass concert in the bandshell. Centro, West End Tavern and The Blending Cellar are all hosting special July 4th events: Centro will have a tasty barbeque, West End Tavern will be offering specialty drinks like a pop rock cockatail and a free shuttle to the fireworks, and The Blending Cellar will celebrate with a red, white and sparkling flight. Boulder will also be celebrating its Sesquicentennial with a Sesquicentennial Stroll through several of our favorite historic landmarks. Check our blog on Thursday for more details on this event. And let's not forget the fireworks at Folsom Stadium (gates open 7 p.m.)!

Sunday is a day of recovery with some great live music held at Boulder Draft House, b.side Lounge, Boulder Theater and The Laughing Goat. See our events calendar for

From all of us at Downtown Boulder, we wish you a happy Fourth of July weekend!

- Claire Little

ZimFest 2009 is Here!

For over 18 years the Zimbabwean Music Festival has brought a weekend of African song and dance, workshops, art, film and much much more to Boulder! Over 500 people of all ages and skill levels will register for lessons and workshops on marimba, mbira, singing, dance, drum, hosho and more. Many others will attend the over 50 hours of concerts held at Boulder Theater, Boulder County Farmer's Market and Boulder's Central Park.

The evening concerts kick-off tonight at the Boulder Theater with youth talent featuring Kutandara Youth Ensembles, Shumba Youth Marimba and more. On Friday Aivani Masango's Pachedu and Julia Chigamba's Chinyakare Dance and Drum are headlining. Check out a video of Pachedu and Chinyakare. The evening concerts will wrap up on Saturday with Panjea and The Bongo Boys of Zimbabwe. For a full list of all performances at Boulder Theater click here.

That is certainly not all for ZimFest concerts however! Outdoor concerts will be held Today through Saturday in Boulder's Central Park from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

No tickets are necessary for the afternoon concerts, but you can get your evening tickets at www.bouldertheater.com or a 3-Day pass at www.2009.zimfest.org. For a payment of $15 at registration you can sign up for countless instrument, dancing and singing workshops. Also, if you're interested in African music and culture and have some extra time on your hands, click here to help out and volunteer.

For a complete list of the various and numerous activities including not only concerts but soccer games, art fairs and film screenings, see the festival guide. Don't miss the 2009 ZimFest hitting town TODAY!

-Claire Little

Noon Tunes: Tunes at Noon!

It's that time of the year again! Summer's here (sort of) and among other fantastic events, Downtown Boulder's Noon Tunes has begun! Every Friday this Summer come downtown and picnic on your lunch break with some of Boulder's best local bands in the background. Coming up this Friday is instrumental surf band The Beloved Invaders. Click here for a full list of bands playing in Downtown Boulder's Noon Tunes!

- Claire Little

Bikers and Peds Rebel! Parking Spaces Day This Friday!

It's Parking Spaces Day this Friday in Downtown Boulder! On June 12th East End businesses will transform 8x17 plots of grade-A storefront parking into community spaces. Take a mini-exercise class, work on your putting skills, relax and read a book, do some yoga or sit back and chat with other visitors in the variety of spaces the East End has to offer! Pedestrians and bikers can play parking spaces Bingo by downloading a card here and getting stamps along the way. Once filled, you can enter to win a slew of prizes at the end of the day.

As part of Walk & Bike Month, this event strives to promote a cleaner planet and brighter community. This day will help visualize a world-wide movement for replacing space for cars with space for humans. Parking Spaces Day dares to imagine a place where the 3,778 parking spaces in Downtown Boulder are no longer needed and can be transformed into free bike racks and community spaces for all.

Momentum, one of the many businesses participating this Friday, will be celebrating their 2nd birthday with cake, a massage chair and drawing for a $50 gift certificate at their space. During the day they will also be unveiling their life-size galimoto, a traditional Kenyan bicycle push toy, created from scrap in collaboration with Community Cycles. The Cup will also be participating by following the footsteps of Portland, Missouri and New York by offering bike corrals in an effort to reduce the number of bikes locked up to trees, benches or street signs. Joyful Furniture, another participant, will be holding a paint-your-own-park-bench activity in their 136 square feet. Other businesses participating will be Barrett Studio, Aji, Full Cycle, Urban Pearl and Violette.

Don't miss Walk & Bike Month's Parking Spaces Day in Downtown Boulder's East End from 10 a.m - 2 p.m. Friday June 12th. Also, Bike to Work Day is coming up June 24th! Register here!

-Claire Little

Bands...Bricks...Enough Said.

For ten glorious nights well-loved local bands will rock out on the 1300 block of Pearl Street for the masses. Join the 1,500+ people that swarm the bricks weekly to engage in eating, listening, dancing and general tomfoolery...all for free!

The 12th year of this quintessential Boulder Summer event kicks off TONIGHT with Funkiphino, a band that’s sure to get your feet tapping. Rock out to covers of the classics (think Bille Jean and Repect) with what Westword Magazine called The Best Funk Band. Sample their music and preview their shows here.

June will feature not only funk, but Latin-infused rock as well as soul-stirring blues. Soul Sacrifice on the 17th will play their saucy renditions of Santana favorites such as Oye Como Va and Black Magic Woman. On the 24th will be The Informants, voted Best Blues Band by Westword Magazine. Known as “Denver’s little secret”, this band features eclectic upbeat modern roots numbers with sex-kitten vocalist Kerry Pastine.

Ringing in the first day of July is The Champions. Performing the music of Journey, Heart, Boston, Stevie Nicks and many more, The Champions will rock you back to the 80s. On July 8th, The Fab-4 will recreate the sounds of The Beatles, and then Hazel Miller, Aretha's self-proclaimed soul sister will sing on the 15th. Homeslice, a vocal and horn musical powerhouse will then take the stage on the 22nd and the Legendary 4-Nikators will follow on the 29th with 60's and 70's Motown.

Wrapping up the series in August will be Chris Daniels & the Kings on the 5th, a horn band playing Funk/Jump Blues/Rock 'n Roll followed by Opie Gone Bad, an alternative rock/funk band on the 12th.

Don't miss the opening of Boulder's beloved concert series Bands on the Bricks TONIGHT from 7 - 9 p.m.!

-Claire Little

Find Your 60 Seconds of Fame at Boulder Outdoor Cinema

Love watching movies? Love making movies? Listen up! People Productions and Boulder Outdoor Cinema are teaming up for a summer of local and independent filmmaker love. Aspiring artists are encouraged to create a one minute video for the chance to have it viewed at the weekly Boulder Outdoor Cinema. At the end of the summer, the three best videos will be chosen for cool and handy prizes like a Flip HD video camera, a Blu-ray player, or a free membership to Boulder Digital Arts.

People Productions has been supporting the local film industry for over 25 years. They’ve brought your community everything from “Peacejam,” an award winning documentary featuring the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, to Nederland’s Frozen Dead Guy Days. They specialize in communications via videos and digital media for corporate, educational and non-profit clients around the world.

Entry forms and ALL contest submissions can be found at the contest website. Or check out Boulder Outdoor Cinema’s event schedule to see the chosen videos on the big screen!

Perhaps our favorite netflix contestants will grace us with a short?

Photo courtesy of Boulder Outdoor Cinema.

-Claire Little

First Friday, Jewish Festival, Outdoor Cinema and More!

This weekend, there are tons of activities happening throughout Downtown Boulder. Here’s some highlights:

On Friday (June 5), Pearl Street’s East End merchants (from the 1500 – 2100 blocks), are kicking off their own version of First Fridays. Look for balloons up and down the East End and check out some of the great businesses that occupy the blocks just east of the Bricks. First Friday Boulder is also a great resource of special happenings and events throughout downtown. Tee and Cakes, Boulder Arts and Crafts Gallery & Earthwood Gallery are just some of the businesses celebrating First Friday. Don’t forget to check out Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art’s(BMoCA) Grand Reopening Celebration!

On Saturday (June 6), the Boulder County Farmers’ Market will be in full swing between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. During the same time period, the 5th Annual Mapleton Hill Boulder Historic District Rummage Sale will be taking place. Over 40 historic homes will be offering fabulous finds, collectibles, toys & gear, clothes, furniture, kitchenware, lemonade, coffee, baked goods and more! At 2 p.m., the West End Tavern hosts their version of the Belmont Stakes with Hermit Crab Races, $5 Belmont Breezes & Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps. Later in the evening, Boulder Outdoor Cinema starts their summer season with AIRPLANE. Gates open at 7 p.m. with lots of pre-show contests, short films and live entertainment! Grab your chair, beanbag or sectional and enjoy a night under the stars!

Sunday (June 7), enjoy a wonderful brunch at Bacaro Venetian Taverna. The restaurant supports local and organic farms including Haystack Mountain and Niman Ranch. For women (and just women) who want to enjoy some exercise & fresh air, check out the Venus De Miles Club Ride for beginner and intermediate cyclists! Meet at Full Cycle (18th and Pearl streets) at 9 a.m. Before the ride, Michelle Karl will lead the group in a short exercise on balancing hectic lives. In the late morning, the Pearl Street Mall welcomes the Boulder Jewish Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the 1200 – 1500 blocks. If you are feeling creative, head to Color Me Mine for Family Day and enjoy half price paint time! ( “Insider Tip”: park FREE in City of Boulder Parking Garages EVERY Saturday and Sunday throughout the year!)

For a complete list of happenings and businesses in Downtown Boulder, visit BoulderDowntown.com, Follow Downtown Boulder on Twitter and become a Fan on Facebook!

-Terri Takata-Smith

May Flowers Bring June…Showers

We all know Boulder’s weather is a little wacky, but with all this rain splashing down on summer, just look on the bright side: at least it’s not 100 degrees (yet)! When the seasons do their switcheroo, sometimes it’s easy to forget how one might spend their day in such disagreeable weather. So when you’re staring out your window searching for the sun remember that there’s plenty to be done in Downtown Boulder – even on rainy days!

If your bike is rather ill-equipped for the rain like mine, hop on our town’s fantastic transportation system to get where you need to go. Order a warm breakfast and coffee at Foolish Craig’s, because who wants to eat a bowl of cereal and start the day off cold? Not me! With its cozy, inviting environment, it’s the perfect place to hide out and fill up for the day. If you’re lucky enough you’ll get a seat by the window and watch all the poor suckers that forgot their raincoats that morning.

After you’re fat and happy with something yummy like ‘A Bunch of Hooey’ or a ‘Tofu Scramble’, make a dash for the Pearl Street Mall. It’s time for some shopping and first on the list is Into the Wind! This store is the perfect place to soak up some cheer for any age. If the colors, toys, and games don’t put a smile on your face then abandon all hope and wait for the sun to come out. But if you’re a kid at heart,like me, this is the perfect stop on a rainy day.

Next up is Peppercorn. This store just oozes homey goodness - I can spend hours in here rain or shine. I always make an effort to throw some kind of gathering when it’s nasty outside and Peppercorn is the perfect place for planning the party. Here you can browse the cookbooks for a great rainy recipe, grab some drink mixers to warm your spirits, or wander amongst the cookware of your dreams.

Then head to Outdoor Divas for planning of a different sort. Here you can gear up for the next sunny day and outdoor adventure be it hiking, biking, fishing or swimming. For those who wouldn't consider themselves divas, head to Boulder Army Store, or for the tykes try Little Mountain Outfitters.

Ready for some downtime? Hit up the Boulder Book Store. With three stories of literary magic hopefully you can find something that sparks your interest. With a new paperback in hand, settle in at Bookend Cafe for a hot chocolate or just down the road at Trident for their famous cider.

If you can eventually pull yourself out of the book, wind down with a stroll down Boulder Creek Path. If you’ve never been down the path during rain, make a mental note to do so; the bikers are few, there won't be gaggles of dogs getting in your way, and the greenery and creek plump up for spectacular sounds and sights.

Back in the comfort of your own home, dry off, get warm, and although I’m sure you had a fabulous day in rainy Downtown Boulder, curse the rain and hope that tomorrow is one of Boulder's 300 days of sun.

- Claire Little