Use current location
We love May in Boulder. Spring has sprung, and summer really starts to hit its stride before the month is out.
There is a lot happening in May, so we’ve tried to help you plan accordingly. Below are 25 events going on in and around Boulder. We tried to mix things up with art exhibits, farmer’s markets, kid’s events and music. As you will see, though, the list starts to skew heavily toward concerts because, well, there is a lot of good music to catch this month! Tango Practica Every Friday, 8:00 p.m. Learning a new dance step is a great way to make up for any New Year’s resolutions that didn’t quite make it to mid-spring. The Boulder Tango Studio on Arapahoe has an open practice session, with tango experts if you need guidance. This would also be a good time to learn a move or two if you have a bunch of invitations to weddings this summer. Sisters of Swing Every Wednesday–Sunday (with select Mondays and Tuesdays) through May 11 Boulder’s Dinner Theatre will be telling the story of the Andrews Sisters, who sold more than 90 million records and had more Top Ten hits than Elvis or the Beatles. The show is a fascinating and entertaining look at one of the biggest acts in American music before rock ‘n’ roll came along. Gayle Crites: One Thing Leads to Another Tuesday–Sunday all month One Thing Leads to Another is an exhibition of recent work at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art by Coloradan Gayle Crites. The mixed media artwork uses artifacts and materials Crites has collected over the last seven years from indigenous peoples, and the art itself explores the difficulties of balancing respect for indigenous cultures and their histories with modern realities. Boulder Farmer’s Market Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 4:00–8:00 p.m. Farm-fresh meat, Colorado-grown produce, and locally made wines and cheeses. May kicks off a really nice four- or five-month stretch of great seasonal eating, so enjoy. Note that anything marked “organic” has been grown on a state-certified farm. Emerge 5K May 4, 8:30 a.m Proceeds from the Emerge 5K will go to providing counseling for local youth who are at risk of suicide. You can still register here. The 5K will be held at the Boulder Reservoir. Great Boulder Youth Orchestras Season Finale May 4, 2:00 p.m. The Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras will hold their last performance of the season at Macky Auditorium. The performance will feature the winners of the Concerto Competition, Allyson Stibbards and Adrian Emmett-Mattox. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children. Cirque du Soleil – Varekai May 7–11 Varekai from Cirque du Soleil will have a run at 1st Bank Center the second weekend in May. In Cirque du Soleil’s own words, the show is “a tribute to the nomadic soul.” Tickets start at $50. Nonprofit Technology Summit May 8, 8:00 a.m. This is the only event of its kind in Colorado. If you work for a nonprofit, the Nonprofit Technology Summit will teach you how to use technology confidently in your work, save your organization money and time, and boost efficiencies. The summit will be held at the Boulder Marriott. Lake Estes Bird Sanctuary Flood & Habitat Restoration May 10, 9:00 a.m. The September floods did significant damage to the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary at Lake Estes, in Larimer County. Registration is already full for VOC’s work there, but you can still put your name on the waiting list. Boulder Home & Garden Fair May 10, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. The Home & Garden Fair will celebrate its seventh year with more than 60 vendors, which includes builders, landscapers and garden specialists. Head to the 29th Street retail district the second Saturday in May for inspiration for your summer projects. (Rain date is the following Saturday, May 17.) The Dandy Warhols at Fox Theatre May 10, 9:00 p.m. The band behind one of the late-90s’ catchiest jams, “Bohemian Like You,” is playing Fox Theatre. Tickets are $23–25. Bonus points if you do some homework beforehand and watch the documentary Dig! Pillars of Ingenuity May 11, 7:30 p.m. This is going to be a great concert. The BCO’s Mother’s Day concert will feature violinist Lindsay Deutsch, who will be playing selections from Beethoven, Brahms and Smetana. The performance will be held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Mapleton Avenue. General admission tickets are $25 with discounts available for students, children and seniors. Will Power Festival 2014 May 12, 10:00 a.m. Local elementary school students will help put on this one-day celebration of William Shakespeare. Students from five schools will get together to put on a performance of The Tempest, with each school in charge of one act. The performance will take place at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre. Boulder Startup Week May 12–16 “Connecting, educating, engaging and drinking with the best community in the world.” Those are some bold claims, Boulder Startup Week. BSW’s site says there will be 55 events in total. Further details will be announced soon. Nickel Creek at 1st Bank Center May 13, 8:00 p.m. Remember when Nickel Creek was one of the biggest bands going a few years ago? Well, by the time they made it big, this bluegrass trio had been playing together for almost 20 years. So, they took a break. Now, a few years later, they’re back with a new record. Tickets start at $20. International Migratory Bird Day May 17, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. The Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat is celebrating Migratory Bird Day with its fourth annual Walk in the Wild. The event is free, and it’s a great way to get your kids to see some really great wildlife up close. Sing P’zazz Spring Concert May 17, 7:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m. The P’zazz children’s vocal ensemble will hold a performance at the Broomfield Auditorium. Look for songs from The Beatles, Lionel Richie, Michael Bublé and more. Tickets are $15, $10 for students, seniors and those in the military. Mac’s Place One-Year Anniversary w/ The Prairie Scholars May 18, noon Longmont cafe Mac’s Place is celebrating a year in business with a performance from The Prairie Scholars, which is singer-songwriter duo Andy and Jessica Eppler. Free music and home cooking on a Sunday afternoon — what could be better? Boulder Creek Festival May 24–26 There aren’t many better weekends in Boulder than Memorial Day Weekend. Kick things off at 9th and Arapahoe with music, food and drinks. The next few listings will help you plan out the rest of this weekend. Caribou Mountain Collective May 24, 8:00 p.m.–late One more for you fans of progressive bluegrass. Nederland’s Caribou Mountain Collective will be playing at Conor O’Neill’s on 13th Street. Memorial Day Mountain Music Fest & Barbecue May 25, noon If you still have energy on Sunday, head down to the Gold Hill Inn on Main Street. Live music will include 2013 International Blues Challenge finalists Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi Band with Erica Brown plus Whale Tales, the Steve Itterly Band, and Russ Chapman. On top of that: Smoked salmon and apple cider brisket. Tickets for the show are $15; add $14 if you want some barbecue. Bolder Boulder May 26, 6:55 a.m. America’s best 10K caps off Memorial Day Weekend. The first wave of racers launches just before 7:00 a.m. You can still register by going here . The Naked and Famous May 27, 9:00 p.m. Moody synths and a 90s alt-rock vibe are a good way to cool down from Memorial Day Weekend. New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous will be playing the Boulder Theater with White Sea and Strange Babes. Tickets are $25. Grant Farm & Fruition May 28, 9:00 p.m. Roots, rock, and soul from a couple of great bands at the Fox Theatre. Locals Grant Farm are raising funds for a new album, “Plowin’ Time,” while Portland’s Fruition have been touring/vagabonding across the country for a few years now. Their new record, “Just One of Them Nights,” is out this summer. Tickets start at $12. Victor Wooten May 30, 8:30 p.m. Finish off the month with one of the baddest dudes in jazz. Bassist Victor Wooten is an influential, five-time Grammy winner who also plays in Béla Fleck & The Flecktones. He’s playing the Boulder Theater, and tickets start at $25.
There is a lot happening in May, so we’ve tried to help you plan accordingly. Below are 25 events going on in and around Boulder. We tried to mix things up with art exhibits, farmer’s markets, kid’s events and music. As you will see, though, the list starts to skew heavily toward concerts because, well, there is a lot of good music to catch this month!
Every Friday, 8:00 p.m.
Learning a new dance step is a great way to make up for any New Year’s resolutions that didn’t quite make it to mid-spring. The Boulder Tango Studio on Arapahoe has an open practice session, with tango experts if you need guidance. This would also be a good time to learn a move or two if you have a bunch of invitations to weddings this summer.
Every Wednesday–Sunday (with select Mondays and Tuesdays) through May 11
Boulder’s Dinner Theatre will be telling the story of the Andrews Sisters, who sold more than 90 million records and had more Top Ten hits than Elvis or the Beatles. The show is a fascinating and entertaining look at one of the biggest acts in American music before rock ‘n’ roll came along.
Tuesday–Sunday all month
One Thing Leads to Another is an exhibition of recent work at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art by Coloradan Gayle Crites. The mixed media artwork uses artifacts and materials Crites has collected over the last seven years from indigenous peoples, and the art itself explores the difficulties of balancing respect for indigenous cultures and their histories with modern realities.
Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Farm-fresh meat, Colorado-grown produce, and locally made wines and cheeses. May kicks off a really nice four- or five-month stretch of great seasonal eating, so enjoy. Note that anything marked “organic” has been grown on a state-certified farm.
May 4, 8:30 a.m
Proceeds from the Emerge 5K will go to providing counseling for local youth who are at risk of suicide. You can still register here. The 5K will be held at the Boulder Reservoir.
May 4, 2:00 p.m.
The Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras will hold their last performance of the season at Macky Auditorium. The performance will feature the winners of the Concerto Competition, Allyson Stibbards and Adrian Emmett-Mattox. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children.
May 7–11
Varekai from Cirque du Soleil will have a run at 1st Bank Center the second weekend in May. In Cirque du Soleil’s own words, the show is “a tribute to the nomadic soul.” Tickets start at $50.
May 8, 8:00 a.m.
This is the only event of its kind in Colorado. If you work for a nonprofit, the Nonprofit Technology Summit will teach you how to use technology confidently in your work, save your organization money and time, and boost efficiencies. The summit will be held at the Boulder Marriott.
May 10, 9:00 a.m.
The September floods did significant damage to the Matthews-Reeser Bird Sanctuary at Lake Estes, in Larimer County. Registration is already full for VOC’s work there, but you can still put your name on the waiting list.
May 10, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The Home & Garden Fair will celebrate its seventh year with more than 60 vendors, which includes builders, landscapers and garden specialists. Head to the 29th Street retail district the second Saturday in May for inspiration for your summer projects. (Rain date is the following Saturday, May 17.)
May 10, 9:00 p.m.
The band behind one of the late-90s’ catchiest jams, “Bohemian Like You,” is playing Fox Theatre. Tickets are $23–25. Bonus points if you do some homework beforehand and watch the documentary Dig!
May 11, 7:30 p.m.
This is going to be a great concert. The BCO’s Mother’s Day concert will feature violinist Lindsay Deutsch, who will be playing selections from Beethoven, Brahms and Smetana. The performance will be held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Mapleton Avenue. General admission tickets are $25 with discounts available for students, children and seniors.
May 12, 10:00 a.m.
Local elementary school students will help put on this one-day celebration of William Shakespeare. Students from five schools will get together to put on a performance of The Tempest, with each school in charge of one act. The performance will take place at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre.
May 12–16
“Connecting, educating, engaging and drinking with the best community in the world.” Those are some bold claims, Boulder Startup Week. BSW’s site says there will be 55 events in total. Further details will be announced soon.
May 13, 8:00 p.m.
Remember when Nickel Creek was one of the biggest bands going a few years ago? Well, by the time they made it big, this bluegrass trio had been playing together for almost 20 years. So, they took a break. Now, a few years later, they’re back with a new record. Tickets start at $20.
May 17, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
The Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat is celebrating Migratory Bird Day with its fourth annual Walk in the Wild. The event is free, and it’s a great way to get your kids to see some really great wildlife up close.
May 17, 7:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
The P’zazz children’s vocal ensemble will hold a performance at the Broomfield Auditorium. Look for songs from The Beatles, Lionel Richie, Michael Bublé and more. Tickets are $15, $10 for students, seniors and those in the military.
May 18, noon
Longmont cafe Mac’s Place is celebrating a year in business with a performance from The Prairie Scholars, which is singer-songwriter duo Andy and Jessica Eppler. Free music and home cooking on a Sunday afternoon — what could be better?
May 24–26
There aren’t many better weekends in Boulder than Memorial Day Weekend. Kick things off at 9th and Arapahoe with music, food and drinks. The next few listings will help you plan out the rest of this weekend.
May 24, 8:00 p.m.–late
One more for you fans of progressive bluegrass. Nederland’s Caribou Mountain Collective will be playing at Conor O’Neill’s on 13th Street.
May 25, noon
If you still have energy on Sunday, head down to the Gold Hill Inn on Main Street. Live music will include 2013 International Blues Challenge finalists Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi Band with Erica Brown plus Whale Tales, the Steve Itterly Band, and Russ Chapman. On top of that: Smoked salmon and apple cider brisket. Tickets for the show are $15; add $14 if you want some barbecue.
May 26, 6:55 a.m.
America’s best 10K caps off Memorial Day Weekend. The first wave of racers launches just before 7:00 a.m. You can still register by going here
.
May 27, 9:00 p.m.
Moody synths and a 90s alt-rock vibe are a good way to cool down from Memorial Day Weekend. New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous will be playing the Boulder Theater with White Sea and Strange Babes. Tickets are $25.
May 28, 9:00 p.m.
Roots, rock, and soul from a couple of great bands at the Fox Theatre. Locals Grant Farm are raising funds for a new album, “Plowin’ Time,” while Portland’s Fruition have been touring/vagabonding across the country for a few years now. Their new record, “Just One of Them Nights,” is out this summer. Tickets start at $12.
May 30, 8:30 p.m.
Finish off the month with one of the baddest dudes in jazz. Bassist Victor Wooten is an influential, five-time Grammy winner who also plays in Béla Fleck & The Flecktones. He’s playing the Boulder Theater, and tickets start at $25.
Please click anywhere to continue browsing our site.